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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
£150.00
1
Fully Sewn-in
In one
Average User Rating:
8.4/10 from 245 reviews

Viewed: 486206 times

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245 Reviews of the Icarus 500         Showing 01 to 10          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: Annmar808000djj  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2023   Rating: 

Easy to pitch, prepared to do it myself but helped by a couple of other campers, would be able to do it easily a second time. Very straightforward, and colour coding to identify poles etc. I was camping alone on this occasion, so it was very spacious.

Used the second smaller bedroom for storage bags and as a toilet tent, which was a bucket toilet with seat and lid. They’re brilliant, very stable. Perfect for night time as I was about 400 yards from the toilet block.

Had a large camp bed in the larger bedroom, actually a fishing bed, which was very comfortable, with clothes and towels.

In the living area I had 2 folding chairs, a folding single camping table, kitchen equipment under the table in boxes, and a camping stove which you screw gas canisters in to, very economical.

My biggest gripe is that the “nightfall” bedrooms are not blackout. They are darker but see through looking out, although not see through looking in. Together with a large opening at the top (back) of the bedrooms they’re not very dark at all.

The other thing is the front entrance which has a fixed flap at the bottom. It is incredibly dangerous. When packing up I had a very nasty accident. I was carrying a bowl, missed the step and went flying over it. I landed on the tent peg, cutting my left hand open in 3 places and grazing my right hand. The force was so severe I broke 4 (melamine) plates which cracked on impact. I was very shaken up and could easily have broken an arm or leg. I feel that the front flap should have a zip so it could be lowered for access or raised for bad weather. The accident rather spoiled my trip and my view of the tent.

Easy to pack up, it actually folded up and went back successfully in to the original bag. It didn’t let any rain in, despite one wet morning and one wet night. I think I would change it for a different one if I could, the step is such a danger and the non blackout bedrooms are annoying, but the space is perfect for one or two people. Being able to stand up is a big bonus over my “umbrella style” quick pitch tent, which is ideal for overnight stops.
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By: Johnboy004809  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2015   Rating: 

This was our first family tent, after many years running DofE Vango was a brand I had come to trust for quality and this tent didn't disappoint. The only criticism I could say was the poles were a little week and over the years we owned it they ended up splitting. However easy to replace. There are lots still for sale and its a great all round family tent
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By: Old punky  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2013   Rating: 

I bought this tent off someone on Facebook market place including front universal medium awning and a eurohike Buckingham elite 8 footprint that fits tent and awning together , if just using tent then we fold the footprint back to fit.

Used this tent 3 times so far, once with just the tent and twice with front awning.

Me and the wife love this tent it is very easy to put up and take down, looks good and is very roomy for just the two of us, we use campbeds with air beds bunge roped together to stop it slipping and there is loads of room in the bedroom for clothes, bags, and a small side table. We sat through 14 hrs of rain one night and did not see one leak and felt very cozy inside.

We got a kampa tent carpet that fits the living area perfect off eBay very cheap, and it makes all the difference to comfort. The front enclosed awning doubles the size of the tent and is great for dining cooking etc.

Regards the problem of the sloping door letting water in when coming in and out we got an adventure tarp for the front to solve this problem and can be used on the tent or awning front door or with some hocus pocus and fiddling the side door if needed. I kept the king poles from my old tent and they make a great porch out of the door if you want to.

One thing I keep seeing in reviews of this tent is that it's a great weekend tent or short stay tent? How does a tent know how long your there for? Makes no sense to me saying this, I have broken the rules and rebelled and went camping for 1 week in it with zero issue, I could have easily stopped for longer but the wife wanted to get back for her work. I just hope the tent police don't arrest me for staying longer than a few days in it.

I love the Vango Icarus 500 and would get another or a very similar one if mine wore out. It's a great tent especially for long long long camping trips and could be useful for a weekend away. Highly recommended and are some bargains on eBay with tent and awning for around £150/200 not bad for a very good set up in my opinion.
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By: Worto03  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2016   Rating: 

We've just downsized from the Coleman Magellan 9 man Tent to this, was looking for something that would fit the 4 of us in comfortably, 2 adults & 2 kids (8 & 11) but that wasn't as time consuming to put up and down if only staying for one night.

The is perfect and after putting it up in the garden the kids wanted to use it for a week in Wales, it stood up to some good old fashioned Welsh weather with no leaking and has plenty of room for us.

Only reason it lost one star is because the zips don't line up, one is straight and the other is curved meaning every time you get in or out of the tent you have to undo the two zips separately. I thought that was a really strange thing to complain about when I read about it before purchase but it's actually quite annoying.

Would definitely recommend this though, easy to put up with one adult (especially if you can get a child to help). Perfect for weekends and OK for a week as long as the kids don't mind sharing a room

Oh and the room will fit two adult sleeping beds in side by side, just about.
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By: Barleynco  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2013   Rating: 

Brilliant tent - this is the second one we have owned - the first having worn out & also the earlier one didn't have a bug net on the front door. Been out in really poor weather & held up with no leaks & not midges inside. So fast & easy to put up & take down. When this one bites the dust I'd look again for a newer version.
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By: Rogermooreseyebrow  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2012   Rating: 

Absolutely love this tent. We've had ours since 2012 and it caters for my wife and I, along with our three children with considerable ease. That being said, we use self inflating mats rather than airbeds and only take what we need. If you're the kind of family that brings everything and the kitchen sink, you'll probably only manage four people at the very most.

We've used it for long weekends over the summer every year since we bought it and in all that time, I've only had to replace one pole and make a minor repair to the inner. I also spray it with Fabsil every year and it's never leaked, even in some pretty horrendous weather. These tents are made to last.

There's lots of storage features and a zip entry for electric hook-up. For optimum comfort, whack a tent carpet in the living area and line the sleeping area with blankets before lying sleeping mats on the top. We've never struggled to get a good night's sleep in the Icarus.

It's just a belting tent and you can grab 'em pretty cheap off Ebay.

I can't see us replacing or upgrading ours anytime soon. It's perfect for sensible families and weekend warriors.
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By: Tash08  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2017   Rating: 

Bought Icarus 500 tent and awning. Great space, fairly easy to pitch etc. However, only lasted 2 weekends. No use in the wind. Snapped tension bands, guy rope tighteners did not hold, leaks via side door, awning ripped from trim near clips, another clip had failed stitching, stitching incomplete around one of sleeping compartment doors. We are experienced campers, never had a tent that had so many problems with design and poor workmanship.

Glad to say full refund received with no questions asked, makes me assume these problems are frequent when store did not even want to

Check tent. Sorry, would not recommend.
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By: TheClods  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2012   Rating: 

The Icarus 500 was our first large head-height tent. We bought it in 2012 and have only just replaced it this year. We used it every year in Ireland and for the last 3 years it also served us well on our trips to France.

It is very easy to pitch and after our first few attempts we had it down to a fine tee. We would peg the back corners, feed each pole through leaving them flat on the ground. We would then bend the poles into place from back to front, concertina-ing out until taut. This may not be the best or right way but it worked well for us and saved any arguments.

As a couple the tent was perfect for the two of us. We had enough room to have an airbed in one bedroom and clothes storage in the other. We then stored our stove and kitchen equipment over by large window leaving the space in the main floor area for a table and chairs if we needed to shelter from the rain. In France last year (2016) we got caught up in the very heavy rain storms and the tent didn’t let in any water. One of the poles developed a small crack after about a year but we just wrapped some duct tape around it and never had another issue.

The finish on the tent was great with very handy storage pockets, zipped windows and mesh doors. The only reason we replaced it was to upgrade to an inflatable polycotton tent. But it hasn’t gone to tent heaven, it has found a new lease of life with our friends and their two young sons who are new to camping. They used it for the first time recently and loved it so I am sure it will see a good few more camping trips yet.
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By: Newportjones  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2012   Rating: 

We've had our Icarus for a number of years and it has served us well, suited 2 adults and 2 children under 10. We've had 2 or 3 camps each year, normally for a week at a time.

The canvas is still in good condition, we've needed to make minor repairs to an internal zip and one of the rear elastic fixings.

We had a pole snap early on in its life but I think this was our fault as we tried to put it up with the inside attached to the fly sheet.

Our only reason for replacing it is that a couple of the poles have now started to split slightly, although each part of the pole can easily be replaced, it's not worth the expense so we are buying a new one.
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By: Pipikie  Reason: I own(ed) one  Made in: 2014   Rating: 

Great tent at a very reasonable price. Perfect for weekends away or longer. Since owning ours she has done 3 x 2 week trips to Spain and Cannes and is ready for the next adventure this August. Never let us down.

We also purchased the canopy which gives us an extended cooking/eating area.

Great purchase, highly recommended
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245 User Reviews of the Icarus 500 - Showing 01 to 10          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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