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Any advice? - A bit of future planning...

Whippy

By Whippy
in Star Parties & Astro Events

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Whippy

Whippy

Posted
Posted

Aaahhh, basking in the glow of SGL3 got me thinking. The only reason I was in a static was the original idea that my wife and kids could come along and we could make it a bit of a weekend away. But, I can see myself doing a few SP's on my own and I'm thinking about getting some camping gear. The weather over the weekend clearly pointed out that £30 pop tents from Argos don't cut the mustard for comfort or even dryness when things get a bit hairy. So I'd like some advice on what qualities a good tent should have and perhaps some makes and/or models for some consideration. I'm thinking of a 2/3 man job preferably under £100.

Any ideas would be much appreciato..

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maroon bells

maroon bells

Posted
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I would go to a decent camping shop. My tent is 20 years old so I'm not up on the latest technology.

Another thing to think about is a decent sleeping bag, mine is a cheap one and I nearly froze my a*** off. Oh and some sort of pillow and groundmat too or be prepared for a very sore neck

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Kai

Kai

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As for Tent advice.

Do you want to sleep only in the Tent or would a bit of living space be good.

A sewn in groundsheet is good as is outer first erection.

Something to cook on (when Gregs not around) and a fold up table and chair

From there its a bit like buying Astro gear :) (I have 4 tents and a trailer tent at the moment)

A camping forum that i visit www.ukcampsite.co.uk has loads of advice

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Greg

Greg

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Go for the best you can afford or have a look at some decent second hand stuff...

Make sure you take Kai (Steve) With you when you buy it...Fill him full of cream tea as payment... 8)

Avoid Argos or Esso petrol stations.. :)

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Kai

Kai

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Unless you are only planning on summer camping i would go for a brand rather than the cheap ones you find in Supermarkets/Argos/Halfords

Personally i have a mixture of Vango and Gelert.Although Coleman.Kyham and Outwell are well respected

Are you sure that its only you who will use the tent ,not the rest of the family ??

I would up your budget for the tent if buying new as it is a bit like buying a new mount ie buy one you can grow into not out of.

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Black Shuck

Black Shuck

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Whiplash!!!!! (you not changed that back yet)? :D

I can heartily recommend the following store. Ordered on-line on a Monday and delivered Tuesday!!

http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/default.asp

I bought a Coleman tent but Gelert are a good brand. Their Lokon Vario series would make a good family tent

http://www.gelert.com/products/Lokon_Vario_6.aspx

I would second the recommendation of going to a specialist store or go to a local camping/tent fair, you could then see them pitched. Manufacturers often over estimate the capacity of their tents. The one i've got is meant to be a 5 man - you would have to be very, very good friends!! :) (more like a 2 or 3 man)

HTH

Bill£ :)

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FLO

FLO

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This is more than you are thinking of spending but should anybody else be thinking of a family tent:

We (my wife and 3-year old Son) have a Coleman Weathermaster http://tinyurl.com/2pw5bh and have been very pleased with it.

With our family about to grow by one, I am now looking at the Coleman Galileo XL Weathermaster http://tinyurl.com/2u23my

They claim it is "excellent for star gazing".

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Whippy

Whippy

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Bill, I'm kind of liking whiplash now so I might keep it for a while.. :).

Anyways, I think a 2/3 man tent would do me as my wife's back isn't the greatest and I don't think she's keen on camping anyway, especially with our two boys so even if it's only for a couple of years it'll have done it's job. Just looking around, I knew I was going to pay at least £70-£80 for a half-decent one. I'll get googling and have a look. The missus has made encouraging noises about me going to Kelling Heath for a night or two (I think she's just glad to get me out of the house!), and others (SGL4 obviously!) so this could be money well spent instead of sleeping on godawful 'beds' in statics.

I kid thee not, the single matresses were no wider then me I was sleeping on over the weekend and as a few people now know, I'm not exactly fat...

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FLO

FLO

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I used to spend that for a week in a caravan in Cornwall.

A good weatherproof tent (pitched on a site with an electric hook-up) makes all the difference, and actually pays for itself.

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stargazer1980

stargazer1980

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hi tony darren here!

As you all know me and the missus got very wet thursday/friday night @ SGL3 (our fault for buying a tent from argos) Well as jamie said the gelert 4+4 utah is his tent, and after seeing jamies tent, me and the missus decided to go for the gelert (same as jamies)! We bought ours from http://www.wildday.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=4408 but we got ours for £125 quid (thanks for the tip jamie)! However they have now gone upto £189

However, just found this tony: http://www.leisureshack.co.uk/osb/itemdetails.cfm/ID/Gelert%2DUtah%2D4%2B4%2Dup%2Dto%2D8%2DBerth%2DTent_12226/Cat/1292

Only £130 grab it whilst its there mate! We bought ours yesterday for 125 on the previous site and now its gone upto 189.99

I will PM this too you also mate

Darren :)

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Kai

Kai

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This is more than you are thinking of spending but should anybody else be thinking of a family tent:

We (my wife and 3-year old Son) have a Coleman Weathermaster http://tinyurl.com/2pw5bh and have been very pleased with it.

With our family about to grow by one, I am now looking at the Coleman Galileo XL Weathermaster http://tinyurl.com/2u23my

Steve

Take a look at a Vango Aspen 700 DLX,it is a fantastic family tent with plenty of room inside and very strong.Its not a weekend tent but for weeks away its ideal.

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Kai

Kai

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Yup and do a 3 point turn :D

The way i see it is that you might as well be cormfortable when camping,Im not into the minimalist,lightweight type of camping.

I have sold the Aspen on now as we were given a Trailer Tent but would get one tommorow is i needed to,It can sleep 7 :) no problems at all.

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magician

magician

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We used to go camping for six weeks at a time, until only a year or two ago,buy the biggest tent you can get into the car, we had a shower unit run from the car, kitchen sink, with running water, and a toilet tent, I've done small, but believe me bigger is better ,my criteria was ,can I walk to a bookshelf get something to read, and sit with a cup of coffee, in a comfortable chair,Rita always slept better in the tent than she did in the caravan! unless you want to scar the children for life, GO BIG!!!

Cheers Frank

PS A big tent makes life a whole lot easier for the lady of the house.especially if it rains a lot.

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