I'm buying a new family tent - Vango or Coleman

[Ciaran]

We are heading away for a few nights over Easter with the kids. They have never been and although I've done a few camping trips it's been years so I'm completely out of touch.

I've found two reasonably priced ones, a Vango Calder 500 or a Coleman Galileo 5 but I'm just curious as to which is the better "brand".

The Vango is £200 while the Coleman is £250 but I get the carpet and the front extension. I don't want to be spending silly money just yet as they are still relativity young so we don't need massive space.

Which one should I go for?

Thanks

[Rosscow]

I'd bet tempted to look on eBay:

Vango

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vango-Icarus-600-tent-en...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vango-diabolo-900-tent-/...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vango-Maritsa-700-7-Bert...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vango-Amazon-600-Tent-6-...

Coleman

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coleman-Galileo-Tent-/13...

Complete camping package here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outwell-Montana-6P-Tent-...

[Ciaran]

I did look on ebay but most were collect in person and I live in Belfast unfortunately.

[PH5121]

I don't know which of the two is a better tent, but from experience having the carpet and extra space of the front extension will make the tent a slightly nicer place to be. It'll be warmer under foot and you can leave stuff out in the extension.

It is also worth getting a footprint or putting a tarpaulin underneath the tent as it offers a little more insulation from the ground and more importantly makes it easier to pack up as the bottom of the tent stays clean.

[bristolracer]

We have the earlier version of the Coleman
It's been a good tent. 8 years old and still in use.

The only upgrade I would suggest is to get yourself some decent pegs, the supplied ones work but are fine weather pegs.
If the wind picks up, the tent does need its guys to stay stable and the supplied ones are not really man enough.

[Ciaran]

Thanks.

I think I'll go with the Coleman, I'm having trouble finding the matching footprint although I can get the 4 man one.

[Ciaran]

Ciaran said:

Thanks.

I think I'll go with the Coleman, I'm having trouble finding the matching footprint although I can get the 4 man one.

Good point on the tent pegs, I'll try and pick a set up.

[MrBaker]

I work for a company who sell both, I'd go for Coleman too

[mikeiow]

Both brands are good....we have a bunch of expedition tents, both good quality.
Our tent is a Vango Kalu - must be a dodgy design 'cos they only sold it for a couple of years, but it does work well for us!
I would strongly agree that a tent carpet makes it a much more pleasant place to be in...just make sure dirty boots come off before you get in!

[rustyuk]

NearlynewTents on eBay have some great deals

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Tents/179010/m.html?_nkw...

[jesta1865]

it's a pity you're not near me, you could have the tents out of my loft including the huge 8 man one.

the wife has decided even if we go off roading again in wales etc, she's having a proper bed, nothing inflatable

[tenohfive]

Vango have good and bad tents and ranges it seems. Some are a bit basic (but I'd still take them over Higear etc) whilst some rival Kampa and Outwell. Price is often a fair differentiator from what I've seen - the better the tent the more it costs (across their range.)
I've never given any serious consideration to Coleman - I know they exist, but none of their designs ever caught my eye. When looking for a smaller, more boot friendly tent last year it was Vango, Kampa and Outwell that I looked at. I ended up with a Vango Capri 500XL. Having spent a month in it over the last year - including in some truly gopping conditions - my opinion of Vango is very high. I did pay north of £400 for it though, which sounds beyond your current budget.

[Ciaran]

Thanks everyone. I wasn't too concerned about the budget - I just didn't want to spend hundreds on something the kids and wife wouldn't get the use out of.

I ended up going for the Coleman. For £250 I've got the tent, carpet and extension - it's slightly bigger than the Vango as well which is great. I've picked up a footprint for £20 so I'm happy. Retail price was £430 apparently.

Sleeping bags are next.

Edited by Ciaran on Friday 24th March 09:44

[tenohfive]

Don't skimp on sleeping bags or (most overlooked item) sleeping mats. There's a reason Thermarest/Exped etc are expensive - airbeds don't insulate you from the ground, cheaper SIM's (self inflating mats) are often either thin or simply not as comfortable as a better mat. I found this the hard way - cheap mat. Budget mat. Midrange mat. Thermarest. It was only when I reached the last point that everyone was actually happy for any length of time; and I'd spent much more than £100 on mats prior to getting the TAR's.

Bad sleep=everyone miserable. It might seem obscene to spend £65-100 per mat, but trust me - if the family are grumbling because they're uncomfortable or cold when they go to bed you'll end up selling the tent for a fraction of what you paid for it after 3 nights use.

[Chrisgr31]

An insulated mat under the airbed works wonders for a good nights sleep and as the other poster ays a good nights sleep is very important.

[LeadFarmer]

My next tent will be an air tent, with sewn in groundsheet to stop bugs coming up from the grass.

[DoubleSix]

The Vango Avington is a much better buy... £300 from Argos for solid family tent.

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/1463165

If you're a family of four you really need a five or six man tent.

Edited by DoubleSix on Friday 24th March 22:23

[brianashley]

Tents can be amazing bargains on Ebay "out" of season. We picked up a Outwell cotton tent for very little .And it came with footprint and carpet etc .Only used 3 times and well looked after . These are the tents you want on a summers day or a cold winter night . They will stand up to very dad weather . Coleman are very good value for the money . I think Vango sold their soul a long time ago.

[Simes205]

LeadFarmer said:

My next tent will be an air tent, with sewn in groundsheet to stop bugs coming up from the grass.

You'll never look back.
We've got a 6th berth Vango airbeam tent, it's great!

[Ciaran]

tenohfive said:

Don't skimp on sleeping bags or (most overlooked item) sleeping mats. There's a reason Thermarest/Exped etc are expensive - airbeds don't insulate you from the ground, cheaper SIM's (self inflating mats) are often either thin or simply not as comfortable as a better mat. I found this the hard way - cheap mat. Budget mat. Midrange mat. Thermarest. It was only when I reached the last point that everyone was actually happy for any length of time; and I'd spent much more than £100 on mats prior to getting the TAR's.

Bad sleep=everyone miserable. It might seem obscene to spend £65-100 per mat, but trust me - if the family are grumbling because they're uncomfortable or cold when they go to bed you'll end up selling the tent for a fraction of what you paid for it after 3 nights use.

I've just bought 5 Vango Nitestar 350's and some airbeds. Hope they are sufficient.