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Hi all.

Looking for a weekend tent that can be pitched quickly by one person. I've got my eye on either Icarus 500 or Virginia 5. Anyone got any suggestions?

When I was shopping, I decided I prefer the Virgina, for the simple reason of the properly meshed doors on every door, protecting me from creepy crawlies and also they keep the dogs inside the tent.

The Icarus doesn't have mesh on the front door, so the Virginia won for me because it does.

But it's a very close call, not much in it, so I think you'd be happy with either tent!

Will you be wanting an extension? In which case there isn't one made specifically for the Virginia.  I think the Minnesota extension fits but that has steel poles so a fair increase in pack size and weight or the Icarus' extension fits but you won't get a colour match.

That aside, I like the amount of windows and mesh to all doors of the Virginia. Not sure how effective the small porch on the side door is but seeing as the Icarus doesn't have one it must out score it here too.

I bought the Icarus and extension at a price lower than I could find the Virginia alone but seeing as we are nearing end of season some bargins are bound to be about.

I would say overall I am happy with my purchase BUT the quality of finish and attention to detail is not a patch on the Montana.  I have already repaired the stiching of the bedroom door zip, the toggle holding the organiser, re-tied 3 guys incorrectly attached and added a loop they missed for holding open the side door. The bedroom although collapsable is not detachable. It is sewn to the SIG unlike the Monty and has no floor other than that of the SIG. I do not know how the Viginia bedroom fits.

Ooops, forgot to mention the big plus of the Icarus - Vango's TBS II system.

Thanks for all your replies but I,ve found another aswell, the Wyoming.It is selling for the same price as the Virginia but has steel poles all round.Any advise on this tent?

The Wyoming is a great deal with steel poles. It was a special for family week so not as well known about. The only down side is the lack of a rain-safe door, but if you put a good mat over the carpet at the door entrance to catch any rain when entering the rain-safe door isn't necessary. They tend to be too small to allow you to have the door open in the rain anyway. As they often open from the bottom rather than being able to open from the top you can't even have just the top open in the rain.

IMHO its a good value tent for the money...with added stability!

Helen

 Just received our Icarus 500 today. It was the only choice as OH chose it (from a company catalogue) as part of a long service award present. So it's lovely cos it's free. We intend to buy a sun canopy to go with it.

The Wyoming, (looking at tent reviews on here) seems to be a bit of a revelation. A 4 berth tent that doesn't claim to be a 5 berth!!!

The steel pole construction will be more familiar to you as Montana owners.

Does anbody who owns this actually use the game wall on the back of the tent?

No experience to comment on the tent but if it is up to Outwell's usual standards it should serve you well.

My only comment is pack size and weight.  When I got the Icarus I was amazed by its size and weight compared to the Monty. About a third of the size and close to a quarter of the weight. This means that being a non towing family, for the weekend we can fit in one car instead of having to take two for us and equipment for longer stays. The Wyoming seems to be double the size and weight of the Icarus but you should still see a significant difference to that of the Monty.