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Topic: Vango Icarus 500 or Castilo 600?

kimmysue

25/8/2013 at 5:56pm
Location: Southampton
Outfit: Vango Ascott 500

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Hi

Just after a bit of advice. We are a family of 4 and go weekend camping. We currently have a hi gear Zenobia which has been a great tent, but I am looking to upgrade and maybe to go slightly smaller.

I have been looking at the Icarus 500, but am concerned that there are reviews that report issues with the fibre glass poles breaking in strong winds. Does anyone know if this is a big issue with this tent. We have fibre glass poles with our Zenobia and only one has split in over 4 years use - all weathers!!

Found the Castilo 600 today whilst doing some research and it looks great. Can anyone advise me if the steel poles are harder to put up than the fibre glass ones as we are only weekend camping and want to be able to pitch and go quickly!!

Thanking you in advance!

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SA2009

26/8/2013 at 5:23pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Outwell Biscayne 600 &Vango Icarus 500

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Hi we have a Icarus 500 and have had no problems with it, however it hasn't been used in strong winds. We have also had steel poled tents and personally I don't think it takes longer to pitch with steel poles but they are heavier to lift, no problem though and are sturdier if you are worried about the wind. If you go down the fibreglass poles option also take a look at the Vango Tigris 600XL, very similar to the Icarus 500, a little larger and has a rain canopy over the side door which might come in handy! We have the Tigris 800XL for longer trips and like both the Icarus and Tigris. Happy shopping!

easyt

26/8/2013 at 6:30pm
Location: preston
Outfit: Cabanon saturn tt. suncamp manoir 6

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we have the icarus 500 as well as frame tent and tt
if im honest i dont like the icarus in high wind even with the storm straps in place

havnt had any snapped poles but a hell of a lot of movement that was unnerving with 2 children asleep at the time i was about 2 mins from retreating to the car and i think the winds that night were only 40mph gusts
i wouldnt have even blinked had i been in the frame tent that night

geoffprinter

26/8/2013 at 9:37pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent.

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We found it easier with the steel poles. The only down side is the weight of the bag, but in all honesty we have never found it a problem as you can usually park the car next to your pitch. So not very far to carry the bag either end.

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youlbury

27/8/2013 at 11:16am
Location: Cornwall
Outfit: Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0 xtr Vario

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I have owned an Icarus 500 and now have a Calisto 600, in 2-3 years we never had a problem with the Icarus poles.

The Calisto is more stable in windy/gusty weather as you would expect with steel poles.

Both are easy to pitch, the Icarus slightly more so, however this is largely down to pitching the Calsito once since I have bought it, it might be only 2 mins difference in pitch times.

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It's better to ask a silly question than make a silly mistake.

kimmysue

27/8/2013 at 10:50pm
Location: Southampton
Outfit: Vango Ascott 500

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Thanks for all the posts. They are really helpful.
Am still torn as I think I could put up the icarus on my own, but doubt I could handle the weight of the Castilo alone!
I will make a decision soon!

Thank you all for taking the time to post your experiences.

jo.scott41

30/8/2013 at 8:43pm
Location: York
Outfit: Vango Calisto 600

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We have the Calisto 600 and it is very stable, however it needs two people to put up. It's also quite heavy and bulky to transport. We have the canopy too which is fab, but have decided to try and find a new tent which is a bit smaller and has an integrated porch as we tend to camp for long weekends only.

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Jo

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