Tent Choice

Hi everyone,

First post here, but have visited the site for a good while now.

I am trying to decide on some new gear, in particular a tent. I dont drive, so weight is an issue. I have recently seen offers on for MHW Muir Trail and Thru Hiker, but hesitated on them due to mesh inners. Both have now sold out. Most of my camping is usually done round Llanberis, Capel Curig, etc and im wanting something that will be light weight, but strong enough for all year round in UK. Ive also looked at the The North Faces' Tree frog. But once again, seems to have a lot of mesh inside. So getting to the point, the tents im down to are Terra Novas Voyager, 2.6kg, (Gear Zone seem to be advertising two, Voyager and New Voyager, not sure what the differences are yet) and the Vango Hydra 200+, 3.9kg, which ive seen for £145.00.(I will probably spend in the region of upto £250.00 for a tent) Anyone had any experience with this Vango model? Any good? Im 6'1" tall, so dont want a tent too low down inside.
Im also looking to buy the Mountain Equipment Sleepwalker II and Prolite 4 Regular mat.
Any advice or pointers as to which way i should go with the tents will be much appreciated.

Tom

Hiya TC
I got a Hydra 200+ recently because I wanted a 2man with a bit more room than a lightweighter. as I already have a 'snug' little'un.
You should have no problem sitting up in it at all.
My main gripe and this was pointed out to me in an earlier thread I posted is the length of the porch .. you are well out of the tent to zip it up and I had to cut a piece of DCM to make a ground sheet for that area as one isnt supplied. But its a very tough tent and if you shared the bits with a partner, quite capable for most trips other than hard winter. The Terra Nova Solar 2 is well worth considering too, but I dont like the sleeping position.
Gear-zone are doing it for £140 ; it came 2 days later.
MB

see also www.outdoorgarage.com for good prices - they don't charge for postage and they deliver next-day by courier. Just bought a tent from them last week and had excellent service :)

I think the difference between the Voyager and the new Voyager is the groundsheet that is used on the inner. I bought a voyager a couple of years ago and had problems with the groundsheet (tape on seams splitting constantly). Terra Nova actually replaced the groundsheet with a different style one (at no charge) but this caused other problems with the way the tent worked. So, eventually, they actually gave us a new voyager, which is the 2004 design and does not have the same groundsheet design as the one I originally bought. It seems to me that they tried out a new groundsheet design for a few years and it didn't really work very well so they've gone back to the old style bathtub groundsheet instead. So, I would avoid buying a voyager is not the new 2004 design if I were you. Having said that, I haven't tried the new one out yet, so don't actually know what that's like.

Hi guys,

Thanks for the speedy replies.
Mikey, as a rule, i will most probably be back-packing on my own (and with no car). So do you reckon the Hydra 200+ is manageable on your own? Also another point, is mesh used in a big way inside this tent. Have you ever found it gets pretty cold?

Thanks for the link, Cara. Always appreciate fresh sites, specially if they have good offeres. Will check them soon.

Cath, im thinking of phoning GearZone for confirmation on the differences between the two. Im sure your right. Makes sense to me.

Thanks again,

Tom

I use a Prolite 4 short T-A-R which is really light and packs down small. You don't actually notice it's a short after a few minutes as it keeps the essential parts off the ground.

For sleeping bags you could also look at the Snowline, which is on offer at www.theoutdoorshop.com. It's rated down to -20 but still packs down really small and light.

Hi TC
I dont think the Vango is really suitable for backpacking its 2k too heavy. Dont believe the figures in the specs Ive weighed mine and its close on 4.4k on digital scales.
I am only going to use it as a base tent [unless I can share] and use my trusty old Sherpa for real lightweight travel as I can use my walking poles to hold it up. Its always going to be a compromise, room, comfort and weight, and unfortunately it costs.
I agree with Dave M about the Pro4 short mat I would like one ,but have just ordered a Pro3 long as the boss insists on full length and will only use it in summer, and I cant justify the v4 as I bought a Guidelite about 3 days before the new range came out.
Double doh!!

Some sound advice there, thanks a lot. I wasnt expecting the decision to choose such gear to be so troublesome. So many choices, so little time..... ;)

Thanks for all your help,

Tom

I used to have a Hydra - good tent but a bit hefty for backpacking solo.

have a look at the Lightwave G2 Trek. Same size, not much more expensive, best part of a kilo lighter and probably stronger to boot. The 'v' shape at the rear is also better.

I also used to have a Hydra (original, not "+", replaced because it was 8yrs old and the groundsheet was starting to leak) and now have a Lightwave G3 Trek.

Have to disagree a little with you though David - the G3 is the model essentially the same size as my Hydra (although roof slops down more) but it cost over £100 more. The G2 is about the size of a Voyager, which is quite a bit smaller than a Hydra.

I'm quite happy with my G3 so far, but I've not used it in harsh weather. I have to say the design is a bit "saggy" compared with the taut Hydra, but I think that's intentional - less stressed flysheet more likely to move with the wind than tear?

My Hydra was a good solid tent and I would have bought another if you could still get them without the faffy extended porch.

Cheers,

Steve

Ooops, can't edit posts?

It should read "slopes" not "slops" :-)

And G1 vs. G2, not G2 vs. G3, d'oh.