Anyone used or has comments on any of these tents?

[jethro10]

Anyone know anything about any of these tents?

Looking for lightweight and 2 person, well 1 person and a Moulton that splits at a push


MSR Fast Stash
http://www.cheaptents.com/acatalog/msr-fast-stash-lightweight-tent-shelter.html



Vango Apex 200

http://www.cheaptents.com/acatalog/vaong-apex-200-ultralight.html

Vango Helium Superlite 200

http://www.cheaptents.com/acatalog/vango-helium-superlite-200.html

MSR Carbon Reflex 2

http://www.cheaptents.com/acatalog/msr-carbon-reflex-2-ultralight.html

thanks
Jeff

 

[oldfatfool]

Can't comment on any of those individually but I have had a Vango force 10 for the last 20 years and it is still going strong.
​

 

[rowan 46]

I don't know anything about msr tents but their stoves are top of the line. vango do good tents heres a review of the apex http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/tents/p/Vango-Apex-200/1629

 

[tbtb]

Interesting choices. I'd beware the Faststash - it's a single skin shelter. Lots of space but you might find it needs the vents open to stop inner condensation bouncing off as mist in rainy weather, and that this might leave things a bit cold.

Also, the msr carbon reflex has a down-to-the-ground mesh inner - I used a mesh inner in the south of france in June, hot days but tthe breeze running over me in the night woke me. You'd need to think of where you'd use that one or have a heavier sleeping bag than I had. There's a similar msr with fabric inner, available on the same site, looks good.

The Helium is nice apart from the colour (black!) - I sat in the slightly heavier, green version. Cheaper, nicer colour, still light - maybe they use the extra 300g well? It is that wedge shape, of course so you'll be looking up at the fabric above your face when lying down. Still, not bad.

Vango Apex, nice. I read it was a bit short, somewhere, so double check the sleeping length if you are tall.

Seeing as you're considering the 340£ reflex, you may want to look also at the 1.2kg terra nova Solar Competition 2. It's £260ish after you apply their 30% off tent trade-in deal.

 

[Shanecycles]

If you can handle 4-500g more weight and probably less cost you could go for the MSR Hubba Hubba..

I've become a fan of this tent in recent months, bit chilly if you want to use it in winter though..

> My Review <

 

[Dayvo]

I'm very happy with my Vango Halo 300 - bit on the large size, but great for me and the misses: plenty of space.

 

[Dayvo]

Ah, seems like my post doesn't meet with your criteria.

My solo tent is a http://www.xxl.no/villmarksliv/telt-lavvu/telt/nordmarka-2-telt-1037133

 

[middleagecyclist]

I've got the Vango Helium 200 (not the superlite though). Great tent. Here it is on a recent trip. Can't comment on the others though.

It pitches outer first or both together and very quick as you only need 5 anchor points, stable in most conditions if pitched properly, has a reasonable porch for storage and, ahem...cooking, no condensation probs as yet, nice size for one and OK for cozy two if needed every now and then, packs small including poles, good quality construction and lightweight and it's green. The only thing I plan to change are the bright orange guy lines.

Good luck choosing.

 

[willem]

Where do you intend to camp, and in what weather? It makes quite a difference if you will use it in warm weather (a lot of american style mesh on the inner will be nice) or in Scotland or northern Norway (where you want Hilleberg like weather proofing and perhaps outer first pitching).

Willem

 

[jags]

I've got the Vango Helium 200 (not the superlite though). Great tent. Here it is on a recent trip. Can't comment on the others though.

It pitches outer first or both together and very quick as you only need 5 anchor points, stable in most conditions if pitched properly, has a reasonable porch for storage and, ahem...cooking, no condensation probs as yet, nice size for one and OK for cozy two if needed every now and then, packs small including poles, good quality construction and lightweight and it's green. The only thing I plan to change are the bright orange guy lines.

Good luck choosing.

great photos MAC

 

[middleagecyclist]

great photos MAC

Thanks very much Jags.

 

[jethro10]

Where do you intend to camp, and in what weather? It makes quite a difference if you will use it in warm weather (a lot of american style mesh on the inner will be nice) or in Scotland or northern Norway (where you want Hilleberg like weather proofing and perhaps outer first pitching).
Willem

Just niceish weather, spring Autumn - well hopefully nice.

I've had bigger, dome tents, family size, and you don't need to think as much with those, as there is plenty of space and weight isn't an issue, as isn't pitching ease.
But these smaller lighter ones, to carry on a bike need to be more considered. for instance the mesh sides (as mentioned above) being draughty - never crossed my mind
I'm actually thinking of getting a cheap/heavier one £40-50ish to try next month, and use that as knowledge building to choose one for next year now.

Jeff

 

[soltour]

Hi,
I am on my third Hogan Ultralight. I like this tent a lot, the only problem seems to be with the front pole breaking after a time....apart from that it is very lightweight, yellow inner and green outer...and it is a two man and I travel solo so it is fine, plenty of room...oh, and I carry spare poles, just in case

 

[Proud2Push]

We've got a Vango Apex 200 and so far have been very pleased with it. The large side door is a big plus because it is so easy to get in and out of and it's nice to sit in because you can see out. We had a Vaude Ferret I before for the same reason but the weight was an issue. I'm 5'7" and my husband is 5'10" and we don't find the inner too short. We're willing to put up with the "cosiness" for its other advantages, inc. weight, pack size and ease of pitching.

We used the Apex for the Coasts and Castles in May when we encountered some serious winds, without a problem. (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/CC2011). As a matter of interest, we saw a Vango Spectre survive 105mph winds without sustaining any visible damage.

A few weeks ago, on the TV (I can't remember the name of the programme), two presenters were walking in Scotland. They stopped for the night where a number of tents had been pitched in order to compare them. The weather was pretty bad, and the Vango Helium fared worst. The lack of guys gave no real defence against the wind and the pegs all gave way. Trouble is I can't remember what the other tents were that survived better.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Alway hard to recommed a tent to another person, as we all have different ideas and needs for a tent.
I would say, firstly you need to look at how often you will use your tent, and where. I have a Vaude Hogan which being 2 man, make a very good tent for me and my partner when we are backpacking, and has stood very high winds high in the Lake district. but when backpacking by myself I use a Lazer Comp which is a lightwieght tent which also has stood the test of high level backpacking. Both are used all year round, and after some years are wearing well.

For cycle touring, as in most cases I tour solo I use the Lazer Comp, becasue it is lightwieght and strong.

Its best to remember that you get what you pay for, some of the cheap tents sold in Blacks as ok for spring and summer camping, but in late autumn and winter they can suffer from rain spray during heavy downpours, like wise the guying may not be suffienct to keep the tent in shap under high winds.

If you only intend to Camp once or twice during the spring and summer, the I would look at a double skined tent in the £70-£100 pounds