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I have the Icarus 500 and I'm very happy with it. It's very quick to put up, about 10 to 15 minutes. The optional porch is a great addition too.

The TBS system really works as I can attest to in a very strong gale in Somerset last year. The straps can be folded away in their little pocket which is sewn on to the side of the tent, or can be snapped into place using the clips. It's only necessary to use them if the wind gets up, but when you do use them the whole structure becomes even more stable.

The mesh options for the Icarus 2010 model is that there is a mesh 'layer' on the inside of the side door which you can use or keep tied back. In the 2011 model the mesh is on the side and the front doors.

Having said that I went to France with a four man polyester tent with no mesh doors. Many french sites are well shaded but had we been in full sunshine we probably would have found the heat a bit stifling first thing in the morning We were up an about early because we wanted to not because we were put out of the tent - due to the shade.

As for the mesh, well we didn't miss it because we weren't indoors anyway. All our time was spent out and about or sitting in front of the tent enjoying the lovely weather. We cooked outside, we sat outside so mesh or no mesh - no big deal to us.

One thing I would say is keep your bedroom pod closed during the day. The first full day I was there I didn't close it properly and when I went to bed that night I inadvertantly closed myself in with some mosquitos. I looked like I had measles the next morning, luckily I didn't have any bad reaction like I do with midges in this country.

The 2011 model not only has flymesh on both external doors, it also has darkened inner tents so you don't get woken up so early and a higher level of waterproofing than the 2010 model. The door thresholds no longer fold down, but you can get a better seal at the bottom on drafty nights.

In hotter climates you could even just use the flymesh on the external doors at night to keep the ventilation flowing, which would be a particular advantage of the 2011 model. I actually think that the 2011 model is not badly priced given the extra features...

Helen