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Val, that Vango Icarus looks great. I guess its a new model for 2009? Have to look out for some feedback on here as to how people get on with it, but if its any good it would be a top tip for a single-handed quick erect tent for one or two.

Its a very similar design to the little Starcamper 3 I have in the cupboard. The Icarus costs more but its bigger and probably more robust with the TBS system etc, so maybe better suited to more regular use.

Neat.

Hmmmm, I've just had a nosey too and pitching time for the larger 500 is also given as just ten minutes, and it should indeed be simple to pitch - surely easier than the much loved (on these boards) Vango Venture 500 though, as you say, the Icarus costs are high at the moment (prob because it is a new model, but surely one to watch for end of season bargains, later in the year?).

However, I've just noticed how huge these tent footprints are: the 400 is Pitching Area: 620x460cm and the 500 is Pitching area: 665 x 515cm! That is some span for those fibreglass poles, don't you think? (The span on the VV500 is just 270cm).

Looks like even the VV500 has been upsurped by a much wider version: The new Vango Apollo is Pitching Area: 600x495cm!

In tents (especially those designed for solo pitching / short stay) I don't always think that bigger is better, do you? At 470 x 290cm, the old VV500 was a popular choice (search any threads on these boards with the tent name in the title). Do you think these larger models will be as much in demand?

That Oregon 600, which Val recommended has a footprint of 560 x 280cm. Personally, I wouldn't want to undertake solo pitching of a very much wider tent with flexible poles.

Another option for you is the Outwell Oregon.  That has a bedroom on either end.  Again has sealed in ground sheet, good headroom, lovely big windows and the Outwell quality.  I've put my brother's one of these up easily.  They do a canopy too.  Good that you can put kids one end and you the other.  I think this could be better for a longer stay.  It is larger but pretty stable in bad weather.  Easy to put up though.  As it is long (tunnel style) if it gets windy you can park your car along the long side to protect it.

Watch out for some of the other cheaper small Vango tents as these tend not to have the built in groundsheet and this makes all the difference and is essential.  Without this you'll get water and drafts and bugs in. The Tamour doesn't have the SIG.  I think the Venture is the same.  One I saw last year had a huge puddle in the porch.  Hope this helps.

Quote: Originally posted by san321 on 28/1/2009

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Watch out for some of the other cheaper small Vango tents as these tend not to have the built in groundsheet and this makes all the difference and is essential. 

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No, it's not an essential. It's a preference. There are still plenty of folk that don't like SIGs and don't use them, myself included. So while  a SIG my be exactly what yourself and the OP is looking for in a tent, it still doesn't mean it's an essential for everyone.

I have an Orchy and can put it up on my own in about 30 mins... the new Icarus looks nice and is cheaper , I think..  looks easier to put up as well.  Sarah x

Hi there joined the site a while back but forgot about it over the winter!

Thought I'd come and have a look at ideas for a new tent.

Last year I got a Gelert lokon vario 6 from ebay, bargain at £50 even though I had to drive from Brighton to Peterborough to collect it.

Used it loads last year but always relied on friends to help which is fine when there's a big crowd.

Now looking to get something that I can put up on my own, single mum here, teenage daughter is useless so no help there.

I really want 2 bedrooms and although I'm only 5'3" I do want to stand up in it.

After reading all the replies on this thread and others I now around 76 windows open on my laptop!

Seems like a Vango is the best bet for putting up alone.

Failing that I may just need to get myself a man

Quote: Originally posted by Sheralyn on 28/2/2009

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Hi there joined the site a while back but forgot about it over the winter!

Thought I'd come and have a look at ideas for a new tent.

Last year I got a Gelert lokon vario 6 from ebay, bargain at £50 even though I had to drive from Brighton to Peterborough to collect it.

Used it loads last year but always relied on friends to help which is fine when there's a big crowd.

Now looking to get something that I can put up on my own, single mum here, teenage daughter is useless so no help there.

I really want 2 bedrooms and although I'm only 5'3" I do want to stand up in it.

After reading all the replies on this thread and others I now around 76 windows open on my laptop!

Seems like a Vango is the best bet for putting up alone.

Failing that I may just need to get myself a man

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Sheralyn - that is a bit of a drastic step! It is easier and cheaper just to get a tent that is suited to single handed pitching!!!!

A middle sized tunnel tent is the easiest of the bendy poled constructions to handle alone. I can easily put up our Vaude Opera alone and have tackled our Vango 6 berth tunnel tent alone before now too. A 4 berth frame tent is manageable too, though these take up much more boot space and the pole bag is quite heavy.