Gear

I'm just getting back into camping and need a new tent (the last time I camped was 1990 in the Pyrenees). I'm after a two person tent and I've been thinking about either a Macpac Minaret or Terra Nova Voyager - they're both around the same price. I don't really want to spend more than £250 and want to use it for four season camping (including some wild camping).

I've got other Macpac gear and have always found it very good - the reviews of the Minaret also seem to suggest the same. However, I also like the idea of the Voyager and coming from Derbyshire would like to support a local company. However, I've read a couple of negative things about durability especially the ground sheet (I know you can buy protectors).

So, what do you think? Any recommendations or user experiences that might help?

Hi,
I can't comment on the Macpac, not having used it but I don't doubt that it's quality kit.
But I've used Terra Nova tents for 25 years without any problem and I consider them to be quality items too.
Of those, a 12 year old Voyager is still going strong after regular use, and last year I bought the Superlite Voyager when it came out, and it's made with the lightest materials going. I've used it since then without a groundsheet protector and found nothing negative to say about it - on the strength of that i've just gone and invested in a Superlite Quasar!!

Btw, I don't know if you meant the Voyager or the SL Voyager, but you could get either within your budget...

Matt

Thanks for the note - that's a pretty good endorsement of TN. I was thinking about the Voyager rather than the SL. I've seen it for £230 or £240 in Outside at Hathersage and Field and Trek have it for around that price.

Check www.cheaptents.com (which is The Adventure Centre, Warrington) - good prices and good service, I've used them...

£225 for a Voyager, £247 for the SL Voyager. Plus about £4p&p. I've not found anywhere consistently cheaper.

Personally I would go for the Macpac, but I like tunnel tents.

The Minaret has a wee bit more room than the voyager (esp head room), it is probably stronger and it can be pitched very quickly as one.

Saying that, it is not freestanding and will flap and sway if the wind gets side on, which puts some people off.

It's also on for £210 at the Outdoors shop

David,
I'm not trying to pick a fight or anything, and I know the 'tunnel vs geo' debate runs and runs, but I'm curious why you think the Minaret is 'probably stronger'?

You're right that the Voyager doesn't flap in very strong winds, and although it pitches inner first, it goes up very quickly and I've never found that a problem, even in heavy rain.

Ultimately though I reckon both are good tents, either would be a good choice, and it's down to personal preference.

David

Do you have a Minaret? If so, I've read that it can be a bit cramped both inside and in the porch (in terms of gear and cooking) - I'm 5'10" so should be ok. Just wondered what you thought? I've not managed to see one 'in the flesh' so to speak.

I don't have a Minaret, but I've done a lot of camping in Hilleberg tunnel tents, which are comparable.

I think the Minaret might be cramped for two six footers but its better than a lot of two man tents.

Jon the OM editor swears by them.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article.asp?SP=&v=3&UAN=1668

Ginger as it happens I am 5'10" and have a Minaret and love it for me it has loads of room I like the way u can un clip the inner tent to make a bigger porch for when you are cooking etc. I can now put it up in no time at all, have used it in all conditions, and have never had a bad nights sleep.

Matt

I think you're right - it's a personal preference thing. Both appear to be well regarded by owners. I'll try and get a look at them before making the decision. Thanks to everyone for their input.

I have a ten year old Voyager (with webbing loops that attach the front pole), throughout a few hundred nights of varied use, it has been and continues to be, a very good tent indeed. I always use something under my tents, be it plastic or a proper footprint, and I have no problems with leaky flooring on the Voyager.
I like the tent, I find it versatile and not outlandishly heavy while remaining stable in bad weather, ideal for the UK.
Can anyone say how long TN have been making the Voyager?

Gingeryrogan, I've had a Mineret for 10 years plus and taken it all around the UK and through to Spain and the New Zealand. It's been up and down in wind, rain, sun and snow; Ive used it double skinned, as an outer for lightweight trips and as an inner in fly infested areas as a shelter for an afternoon awaiting an estury crossing on the Abel Tasman. It's still going strong. It's a tad "comfy" for two if you're bigger built or perfect for one (if alittle heavy - unless you go fly only - but so well built and still waterproof with a top notch bathtub floor and I can get it up in a coulpe of minutes - perfect at the end of the day or if the weather's turning nasty.
It's a top piece of kit. I've not seen a Voyager since the late 90's but wouldn't want to - not if you are offering a Minaret.

I have the Macpac Olympus, which is the bigger version of the Minaret. I won't go into detail other than to say they are very good tents. Someone posted just a few weeks ago asking about the Olympus and I detailed all the pros and cons, which will stand for the Minaret aswell. So if your interested in what I have to say about it, you can do a search on 'Macpac Olympus'. There was also a big debate about Geo v Tunnel just recently, which is worth reading thru.

Both tents are probably going to be very good, maybe you should give us a list of the top three or four things that are most important to you in a tent. With regards to the cooking area in a Minaret, as someone else has pointed out, you can unclip the inner and pull it back to make a big cooking area.

Have a Minaret. Very pleased with it - strong, good quality and weight aceptable for two. Not the biggest inside or in the porch area though. Takes a bit of care putting up. Can be flappy.


I looked at the Voyager but didn't go for it as it seemed a bit smaller again and also I didn't like the inner first pitching. I had a TN Solar at the time which is also inner first and it's a faff in the rain and also you can't use it fly only which I do for the macpac if theres 2 of us and its a good forecast.

Paul H, my three or four criteria would be:

1. needs to be suitable for two (one 5'10" and one 5'5") - hope that isn't too obvious.
2. durable and suitable for four seasons.
3. cost less than £250.
4. OK to carry by one if needs be.

I'll read your comments on the Olympus.

I read the tunnel vs geo debate adn found it interesting, but that isn't a factor in my decision this time because the Minaret appears to be up to the job for my needs. I'd sort of made my mind up about the Minaret and then thought about the TN because price was lower than I expected and they're based in Derbyshire (I know the Voyager is made overseas).

I should really big up the Adventure Centre in Warrington cos I live near there but I found a site with even cheaper Voyagers on:

www.springfield-camping.co.uk

£218.99 with free delivery

No experience of them so its a gamble on customer service!

The guys at TAC are always helpful so maybe the extra few quid would be well spent!

Chris. Thanks - I'm always happy to pay a little more if there's good service; I think it's worth it in the end. Must admit though I'm erring towards the Minaret at the moment.

Does anyone have any experience of the Outdoors Shop in Milton Keynes?

Bit late if you're erring already, but i'll whack my tuppence worth in anyway!

Not used the macpac, but i can say the voyager ultralight is a decent tent that's light enough for a solo tent and big enough for two. Used it in some grotty conditions, and it's been fine. Nothing worse than a flappy tent if you're weekend camping.

Dave, all comments still appreciated and taken into consideration. Seems like the main negative of the Minaret is the possibility of flapping in windy conditions - it's been mentioned a few times . I don't know if this can be overcome with more pitching experience.

No, it's normal on tunnel tents I think. It might be less on a campsite with a nice flat pitch, but in the wild it will be there on a windy night. I've never found it a major issue, when someone asks your opinion and you want to give a balanced response, then you've got to dig deep with the Minaret/Olpmpus to list negatives, it's kind of nit picking. Infact, sometimes the flapping is quite soothing, like the pitterpatter of ran on the flysheet. What it does do in higher winds, especially when your unfamiliar with it, is make what's going on outside, sound much worse than it really is.

If you read the 'Macpac Olpmpus tent' thread, then you might have also read about the redesign issue. I wasn't impressed with that, I don't understand why they've done it on the Olympus. I don't know if it applies to the Minaret, probably not, because the Minaret will be a similar size inner with smaller flysheet.