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Hi the diablo is a very big tent.  We had the 600 and it was  a lovely tent but I would say it takes a while to put up.  We have a vista 500 and i find that a lot easier to handle.  Have youu looked at them both?  The Diablo is inners first erection which is a bit of a pest, you then have to put the fly over the top.  We struggled  a bit cos when it's up it's so big  and tall that we had to stand on a step to see and reach the top of it.  But they are lovely tents, very roomy and comfi.  The Vista is definatly ok for weekends, but have a look and ask questions.

Jaymo

Knowing both these tents. my hunch is that the Vista would be easier to put up. This is because with a tunnel tent you just slide the poles through the flysheet whilst it is spead on the ground, form the arches by putting the pole ends in place ( either an eyelet hole or a metal pin that inserts into the pole-end) and then you start at one end putting each arch up in turn, anchoring the pole ends ( and loosely pegging guy lines) working your way along it so the flysheet is properly taut. Then you put the groundsheet down and hang the bedroom pods.

The Diablo does call for a more complex list of steps because having put in the main poles for the dome one of you needs to go inside and hold the poles up whilst the other one goes around the outside putting the pole-ends in place. If you don't do this carefully you can risk splitting a pole due to the stress of the fabric-weight at this point. Lots of people manage this smoothly and safely with a bit of practice (and Diablo owners may well be champing at the bit to put me straight!) Then you do the other poles, and finally throw the flysheet over, tie it onto the poles and peg it down.

The main differences are

1)  the Diablo goes up inner first and has a fully sew in groundsheet throughout the living and sleeping areas, so there are no draughts and fewer bugs: the down side is that you are a bit vulnerable to the weather when putting up or taking down as the inner is only water-resistant not fully proofed like the flysheet. The Vista goes up flysheet first, so there is no problem with rain, but there is a gap between the groundsheet and the bottom edge of the flysheet. I can't remember if the Vista has mudflaps at the bottom of the flysheet, but someone on here will know. If it has, you can peg these outwards or tuck them under the GS to close the gap.

2. The bedroom arrangements are very different in these two tents - do you have a view about which may suit you best? Do you want you children to share a  pod or have one each? do you want them next to you or do you want a bit of distance? These are all very individual matters.

3. My final bit  about difference is that the Diablo may have slightly more living space, plus the separate porch, which can be very good for setting up your kitchen stuff, and for muddy boots etc.

Have you seen them both in the flesh? Is there one that just appeals more?

Hi

Both are big tents, the Diablo 900 ideal for longer stays but not great for weekends. We bought an Outwell Montana 4 as a weekend tent.  I'm 5'2" and my husband is 5'8" ish and we manage to put our Diablo 900 up fairly easily but takes approx 1 hour. The bedroom in the 900 will take a double and a single airbed so decent size bedroom but sloping side makes it not ideal for 3 people. I'd suspect the Vista may be slightly easier to put up but still a big tent so not a doddle, but never done it so could be wrong.

The Diablo has a SIG which is great to reduce drafts and bugs.

Jen

Hi, we've got a diablo 600 but will be getting new 900 shortly. We've got a 3 and 6 year old and find it the perfect family tent but now want the extra bedroom for additional storage. It's really cosy at night and totally draught free and warm. I think you'd appreciate the extra space on longer trips but to be honest we use it for weekend trips too.

It doesn't really matter how long the tent takes to pitch to us as it's more important that the tent meets your needs when it is pitched, I don't think half an hour either way really makes much difference (unless it's p~ssing down of course!) The 600 takes us about an hour from start to finish but you can start moving your things in after about 15 mins.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with the Diablo, good luck and happy camping.

Hi, we have a 2005 vista 800 dlx and it has a porch and mudflaps and is relatively quick and easy to put up (becomes easier with practise, of course). The whole tent is usually up within an hour. I believe the 2006 model doesn't have a porch. This is our second vista and we only changed our 2002 model because when we saw last years model (bought in June) it had the improvements we wanted (mudflaps and porch) We absolutely love it because it gives such a lot of space including in the bedrooms. 

We don't use it for weekends though, we have a venture 500 that we use for short breaks.

Everybody has their own prefeernce but for us the vista 800 is a fantastic tent.

hi

we are a family of 5 .kids are 5,10 and 15 and we have got the diablo 900 .its a great tent plenty of room in all three areas (beds. living and porch.)it can be a totaly bug free tent .draught free .and when it does turn a bit chilli we use a gas heater insde to make it cosy.the wife and kids love it (so no moaning and a good relaxing time)the living area is a good size ,we have one of those fold out 4 seater picnic tables inside plus chairs and still have room to walk around each other ,i hate being cramped up.it takes me and the wife around 40 mins to complete putting up the tent.and we use it for weekends,also the 900 has a rear door in the back bedroom..cable entry for ehu.tent tididies in the corners etc.

so my advise is try to go and have a look at one and when you do you will take one home.

have you got a go outdoors place near you the one in coventry have them on show

cheers dave

The Vango Vista 2006 model has a clip in riser/semi-bathtub groundsheet, which clips onto the fly about 10 cms above the ground EXCEPT in the doorway of the tent where it lies flat. So it reduces the draughts but without the potential trip hazard. See here http://www.outdoorfocus.co.uk/tall_fibreglass_steel_tents/Vango/Vista/Vango_Vista600_info.htm

MT