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 Topic: Help! Advice needed for newbies
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20/7/2017 at 7:50pm
Location: Somerset
Outfit: Vango Solace TC 500XL
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Welcome to UKCS and the splendid community that exists here.
As a family of 4 then you do need to consider a 6 berth tent as a minimum. The general rule of thumb is add 2 berths to the number of people you want the tent to accommodate.
With young children you will need good living space so they can entertain themselves for those days when it's wet outside.
Of the three you mention the Maritsa 700 looks good as you have decent size living are and the extra porch section where you could keep the kitchen equipment and do any cooking (if you decide to cook inside (opinions split on this, particularly from a H&S perspective).
If you prefer the straight across the back sleeping configuration then the Maritsa gives you the option of maybe having the smallest child in with you and then the older child can have there own pod.
It's steel poled too so will be nice and sturdy in more inclement conditions.
The Hi Gear Frontier is Go Outdoors own brand. The 8 looks too big so the 6 may be a better choice but I would say the sleeping arrangements are probably on the small side.
The Nadina looks nice. A bit smaller than the Maritsa but a newer tent than the Maritsa. Also steel poled so stable in windier conditions.
A Maritsa is going to be a second hand tent due to its age whilst a Nadina I suppose could be picked up new although probably outside of your budget. It looks like an exclusive to Go Outdoors so no other retailers you could price haggle over.
My order of preference would be
Maritsa
Nadina
Frontier 6
Frontier 8
There will be of course other options you could consider and I'm sure other members will suggest alternatives but if, having already done a certain amount of research on the above models then I would probably go for a Maritas above the others.
campasarow
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Vango Solace TC 500XL Airbeam
Vango Capri 400XL Airbeam
Grieving the loss of my Coleman Evolva and Sunncamp Palace
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20/7/2017 at 9:13pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered
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Thanks guys,
Lummo, we have been on many trips to our local Go Outdoors haha that's why its taken us so long to come to an agreement on a layout. We first started looking at the Kalahari but felt it was dark with only the two windows and kids at opposite end of tent.....so moved on ha. We might have a look at some other stores too
Thank you campasarow, I have been using the review section on here for sometime just never thought about the forum. It looks brilliant, very helpful.
I think the Maritsa 7 is our top choice and with it being our first tent, a few years old certainly doesn't bother us to much. I think the sleeping pod layout(across the back) is prefect for us, as you say little one in with us and older one has her own space.
I think one big factor for me that the Maritsa has over the Nadina, front end is a fully enclosed porch. Nadina is an open extension.
Ones I am looking at up to now, Maritsa 7 with a bundle including chairs, table and kitchen stand unit, carpet but no footprint. (would only need bedding and cooking things)
Or a Nadina, newer as you say, footprint and carpet for an extra £100
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20/7/2017 at 9:26pm
Location: London
Outfit: Karsten 350 + SE CA EA RA FW & ZIG
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With that budget I'd get a good, used Outwell Montana 6P with footprint, carpet, and ideally an awning. Huge amounts of space and you can leave the awning at home for weekenders.
It's a proven tent and was terrifically popular until a few years ago, so there are always loads available second hand. They are very thoroughly reviewed on here (link) which should help you find a good example.
If you go for any second hand polyester tent, be mindful of UV damage. If the flysheet feels brittle ("crisp packet-ish") avoid. Similarly, if the tape is peeling off the inside seams, it's past its best.
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Hi, first post and newbies to the camping world. Although we both used to go as kids, but now we have our own little family and have decided to give it a go ourselves!! Brave! 
