> wrote:
> Outdoors are selling Vango Beta 350 tents for ВЈ70, including a free
cookset.http://www.outdoors.co.uk/acatalog/1-3person-tents.html#a1024663
>
> I bought one for myself, with the view that if they are any good I will buy
> 4 more for the unit to use on weekend camps. I used it for the first time
> this weekend and this is how I found it.
>
> 1+ Pitching: three sets of poles coloured coded to fit an a pocket over
> the tent, its outer first, which is my favourite. IT took 20 minutes, but I
> had to read the manual before I realised about the colour coding system. I
> could do it in 10 minutes now. It is easiest to insert the poles, peg out
> the back corners, and then out in the pegs in the door frame, farthest away
> from the back, which gives you a nice straight rectangle with the tapes and
> everything else just falls into place after that.
>
> 2+ Size: its 3 man, but I only just had room lengthways, but at 6'2" I
> suppose that's not too bad. There is a good 3" gap so its not a problem.
> Nice big awning so three people should be comfy, 2 people would be OK for a
> week and it is just right for me by myself for a weekend :-)
>
> 3+ Build quality: As most Vango kit, it was neat, the seams are generous,
> and I wouldn't expect any to come undone any time soon. The one problem with
> this tent is the zip on the main doors gets very stiff at the right angle
> bend and you really have to take the tension with your other hand. I can see
> that being a failure point for an impatient person.
>
> 4+ Spares: extra pegs, guys patch kit etc, but sadly no pole. The bag is
> generous with compression straps to make stowage easy.
>
> 5+ "Feel": it was light and airy due to the light blue (not grey as
> shown) panels, and ventilation vents. It collected a little condensation in
> the roof over night but it didn't drip. I would go to bed in a gale quite
> happy that it will look after me.
>
> 6+ Value for money: Its not the cheapest 3 man tent around, BUT it feels
> to me to be made better than most others in its price range.
>
> OK so all very good, did I like it, yes definitely, and I will buy some for
> the unit, assuming they still have them at that price when the subs arrive,
> but its too heavy for hiking.
>
> The only downsides are the zip that I mentioned and it is one giant
> groundsheet for the main tent and porch, which is pain because I don't
> normally use that bit. I keep boots and wetsuits etc in the porch or cook in
> it during foul weather, all of which are more difficult with the ground
> sheet fixed in place :-(
>
> As for the cookset, it is stainless steel with copper bottoms and big enough
> for two to do spag bog, but definitely not 3 (explorer scouts). The frying
> pan is also stainless steel and copper bottom and was joy to use. You could
> use them with a 3 man trangia base, and it would pack down nicely, but I
> don't have a 2 man one to try instead.
>
> --
> Stephen Rainsbury
> ESL Agathoid Explorer Scout
Unitwww.agathoid.org.uk(removethis bit)
