Vango Centara 800 Airbeam Tent Reviews and Details

Tent Reviews: Vango Centara 800 Airbeam

Tent and Awning Reviews Index > Vango > Centara 800 Airbeam Reviews

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

Yes
8 (more 8 berth tents)
21.80 KG
Ł700.00
2
Fully Sewn-in
Inflatable

Average User Rating:

8.6/10 from 5 reviews

Viewed: 17568 times

Back to index

Manufacturer Images

Member Uploaded Images - click to enlarge

If you have a photo of this Tent click here to upload it

5 Reviews of the Centara 800 Airbeam

By: Andy Cook Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2017 Rating: 10 from 10

Wow! Straight up and down in wind. Once the corners were secured with sand pegs the Airbeams were a doddle to inflate. Although it was windy the whole tent was up and occupied within ten minutes. We also used the footprint. So nice to walk into the inflated tent and see the bedrooms already up and ready. The only thing left to do is finish pegging and sort out the guy ropes. The windows are clear and large. The curtains stow away at the bottom of the window and they toggle into place very snug.

There's no sign whatsoever that the Airbeams are less secure or rigid than a pole tent. Our last tent had the flexible fibreglass poles and that tent moved around in the wind. This Airbeam tent didn't move at all (except for the normal sheet flapping you get in any tent). Infact we used the Airbeams to hold onto when taking footwear on an off so they're sturdy but not intrusive. I did use the tent tension straps to secure it in 25mph winds (and stronger gusts) but it didn't really need it if I'm honest. Although it made me feel better at night. The corner pegging points are straps with strong plastic buckles. Supplied sand pegs fit perfectly into the curved plastic anchor points. Then its a simple tug on the strap to tighten the tent up. The tent comes with 4 sand pegs but l would recommend replacing the wire pegs that also come with the tent with sand pegs. I was camped on sand covered grass so the wire pegs pulled out when the wind gusted. Fortunately I had my own sand pegs.

The side porch didn't come with sand pegs and the wire pegs holding the porch to the back of the main tent whipped out of the ground straight away.

The little peak above the main tent door is okay (low but ok) and the small fibreglass pole that shapes the peak slides through the spacious hem and fits into plastic sockets in the tent wall easily without putting any strain on the tent. Although I did hit my head on it several times (note the peak isn't on both doors).

The insect mesh door isn't on both doors which is a shame because airflow would be improved in the sun if you could open both doors and keep out the critters but one side is better than no side. My overall impression of the tent as someone who has owned many is it's a 21st century answer to keeping my Wife and I talking after pitching the tent. No squabbles, Hardly any sweating or cursing and most of all,- it was easy to put down, roll up (roll toward the valves) and it almost fell into the bag provided because it's big enough. As well as the zip the bag has buckled straps to keep the tent and bag firm and secure.

I got my Centara XL for Ł577. A bargain. Replacement Airbeams can be purchased but I can't imagine they need replacing unless you over inflate one. The supplied repair patches are easy to use because there's no glue. You just peal off the back of the patch and stick it over the hole. (they can be replaced cheaply. I just bought 10 for Ł5.99). I used mine on the Vango sleeping mats to repair small holes so I know they work.

Overall I believe the tent was a great buy but I'm not sure if I would buy the STD porch if I could go back in time. I don't think the same care and attention to detail has gone into the STD Airbeam porch as went into the amazing tent and considering the Ł300 price tag versus the Ł577 tent, you'd thing every attention to detail would have been made.