Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: suspectmonkey on July 22, 2010

Title: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: suspectmonkey on July 22, 2010
Was in the new Blacks store this evening in the centre of Belfast.  Spotted the Vango Banshee 200 and Spectre 200 reduced to £59 each.  They are also offering an additional 20% off camping gear this weekend, so if you are in the market for a cheap backpacking tent then you would be hard pushed to go wrong getting a Banshee at £47!

Be warned however - the shop is staffed by students who may never have set eyes on a mountain in their life.  Don't get me wrong, they are friendly enough... but product knowledge is definitely not their strength.  Kat tried on a few pairs of boots and the poor girl serving her would possibly have struggled to identify a sandal from a crampons ??? ;D
Title: Re: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: RedLeader on July 23, 2010
Must. Resist. Temptation....
Title: Re: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: MikeD on July 23, 2010
Im tempted to get the Spectre 200 at the weekend - for £48 - I'm sure thats a great bargain - thanks suspect !
Title: Re: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: suspectmonkey on July 23, 2010
The Spectre was one that I had looked at seriously before buying the Tempest.  The only reason I went for the Tempest in the end was the porch, but other than that the Spectre looks like a great job.

I nearly bought a Banshee last night, but they didn't have any left.  They are hoping to have stock of them in over the weekend so might be worth phoning first to save a wasted trip.  Although I have a Tempest, the Banshee is 0.5kg lighter and I'd nearly be tempted to grab one for luxury solo trips :)
Title: Re: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: RedLeader on July 23, 2010
Is the Tempest 300 3.2kg?

The Spectre was one that I had looked at seriously before buying the Tempest.  The only reason I went for the Tempest in the end was the porch, but other than that the Spectre looks like a great job.

I nearly bought a Banshee last night, but they didn't have any left.  They are hoping to have stock of them in over the weekend so might be worth phoning first to save a wasted trip.  Although I have a Tempest, the Banshee is 0.5kg lighter and I'd nearly be tempted to grab one for luxury solo trips :)
Title: Re: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: suspectmonkey on July 23, 2010
Is the Tempest 300 3.2kg?

Apparently so.  Mine is the Tempest 200 and weighs in at about 2.5kg.  Think the Banshee 200 is 2kg.
Title: Re: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: RedLeader on July 24, 2010
I got a Vango Ultralite 200 from Blacks for £79.99 with a free car camping gas stove. Will find out today if it's any good!
Title: Re: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: MikeD on July 24, 2010
The ultralite is getting a bit of bad name on these amazon reviews....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Ultralite-200-Tent/dp/B000RC4KO8

Hope you don't get soaked J !
Title: Re: Cheap Vango Banshee/Spectre
Post by: RedLeader on July 24, 2010
Yeah, I saw some poor reviews. Though at 1.3kg I think people had high expectations. Plus I'm not sure which version everyone is talking about - I thought there was a new one out this year.

The ultralite is getting a bit of bad name on these amazon reviews....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vango-Ultralite-200-Tent/dp/B000RC4KO8

Hope you don't get soaked J !