Topic: My new tent (maybe) (Read 12156 times)

Glenn B · « **on:** September 10, 2013 »

Ok so im toying with the idea of a new tent and im swayed towards a banshee 200 or a Coleman cobra 2 both a bit small for two people but as it's only me and the son both would be roomy enough with a view to use it solo as well.. Whats your views on these tents and am I only paying the extra on the banshee because of the name? Both seam to be of a similar size and weight but about £20/£30 apart in price..

Thanks Glenn.

RedLeader · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2013 »

I had a Banshee 300, it was an excellent tent. The 200 is good adult / kid type camps as well as a bit of rolling around room for solo plus at 2kg it's a decent weight. It's also a great shape and solid for adverse conditions. The one downside is there's no headroom and not much of a porch. The Coleman Cobra I can't comment on unfortunately.

twentyclicks · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2013 »

I have a Cobra that is nearly 10 years old now. Surprising wee tent - very well made, good in wind, and 2 entrances/small porches are nice.
All the revisions in the new one just seem to make it better... lighter, lower skirts, pitch outer first, cheaper (I paid £90 for mine, so taking in inflation they saw me coming

).

I'm slim 6ft, shared it before with a shorter mate. Took it to Scotland the other week with a taller mate, just let him have the tent and I bivvied. The NeoAir mat doesn't share space well at the foot end, being square and thick, but it would have been a push regardless. Brilliant space for solo.

No comparison with a Banshee. There are others on here using those tents, a search might bring up details. The big tent thread will have some mini reviews in it for certain.

Ed · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2013 »

I believe spud had a coleman cobra in the past. He might be able to shed some light on it.

Spud · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2013 »

Quote from: Aragorn on September 10, 2013

I believe spud had a coleman cobra in the past. He might be able to shed some light on it.

my coleman was a different model so I cant really help sorry, clairebear on here has a cobra, im sure she would give you some advice!

clairebear · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2013 »

i certainly do have a wee cobra coleman bought last year. there is a review in the tent thread. I love it and at the price was well worth it. they are £69 on amazon. Only add on to my thread is that with two people its also grand, yeah its not a big room'y two man but stash all your kit in the two porches and its grand. cash my dog was in as well lol.

has yet to be out in horrendous conditions but it's a good shape to be aerodynamic in the wind. I can sit up in it and im 5ft5. As a solo tent there isnt anything to fault. I put it up as one pitch in and out together but you can split it i think. Far to much bother that so up it goes in quick time. Usual hook on roof to not loose stuff and side pockets. Very light as well and compact i can get all my gear in a 30l pack with food etc etc.

Maybe a banshee would be lighter, not sure but for the cost difference it depends what your budget is.

Rich.H · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2013 »

+1 for the Coleman even with two people. Used Claires with her and found there was plenty of space. I'm 6ft and found no problems with the tent length. Considering getting one for myself as a replacement for my gelert solo for times when I want to charge lightweight across areas.

I did notice the Coleman has fibre poles though so depending on how often you intend to use it you may wish to look into swapping out a set of aluminum ones.

twentyclicks · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2013 »

Quote from: Rich.H on September 11, 2013

I did notice the Coleman has fibre poles though so depending on how often you intend to use it you may wish to look into swapping out a set of aluminum ones.

Interesting - my old one has alloy poles, surprised they cut corners there... it's so cheap, it would be worth paying extra if they'd kept them in the spec. They're not a straight hoop though (if sourcing 3rd party) - each pole has 3 'sides' i.e. it has 2 distinct bends/angled joints. Maybe Coleman could help?

andymcinroy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2013 »

I recently camped at the summit of the Bluestacks in my Coleman Cobra 2 (photo below).
My friends have a Banshee (not sure if 200 or 300?) which is pitched behind.

Overall for the Coleman,
- Excellent, stable tent even on a wet and windy summit camp on top the Bluestacks
- Loads of room for 1 plus backpacking gear. Rear porch is very handy space. Tight for 2 backpackers I would say.
- Pitches outer 1st and very quick to setup. Easy to tension.
- Very good weight (about 2kg)

Slight niggles
- Outer zipper is hard to close when the tent is under good tension. Forcing zipper down is a recipe for disaster. (solution is to unclip tensioners near the zip, but then of course you can't reclip them from the inside! )
- Vent at front of the tent can let in rain when it is being blown at certain angles (solution is to pitch shallow end into wind and peg the protective front flap directly down to the flysheet pegs at the front of the tent.
- Inner storage pockets droop a bit and contents are liable to spill out and get lost (solution is to stich the top of the pocket to the inner about half way across).

I can confirm that the latest Coleman 2 has alloy poles.
I also have the Coleman 3 which is another excellent tent.

Rich.H · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2013 »

My mistake I must have been blind or I'll try and blame tiredness on thinking it was fiber poles.

clairebear · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2013 »

Here is cobra up last night in annalong wood. Performed well in the rain and wind.

Glenn B · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2013 »

Thanks for the feedback on this folks a lot of positive comments on the cobra and I think its the one I will probably go for I like the idea of the gull wing doors ie easy out in the mornings as im not to agile first thing..

clairebear · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2013 »

Yeah you can sorta roll the legs out make a few ohhhhssss and such like grunts before getting out. I do that as well, takes a while before I loosen up!

Ed · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2013 »

Quote from: Glenn B on September 16, 2013

Thanks for the feedback on this folks a lot of positive comments on the cobra and I think its the one I will probably go for I like the idea of the gull wing doors ie easy out in the mornings as im not to agile first thing..

You should see the cut of me getting out of my bivvy after a rough night

Revsi75 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2013 »

Guys has anyone heard or know someone with a coleman phad x3?

I've seen some photos of people online and read some but not many reviews, using this in the snow and was wondering if anyone locally has one or has used one.

I have the banshee 300 and am weary about using it when it is snowing, giving it's sloping is very close to the inner sheet and will be closer if the snow lies.

Would like a tent for the snow (not that we get that much) but if it's anything like what we did get... it would be nice.

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Author Topic: My new tent (maybe) (Read 12156 times)

Glenn B

My new tent (maybe)

RedLeader

Re: My new tent (maybe)

twentyclicks

Re: My new tent (maybe)

Ed

Re: My new tent (maybe)

Spud

Re: My new tent (maybe)

clairebear

Re: My new tent (maybe)

Rich.H

Re: My new tent (maybe)

twentyclicks

Re: My new tent (maybe)

andymcinroy

Re: My new tent (maybe)

Rich.H

Re: My new tent (maybe)

clairebear

My new tent (maybe)

Glenn B

Re: My new tent (maybe)

clairebear

My new tent (maybe)

Ed

Re: My new tent (maybe)

Revsi75

Re: My new tent (maybe)

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