Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: ChuckMcB on August 24, 2010

Title: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: ChuckMcB on August 24, 2010
What's current thoughts for a 1/2 man tent for lightweight camping?

My Dad's after one.

I've got the Vango Beta 250, loads of room, but at 4.5g is too heavy for one person, the vibe I get from him on the Argos Pro action is basicly kinda too cheap to be good.

I've seeing chatter about Vango Banshee and Tempest 200 at the sub-£100 mark and the Terra Nova Laser Competition at the £200+ mark.

Any recommendations for sub-£200 tents?
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: NeilB on August 24, 2010
the terra nova tent was 140 on field and trek last week dude
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: Dowser on August 24, 2010
For a One-Man tent I love the Gelert Solo and fantastic value for money.  Very solid and well constructed.  Easy to pitch and reasonably light weight 1495g (With Aluminium pegs instead of the stainless steel supplied)

For the Two-Man I would recommend the Vango Banshee 200.  Again great solid well constructed tent and great value for the money. 1942g so again reasonably light weight.

Chuck... If you would like to "try before you buy" give me a shout and you can borrow them both and see what your dad thinks.
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: chris on August 24, 2010
The Robens light  is what I'd get. More porch space than the banshee and a little better thought out. Its little things like reflective tape on the guy lines so you can see them at night, the tent is a lighter colour so it feels roomier and more. I used to be a banshee fanboy untill I saw this. Other than that the wild country duo lite/light (sp) is awesome. Both awesome tents for year round use in northern ireland.
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on August 24, 2010
my Gelert Rocky 2 is coping well but not for long people, weighs approx 3kg but the pegs are very heavy (still mananged to bend 2 last night, it seems summits don't have much soil  ::) ) black guy lines are a pain in the arse as i kept tripping over them, I got mine for under a tenner  so its great value but a quick google shows you can get them for only £25
http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=51134101&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=Google-shopping&utm_campaign=Froogle-datafeed&CameFrom=froogle


editted to add
could even go for a Rocky 3 at £37, should have plenty of space for 2 people plus rucksacks and only 3.6kg
http://www.campmania.co.uk/Item-1-14-cat-0-brand-433-Gelert_Rocky_3_2010.aspx
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: RedLeader on August 25, 2010
I have a Banshee 300 which is a good tent at 2.5kg. (The 200 is only 2kg) No headroom or porch though.
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on August 25, 2010
For two people who are going to be spending multiple nights in the tent, then I'd highly recommend the Tempest 200.  2.5kg, but split between two people thats only 1250g.  You can either pitch it outer first, or all as one.  Alloy poles.  Just about enough head space to sit upright at the "head" end.  Good sized porch with plenty of room for two rucksacks and cooking.  Even with two rucksacks and two pairs of boots in the porch theres still plenty of room to get in and out.  Me and Kat used it in some very heavy, persistent rain in Scotland and no water came through.  Never had any condensation in it either.

If it was just for one night at a time I'd probably go for a Banshee 200, as on an overnighter I could live without the porch and save a few grams.  If money wasnt an option and I wanted a one man tent I'd go for the Laser Comp.  The Cornmarket Cotswold store has one pitched upstairs and I was really surprised at the amount of porch space between the inner and outer.  You could definitely cook in it.  But after Neil's post and seeing it on Field and Trek at £140 I wouldnt pay any more than that for one!
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: ChuckMcB on August 25, 2010
Thanks guys.

Looks like we are all thrifty campers...I would be going with the Tempest 200 if I was buying again (I refuse to buy anything more than £100 unless the benefits really slap me in the face)....but he seems to be determined to blow the inheritance (just kidding..if me Da's lurking). So if you folks were to drop £200 or £200+ would you really get a better deal as far as something lighter and more roomy for two tall people. Think a Laser Comp but for two people...

I'll seeing things like the 'Terra Nova Voyager XL', 'Vango Spirit 200' and 'Terra Nova LaserLarge' but can't really see the benefits in extra room or weight. 90cm sit up room and 220cm sleep room is about average for all prices while ~2kg is about average for the weight.

I suppose I'm looking for someone to mention the Nirvana of tents...or to help talk me Da out of blowing that kinda cash ;)
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on August 25, 2010
Quote from: Chuck on August 25, 2010
I suppose I'm looking for someone to mention the Nirvana of tents...

Surely you cant be thinking of a Hilleberg?! ;D  Something like a Nallo perhaps?

The funny thing looking at tents is that spending more money doesn't appear to get you a tent that is much lighter or smaller pack size.  I suppose longevity may come in to it, but I've no reason to think that my Vango wont give me plenty of years of service.  I guess the extra cost of tents from the likes of Hilleberg just doesnt seem at all proportionate to the benefits - I dont even know what the benefits are!  I'd be hard pushed to ever spend over £100 for a tent... although as I said before the Laser Comp at £140 was very, very nearly added to my basket :) 
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: ChuckMcB on August 25, 2010
Quote
The funny thing looking at tents is that spending more money doesn't appear to get you a tent that is much lighter or smaller pack size
That's exactly what I wanted to hear........until I got a PM, from someone who will remain nameless, with a couple of actually quote good possibles which I'm looking at. I'll post with the outcome.
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on August 30, 2010
What about a Vaude tent like the one next door to you on Binnion, that had plenty of space and was certainley easy to put away (didn't see it go up though), while mine was changing size and shape in the wind it seemed pretty steady, no idea which model it was or how much though, maybe ElaineA will give us a report on it  :)
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on August 30, 2010
Speaking of Vaude tents.... was in Belfast this afternoon and just happened to stumble into a few outdoor stores.  Kat and I ended up coming home with a Vaude Hogan Ultralight from Blacks - got it for £105 down from £220.  Weighs in at 1490g and is a 1-2 man tent with a small porch.  Similar shape to what Elaine had on Binnian, but I thinks its shrunken down dimensions and some lighter materials.  The reviews look pretty positive so I'm looking forward to trying it out.  More info here (http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Vaude/Products/15762/SubProducts/157624000&Locale=en_IN&NavSignature=5,5,4) if you are interested.  And I got my free Camping Gaz Camp Bistro stove ;D

(http://www.vaude.com/WebRoot/ProductImages/15762_4000_4.png)
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: RedLeader on August 30, 2010
That's a nice looking tent. I hear Vaude make a good tent.
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: ElaineA on August 30, 2010
Hey guys, my tent was a Vaude Taurus II. It belongs to school (perk of the job- i can 'borrow' the kit !)- i have used it twice now- first time was on ML training in the lakes where i was really impressed with its relatively lightweight (2.85kg) ;its easy and quick for one person to pitch..... and it never moved on sat nite- despite taking quite a hammering in the wind!
I checked on Cotswold - they have it a £200 - but you can prob get it cheaper elsewhere altho with 25% discount i get it for £150 so if you wanted one i could get it for you.
Have also used the Vango tempest that Johnny likes- but its awkward to put up on your own- need 2 pairs of hands!!!
Nice meeting you guys on sat...hope this is helpful  :)
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on August 31, 2010
Ohhh... didn't know you could get 25% off in Cotswold.  Know who I'm bringing with me on my next shopping trip ;)

Your Vaude definitely sealed the deal when I saw it on Saturday.  Really impressed with how easy it was to pitch and how stable it was in the wind.  Will still be keeping the Tempest, but its now the "luxury" tent as its a good bit more spacious than the Vaude I got :)
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LennyJ1 on September 03, 2010
What was the outcome of this Chuck ???
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on September 04, 2010
Millets have some good deal on tents at the moment with UP TO 70% off
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on September 05, 2010
damn, i knew if i hung around you lot too long i'd go and do something silly  :o  i've just bought a Vaude Tauras II  off ebay  ;D (£110 incl postage, used only twice) it was the thought of camping on Donard summit and the memories of my little Rocky 2 buffetting like a windsock on Binnion that spurred me to spend the money i'd been saving for my new boots, also thinking of doing some winter camping now, where will it all end  ::)

so hopefully have a review of it by the weekend if i get the weather
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: MG1 on September 05, 2010
It never ends mate it only gets worse ;D
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on September 06, 2010
You mean once i conquer all the Mournes i'll end up doing the Munroes  :o
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: MG1 on September 06, 2010
Yeah mate you have to knock off the big ones.

Winter camping is class, we got a great camp on Troston proper heavy snow.
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on September 06, 2010
hmmm, snow camping sounds interesting, and cold  ;D 
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on September 07, 2010
I really hope to get an overnighter in the snow this year!  I missed it all last year as Bangor never saw a drop and I didn't get time to head for the hills.  Fingers crossed for another "proper winter"! 
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: chris on September 07, 2010
The tarus two is a great tent. Have you seen one pitched? Its quite an interesting shape, VauDe somehow manage to make all their tents look a bit like their logo!
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on September 07, 2010
yes saw one on the Binnion trip, it stayed steady while mine twisted and squirmed in the strong gusts, also liked the way the outer sheet goes up first, handy in the wet, should arrive tomorrow  :)
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: chris on September 07, 2010
Bit late but you could have had it already. cotswold sell them. £115
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on September 07, 2010
are you sure (bet you work there  ;D ) last time i checked it was £200 on the website
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: LandyLiam on September 09, 2010
Well my Taurus II arrived today,  very impressed, pitched it in 5 mins at 1st attempt, then 5 more mins taking my time to get it just the right tension so a very easy tent to erect especially as inner and outer sheets go up as one. Great quality feel, especially the zips, very smooth, i've never had anything better than a Lichfield before and now i see the difference a dear tent makes. Base sheet seems thin so will bring some rags to place over any granite rocks i have to pitch on, not spending £30 on a footprint though. Love the alloy poles, seem very sturdy. Pegging system very good, adjustable straps so you can move peg to where the soil is. What really amazed me was the inner size, its advertised as a 2-3 man tent, and 2 with kit would easily fit ok, its very wide at the top end, bugger all space down by the feet as you would expect, and if need be you could squeeze 3 in (next time someones tarp blows away you're welcome in my tent, ladies first though ;D ). Its actually a bit bigger than i need so if anyone has a taurus 1 i might consider a swap as a smaller footprint would suit me better between the granite but i'll try it out on Slievelamagan this weekend and see what its like in the wild.
Title: Re: 1/2 man tent recomendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on September 09, 2010
Quote from: landyliam on September 09, 2010
(next time someones tarp blows away you're welcome in my tent, ladies first though ;D ).

No comment :D