hi after a long search for tents (2 man lightish) i think that the

TN solar superlight looks an excellent design with 2 porches and lots of space. however it is too expensive for me .(nearly 300 quid) are there and similarly designed alternatives with 2 porches ? thanks

LOOK HERE

OK this one is on ebay - but you can buy these new, I just thought the pictures of it were good.

A new Spacepacker Mk 1 (the Mk 2 is a little bigger and a fair bit heavier and a bit cheaper) isn't much less at RRP £270, but Alpenstock will do you one for £233 plus postage, and if you 'phone Saunders (020 8500 2447) they may have seconds or ex-dem at a lower price.

Not particularly recommended for tall folk, and for more space at a little more weight (2.2 Kg rather than 1.9 Kg) the Spacepacker Plus Mk. 1 may be preferable.

Picture of a Sapcepacker in action at Thurso and another in Brielle, NL

Pete. 

Don't know if you've found this already ed, or if it makes enough difference, but the superlite Solar 2.2 is available for £255 from Cheaptents.com. And (despite the name!) they're a good, reliable outfit to deal with. I've bought from them a couple of times.

Superlite Solar 2.2

thanks for that post, very tempted. the only drawback is that i want to use it for cycletouring

as well as back packing and so would prefer a small pack size - it is quoted as 53cm. the other one im looking at is the voyager ultralite but again although the poles seem much shorter the pack size is 50cm or so 

I have the Superlite Voyager (and a Voyager before that) and have used it for cycle touring. I pack the inner and outer in separate bags, and the Superlite version packs pretty tiny! The poles are 52cm iirc, but I've found 3 ways to carry them on a bike:

- lashed under the crossbar

- vertically in a pannier pocket with some protruding, if your panniers are that design

- in a separate daysack lashed to the top of my rack (or I guess they'd lash directly on top of the rack too.

Oh, and it's a great tent!!

Ha! I had money on Matt nibbling at the Voyager Superlite comment within the hour. You're just so predictable, Matt

But I might like to have a look at it next time we coincide on a meet!

If you have, or can get hold of a cheap tent, Terra Nova will take it in part exchange for 30% off the list price.  I part exchanged a well used Coleman tent and paid £238 for a Solar 2.2 a couple of months ago. 

http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Information/Tent_Trade_In.html

Used it twice, so too early for a proper review, so far it's exceeded my expectations.  I'm using it solo, the inner would be pretty narrow for two.  The wide inner doors make the large porches very usable space.  It goes up really quickly, is easy to get tight and I was surprised how little it flapped in last nights wind.  I'm using it for cycling, the  fly and groundseet protector roll round the poles and fit well on the rack, the inner makes a small package and goes in the top of a pannier.

As an alternative, if you don't mind a mesh inner, the Big Agnes Emerald Mountain might be worth a look, would come in around £200 from one of the USA Ebay sellers, depending how much customs and handling cost.

thanks for the trade in link. would be cheeky to pay for the fine argos beach shelter at 4.99 to be delivered to them and then claim the discount.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3409165/Trail/C%24cip%3D1500011159.Garden%2C%2BDIY%2Band%2Bleisure%3EC%24cip%3D1500011160.Camping%2Band%2Bcaravanning%3EC%24cip%3D1500011166.Tents.htm