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   Camping under canvas -  Tent talk. Advice, info and recommendations 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Icarus,Skye,DGama 600 or Bell for wkend? Post Reply Post New Topic
Personkeai7
11/6/2015 at 3:19pm
 Location: Zurich
 Outfit: One and only 5m Bell View keai7's Profile View Profile   Reply to keai7 Reply   Quote keai7 Quote  
Joined: 01/6/2015

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Oh boy, tent hunting is a tiring affair.

I have gone from nearly buying a bell tent to croyde 6 to ....now a weekend tent. Being a newbie, reading UKCS is helping me shape my thoughts a fair bit.

Situation: Family of 4 (2 toddlers) planning to do 2 different weekends this year to try out this camping hobby.

Criteria in order of importance:
- Easy to pitch (including pegging out within 30 minutes)
- Prefer 3 bedrooms (unless it is really a superior tent)
- Budget: GBP400

Considering:
Vango Icarus 600
YAY: £270, lots of positive reviews.
NAY: 2 bedrooms

Coleman Da Gama 6
YAY: 3 bedrooms, £300

Vango Skye 600
YAY: 3 bedrooms, vertical pocket storage (am such a sucker for things like that), and awning.
NAY: £400. Heaviest at 28kg (Icarus only 17kg)

Can anyone give me their thoughts on these few tents? I understand they can all be pitched under 30 minutes (eyeing the Vango Airbeam Spectrum 600 but it's £500 ). There are very limited reviews on the Da Gama and Skye and I'd be interested to hear more about their reliability and ease of use.

I am leaning towards the Da Gama and perhaps add on a tarp. Your thoughts please.

-----------------------------------------------------
Ok, after some thought, throwing in my original idea of the Bell Tent in the lot. Anyone thinks the bell tent is an overkill/impractical for weekends? I do so love those tents (despite it not having any rooms but it's canvas! )

Post last edited on 11/06/2015 16:58:04


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Personladycake
11/6/2015 at 3:55pm
 Location: norfolk
 Outfit: vango tempest 200 icarus 500 View ladycake's Profile View Profile   Reply to ladycake Reply   Quote ladycake Quote  
Joined: 09/9/2014

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i can pitch my icarus 500 in 30 mins. first time slightly longer as that included attaching sleeping pod area. 2nd time quicker as i left it attached and its now a pitch in one style.

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gym bunny hugs!


Personquilly101
11/6/2015 at 6:37pm
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Karsten 350 Pod CA EA FW RA COMBI View quilly101's Profile View Profile   Reply to quilly101 Reply   Quote quilly101 Quote  
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We use a 5m bell for weekends, its awesome! End of discussion........


Personkeai7
11/6/2015 at 6:59pm
 Location: Zurich
 Outfit: One and only 5m Bell View keai7's Profile View Profile   Reply to keai7 Reply   Quote keai7 Quote  
Joined: 01/6/2015

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Quilly, do you find it bothersome to dry the big canvas just for a night or two of camping?


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Personquilly101
11/6/2015 at 7:06pm
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Karsten 350 Pod CA EA FW RA COMBI View quilly101's Profile View Profile   Reply to quilly101 Reply   Quote quilly101 Quote  
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Not been in that position yet, we always book an extra night so we have all day to dry/pack up, its zig, so if we did bring it home wet, once the groundsheet is separated the canvas area isn't unworkable to dry. Our o/well Montana lake though is a different matter entirely!


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Personquilly101
11/6/2015 at 7:08pm
 Location: Herts
 Outfit: Karsten 350 Pod CA EA FW RA COMBI View quilly101's Profile View Profile   Reply to quilly101 Reply   Quote quilly101 Quote  
Joined: 14/7/2013

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If drying is a worry, there are polycotton bells out there that would dry much quicker. Ours is a heavier weight than the standard ones you can buy and it hasn't been an issue..... yet.....


PersonMucker1884
11/6/2015 at 7:45pm
 Location: Derby.
 Outfit: Karsten 350+Awnings View Mucker1884's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mucker1884 Reply   Quote Mucker1884 Quote  
Joined: 01/7/2012

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What I would say is, there are plenty of "family size" tents that can be comfortably fully pitched and pegged within 30 mins, even solo. Many couples can do it in 20 mins, if they get a good routine going.

However, don't expect that to happen this year, if you're only planning two weekends. It may happen of course. You may have "the knack". Just don't take it for granted.

Plenty on here will say we can pitch this and that in 25 mins, and even tell you how we do it, but there is no substitute for practical experience.

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2024: 38 nights thus far...
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: Just 24 nights
2019: A personal best 50 nights
2018: Just the 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights


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PersonCampernic
11/6/2015 at 7:46pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua View Campernic's Profile View Profile   Reply to Campernic Reply   Quote Campernic Quote  
Joined: 28/4/2013

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I have a polycotton Bell, it's a 4m and it's a bit of a brute to be honest, in terms of lifting it out of the boot and also, who thought an end on loading bag would be a good thing! I'm after a heavyweight massive holdall with a zip down the full length!

Anyway, regardless of what tent I bring (I have a few options) dealing with a wet tent is no easier no matter which one it is.

Of those hard to find three bedroom tents, you haven't looked at the Suncamp Shadow 8 yet (maybe getting a bit big but you are futureproofing if you get a bit bigger) as it has the added feature of having one big pod at one end with a dividing curtain, and two separate pods at the other end (vis a vis tent) which means you can choose not to use one of them and increase your living space. So it can be a true four pod tent, or one, or two or three. Whatever takes your fancy!


Personladycake
11/6/2015 at 9:03pm
 Location: norfolk
 Outfit: vango tempest 200 icarus 500 View ladycake's Profile View Profile   Reply to ladycake Reply   Quote ladycake Quote  
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i agree years of pitching has made me a pro at it! dh and me have a routine and we are like a well oiled machine.

-------------
gym bunny hugs!


Personpaul+kate s-o-t
11/6/2015 at 9:54pm
 Location: stoke on trent
 Outfit: Bailey 75-2 View paul+kate s-o-t's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+kate s-o-t Reply   Quote paul+kate s-o-t Quote  
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Don't want to sound patronising but are you sure the Icarus 600 is only 2 bedrooms
As I thought the 4 berth pod has a zipped or toggled divider
I might be wrong

-------------
April Peak District Beech Croft Farm
May Peak District Duke of York
May Holland Delfse Hout
June Cotton Arms Nantwich
july/aug Cornwall Pentewan Sands
And quite a few local weekenders


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Personkeai7
11/6/2015 at 10:05pm
 Location: Zurich
 Outfit: One and only 5m Bell View keai7's Profile View Profile   Reply to keai7 Reply   Quote keai7 Quote  
Joined: 01/6/2015

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Hi Paul Kate,

Have a look at this: http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Vango-Icarus-600/1551

Am sure it's only 2 bedrooms. I've been pouring over the info of these tents till my eyes are getting crossed.

Just had a chat with OH. I think we have a decision. Finally! It will be a bell tent Comfort (bell) over convenience (polyester; 3 rooms where one is suppose to be a toilet booth).

Thanks all for your thoughts. Must admit I am getting tent hunting lethargy and glad to come to a decision. Before I read another thing that changes my mind, am gonna go buy that bloody tent!


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Personladycake
11/6/2015 at 10:19pm
 Location: norfolk
 Outfit: vango tempest 200 icarus 500 View ladycake's Profile View Profile   Reply to ladycake Reply   Quote ladycake Quote  
Joined: 09/9/2014

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my icarus 500 has 2 bedrooms (supposed to be for 5 folks), or 1 huge room if you don`t use the room divider.

-------------
gym bunny hugs!


Personpaul+kate s-o-t
11/6/2015 at 10:19pm
 Location: stoke on trent
 Outfit: Bailey 75-2 View paul+kate s-o-t's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+kate s-o-t Reply   Quote paul+kate s-o-t Quote  
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I am wrong sorry
Right after a quick look around
Take a look at the Vango nadina 600

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April Peak District Beech Croft Farm
May Peak District Duke of York
May Holland Delfse Hout
June Cotton Arms Nantwich
july/aug Cornwall Pentewan Sands
And quite a few local weekenders


PersonP-T Family
13/6/2015 at 7:32pm
 Location: Norfolk
 Outfit: 5m bell tent & Vango Peace tepee View P-T Family's Profile View Profile   Reply to P-T Family Reply   Quote P-T Family Quote  
Joined: 21/9/2009

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We've had an Icarus 500 and now have a 5m bell. We deliberately chose the bell as we're mainly weekend campers. Really quick to put up, but heavy when wet. Wouldn't change it for the world! Not a cheap option but if it's not for you they hold their value.



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