I need to stand up.

[outrunner]

After my trip to the Peak District last weekend I have decided that I am getting to old for all this lying on my back in a tent struggling to put on my bike gear! With this in mind I started looking at single pole tepee type things and quite fancy the Vango Juno 500 which has loads of space for my kit plus the bonus of being able to stand up inside it.

Has anyone on here used, or looked at them or heard anything about them, good or bad?

Andy.

[Boris]

I've had a quick look at these and while not true tipis (they are more a 5 sided pyramid than a cone shape) the still have offer reasonable amount of room inside. With these flat sided tipis wind performance has been reported as not being quite up to the standard of round tipis but is nevertheless quite good.

The big problem with any single skin tent, regardless of design, is one of condensation. The use of breathable material such as cotton or canvas will mitigate most of this but failing that, vents (and lots of them) are the only realistic way. I'm not sure how good the vents are on this one are but my advise (especially as it has a sig) is to make sure there are plenty and use them.

A big (well long) pack size of 65cm is not particularly bike friendly but non of the tipis are so no real problem there.

There are some other options such the one from gooutdoors that Stuart123456789 (it was by the entrance at Ullapool) and to my eyes looked a better tent than the Vango. I'm not sure what the groundsheet was like on Stuarts tipi though. MoM also bought something of ebay that sounded quite good. Not sure if he has used it in anger yet.
Moving up in quality and price you can go for something like the Hellsport that Austin has or just sell the house and buy a tentipi.

There are some intesting tipis (and some toys) on ebay just now

[winxp-master]

Hi Andy,

Have you considered the Vango Venture 500, it's the one i currently use and got it from gooutdoors Vango Venture 500 Family Dome Tent - from GO Outdoors.co.uk

It's on there for 70quid i got mine for 60 in a deal i tihnk they marked it up wrong

I am 6ft tall and can stand up in it to get changed etc (i bought this for the same reasons you are looking for a bigger tent) i used it at the natinal and it seemd to do the job ok.

Takes a bit longer than most tents to put up and take down but i guess you sacrifice for the bigger size.

Iv'e never used the one you are looking at but thought i'd give you another option, pop into gooutdoors (if you have one local) as they usually have there tents erected and you can have a scratch at it.

Craig.

[outrunner]

Some useful info there guys. The pack size for the Vango Juno is the same as the Vango Delta that I use now and it fits on the bike no problem. The Venture that Craig has is twice as heavy as mine.
I looked at some others but they are all too pricey for me as I do not go camping every weekend so I would find it hard to justify. My reason for thinking about the Juno, apart from the room inside, is that the Vango tent I have has given good service for a few years, never leaked, torn, or otherwise pissed me off and is easy to pitch and pack away.

I have looked about on tinternet and they can be had for around £50. delivered so it is not too much of an investment if it is not great, of course I could always sell the bike and get a motorhome.


Andy.

[largewayround]

HI Andy

I was looking at the juno500 also, I have a 2 man (thats a laugh) alpha 200 at the moment

I am getting fed up of the comments like,
"look he is bigger than his tent"
"Is that a wendy house"

Trying to do anything inside my tent is impossible... cant even sit properly ..

I really like the tipi style but can not justify spending hundreds... or thousands..

None of the camping shops round here have them, so I would be looking to buy online, but would appreciate if you do get one.. and test it..

Please post your thoughts..

P.s. It would be going on the back of my Transalp..

[Mabels Old Man]

This is the one I've got. Lots of space and ventilation and lots cheaper then when I bought it. I've only put it up haven't had the opportunity to sleep in it yet.

[Boris]

This is the one I've got. Lots of space and ventilation and lots cheaper then when I bought it. I've only put it up haven't had the opportunity to sleep in it yet.

I see it has a back door to uphold the ancient indian tradition of not removing the dead via the front door. I hope you never need to use it

[Mabels Old Man]

I see it has a back door to uphold the ancient indian tradition of not removing the dead via the front door. I hope you never need to use it

Well thank you for that comforting thought!

ps it may be cheap but at least it's got a foot for the centre pole

[Boris]

Well thank you for that comforting thought!

ps it may be cheap but at least it's got a foot for the centre pole

And pegs that don't bend at the first sight of a 40mph wind

[outrunner]

Well, I just ordered the Vango Juno which should be with me on Mon/Tue next week. When I get it I will have a go at putting it up/packing it away and perhaps I might even time myself doing it!

If the weather is kind next weekend I may just nip out for a nights camping somewhere local to see how it performs compared to my trusty Delta, If you don't hear from me then you will know that I have frozen to death in the quest for the ideal tent.


Andy.