UKC

Im thinking of getting my son a new tent for Christmas, he's got one of the one man orange Pro Action jobbies from Argos at the moment which has served him very well but wants a two man tent so he can take his mate with him, ive been looking at this one http://www.cave-crag.co.uk/2064/Vango-Alpha-200-Dome-Tent.html he just wants a two man tent thats got a small porch to cook in, it only needs to put up with the odd wet and breezy night on the hills (nothing extreme) but I don't want anything too expensive because this is a 15yr old and no doubt wont be treated in the same way I would treat my tent!
Does anybody have any experience of this tent, or maybe suggestions of other tents?

Cheers
Lee

In reply to leeangell:

Hi, I dont have experience of this tent but have had 2 of vango's other tents which have been excelent (I dont remember the name of he first but the current one is a Hurricane 200). If this is anywhere near as good as the more expensive tents they do then you wont have any problems. For the price they seem very well made.

Chris

In reply to leeangell: A couple of friends of mine used this tent in Wales in some pretty nasty weather. Took some strong winds (up to 40mph) but as the wind got stronger it was flattened by any gusts above 40mph. It took the driving rain pretty well quite a lot of condensation though, porch is good, but it has a groundsheet so maybe not the best to cook in. If it will only be used in light conditions it will be fine. And on the plus side it is sized more like a 3 man tent!

Pete.

In reply to Petarghh:

Thanks to both of you, yes it would'nt be used in anger (on purpose) and if the weather did get a little iffy, well they'd have to use their inititive! <sp?>

In reply to leeangell:
I've got 2 Vango Delta's. same design as the one in the link, better materials maybe? even so, they was not a great lot more £ wise. i've had some pretty wild nights in mine and they have been fine. Vango are a good buy in the middle of the row - that is better than pro action but not too far behind the really costly tents...

In reply to blanchie14c:

Thanks, just what I wanted to hear.

In reply to leeangell:

I was always carefull with my outdoor gear by the way, re him being a 15 year old.

Go Outdoors might have a better two man tent for around 60 or 80 pounds.

Lucky him getting any sort of tent for xmas at age 15 though.

()

In reply to leeangell:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/tents/backpacking-tents

The Vango Tempst or Banshee tents could maybe be good tents to get him, in a couple of years maybe if he end's up taking care of his tent. They don't cost more than 50 pounds more than the tent you've asked about.

Happy Xmas to you and your family.

Cheers
Tim

In reply to leeangell:
Not exactly as you asked, but I do have experience of Vango tents.
I received one as a present in ~ 1982 aged 14, one of the old cotton 'Force Tens'. It's been really hammered and is still going strong, last used this summer.

In reply to Timmd:
They don't cost more than 50 pounds more than the tent you've asked about.

Oops,

I ment 60 pounds.

Tim

In reply to leeangell: Don't get anything too expensive as it'll just end up chock full of hotrock burns...

In reply to leeangell:

Currently using a Vango Beta 250. Excellent quality for the price.

In reply to leeangell:

I have a Tempest 300, and i have to say, i didnt expect it to be that good for £90 (last year) but it has done surprisingly well, it is not too heavy, and pitches outer first or all in one, which is good if you ever have to put it up in the rain.

It stood up to 12 hours of continual heavy rain when i walked hadrians wall in summer. It also stood upto the wind well, as long as it is pitched with the back into the wind.

The porch is a decent size and has a clever pole that doesnt touch the ground at anypoint but makes the porch a good bit bigger.

But, the pegs are pretty rubbish, so get a few decent ones if you plan to use it in windy conditions.