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Topic: Kampa Croyde 6 Air vs. Vango Edoras 600xl

RustyT

05/7/2016 at 1:55pm
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Hi

I'm buying my first family tent (2 adults plus 2 children 4yo and 1yo) and have previously only owned a cheap 4 man tent from Halford's.

My initial search was abased on the following criteria.

- Needs to last (min 150 denier)as a big investment
- Some covered outdoor space to sit out in when kids are in bed and to cook under / seek shade
- Easy to pitch for 1 person (hence going the air tent route), so that I can pitch while my wife looks after the children
- 3 separate sleeping areas so that as easy child grows they can have their own space.
- nothing too big as we prefer the keep it simple approach to camping without all the mod cons as it will be used for more short breaks than long holidays.

I've done LOTS of research and narrowed it down to Kampa Croyde 6 Air vs. Vango Edoras 600xl. I've seen both tents pitched but I'm still confused as to which to go with.

My perceived main differences and questions are.

1) The Kampa has a full awning on the front vs the porch on the edoras. Benefit being that I wouldn't need to bring kit 'indoors' when we are off site / overnight. Do you think the awning area would be a far more pleasurable / comfortable and versatile space as opposed to the porch?? It appears that you get more tent for your money with the Croyde but it depends on actually how useful an enclosed vs porch area really is?
2)I'm concerned the Kampa is a bit too big. It's another metre longer than the Edoras and I'm a bit concerned having the biggest 'look at me' tent on site. I like to be understated yet have the space I need. I'm also concerned that it might be too big for some pitches.
3)I've read numerous posts about small leaks in the Croyde. Nothing too concerning but is the Vango a better quality tent? Longevity is a key buying criteria.
4)The Croyde has side doors on either side of the main living area (with mesh panels and and the front opening can be opened up double width (no mesh though). The Edoras has a single side door with mesh and a single width door to the front with mesh. Would either set upon provide better air circulation?
5) Do either manufacturer have a better reputation for customer care post sale?

Any thoughts on the above or additional considerations I should be thinking of would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Russell

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stainless22

05/7/2016 at 7:03pm
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Outfit: Vango Edoras 600xl

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Hi as an owner of the Edoras 600XL, I have always used the optional sun canopy to provide additional shelter and space. Just the tent on its own with the open front section is useful but slightly too small to be adequate. I would not want to cook under just the front, the sun canopy expands the useful area and provides a sheltered area we are able to sit under it when usual summer weather strikes - we have yet to shelter from the blazing summer sun under it !

Our original wish list was for a detachable sun canopy. Something that was flexible enough for a stop-over with just the tent pitched, a weekend with the tent and sun canopy, and longer stays or more visitors with the front awning. So we bought the whole kit and caboodle.

Despite reservations about ventilation and associated condensation we have been pleasantly surprised. Like always you can't have everything with the real missing specification being a rain safe feature over the side door which reduces the opportunity to ventilate if raining. That however is somewhat compensated by the front allowing the front door to be fully open/mesh ventilated even when raining.
I don't have quantifiable evidence but I suspect the fact we use the skyliner reduces condensation.

Having camped twice this year the Edoras with the Sun canopy has been at the larger end of tents on sites, both sites needed pre-booking to secure a large enough pitch (which I quote at 8m x 5m plus guys).

The tent is huge packed away and close to 30kg, it takes up half the boot space, I believe the Lamps would be bigger/heavier. As with any air tent pitching up is easy, don't underestimate the taking down and packing away a tent of that size (it's hard work so pack away first then shower afterwards just before you set off!)

If you need any further I am happy assist - good luck

Jenks81

06/7/2016 at 7:41pm
Location: Cambridge
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We have the Kampa Croyde and we love it. We also have two young children (5 and 3) and the space and layout works really well for us car cook in the front area and then have table and chairs in the middle section.

We took it away last weekend fircthexsecibdctime and managed to get it pitched and all pegged out in 30 mins, and you can definitely do it on your own. Taking it down and packing it away does take a while though. We have the polycotton version so I don't know what the polyester version is like but it is huge and heavy when packed up so be prepared to lose half your boot to it (we've just had to buy a roof box to be able to fit everything in).

We haven't felt conscious of having too huge a tent when on campsites although we are glad we went for the Croyde and not the studland.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Ellie.

Blueskys

07/7/2016 at 5:57pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Vango Edoras 500XL; HiGear Oasis 6

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A friend had a Kampa a few years back but had problems (with water leaks I think) so took it back and got a Vango instead. We have the edoras 500xl and love it. There's an optional awning too which creates a bit more space and privacy but we find the porch OK for cooking. At 1.3m it's not quite deep enough to keep all 4 seats of the picnic table dry when it rains, but we manage. We chose the 500xl over the 600xl as it was that bit smaller to fit in the car and on pitches. Our youngest sleeps in the small bedroom and our oldest in a small pup tent (he's at an age where he likes being separate from the rest of us and the two kids don't wake each other up!)

Edited to add: also consider bedroom size. Are you using campbeds or airbeds? We needed a bedroom big enough for 2 campbeds, but even using airbeds, some of the bedroom dimensions look a bit narrow.

Post last edited on 07/07/2016 18:07:39

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campasarow

11/7/2016 at 3:40pm
Location: Somerset
Outfit: Vango Solace TC 500XL

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3 more weeks and our Edoras 500XL gets its first run out. Can't wait.

campasarow

Quote: Originally posted by Blueskys on 07/7/2016
A friend had a Kampa a few years back but had problems (with water leaks I think) so took it back and got a Vango instead. We have the edoras 500xl and love it. There's an optional awning too which creates a bit more space and privacy but we find the porch OK for cooking. At 1.3m it's not quite deep enough to keep all 4 seats of the picnic table dry when it rains, but we manage. We chose the 500xl over the 600xl as it was that bit smaller to fit in the car and on pitches. Our youngest sleeps in the small bedroom and our oldest in a small pup tent (he's at an age where he likes being separate from the rest of us and the two kids don't wake each other up!)

Edited to add: also consider bedroom size. Are you using campbeds or airbeds? We needed a bedroom big enough for 2 campbeds, but even using airbeds, some of the bedroom dimensions look a bit narrow.

Post last edited on 07/07/2016 18:07:39

-------------
Vango Solace TC 500XL Airbeam
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Grieving the loss of my Coleman Evolva and Sunncamp Palace

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RustyT

13/7/2016 at 4:47pm
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Hi - thank you for all the useful responses and apologies for not responding sooner. I tried a few times to login on my iPad but I was unable to.

So, I actually ended up going against many of my criteria originally outlined and have ended up purchasing the Vango Orava package for £500.

It's only 70d vs the 150d I was originally looking for but having seen the packed size of the tents Edoras and Croyde I realised we would of had to buy a roof box to fit all our fit in the bar (another few hundred pounds investment and no where to store the RB!). The Orava is that bit smaller. We also realised that realistically we'd only camp 2 or 3 times max per year, so the convenience of an air tent was somewhat negated. Finally, it appears that the Orava has the best ventilation for our budget with 3 large meshed doors (albeit 2 without rain protection). This was important as I thought we might spend a fair amount of time in the tent with small children and I do like as much 'air' as possible. I've to to say that the Classic Croyde 6 sold by Obelink seemed great value but the packed size put me off again.

Hopefully, I've made the right choice but at least at a lower investment changing it in a few year's time if we need won't be so painful.

Thanks again for all your input, all points were duly noted.

Blueskys

13/7/2016 at 5:20pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Vango Edoras 500XL; HiGear Oasis 6

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Quote: Originally posted by campasarow on 11/7/2016
3 more weeks and our Edoras 500XL gets its first run out. Can't wait.

campasarow

Our 500xl should be getting its 3rd outing in a couple of weekends then France for 2 weeks - we love this tent!

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campasarow

13/7/2016 at 7:47pm
Location: Somerset
Outfit: Vango Solace TC 500XL

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Quote: Originally posted by Blueskys on 13/7/2016

Quote: Originally posted by campasarow on 11/7/2016
3 more weeks and our Edoras 500XL gets its first run out. Can't wait.

campasarow

Our 500xl should be getting its 3rd outing in a couple of weekends then France for 2 weeks - we love this tent!

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