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Hi there - well we have managed to save up for a tent for family holidays (£250 max)(we have been in the past so know we like it) will mainly be camping in the UK I imagine and there are 4 of us, mum, dad, 6year old boy 3year old girl and all the usual camping equipment and portable loo.

Torn between the following:

Vango Sungari 600

Vango Amazon 600

Vango Columbia 600

I like on all 3 of them the choice of bedroom pods as either 3 x 2's so when they are older they have their own pod each, or a 4 and a 2 (but the 4 can be divided into 2 2's) and then we would have a spare 2 for bags etc. 

I like on the Columbia the little side entrance as someone had mentioned on their review that they put the toilet in there as keeps it separate from the tent and you can zip it up for privacy.

Would get a canopy for the cooker I think,

I like the idea of tunnel tents as the sleeping is at the back and we would be looking out the front of the tent to keep an eye on the kids in the day.

But we have never owned a Vango had an Outwell before but can not afford that anymore :( I have found all 3 of these tents for no more than £200 each and £250 would be our max budget.

Any advice would be great thanks :)

we just bought this and are booked to try it in April. http://www.tauntonleisure.com/outwell-colorado-5-tent-inc-kids-room---free-blue-canopy---2009/p5716 all for less than £250.

Looking at these tents my personal choice would be the Amazon 600 without a doubt, as you have a good sized enclosed porch to cook in and you don't with the other two. This for me is a must as wind and rain make cooking no fun what so-ever. It has a great HH of 5000 where as the Sungari only has a 3000 HH. (The Columbia also has a 5000 HH). You may find as you say that you would have to buy a porch, which is more expense and weight, where as the Amazon already has one. Our first tent was a Vango Diablo 600 and we had no problems with it, we then went on to a Gelert Beyond Meridian 8, but now think its time to go for polycotton, which we have had to save up for!

Good luck with your choice

Quote: Originally posted by racey1979 on 24/3/2010

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Looking at these tents my personal choice would be the Amazon 600 without a doubt, as you have a good sized enclosed porch to cook in and you don't with the other two.

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If the Amazon 600 is on sale for < £250 it's probably not a 2010 model?  It had an open canopy (with wings!)  last year rather than a full porch... I think it had three 2 berth bedrooms rather than a 2 berth and a 4 berth that can be split?

Worth checking?

Quote: Originally posted by pwatson on 24/3/2010

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Quote: Originally posted by racey1979 on 24/3/2010

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Looking at these tents my personal choice would be the Amazon 600 without a doubt, as you have a good sized enclosed porch to cook in and you don't with the other two.

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If the Amazon 600 is on sale for < £250 it's probably not a 2010 model?  It had an open canopy (with wings!)  last year rather than a full porch... I think it had three 2 berth bedrooms rather than a 2 berth and a 4 berth that can be split?

Worth checking?

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Quote: Originally posted by harrisc0 on 24/3/2010

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Hi there - well we have managed to save up for a tent for family holidays (£250 max)(we have been in the past so know we like it) will mainly be camping in the UK I imagine and there are 4 of us, mum, dad, 6year old boy 3year old girl and all the usual camping equipment and portable loo.

Torn between the following:

Vango Sungari 600

Vango Amazon 600

Vango Columbia 600

I like on all 3 of them the choice of bedroom pods as either 3 x 2's so when they are older they have their own pod each, or a 4 and a 2 (but the 4 can be divided into 2 2's) and then we would have a spare 2 for bags etc. 

I like on the Columbia the little side entrance as someone had mentioned on their review that they put the toilet in there as keeps it separate from the tent and you can zip it up for privacy.

Would get a canopy for the cooker I think,

I like the idea of tunnel tents as the sleeping is at the back and we would be looking out the front of the tent to keep an eye on the kids in the day.

But we have never owned a Vango had an Outwell before but can not afford that anymore :( I have found all 3 of these tents for no more than £200 each and £250 would be our max budget.

Any advice would be great thanks :)

 

Post last edited on 24/03/2010 20:39:01

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We bought the vango 800.we came to the decision that for a few more £ we got more room in the 800 than the 600. we paid £250 last year.

Been away with the tent twice it does give us what we want the middle pod is that bit bigger it gave us more room so we did not have to climb over one another to get out of bed.

As you kids get that bit older they could have a pod each the living space is fab.

This is just my opinion and hope you decide on your needs,

If you go to a shop barter with them ask for a reduction,

We have the Columbia 600 and its excellent! It is very stable with the steel poles and we use the porch for balls, wellies, night loo etc too (having a separate removable groundsheet makes it very easy to clean). We also use the 3rd bedroom for storage. The only thing we wish it had was flymesh on more of the external doors, but there is excellent ventilation and  the spec is incredible for the price. I wouldn't bother with the Sungari as the Columbia is streets ahead in spec for little more money. Note that the front flysheet that lifts up has extra length at the bottom, which tucks under the ground sheet and is held in place by pegs and toggles to the raised SIG on the inside, unlike many of Vango's other tents that only go down to ground level, so is far more weather (and bug) resistant. The new Sungari has a zip connecting the fly to the SIG, but the groundsheet can no longer be let down as a result so you have a raised SIG to step over now at the entrance to the tent (a real trip hazard, especially for little legs).

We always go for a wind shedding shape, we've seen many canopied and upright front tents lifted up or hammered in the wind (need some deltas or very good storm pegs for these if the wind swings around), whilst steel poled sloped tents weather the wind far better and are far less sensitive to pitching direction. Hence why we went for the Columbia, along with all the other extra features.

We use a Vango Adventure Tarp on the front of ours as shelter - its 296cm long on its elasticated side, whilst the Columbia 600's roof pole is 260cm, so extends about 18cm down either side. Combined with the porch poles of the tent and longer length guyropes, it works very like the old canopy (without the sides) sold with the Outwell Montana and protects the front door of the tent and the small section that can be rolled up to the right when its slightly offset to one side, so you can have them open in all bar side on rain. Combine with a windbreak for some side on protection. I'm hoping to take a few photos when we next use it, as missed the opportunity last year.

Like suggested above you can always buy the Sungari 600 canopy later if there are none of the wide canopies left and you fancy getting one.

Within the price range, I think its an exceptional buy and if you've found it for less than £200 its a BARGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - but if you buy the carpet be warned - its almost as big as the tent bag itself - but lovely thick and comfortable under foot.

Have fun!

Helen

Quote: Originally posted by harrisc0 on 25/3/2010

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Well we have gone for it and have purchased a brand new Columbia 2009 model in sage I think it  is at a bargain price of £200 with £16  should be with me this Friday.  So although we won't use it yet - is it too cold to take the kids camping in April? - it may be put up in the garden over Easter for maybe a trial sleep or for the kids to play in.  Gonna get just a tarp from B&Q for under it I think.

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Wow!!! That is a bargain price...well done....

Nicky

A big congrats! I wish we'd managed to get one at that price last year! BARGAIN of the Century - enjoy!!!

We're braving Easter in the Peak District with ours and our 3 year old son - wish us well and warm!

Helen

Hope you enjoy your new tent as much as we have.

Hi

You're lucky that you've bought a a sage Columbia if you want the option of a matching canopy. It looks as if the Sungari's canopy is only being done in sage this year (not the smoke). There are also a few sage wide canopies still around (not many left). If you do want a canopy, you may want to decide before the autumn if you want it matching.

Helen

Quote: Originally posted by harrisc0 on 25/3/2010

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Well we have gone for it and have purchased a brand new Columbia 2009 model in sage I think it  is at a bargain price of £200 with £16  should be with me this Friday.  So although we won't use it yet - is it too cold to take the kids camping in April? - it may be put up in the garden over Easter for maybe a trial sleep or for the kids to play in.  Gonna get just a tarp from B&Q for under it I think.

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