Tent - Vango Beta 350

doodah

doodah

doodah

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I have read through some of the previous tent threads but most are quite old and a lot of the links within are dead.

I am looking for a tent to take to Glastonbury but I would like it to last a few more festivals/camping trips. Some suggest to get one man larger than you intend to get - so am looking for a 2-3 man tent.

After some research, I settled with the Vango Beta 350 - plenty of space, a porch and a 3000 HH rating. Unfortunately some were going for £50-60 recently (the 2010 model) but that bargain has gone. The reviews seemed pretty good but some more I read today didn't paint this tent in too good a light.

My question is - for the price (around £80) - is this a good purchase? Does anyone have a 350? Are there better options for the price. I can't really spend more than £80 as I am spending a lot for waterproofs and equipment. I don't need the best just something that is relatively good and sturdy for less than £100.

Thanks :)
 
I'm pretty sure that's the exact tent I bought a year or two ago.

What negative comments have you read?

I've only used it a few times and it's been perfect for the odd night away. Should easily be good enough for a festival tent.
 
Oh and for a quick review, here's my thoughts:

It's a good sized 2-man tent, would be very cosy with 3! You can fit a full double airbed in if you like a bit of extra comfort!

It's pretty easy to assemble, although you do need to apply quite a bit more force the first time than you might expect. According to my instructions, the poles are colour-coded to match the colour of the sleeve they fit through. I couldn't for the life of me find any colour-coding on either the poles, or the sleeves, but it was easy enough to figure out. There's two shorter poles and one longer one - as long as the long one is in the middle, I don't think you can really go wrong.

It's not a light tent and I'd mainly only use it for car-camping. We tend to go away in the car somewhere, set up the tent near-by, sit out in the sun, then light a bbq or fire in the evening, then pack up the next day.

The porch area is very handy, ideal for leaving stuff at night - or for fitting a couple of extra people in if you're having a few drinks etc.

The porch design can sometimes collect water just above the door, when it rains. So I tend to just lift the roof slightly in the morning before opening the door, otherwise you can get an unwanted early shower!

Great tent, definitely very happy with it, especially for the price.
 
Sounds good. It will be for my girlfriend and I - we are intending to put a double air bed in. I might pop into a few outdoors shops to see if there are any sales.

Divo - just some user reviews suggesting it couldn't cope with anything more than a sunny breezy day. Just wanted to make sure.

Thanks guys :)
 
Vango Range:

Alpha - very basic
Beta - upgraded and a bit better than alpha
Omega - starts getting better things like alloy poles instead of fiberglass, better quality, lighter etc

If you check an auction site right now and search for vango omega 250, there might be a new £145 tent going for about 69.99.
 
I've got a Spectre 200, nothing wrong with Vango tents. A word of advice though, i'd stay away from airbeds. Can get really uncomfortable and are just a nuisance to work with.
 
I personally wouldnt buy a tent without a fully sewn in groundsheet. Keeps everything out, if your field starts to get muddy, a fully sewn in sheet will keep the elements out for much longer compared to standard one.

Take a look at this one: http://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/coleman-rock-springs-4.html

It doesnt have the same size porch area mind, not too sure how important this is to you.

Ive always been a BIG fan of Coleman tents. Currently got the Coleman Evolva for the large camping trips we go on. It has survided many a storm and flooded field with no damage and zero leakage.
 
Superewza said:
I've got a Spectre 200, nothing wrong with Vango tents. A word of advice though, i'd stay away from airbeds. Can get really uncomfortable and are just a nuisance to work with.
Click to expand...

How come? Intending to buy one so it makes it more comfortable.

Thanks for the replies, I might have saved myself £50 - borrowing a hiking ruck sack so I can stretch the budget a little bit. I think it will be toss between the Beta 350 and the Omega 250.
 
xibinim said:
How come? Intending to buy one so it makes it more comfortable.
Click to expand...

I think it depends how you plan on using your tent.

If you're planning and going off in the hills for a few days, then an airbed would just be a total pain. It weighs a ton and you have to keep it well inflated, otherwise you tend to both roll towards the middle.

However, I'd say that if you're planing on doing that sort of camping, then the Beta 350 is probably not the tent for you. As it isn't very light to carry either.

If you're using it like we do and camping near the car, then an airbed is fine. You can easily keep it inflated with an inflater connected to the cigarette lighter in the car. Also, weight isn't a problem if you're only a matter of yards from the car.

I've got various combinations of camping gear, lightweight thermarest's, lightweight tent, mini gas stove. Or, Beta 350, airbed, table, chairs, bbq stand, etc.

Personally I think the Beta 350 offers a great choice for most styles of camping. I wouldn't take it for 3 days walking in the hills because there's lighter alternatives, but I could carry it if I had to. And for pitching up near the car, there's not much better for the money (imo).
 
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