Vango Icarus 500 Enclosed Canopy Tent Extension Reviews and Details

Tent Extension Reviews: Vango Icarus 500 Enclosed Canopy

Tent and Awning Reviews Index > Vango > Icarus 500 Enclosed Canopy Reviews

Current Model?
Berths:
Weight:
RRP on date added:

Discontinued
0
4.75 KG
Ł105.00

Average User Rating:

8.33/10 from 12 reviews

Viewed: 71722 times

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12 Reviews of the Icarus 500 Enclosed Canopy Showing 01 to 10 Page: 1 2

By: JasonAndclare Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2014 Rating: 7 from 10

There seems to be a quality difference between the canopy and the tent. I'm not sure if that's from us buying the tent last year and canopy this year, or if Vango just spend less effort on the canopies. It's only little things, for example the tent pegs came in a tent-material bag instead of a groundsheet-material bag. The tent pegs themselves were a bit thinner and half of them bent on first use (have since replaced all pegs with rock pegs). The bag the tent and pole came in were thinner, stuff like that.

The extension itself has worked well. The first time I put it up I made a mistake with the groundsheet which ended up letting in water. Fortunately we didn't have anything on the floor that couldn't get wet. It's been fine since then though.

The way it clips on to the main tent has a couple of issues; it tends to pull on the top of the middle pole and the sides of the closest pole of the main tent. This has the effect of pulling the top of those poles together and slacking the material between them, creating an area which can pool water. The sides of the join are also left open, so rain can blow in easily. In its defence it does warn against using in bad weather (especially high winds) so it's not really designed for harsh conditions.

The first time I tried to put it away was a bit comical. There seemed to be no easy way to fold it, we ended up just stuffing it back in the bag to fold at home. I have since found the easy way is to leave the pegs where the two poles are in the ground and fold it in over these lines, groundsheet and all. This gives a nice rectangle to fold and roll into the bag.

2 from 2 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?

By: Gandg Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2012 Rating: 7 from 10

Found it useful when camping in wet weather, but again, the door slopes the wrong way, allowing water in. We used it the first time without the groundsheet, (it was hot), this was a mistake, as condensation formed inside the extension. Relatively easy to put up, but still takes time. Would have preferred the open canopy, ordered the wrong one by mistake!.

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By: Ahern Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2012 Rating: 4 from 10

Bought one this year and loved the extra space it gives. However when it rained we had problems had quiet a few puddles which may be expected with a separate GS but my table and chairs were also damp . When I tapped the top to shake off the water it came through like rain inside. My tent was bone dry. I bought a reproofer and applied it in the garden , it rained and exactly the same thing happened. Has anyone else had this problem ???

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

We purchased the enclosed canopy when we got the Icarus 500 tent in 2012. We are pleased with overall set up but however there are some areas that can be improved. The gap that is between the the canopy and tent is to us annoying, but we have solved this by putting a long strip of velcro down each side. Also the curtains in the canopy and the small windows in the tent are fastened with these silly little toggles which I feel eventually will tear, whereas the main window in the tent has a zip on the sides of the curtain which is so much easier. The toggles that fasten the doors up could be a bit longer as I struggle to do them as they are so tight. When its raining the angle of the front (which slopes) means the water drips in and you get wet when undoing the zip, we feel a double ended zip would be easier so you could open it from the top

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By: Mucker1884 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2011 Rating: 9 from 10

We got ours in a package with the main tent and a footprint GS. And loved it. A perfect* accompaniment to the tent. Basically gives you all the living space/kitchen/indoor dining when its raining etc, leaving the main tent for sleeping/dressing area, loo bucket etc.

Admittedly, there's only two of us, but we like our space, and we get it in abundance with this. Very pleased with it.

I'm a complete novice, so I may be wrong here, but I don't understand the comments re the gap between canopy and tent. It clips onto the main tent front pole, so the gap between tent and pole, shows at the joining edge of the canopy. Seems deliberate to me, and I can't see it as a problem. It's not a sealed unit. It has this gap, a separate GS, no insect mesh at the front door, and no threshold/step at the door. It's a canopy, not a tent, and this gap caused us no problem whatsoever. I'd go as far as to guess the design boffins deliberately made this gap to ensure there was no take off if the wind got in, but I stand to be corrected.

Re the sagging where canopy roof joins tent roof. Firstly, get the tent taut, then, don't be fooled into angling the canopy straps downwards, to avoid the pole sheath on the middle tent pole. There are reinforced area of the sheath, specifically to take the canopy clips, so the straps go horizontally across the roof line. Yes there's is still a slight dip, and yes, it can hold a little water, but this method, along with keeping everything taut (but don't over do it with the afore-mentioned straps!) helps it sit a lot better.

*Actually, it's not perfect. As others have said, the sloping door allows the rain in, when open, so on our debut, we folded back the ground sheet, and used foam doormats. Next time, we will have a tarp, and make a canopy over the canopy door!. THEN, it will be perfect!

4 from 4 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?

By: Welsue Reason: I've used one Made in: 2010 Rating: 9 from 10

We purchased a 2011 enclosed canopy earlier this year and were to try it out last week. It really adds to the usefulness of the tent. However as ours is the separate GS version there was a gap at the GS-Canopy interface. I have seen elsewhere on this forums opinions on how to deal with this is issue. What I would suggest a footprint to go under the Canopy's ground sheet.

Beside this an excellent addition to the Icarus

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

I can only echo the comments made by previous posters. If you own an Icarus 500 then this extension makes a massive difference to the usable room and converts it to a very versatile tent.

The front entrance could be better designed as the rain does tend to enter the tent through the door but I understand that the new model has a built in groundsheet like the tent itself. I have also read that some strategically placed Velcro strips will help solve this problem.

Regarding the last posters 3 questions -

1)this can be sorted by addressing Q3. (Im going to experiment with this)

2)I initially thought this was a design fault or I had erected it incorrectly but apparently not. The issue is that the wind will blow in through this gap and swirl around the tent making the whole unit less sturdy than if you just had the tent without the extension. If anyone can post on how to solve this problem it would make us all very happy.

3)We left these ropes until after we had erected the extension and peged them half way along the extension where there is a slot in the underflap of the extension by one of the pegs where it folds underneath the groundsheet. ( does that make sense)?

Overall a very good buy

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

We bought this a couple of weeks to go with our 2010 Icarus 500. Used it last weekend for the first time.

What a difference it makes. Like most people we used it as a kitchen/diner leaving the main tent as living and sleeping areas.

A couple of things I was concerned about.

1) the way it pulled the 1st section of tent down.

2) the gap between the tent and canopy. Not a huge problem and something I'll probably fix on our next trip.

Lastly. How do you peg out the front guys on the tent inside the canopy ?

Overall a MUST buy if you have the Icarus 500.

2 from 2 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?

By: Badger1956 Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2011 Rating: 10 from 10

We bought the tent August 2011 and saw a couple of the same tents with the extension - we were sold on the idea of the extension and went and purchased one as soon as we returned that week - we used the extension on the Icarus 500 over Easter 2012 and have to say it was excellent, it allows the main tent to be kept as a 'sleeping and changing' area and the extension became our cooking, living and dining area, the ground sheet is not sewn in but that proved useful to allow daily sweeping out. As expected of Vango it fits correctly and proved to be a great value for money add on - with two adults and two 8/9 year olds it gives us plenty of room to manoeuvre

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By: RobandClaire Reason: I own(ed) one Made in: 2009 Rating: 9 from 10

Indispensable if you have the tent, it's the living area and kitchen and leaves the main inside living area as a clean area and keeps the door dry. Bows the roof of the tent a bit so water pools on it which is the only drawback. We camped for one night in high wind (from the side) last time and it was fine. I couldn't imagine using the tent without it.

5 from 5 people found this review helpful, was it helpful to you?

12 User Reviews of the Icarus 500 Enclosed Canopy - Showing 01 to 10 Page: 1 2

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Manufacturer's Description

Designed specifically for the Vango Icarus 500 tent, this canopy is a great choice if you are looking to extend the living area or get more space for the kids when the weather is bad. Features rollup front door, large windows and detachable groundsheet.

Specification

* Weight: 4.75kg
* Pack Size: 60 x 16 x 13cm
* Dimensions: 270 x 315 x 200cm (L x W x H)

Available in Blue and Green

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