Vango Samara 600 review

Sleeps:  6
Weight:  26.45kg
Dimensions:  internal 210x420cm, external 270x420cm
Pack size:  69x47x35cm
RRP:  £500

Read our guide to Vango group tents here!

Review:  The Vango Samara is a bigger version of the Calisto, with a much larger porch and slightly wider body to the tent.  In addition, the flysheet on the Samara is made from 4000HH fabric, which is more waterproof than the 3000HH on the Calisto.  The Samara 600 has two separate bedrooms, two sleep four and two people respectively, but the four person room also comes with an internal curtain to split the tent into three two-person vestibules.

If you're looking for a family tent, with a little more luxury, lots of external space, and exceptional quality materials, then the Samara could definitely be the tent for you.

Best bits:  High quality flysheet, lots of headroom in the tent, luxury touches throughout
Worst bits:  More expensive than some of the other Vango group tents

RRP: £500
Where to get it cheaper?:  £329 here

Vango Samara 400 review

 

Sleeps:  4
Weight:  21.85kg
Dimensions:  internal 210x280cm, external 270x280cm
Pack size:  70x47x27cm
RRP:  £380

Read our guide to Vango group tents here!

Review:  The Vango Samara is a bigger version of the Calisto, with a much larger porch and slightly wider body to the tent.  In addition, the flysheet on the Samara is made from 4000HH fabric, which is more waterproof than the 3000HH on the Calisto.  Also, the Samara comes with an internal curtain to split the sleeping area into two.

If you're looking for a family tent, with a little more luxury, lots of external space, and exceptional quality materials, then the Samara could definitely be the tent for you.

Best bits:  High quality flysheet, lots of headroom in the tent, luxury touches throughout
Worst bits:  More expensive than some of the other Vango group tents

RRP: £380
Where to get it cheaper?:  £239 here

Vango Calisto 500 review

Sleeps:  5

Weight:  21.65kg

Dimensions:  internal 310x210cm, external 270x310cm

Pack size:  85x32x32cm

RRP:  £330

Read our guide to Vango group tents here!

Review:  The Calisto is a new design for 2012 from Vango, and aimed at the family/luxury camping market.  The tent has more headroom than most of the 'tunnel' style group tents, with over two metres of headroom in the middle of the tent.  This is due to a slightly different design that uses straight steel poles on the side of the tent to increase the height.  There are lots of nice touches to make the tent more comfortable; a pelmet with pockets for storage, hanging storage, privacy windows and low level vents.  The 500 model also comes with an optional internal curtain, which can be used to split the inner into two separate rooms.  This can be great for families with two or three small children who want their own space.

On the negative side, the porch is a little cramped compared to some other models, and the front canopy extension an expensive solution to this problem.  Also, the increased height means that stability can be slightly compromised in high winds, but these are minor negatives.

Best bits:  Added touches on the inside of the tent make it a more comfortable camping experience, high quality materials and easy to pitch and strike.

Worst bits:  A little cramped in the porch

RRP:  £330

Where to get it cheaper?:  £219 here

Vango Calisto 400 review

Sleeps:  4
Weight:  19.25kg
Dimensions:  internal 250x210cm, external 270x260cm
Pack size:  85x30x30cm
RRP:  £280

Read our guide to Vango group tents here!

Review:  The Calisto is a new design for 2012 from Vango, and aimed at the family/luxury camping market.  The tent has more headroom than most of the 'tunnel' style group tents, with over two metres of headroom in the middle of the tent.  This is due to a slightly different design that uses straight steel poles on the side of the tent to increase the height.  There are lots of nice touches to make the tent more comfortable; a pelmet with pockets for storage, hanging storage, privacy windows and low level vents.

On the negative side, the porch is a little cramped compared to some other models, and the front canopy extension an expensive solution to this problem.  Also, the increased height means that stability can be slightly compromised in high winds, but these are minor negatives.

Best bits:  Added touches on the inside of the tent make it a more comfortable camping experience, high quality materials and easy to pitch and strike.
Worst bits:  A little cramped in the porch.

RRP:  £280
Where to get it cheaper?: £189 here

Vango Icarus 500 review

Sleeps: 5
Weight: 14.55kgs
Dimensions: internal 210x315cm, external 260x315cm
Pack size:  72x34x27cm
RRP:  £260

Read our guide to Vango group tents here!

Review:  The Vango Icarus is one of the best selling ranges of the new 2012 group tents from Vango, and it's not hard to see why.  With everything you need for a good group tent, but none of the unnecessary extras, the Icarus comes in at a decent price.  Moreover, the smaller models are usually sold at the same price as the Odyssey range, but the Icarus comes with an extra door to the front (letting you open it all up to let the air move through) and a sewn in groundsheet.

On the negative side, it is a fraction smaller than some of the other group tents, around 10-20cms narrower - so if you are a group of bigger campers, perhaps consider either a different model or buying a slightly bigger tent in the range (i.e. a 500 tent for four people) to give you ample amounts of space.  Also, the Icarus can be fitted with a front canopy extension to extend the porch space, but this is around £130-150 depending on the size of the tent.  If you're thinking of using this all the time, you may be better buying the Vango Tigris XL, which is essentially the same tent but with a built in front canopy extension, but it is cheaper than buying the two bits separately.

Best bits:  Affordable, two doors to either side of the front porch (compared to just one on similar the Vango Odyssey), sewn in groundsheet, high quality materials

Worst bits:  A bit smaller than other group tents, external area can be extended with add-on canopies, but you might be better buying a larger tent with the canopy built-in

RRP: £260

Where to get it cheaper?: £189 here