Hi I'm new to family camping. I'm in confusion which is the best buy for 2 adults and two kids. To be specific, I'm in love with Vango Icarus 500 Deluxe Tent and Hi gear Elite 6 Family Tent in go outdoors. For me, it's a bit expensive which I can just afford, therefore I'm really looking for your opinions and advice. For me, every opinion counts to decide which one to buy as I don't want to buy now and regret later. Thankx in advance.
------------- Mr Gurkha Grg
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
We have just bought our daughter and her family a Vango Stanford from Towsure, a lot of tent for a reasonable price of £285, and we are quite pleased with the quality.
One tip is to always go for a tent with more advertized berths than you actual familiy consists of, this is because its often a tight squeeze to fit airbeds into the sleeping inners when they are wider than the standard size sleep mats that are often used to guage berth capacity in a tent.
Our daughters old Montana 4 would in fact only take a double and a single airbed, no good for a growing family of 5, hence the upgrade to the 8berth Stanford.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Hi, when I was looking for a tent my choice was between Vango or Hi Gear as they were within my budget. I eventually chose the Hi Gear Enigma 5 - there are 2 of us and a dog (crate). This tent is big enough for us (although technically it can take more but would be too tight) and so far we have had it out 5 times in the last year in all types of weather and it has stood up well. Very easy to erect. I did buy the canopy as an add on and wouldn't do without it as it gives so much more space - that's where we do the cooking. I would recommend buying the canopy or extension if you can afford it. Can't speak for Vango as never had one.
Have a look on the free adverts section, on this site.I have a High Gear Rock 4 for sale very cheap.Look at its review for more info.You can save lots of money .
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
When do you need the tent for? I might be able to help you. You are not too far from me. this is my Vango Airbeam tent with carpet & groundsheet + spare pump. Used once. I would consider selling it at the top end of your budget.
Google Vango Lumen 500 for more info on tent. Geoff
if it helps to decide, Vango tents come with a 2year guarantee and a free extra year from Vango by registering it online - so 3 years warranty - you wont get that from Hi-Gear even though Hi Gear do make some very good tents at good prices.
------------- Facebook:- Tent Camping group
Living the Dutch Dream - Karsten 300 pod + extns in Sea Green and Pure Cotton
Zempire Air Force 1 Pc
Cabanon Bora Bora cotton
Outwell Brandon 4e
Zempire Aero Shelter 150D
Vango Illusion 500TC & 420D
Vango Galli 420D
Outwell Concorde 5SATC
Vango Capri 400xl
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I had a bad experience with a 'new' tent bought from GO Derby a few month ago.
£500 odd quid for the Vango Anteus 600 package.
Rubbish craftmanship on seams and toggles. All the poles dropped to bits (elastic not attached/broke) The awning/canopy toggle loops only attached on one side and then it leaked in various places.
I bought a new tent and then took that back for a replacement and that went back.
After having vango tents for over 30 years i feel that the quality has now gone down hill.
It would now take me a lot to go back to a vango tbh
------------- support the bar, drink beer
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
I also had this decision to make, as I really liked the Vango Iris 500. In the end though I went for the Hi-Gear Enigma 5 package with the canopy, footprint and carpet for £250. Which would have been the same price for the Vango tent only. They are very similar tents and the addition of the canopy on the Hi-Gear make it a very versatile tent for me and the wife with enough space for my daughter when she comes with us. It seems very well made for the price.