Two Skin Tent

[comanighttrain]

After a nasty experience with the single skin Vango Vitesse.. I was thinking of getting the 2010 Vango Tempest.. its roughly the same spec but two skinned...

http://www.vango.co.uk/tents/tempest-200.html

or

http://www.vango.co.uk/tents/halo-200.html

Any suggestions?

[JonnyP]

A well ventilated tent with a double skin will cut the condensation down a lot.

[chris grace]

I have the tempest 300,it's supposed to be a 3 man tent but is just right for 2 plus kit.It's easy to erect and very stable.Would be my ideal tent if it was 2 kilos lighter.

[Fletching]

Personally, I'd go for the Tempest as its profile can be set against the prevailing wind more than the Halo. Nice to see a tent come with a groundsheet for the 'porch'. I can't see from the pic if the inner has a w/p bottom, but if not, time to get out the Nikwax and/or sew yourself a footprint from a cheapo groundsheet. I guess 2.8kgs is not too bad for a 2 person tent, but still a bit heavy for my liking. Good for the price though.

Steve

[Martin]

Check out the Terra Nova Laser. It's just be discontinued after several years and there should be plenty of bargain examples about.

Originally, it was in the £300 price bracket but should now be available for well under £200. It is a 'two' man (very friendly ones), double skin tent made from excellent materials and weighs in at a fraction over 1kg. I used mine for maybe 6 nights and I'm more than pleased with it. :)

Martin

[IBrown]

I am looking at the Vango Banshee 200 as well as the Tempest 200. If you decide on the Tempest let us know what you think of it.

Thanks
Ian

[Bob W]

I've got a banshee 200 that goes in the canadian canoe, although described as a two man which it achieves adequately, it's better suited as a one man with gear. It is a quality piece of kit in my somewhat limited experience.

[jus_young]

I am looking at the Vango Banshee 200 as well as the Tempest 200. If you decide on the Tempest let us know what you think of it.

Thanks
Ian

I also have the Banshee 200, used it for Dave Budds working weekend and more recently for 3 nights on a Scout jamboree. I love the light weight and has enough room for me and my pack but even though it says 2 man you would be very cosy! If two are using it the external 'porch' is not large enough to house any packs. Other things to consider with this one are:

limited head room - there is an art to getting dressed in this one if the weather outside is less than favourable. You cannot sit up properly so you develop wonderful ways of getting the clothes on but it can be done quite easily.

inner or outer first - I have the 2010 that pitches inner first so again not ideal for wet weather. However I saw a number of 2011 versions at the scout camp, these are very popular for DofE awards, and these pitch outer first following a design update. They also seem a little roomier but not mutch and there seems to be a slight increase in weight due to longer poles but is still a lot lighter than the others you were looking at. The pack size is also very small, smaller than a foam matress roled up.

groundsheet - never had any leaks or moisture coming through but due to the light weight the groundsheet is very thin. I tend to lay an old basha doubled over under the tent before pegging to stop any twigs coming through. This also gives me the option of using the basha for other setups if I don't use the tent.

All in all the Banshee is very easy to erect, is ideal for what I need, lightweight, zero condensation due to excellent ventilation but just be aware of space limitations.

[comanighttrain]

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/attachments/did-you-know/31565d1270489092-little-known-facts-regarding-world-war-2-holy-thread-resurrection.jpg

Hey Martin,

I'm looking at the TN Laser again now that im nearly at the end of the learning to drive money void. How waterproof is it? You reckon it would stand up to the likes of the storms we had at the weekend?

(http://www.sportsdirect.com/terra-nova-laser-competition-2-783164?src=google)

[Martin]

Hey Martin,

I'm looking at the TN Laser again now that im nearly at the end of the learning to drive money void. How waterproof is it? You reckon it would stand up to the likes of the storms we had at the weekend?

(http://www.sportsdirect.com/terra-nova-laser-competition-2-783164?src=google)

I'm sure it would be waterproof enough although the tent you've linked to is the Laser Competition and not the Laser. I believe the Laser Comp is even lighter than the Laser but brings some further compromises because of the low weight.

If you can find a double door version of the Laser (from 2009 I think) then go for that one. It's as near as damn it the same weight and you will be glad of the extra versatility. Like I said above, the Laser is now discontinued but there are 100's of them out there and make a good alternative to a Hilleberg Akto. I believe Steve (Fletching) has an Akto and you won't find a more loyal bunch than Akto owners.

Hope this helps in some way but if you want to know anything else just ask.

Martin

[comanighttrain]

hmmm still swithering....cant find the Laser from 09 but found the 2011 atko for £320....

Right now im thinking is it worth the extra £100 over a TN Laser competition 1....

[Martin]

Yeah!!!

Martin

[comanighttrain]

my girlfriend is not going to be talking to me for quite some time. Nor you!

[Martin]

You know it makes sense mate. She'll be so glad that it's made you happy, you're practically buying it for her. ;)

Martin

[Ichneumon]

What about the Helium range?

http://www.vango.co.uk/force-ten/helium-superlite-200.html

http://www.vango.co.uk/force-ten/helium-100.html

The beauty of the Vitesse is its weight, or lack of it. The Helium tents are (like the Laser) two skinned and about the same weight, or lighter, than the Vitesse. The Tempest is a first class tent but twice the weight. I suppose it depends on whether you are living out of the boot of a car or out of a rucksac.

By shopping around you can get them for 2/3 the RRP on those Vango pages.

Paul