Which tent to buy

Im looking at buying my first tent, just for one person, although maybe a 2 man tent? and im just looking for maybe some guidance. I have about £100 and I'd like a tent that will see me through 3 seasons. Ive been looking at the Wild Country Zephyros 2 Tent, or the Vango Banshee 200 Tent.

I like wild camping so it would have to blend with the countryside, are there any im missing or can anyone offer advice on the above tents

Many thanks in advance

Becky

I had a good look at the Zephyros 2 in Cotswolds the other day whilst waiting for the Olympic footie. I have a Terra Nova Laser Competition; Wild Country is the cheaper, slightly heavier arm of Terra Nova, but they're still absolutely cracking tents. Had a good chat with a friend who works in the store and has the Zephyros 1 which he loves (it's very similar to the Laser Comp); the 1 has bigger porch space than the 2.

Don't know the Banshee myself, but it's had very good reviews.

However, if I had the extra few quid, I'd probably get myself a Zephyros (either 1 or 2); F&T has the 2 on fairly cheap, you can get the 1 on your budget.

wow thanks for the rapid response, thats impressive!! You know what i might just treat myself the 2 man doesnt seem to be much heavier than the 1 man so might go for the more roomy one

wow thanks for the rapid response, thats impressive!! You know what i might just treat myself thanks for the info one the porch space, thats why i was looking at two man tents

Sorry to jump this thread, on a scale of 1- Bad how bad would you say this tent is? I am on a miniscule budget myself! http://www.fieldandtrek.com/campri-recon-2-tent-783202

I'm very happy with my Coleman Avior x2 which has just enough space for a friend, or plenty of room for me and my kit. Not the lightest but light enough. I don't mind the extra weight for the extra room it has. You should get change from £100. The Banshee is also a cracking tent. Neither really strong enough for, say, Skye in a blizzard. You know what you'll be doing with it and if you need a tough er tent.

Daley Boy - I'd guess that Campri would be somewhere between 'good for a weekend festival' and 'utter shite'. Never seen one in the flesh mind you, as no-one I know is likely to admit to having one. And that opinion comes from someone whose bivvy is home made from a toilet tent found in a skip.

Grumps wrote (see)

Daley Boy - I'd guess that Campri would be somewhere between 'good for a weekend festival' and 'utter shite'. Never seen one in the flesh mind you, as no-one I know is likely to admit to having one. And that opinion comes from someone whose bivvy is home made from a toilet tent found in a skip.

Hahahaha, I did think as much! Perhaps I should loosen that wallet somewhat!

A tent I have which I use if I don't think the weather will be "exterme" for using my Scarp 1.

 Robens Trailstar, a bit 'snug' but very easy to pitch, add a couple of extra guy lines to centre and will stand up to a good deal more.

 Not really heavy for price, good materials, usually sold under £90.

 I got mine in a sale for £60 p&p inc. Not a 4 season tent, pitched in the right place, it might cope, but I'd class as 3 season, max.

 Small porch, so if you need to cook inside, you might have to move inner back and peg out of way,for more room.

I've used the Vango Tempest 200 which I think is pretty similar to the Banshee. It seemed alright and couldn't really fault it that much. Cosy for two but that doesn't really bother me.

It might be worth checking how it pitches because with the Tempest the guy lines always ended up on the wrong side or wrapped around the poles when i pitched it but never needed them anyway on the days I picked. Also one of the poles was VERY tight in the hole and on a cold morning was hard to get out (the one above the porch).

Otherwise an excellent tent.

have a look at the Lichfield treklite 200 seems to be exactly the same tent spec as the vango banshee[someone mentioned Vango and Lichfield are one company]and can be picked up for £25.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgoxLyzwF8s&feature=relmfu

edd,

I have the same tent and when you thread the poles through the sleeves (before you pop them into the holes on the tapes you need to check that the guyline is the correct side of the pole. The first few times I put the tent up I didn't check and then had the same issue of poles and guys tangled but now I check as I thread the pole it's never an issue. If that doesn't help I can take some pics and post them up on OM for you next time I have it out.

Also I'd say that the banshee is lower and with less porch than the tempest. Given the choice of 2 people in a tempest 200 or a banshee 200 I'd take the tempest every time (although I know that the OP said that it's just for one person).

Edit to add: Lichfield and Vango (and Force Ten although they are more integrated with the vango range now) are all part of AMG group I believe (along with trangia, wayfarer and asolo) and they all share the same warranty repair centre in Scotland run by AMG group. Google AMG Group for more info.

Andy,

I always told myself I'd check next time I pitched it because I never thought it needed guys for the nights I went out on when I had them tangled so it never really mattered  But I've given the tent back now (was only borrowing it) so I'm on the hunt for something else now anyway...

Ed

I couldn't deal with that I'm afraid. Little things like that really niggle at me and I always ended up dropping the tent, re-threading the poles and putting it up again. Soon taught me to check BEFORE putting the tent up that the poles and the guys were the right side of each other =)

Andy

£100 was my budget too. I would have definately considered the Banshee as a friend has one and I've read nothing but excellent reviews. In the end I settled for the Coleman Avior X2 also, its an awesome tent. We got caught short late one evening on Pen y Fan in the fog so was forced to camp on the summit! (not ideal I know) we were battered by wind and hail all through the night and I did not expect a tent costing £90 to still be standing there in the morning, none the less the tent held up really well. Just remember that a 1 person tent will be just enough room to sleep in and not much else.. where as a 2 birth gives you the option to cook and store your kit too.

thanks for the input everyone, i got the zephyros in the end, I ordered online so not yet seen it. I dont mind not having much head space in the tent, feels cosier (is that weird?) hopefully itll be here by next weekend so i can try it out!

Did you get the 1 or the 2 in the end? Whichever, they're good tents. It's worth having a look at the Terra Nova website, they've got a YouTube channel with pitching guides. And if you've got a lawn, pitch it at home before you go out!

Have a great time, let us know how it goes

I got the 1person...its up in the garden now and im gonna camp out tonight (like being a kid again lol) with my new roll mat as well to test it all out! Thanks for the youtube hint, mine is looking a little saggy in places haha im sure with a few adjustments it will look a little more stable. Using it for real this weekend, v exciting

Just received my Zephros 1, having read many reviews and erected it in very short time. No problems experienced. Very pleased with the tent so far and expect it to perform well from other users experience. I am 6`1" tall and slim built and will use it for cycling. I was worried I might not fit in when first purchased and wondered should I have got the 2 man, but surprisingly found the 1 man to be quite roomy and now pleased with my choice. Good space in the porch for my rear panniers, but might be tight if carrying front panniers too. Might be able to sqeeze them in somewhere at a pinch if nessasary. Sitting up a bit tight, but expect that for a one man tent. A well designed tent and will be a good replacement for my old Ultimate 2 man A frame which is somewhat heavier. Looking forward to some nights away.