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Not huge differences between the Horizon and Meridian, but here's a list from my recollection:

1. Horizon is bigger 740 x 350 as opposed to 710 x 305.

2. Meridian has 'step-in' door, whereas Horizon can go flat. I suppose you could say the Meridian is more bug-proof because of that, but less flexible in good weather.

3. You can buy side door canopy or porch for Horizon, not for Meridian. This for me is a key difference in the Horizon's favour. The canopy makes a huge difference for cooking, extending the living area, and in keeping the rain out.

4. Horizon has a big door on one end in addition to the two side doors, Meridian has only the side doors.

5. Horizon has a higher living area, peaks at 225cm whereas Meridian is 210 high throughout.

6. I'm not sure about the bedroom dividers, as to whether they're one room with a tie-down divider or whether they're separate 2 man pods in one of the ends. i think you get one of each in either tent but worth checking.

7. They're both the same material. And I think they have the same diameter fibreglass poles.

8. The prestige range is a new 'tag' this year. I don't think it infers much difference.

I did alot of research last year on the Gelert tents, I've seen them both up and both are good tents. But as you can see from my above comments I'd have chosen the Horizon.

Definately a fair weather camper. I don't like rain. Rain + Tent = Trouble.
2011:
July: Galpton, Devon
August: Duinrell, Holland

The Horizon last year was listed as 5000mm HH, so I'm not sure why they've downgraded it, can only be because of test experience, but it will certainly be waterproof enough for 2 season camping.

The Meridian 10 size shouldn't be too much of an issue, same length but 400 wide. It's a few kilos heavier, but not much in it. Definately better to have slightly too big than slightly too small. How many people is it for?

In the end we didn't buy the Horizon 8, but only because last year's weather was so poor that we deferred the camping to this year. And now we've bought the Outwell Sun Valley 6, which was a bit of a turnaround from the vis-a-vis style of the Horizon, but we really wanted an Outwell Bear Lake 6 and the SV6 was a polyester similar match and a good bargain when we bought it.

Two man job? I'd say so for any 6 or 8 man tent. Some people put up these tents on their own, if they're ring and pin systems you can do one side and run round to do the other but it can't be easy and if it's windy you'd be in trouble! I wouldn't want to do it on my own.

Didn't know about the Meridian canopy. It kind of levels it up. I'd have bought a canopy for the Horizon, but I suppose the porch has an advantage, esp if you can take the face panel off it easily.

Check out the windows and flyscreen differences between the two. I don't think either have flymesh on the outer doors (they both do on the bedrooms), but it would sway me if one had. Our SV6 has and as I hate gnats I'd recommend a tent with fly mesh! The windows on the Meridian look bigger.

More importantly, make sure you do some research on the material, the difference between polycotton and polyester.  If you want luxury you've got to go for polycotton, then maybe get a smaller lightweight polyester one for your weekend jaunts.

Definately a fair weather camper. I don't like rain. Rain + Tent = Trouble.
2011:
July: Galpton, Devon
August: Duinrell, Holland

On the Horizon 8 vs Meridian 8 debate, here is my tuppence worth:

1) Horizon has corners slightly chopped off in plan view. So the bedrooms are not rectangular, despite what the diagrams may indicate.  That means if you have big luxury inflatable beds, the corner could poke against the angled corner of the bedroom and maybe the outer tent too.  The Meridian is perfectly rectangular and takes the beds squarely to the outer corner.  You can make this out in some of the review photos.

2) Horizon can open at one end. Meridian can't.   Of course, if you have full bedrooms at that end, it's unuseable.

3) Hydrostatic head: Current models : Meridian 5000mm, Horizon: 3000mm
    although it has varied in the past.

4) Porch / Canopy availability:  Red herring - since all Horizon porches and canopies fit the Meridian just as well, and vice-versa.  (Check out the Royal Atlanta extension which also fits both, but is better in the wind.)

5) Pole size:  Meridian: all poles same length.  Horizon: three different lengths.  The Horizon gets slightly lower as you go outwards. 

6) Bedroom layout:  Horizon one  big bedroom, two small. 
                              Meridian two big bedrooms with dividers.

7) Size; You can get a bigger Meridian (the Meridian 10) which is very spacious. The Horizon only gets as big as the 8.  If you're thinking Horizon or Meridian, consider the Meridian 10.  it's not so different in price, and is sometimes cheaper!

8) Fly screens. The side doors on both have flyscreens, but I don't know if the Horizon end door does.  I have read that the Horizon end door flap is open at the bottom, but I can only vouch for the Meridian, which is completely fly-proof.

9) Pitching:  I regularly erect the Meridian 10 single-handed.   I don't think the Horizon would be much different, except for the pole variation.

So in my mind, the only reason for getting a Horizon vs Meridian would be if you really want to open the end.

Consider also the Hi Gear equivalents, (just watch HH):
Kalahari = Meridian.
Zenobia = Horizon (8 berth not yet released?)

Post last edited on 09/03/2010 10:05:28