Vango Icarus 500 Tent Reviews and Details Page 6

Tent Reviews: Vango Icarus 500

Tent and Awning Reviews Index > Vango > Icarus 500 Reviews

Current Model?
Berths:
Weight:
RRP on date added:
Bedroom inners:
Living area groundsheet:
Pitching Style:

Discontinued
5 (more 5 berth tents)
10.20 KG
Ł150.00
1
Fully Sewn-in
In one

Average User Rating:

8.4/10 from 245 reviews

Viewed: 485678 times

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245 Reviews of the Icarus 500 Showing 51 to 60 Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

By: Debbyc Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2013 Rating: 8 from 10

Only used this tent once in glorious sunshine. So easy to put up (in comparison to our Vango Diablo 600) and lots of space inside. We had 2 adults and a 2 small children sleeping on airbeds and still had room for teddies and books.

If it was raining I would want the front canopy as opening the doors allowed dew to fall into the tent in the morning. Only downside of a good basic tent!

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By: Pjaz Reason: I've used one Made in: 2012 Rating: 9 from 10

Bought my Icarus 500 for Ł90 when the local Blacks closed down recently and it seems a good investment.

Only used it one night over the late May BH weekend but I was easy to put up for a first attempt, slept 4 (open plan style in the bedroom, probably won't repeat that - I had only bought it for 3) on camp beds, the living space was good and with plenty of light through the windows.

Pleased overall, we had previously owned a 5 man tent but didn't take to it so sold it - not going to happen with this.

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By: ScottKay69 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2012 Rating: 10 from 10

Bought the Vango Icarus 500 last year with the canopy and a couple of three pole windbreaks (Vango Junkie now).

Been away quite a few times for long weekends with it now and in all kinds of weather ranging from high winds to low temperatures. Had electric hookup every time and we were glad of it on a recent trip to Kirkcudbridge where it was -3.

The tent itself was easy to put up (15 mins) plus canopy (another 15 mins). The canopy gave us great space for cooking and keeping wet clothes and boots in and with the 3 pole windbreaks it made our pitch that little bit more private.

As with a lot of other posts talk about condensation, we put a little electric heater on in the morning and with in about 10 mins it was all gone.

The sleeping compartment is a great size for 2 double airbeds and a little to spare when the partition was taken down, also a place to get changed. The living area was also a decent size + the fitted carpet gives it a more comfy feeling.

Would recommend the Vango Icarus 500 to any camper from novice to seasoned campers.

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By: Tony28 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2012 Rating: 8 from 10

The Vango Icarus 500 is a great tent, the quality is excellent for the price. We bought ours with the canopy, which makes for a fantastic amount of space. We have had it out in some pretty awful weather and it has stood up to everything thrown at it. The only drawback we found was the sloping front, when it's raining it's very difficult to prevent the rain water running off the door into the tent when getting to get in and out, not such a problem when using the canopy, but a real pain when just using the tent on its own. We were not huge fans of the sleeping compartment divider either, again not a big problem as there is only the two of us, but it did put us off inviting friends camping for the weekend. Overall, fantastic tent available at great prices if you shop around.

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By: Ragre Reason: I've used one Made in: 2008 Rating: 8 from 10

I used a Vango Icarus 500 and it was quite easy to put up, sturdy and was easily able to weather most weather present here in the UK.

My friend and I put it up in good time, and it lasted well throughout the night. It was surprisingly spacious, and was nice and warm.

Granted, I've only used it once, so I can't review it in great detail, but it was a very good tent when I used it last, and my friend says it's lasted him a fair amount of time too, and he likes it.

In conclusion, I would recommend the tent for anyone looking to go on a short break, and wants a good quality tent to take along.

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By: Gandg Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2010 Rating: 8 from 10

Took some getting used to erecting, but once we had used it a few times, it got a lot easier, should have taken more notice of the video on manufacturers website. Can't see how, without enormous difficulty, it can be erected without 2 people. Takes about 15 minutes now.

Very spacious for 2, we open up the bedroom partition. High enough to stand up, we are both tall. Withstood some severe gales and very heavy rain. Like the tension straps, remember to release them when packing up. We use it with an enclosed canopy for longer trips, also Vango, relatively easy to erect.

We did use it once with 4 adults and the major problem was condensation, which caused severe flooding inside, bearing in mind it was very wet and very cold weather.

The main door is sloping the wrong way, so the when it does rain--and it will! -- you cannot open the door without the rain coming in!

Overall though, good tent.

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By: Mr+Mrs H Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2012 Rating: 8 from 10

Used this tent for the first time this week. It was quick and easy to pitch and take down again (we left the bedroom pods in place having seen previous reviews)

We had lovely weather, so its performance against the elements didn't really get tested, but we did have some light rain and did not detect any leaks.

Having already been inside a display model, we knew that its size would be perfect for just the two of us, but I am also confident I will be able to fit my niece and two nephews in for short trips.

I particularly loved the extra window panels, as when all curtains & door panels are open it gives a 180 degree view.

Our only complaint is the door zips ! The bedroom pods open from the far corner, meaning you have to open the bottom fully to get out, rather than just opening one side and slipping through the opening.

You then have an awkward main door system, there is a mesh layer that opens as the bedroom pods do, but then a separate layer of waterproof door which opens from bottom to top, and then has velcro to pull open. Its all a bit frantic when doing the dawn dash to the loo !

Our previous tent had its mesh sections built into the main door meaning there was just one zip to deal with, so this tent is going to take some getting used to.

But other than the door design, we were very happy with the tent, the things that we consider 'extras' that weren't on our old tent such as EHU access point and built in storage were a nice additional touch.

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By: Rossi1972 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2012 Rating: 9 from 10

This was our very first camping trip with our two little girls aged 1 and 4. We bought the Icarus 500 along with the canopy after reading numerous reviews and visiting several camping shops.

After purchasing the tent and canopy we did a dry run in the local park and found it very easy to pitch and after a few mistakes had the whole thing erected in just under 45 minutes.

Taking it down was even easier and had it all packed up in it's individual bags in 10 minutes!

On the actual day we halved the time it took to pitch and the weather was less forgiving. Once the main structure was up a little bit of fiddling was required to make the structure secure and needed no further tinkering throughout the holiday.

The Vango windbreak we purchased made a big difference to the amount of wind coming through the front porch area and is definitely recommended. The living area is nicely proportioned and made for a nice 'chill-out' area in the evening when the kids had gone to bed. The canopy was an essential and housed our cooking area, table and chairs, fridge, cupboards and microwave!(can anybody say 'GLAMPING!).

2 days of torential rain and 60mph winds curtailed our trip but the tent stood up to everything the weather threw at it. No leaks round the 'usual' places and the tent and canopy was solid throughout.

The only gripe we had centred around the front door to the tent and canopy. As soon as you opened it in wet weather the water poured in. Is it too much to ask for a door that closes completely?

Apart from this minor flaw an excellent value for money tent which will get some serious use in the coming months.

Would advise purchasing an extra footprint for the canopy as the groundsheet supplied gets filthy.

Finally, 5 MAN tent would be pushing it for space but for 2 adults and 2 kids it's an ideal size and a great introduction to camping.

Thank you Vango for making this tent, it's a winner.

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By: RM955i Reason: I've used one Made in: 2011 Rating: 5 from 10

UPDATE

Having used the tent for a second weekends I can honestly say that this tent leaks.BADLY.

I gave it the benefit of the doubt on the first occasion but there's no doubt about it - the seams leak in multiple places. On the previous occasion the water had obviously run down the tent (being on a slight incline) to pool in the front corners. This time after a heavy downpour in Wales it was everywhere.Under the sleeping area, in the living space, big pools in the front corners. I could see the water coming in through the seams.

This tent gets a big thumbs down from me. I bought a Vango as they were recommended to me but I can only assume that manufacturing standards (it's made in china) have fallen.

I will be returning the tent and looking for an Outwell in the off-season sales as they seem to get good reviews.

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By: Jezreel Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2011 Rating: 9 from 10

I bought one of these second hand recently and have had two trips in it now.

As with all of these things, pitching your own tent gets easier over time and sure enough we're getting better at it.

Ease of pitching in general? I'd say a solid 9/10. We have the groundsheet which proves excellent in selecting a pitch site (as well as protecting your tent) as you have an instant gauge of how much room you'll take up, don't forget your canpy though if you have one, which we do, and we'll DEFINITELY remember to leave adequate space for it next time, honest!

A simple three pole insertion, using spring string bendy carbon poles easily located and then pretty much it's the guy ropes that hold it all in place. These are all 'double attached' so you only have 12 to put in if you use them all, then the extras for the canopy.

It does require two people though, it would be impossible to erect on your own.

We have the carpet addition too, made by Vango and this just adds to the overall feel of it.

In use:

The tent itself is great, there's room to stand up fully for me (6'0') in both the main living area and the bedroom compartment, which was paramount for us in choosing this tent. You can actually get dressed properly for a start, in privacy!

The layout of the living area is super, with either the front main door opening fully, or the side door opening fully or having a mosquito opening in it, there are window panels on the shaped part next to the main front door, and opposite to the side door a window panel with breathable mesh there too, so as you can imagine, it can b e a very light airy and breezy tent if you want it to be.

We got to test it during a recent very heavy rainfall and thunderstorm however and it held up really very well.

We had put the canopy up and I hadn't pitched quite right, but one adjustment of the front guy ropes of the main tent straightened her right out and it operated perfectly. There were no ingresses of moisture anywhere, with all the hatches battened down and guy ropes tight and tensioners in place, it shook alright (it was gusting up to 60+ mph) but didn't feel like it would go anywhere, so we just carried on drinking our wine in the living area until it blew away.

Bedroom compartment, although it's rated a 5 man, these things always baffle me with tent manufacturers, I know they all do it, but it would be a REAL squeeze to get 5 fully grown adults and their clothing into that space. I assume most people keep their clothes in the bedroom compartment as we do in that statement, but if you don't then you're wrong anyway, start doing it immediately.

We have just us two, albeit on Exped Megamats (big Self inflaters) and one big dog, and it's very comfortable at that, so that's how I'm reviewing it!

Ease of de-camp. Fairly straight forward, unpeg, pull poles, fold up etc. We always leave the bedroom compartment clipped in place inside, it simply doesn't make any sense not to, it goes nowhere (unless you managed to be sick in there and needed to clean it or something)

I would happily spend a few weeks in this tent, especially with the canopy (great for a cooking area, especially if you run a windbreak across the front) and groundsheet. The carpet is the cherry, I'm glad we have it, we could live without it, but then again, we could live without a lot of things that are nice, all of us, so why not go with the flow?

Packed away it's actually rather surprisingly small. Even all that kit doesn't fill the boot of our Seat Altea. The other assorted rubbish we take with us is what overflows out of the windows and makes up look like we're refugees running with our entire wordly goods

All in all, I'd have another one of these if this one broke. The only tent I would swap it for would be an airbeam version of the same, but until I find another unwitting camper who's kidney I can remove and sell to fund it, that will have to wait.

Hope you enjoyed the review, you'll enjoy the tent if you get one, especially if you don't try and squeeze 5 people into it!

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245 User Reviews of the Icarus 500 - Showing 51 to 60 Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

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Manufacturer's Description

Icarus flew towards the sun and this tent is also aiming high. Easy to pitch, ‘as one’ structure with generous living area, this tent will create an ideal base for your weekend adventures. The Icarus provides a place to hide when the weather is poor or a haven to return to after a long day in the sun.

Specification

Flysheet: Protex® 2000 polyester, hydrostatic head 2000mm, tape sealed seams, Fire retardant
Inner: Breathable polyester with central divider curtain
Groundsheet: PE, hydrostatic head 10,000mm, Sewn-in
Poles: Poweflex fibreglass poles
Weight: 10.2kg
Pack Size: 72 x 26 x 26cm
Colour: Ensign/Bluebell

Features

As one pitching simple and quick to pitch
Crystal clear windows allows maximum light into living room
Pre-attached guylines with guy tidies improves pitching and re-pitching speed
Reinforcement points extra strength on tension areas of the flysheet
Reflective webbing find your tent at night or in adverse conditions
Parallel zip door create a canopy for sheltered entry or shaded seating
Front over door mesh vents allow continual airflow to enhance comfort
Polyethylene 10,000HH groundsheet strong, sturdy, waterproof protection, Sewn-in
Comfort Colours darker over the bedroom for a restful nights sleep
Side Mesh Door allows door to be left open for insect-free ventilation
Heavy duty pole sleeves ensures even distribution of tension
Inner Pockets keeps those essentials close at hand
Handled carry bag for easy pack-and-go
Repair Kit for that unforseen tent emergency

... there may be more info on their website

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