Vango F10 Helium Superlite 200

farmerdave
Reviewed: 17 January 2011

Bit of a let down.

It is easy to put up and the lightness of it is good. The low height makes it good for pitching in sheltered areas to avoid wind.

Not sure about it being for 2 people. I am 5ft 5in and it was only just big enough for me. If you have 2 people it means both of you have to touch the side of the tent, which is not good because of the condensation. The condensation was so bad I had book into a hostel to dry out my sleeping bag and the inside of the flysheet stayed wet for ages, almost as if the rain got through it, and the rain was not that heavy. The condensation might have been because of the cold (about-4)?. There is no place for your gear, the bit between the inner and outer is to small to be of any use

the light weight is good for lone campers, but if you normally go with someone else, I would buy a bigger tent and split the tent between you to reduce what you carry.
Overall, think this a small step backward for Vango, which is disappointing because normally the tents are good.

Mur
Reviewed: 05 July 2010

Light, spacious, easy to pitch tent perfect for one, a little tight for two. Good value.

Light and spacious tent, I'm 6' tall and I have plenty room with my pack inside as well. I can sit upright and cook in the porch with the outer door closed with care.

Supplied pegs are useless and I could never get a good, taught pitch with the minimum pegs (same peg for inner and fly at each corner. End guyline is attached to top and bottom of the pole and again, compromises a taught pitch.
Needs a ventilation panel at the head-end.
Head-end slope of the tent is quite severe and I found it almost claustrophobic with the inner flapping around my face. I now sleep round the other way, much more head room at the foot-end!

I bought this tent online for less than I could find a TN Laser Competition. I have owned and used Force10 tents before and always found them reliable and well made. The Helium is no different. I've pitched it at high level several times since Easter and it's stood up to wind and rain with few problems. I have swapped the pegs for longer titanium ones and now peg the inner and fly individualy. I have replaced the guyline on the foot-end for a lighter dyneema one and use a line-loc on the base of the fly. I find this allows me to get a better pitch and reduce flapping. I like this tent for one person use and would recommend it.