Im thinking of getting a new 1 or 2 man tent for next year. (im thinking 2 man for more room for myself.)
So was looking for recommendations.
I've had a look on YouTube etc etc and thinking, Vango blade 200 but not sure of the design as I think it might not be so good in windy conditions. You guys may no different.
Also looked at Vango banshee?
Any advice would be most appreciated.
I got a banshee last Xmas, only ended up using it for one trip but got a fair testing with decent winds and heavy rain and stood up well. Even the stuff I had outside the inner stayed dry under the main body of the tent. It's the 200 I got so there's room for a rucksack and bits and pieces
My mate George has the 200 and it is bomb proof. I don't like it because there isn't much storage space outside the inner and the door opens all the way down one side allowing rain to get inside (I don't like boots, rucksack or wet waterproofs inside the tent and it leaves any nasties that are hanging on to them outside too).
GO have a few Alan, worth a wander round just to see the designs :)
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/camping/tents/1-2-person-tents (http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/camping/tents/1-2-person-tents)
Some design faults in some that I look for.
A) side opening doors with no way to keep the rain out when cooking from inside the tent.
B) front doors on the slope with the same fault as above.
C) not enough space under the flysheet for storage whether at the door or the side.
D) I'm not in favour of the fibre poles and prefer the Aluminium ones.
I've just recently been through all the humming and hawing of getting a 2 man light/trekking tent and eventually settled on Vango Zenith 200. Cost £90 discounted. that said, Vango seem to have a lot of very very similar tents in size, purpose and price. Made choosing even harder.
Has a wee porch with decent space and it excellent for ONE man and his dry gear inside with decent room and only 2kg, but... as a TWO man I have to honestly say would be far too tight. Even though this was bought for me and my wife wild camping I've already told her I think we need to get the 3 man for when we're both together (but more weight!).
Served me well on my first night on the mofat hills on the shore of Loch Skeen with what felt like gale force winds belting me during the night and some rain. Stays 100% dry inside and the tent stood up fine.
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Ohhh, tents :-)
Firstly I'm far from an expert and am completely new to the camping at lochs thing.
I have a Banshee 200 and think it is a really nice tent though they might have some quality issues as I'd to send one back before I got a "good" one. I wouldn't like to go to a smaller tent for one person camping.
One problem with the Banshee is that it is quite bulky and also a little on the heavy side and when i was looking to reduce weight I managed to pick up a Vaude Power Lizard 1-2 person as a sort of "end of line" deal for a very good price, there is no way I could come close to affording one at full price. It is lighter (about 1kg) but more significantly much less bulky than the Banshee. The Power Lizard (really, who came up with that name?) is a good tent with similar room to the Banshee but it is probably longer and more suited to tall people. The reduction in packed volume is great as it means I can go to a lighter rucksack so that gives a further reduction in weight plus it is "flexible" in the sense that it can squeeze in around other stuff but the Banshee can't do that. In wilder weather my money would be on the Banshee and because the Power Lizard only has a single pole getting a tight pitch on rough ground seems a lot more tricky than with the two pole Banshee. Getting the perfect pitch on a lumpy moor is impossible but the Banshee does a slightly better job in my view. I'd say the Power Lizard is also somewhat more prone to condensation. The reduction in weight and volume is important to me so I'd say that I favour the Power Lizard over the Banshee as my intention is always to camp in decent weather but the Banshee does have some advantages.
This is the Power Lizard in action:
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/caorach/2016%20July/0712-tent-shieling_zpsanh4oniy.jpg) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/caorach/media/2016%20July/0712-tent-shieling_zpsanh4oniy.jpg.html)
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/caorach/2016%20July/0712-weird-light_zpsklz0d0dd.jpg) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/caorach/media/2016%20July/0712-weird-light_zpsklz0d0dd.jpg.html)
and this is the Banshee:
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/caorach/2015_09_11/0911-sunset2_zpswfksb60i.jpg) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/caorach/media/2015_09_11/0911-sunset2_zpswfksb60i.jpg.html)
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/caorach/2015_08_18/0818tentsunrise_zpscmit7kdi.jpg) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/caorach/media/2015_08_18/0818tentsunrise_zpscmit7kdi.jpg.html)
How much is the power lizard?
Quote from: Lochan_load on September 29, 2016, 10:59:33 PM
How much is the power lizard?
I paid less than £200 for mine as it was a 2015 model and there was a new 2016 model coming, looking at both I can't see what the difference is. However the full price is something like £430.
In my view the power lizard was worth £200ish compared to the £100ish for the Banshee as there is no question it is a lot more sophisticated and much lighter and more packable however I could never justify £400+ on a tent. I got mine from Uttings but I think they sold out in about 2 days and I've no idea if there are others out there with 2015 models still available but I bet some hunting around will turn something up.
I'd buy another power lizard but probably not another Banshee - if I was replacing the Banshee then I'd hunt about for a good deal on a lighter and more packable tent even if I had to pay £200ish rather than £100ish.
The banshee 200 for me but i don't have any experience of other smaller tents. The others seem a bit pricey for the amount of time I use mine. I spent more money on the sleeping bag.
It is tight for two (I tried it when my mate fell on his and he had to move in).
It stood up to the wind that we had on the Uists at last seasons EOSS which we all remember. Its probably a wee bit heavier than some but still manageable.
Takes 10 minutes to set up.
Billy
The banshee does me fine especially at the price, don't get enough camping to make it worth spending more, do like the look of the zenith though, very similar but maybe a wee bit extra space to store waders etc
Any of you guys use a tarp instead of a tent for a one night stop over high up?
Nope :shock:
Not used a tarp because of Midge potential, but I have used a Goretex bivvy bag a number times. Light and dry but no gear room so a bin bag does instead.
Quote from: burnie on October 07, 2016, 11:36:42 PM
Any of you guys use a tarp instead of a tent for a one night stop over high up?
Used them plenty in woodland a few times on moorland but on moorland i was protected by a bivvie for the midges. When ever I go on the fells I always carry a tarp just incase though.
I have a tarp for when I'm out with my camera, light as a feather and with little or nae midgies over here in the sunny east(lol), I thought when doing the hills and carrying a rod as well as a camera, a tarp would keep the rain off.
Quote from: burnie on October 08, 2016, 10:28:31 AM
I have a tarp for when I'm out with my camera, light as a feather and with little or nae midgies over here in the sunny east(lol), I thought when doing the hills and carrying a rod as well as a camera, a tarp would keep the rain off.
I can sort of see the appeal of a tarp and it would be especially handy to put up for lunch or even just to leave the gear under while you fish. However most of the ground I'm not isn't dead handy for a tarp and while there's always a peat bank or similar it is often wetter under a peat bank than it would be just standing in the rain :-)
When I found I could get a tent at 1kg then the idea of a tarp just went right out the window.
Now I know that tarps are all the rage with the bushcraft community but I think the key there is in the name in the sense that if you are in some types of forestry plus have carried quite a bit of gear in, as the bushcrafters tend to, then a tarp is probably OK but I really don't think it is optimal on the more open areas such as the peatlands where I spend most of my time. I've also seen people put up tarps to make a "living area" beside their tent but, again, this isn't going to work well on open moorland and while it is a great idea it has limited, or zero, actual practical application in the areas I fish and that's a shame as it would be nice to have.
Wouldn't fancy sleeping under just a tarp to be honest, tent all the way.
On the subject of day trip shelter, since my wife is with me on a lot of our day hikes with fishing as the destination, I've given in to carrying a wee fishing shelter with us that's under 1kg and pretty much freestanding so fine for open barren areas. It gives here a sheltered spot for a snooze while I fish and non-negotiable apparently :lol:
This is it.
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Has a footprint of about 2m X 1.5m and we can both sit in it cooking lunch on the stove.
I am looking for a tent next year and was wondeirng in the banshee or temptest, can you sit up straight inside?
Quote from: free the bees on November 30, 2016, 02:03:51 PM
I am looking for a tent next year and was wondeirng in the banshee or temptest, can you sit up straight inside?
I can in the Banshee 200 but I'm not big at maybe 5'7" or a little bit more.
Quote from: caorach on December 01, 2016, 08:14:37 AM
I can in the Banshee 200 but I'm not big at maybe 5'7" or a little bit more.
Brilliant thanks
I don't know if it helps but here is a photo of my Banshee on a Lewis trout loch, as you can see it is quite high in the middle but falls away quite rapidly so there isn't much foot room/head room at the extreme ends. This isn't a practical problem for me as I'm not tall but might be an issue for a taller person:
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/caorach/2015_08_18/tent%20caorach_zpsyhumcrtm.png) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/caorach/media/2015_08_18/tent%20caorach_zpsyhumcrtm.png.html)
Quote from: caorach on December 01, 2016, 05:27:42 PM
I don't know if it helps but here is a photo of my Banshee on a Lewis trout loch, as you can see it is quite high in the middle but falls away quite rapidly so there isn't much foot room/head room at the extreme ends. This isn't a practical problem for me as I'm not tall but might be an issue for a taller person:
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/caorach/2015_08_18/tent%20caorach_zpsyhumcrtm.png) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/caorach/media/2015_08_18/tent%20caorach_zpsyhumcrtm.png.html)
Thanks Caorach. I am going to hold off buying one and will try and get to an outdoor shop or a tent event which has one up to see if I can sit up. I am 6ft so it may be a struggle. For me its a must to be able to sit up in the tent.
I'd say you might be able to sit up, hard to be sure, but I'd be more worried about the actual usable length of the tent especially where it comes close to the ground at the foot and head end. Also be sure to test with an inflated mat or similar in place as that will lose you an few inches of foot/head room in terms of height. My Vaude Power Lizard is quite a bit longer than the Banshee but for my purposes it is way too expensive unless you get a really good deal on it, I was just lucky in that respect.
I'm 5'10 and pretty sure I can sit up in the middle but it's tight, worth being sure. If there's a go outdoors near you they usually have one set up. Great wee tent but you've got to be comfy.
Quote from: caorach on December 01, 2016, 10:21:28 PM
I'd say you might be able to sit up, hard to be sure, but I'd be more worried about the actual usable length of the tent especially where it comes close to the ground at the foot and head end. Also be sure to test with an inflated mat or similar in place as that will lose you an few inches of foot/head room in terms of height. My Vaude Power Lizard is quite a bit longer than the Banshee but for my purposes it is way too expensive unless you get a really good deal on it, I was just lucky in that respect.
Very good point about the length and yet another thing I will need to check. I had a look at the Vaude Power Lizard and well outwith my price range and not come across any decent deals.
Think I will wait till spring and go and see some tents up and get a good feel for it but swaying to a banshee or tempest (if they are long enough and I can sit up)
Quote from: free the bees on December 05, 2016, 11:03:30 PM
Very good point about the length and yet another thing I will need to check. I had a look at the Vaude Power Lizard and well outwith my price range and not come across any decent deals.
Think I will wait till spring and go and see some tents up and get a good feel for it but swaying to a banshee or tempest (if they are long enough and I can sit up)
I got the Power Lizard for £200, more than I'd want to pay but that price was a lot less than they were making on ebay second hand so it was a no-brainer as if I hated it I could sell it and make a profit. Now I've no idea on earth how I got it for £200 but all I can say is it came from Uttings about November last year and I think Vaude made a "new model" Power Lizard for 2016 so mine was, basically, a 2015 model. My guess is that they were selling old stock though if you can spot the difference between the 2015 and 2016 models you probably get a prize. They sold out of them at that price in no time at all.
With this in mind it might be worth looking around, or reading around the reviews, to see who might be releasing new models and then shopping for the old model as, in general, the differences will be detail things rather than major changes in functionality. I'm sure there are at least 20 tents out there as good as the Power Lizard. One thing I will say is that light weight and low volume are, in my view, worth paying for and for this reason I believe the Power Lizard to be a much better tent than the Banshee, the Banshee is an excellent tent and fantastic value for money but I honestly think the Power Lizard was worth another £100 to me even though I simply couldn't have afforded to buy one at full price, or anywhere close to it.
Interesting debate about the banshee I've promised myself to get out and do more camping next season before old age sets in not done a lot since early stravaigs plan to take my collie with me so looking for decent floor space banshee might be to cramped with the dog looking at the vango blade 2 at the mo any thoughts
Well that's me set up for next season my good lady got me a banshee for part of my Christmas (don't know if she is trying to tell me something)I will now have to retire my old argos pro action one man tent at least it will give the dug more room, sleeping and cooking kits have been added to, map and compass videos been revisited so good to go,I sound like a teenager instead of someone who has had his bus pass for a couple of years but as someone once said yer a long time deed will be pestering a few folk on here for camping sites with lochs nearby of course. Cheers John
Well done John, try and assemble the Banshee asap as I had a few quality control problems with mine and had to return the first one I got, the second one was great.
While the Banshee is tight for a two man tent I'd say it will be OK for one man and his dog. My concern with the dog might be that he'd put a claw through the groundsheet but the Banshee groundsheet is really robust. A friend gave me a good "footprint" solution as he got a blue waterproof tarpaulin thing for a couple of quid and I put it on the ground under the tent to give some protection from sharp stuff. It is very lightweight compared to other solutions I'd tried. I don't know if this is it, but it looks a bit like this:
https://mahahome.com/p/Harris/Home-Garden-Garden-Conservatory-Gardening/Harris-Waterproof-Tarpaulin-21-m-x-15-m-Blue/5000253030507?gclid=CNmdq5b6lNECFcEy0wodb9MP7w
I'm new to the camping thing and I only do it a few times per year, if the weather looks decent, but it is great fun.
Well in John, camping is great even for an old bugger :lol: I got one for my Xmas last year and it's definitely good for the money. Maybe a wee camping stravaig next year, not in September though :gay4
Once the Banshee has been erected don't undo the tension straps or remove the inner, remove the poles and fold the whole lot up as one and it will go back up quicker. That's what my mate does with his. Also pack the poles separately and slide them down the inside of the rucksack and the tent can be packed down small using the compression sack. I would recommend practising that a few times before doing it for real :)
Some good tips there lads got a cheap tarp for a footprint as soon as I got the tent,good tip about the poles,you may need to learn me some knots lochan heard you where good at them :D
Quote from: johnsd on December 09, 2016, 11:16:33 AM
Interesting debate about the banshee I've promised myself to get out and do more camping next season before old age sets in not done a lot since early stravaigs plan to take my collie with me so looking for decent floor space banshee might be to cramped with the dog looking at the vango blade 2 at the mo any thoughts
Before old age sets in?
I had to check the date on this thread as I thought the forum was only 12 years old. :tongue2
Billy
Some members on here would make you age :lol: I can only imagine what it must be like to be their neighbour :tongue2
Talking about tents. This is my 1kg 1-2man Vango (2009) this week (minor modifications required, with a sowing machine) out in the Cairngorms. An Epic 2 nights wild camping. As a mid priced very light weight tent I have to recommend it. But I would also suggest taking the biggest tent you can wherever you go if you want for a comfy night!
another
Cracking shots Jamie, hope you have a decent sleeping bag, brrrrrrrrr
Favourite pillow = drybag stuffed with clothes, or even the sleeping bag bag stuffed with clothes!
I use a Vaude mk3, not light but I like the headroom, my days of trying to get dressed while lying on my back are over. :lol:
I can vouch for the Wild Country Zephyros as a decent 1 man backpacking tent. Good value at around 90 quid and has withstood a fair bit of hammer this last couple of years.
Matt