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Have you seen the Vango Columbia 600 - very, very similar to the Monty and was in Vango's premium family range last year. Still a few around for about £275 (RRP £450 last year). The footprint and carpet for the Sungari 600DLX will fit and also the canopy if you go for a sage coloured Columbia.

5000HH, steel poles, SIG, enclosed side entrance, 2/3 bedrooms, part or whole of the front opens, low level vents under the skirt as well as the traditional vents, plenty of pockets and also Vango's TBS internal strapping system that you can clip in place in very windy weather to provide even more stability to an already very stable but easy to pitch tent. The living space is even slightly bigger than the Monty's.

We are incredibly happy with ours. We considered the Monty last year but wanted the 2/3 bedroom option as we use one for storage to keep the living area tidy and being able to open the whole front up means that you are both indoors and outdoors and don't really need the canopy. We use a Vango Adventure Tarp with longer guys and the tent's king poles as protection over the front door if it rains. The Vango pitching video for the tent on YouTube gives you inside shots of the tent, although the flymesh is on the left hand door rather than the right hand porch door.

Re. the Skandika tents - they have had very mixed reviews...

Helen

I think you'll find that even some of the Outwell cheaper (or not so cheap) tents have problems too. The manufacturers don't always get the design right and cut corners to reduce the price. It is a shame that you've had a bad experience with Vango. Vango's budget and premium tents, like Outwell's, differ greatly.

The Monty has been around for a fair few years and is a very good tent, but they are still changing things. Note that the porch has been re-designed this year to address stability issues, however, there have been a few threads about the new porch pole being too long and pressing against the flysheet of the tent. May be worth checking out... There was a 20% sale held by one of the main retailers a few weeks back (possibly Yeomans) which someone on this forum price matched against - managing to get a Monty for around £300 - a bargain if it can be repeated...

The Khyam looks a good tent too, but is smaller and hasn't got the wind-shedding front of the Monty and Columbia, so expect it to take bit more of a hammering when the wind swings round to the front of the tent.

You've got a difficult decision on your hands --- you can always look at eBay too!

Helen

Quote: Originally posted by lynnexxxo on 18/5/2010

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Thanks Helen,

.... I really want this to be our 'life tent' ...

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Just thought - you ought to know given what you said - that the estimated life of a polyester tent (70-75D flysheet, which Vango, Outwell and most other makes use) is about 16 weeks in the sun. Some last longer and others not as long. A higher denier flysheet will generally last you longer under UV radiation - e.g. Kampa's Ultimate range 100D flysheets:

Quote from an independent source "75D Polyester is 10-20% stronger than 70D nylon, and has 30% longer life under UV exposure. 150D Polyester is 50% stronger than 70D nylon, and has 200% longer life under UV exposure."

Polyester becomes brittle with UV exposure. Polycotton tents (especially those with higher % of cotton - e.g. Kampa and Outwell) and cotton tents will last longer but unfortunately are also much heavier and bulkier... and a lot more expensive.

Your Monty should last you a fair few years of moderate camping, but unfortunately not a lifetime. Its just something to note if you are looking for a bargain - ex. display ones and second hand ones can have very few weeks of life left in them.

Helen

Singers Outdoors has one for £395 incl free delivery

http://www.singersoutdoors.co.uk/showproduct.asp?id=2544&pgid=0&r=0/0/0/0

Use the price match -10% at Go Outdoors and that will make it £355.

Not bad,

Helen

I know what you mean - we wanted our 3 year old next to us at night - its also great being able to tuck him back in without having to get out of bed myself. He loves having his own room too which the bedroom divider gives him. When he gets older he can have the separate bedroom inner if the tent lasts that long!

£355 is a nice price for the Monty - good luck!...

Happy shopping!

Helen