Vango Tempest 200

Swim41 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Karma :

As BCF's 'Touring & Exporation' seems to the unofficial Vango tent fanclub, wondered if anyone has got a Tempest 200? I've had a look at the Banshee 200 and while it's just the job in most respects, the pack size is slightly too long to fit into my pannier (I've got a pair of the little Givi E21 top opening hard panniers).

Tempest 200 is about £30 dearer at £100, and seems just as good if perhaps even a bit tougher/more stable than the Banshee. Importantly the pack 39x15x15 should fit with a bit of a squeeze.

Anyone got one? Any good?
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Yamaha XJ600N

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

Yeah I've been using one for five years. It's a good tent, I've had quite a lot of use out of mine and nothing has broken.

It's very stable in bad weather, most of the time you don't need to use the internal torsion bands and all the guy lines, but it's nice to know they're there if you need them.

My only criticism is you can't really sit up straight in the tent (maybe in the porch area), but that's true of most 'tunnel' type tents.

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

If you want to spend a bit more money try a Force Ten Baltoro 200, they are on offer at £180 at Cotswolds and £175 at Springfields, although I got Cotswolds to match the price of Springfields. The weight advertised on springfields is wrong however, check the Cotswolds website for more information.

I haven't used it yet, although they put it up in the shop and for me it seemed quite roomy. It was just long enough to fit my 6ft 4" length and having two vestibules that are quick big will prove useful. Current plans to use it for motorbike touring and a trip to Norway to do some dissertation work with my girlfriend. Will also probably use it for trekking in the future too.

It is basically a copy of the Terra Nova Quasar, just quite a bit cheaper! I think you could sit up easily in the sleeping area. For £175 I doubt you will be able to find a full geodesic tent of this quality. Not sure if its packsize is small enough however!
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

Oh and my Dad has a modern tipi tent, think it is a helsport one. He loves it and uses all the time on his bike. You can stand in the tent and there is loads of room. The pack size isn't as big as you'd think either, for motorbike touring it does seem like a good option. The Helsport ones are quite expensive mind, my Dad got it cheap but I can't remember from where.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

Swim41 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Karma :

Just had a look at the Tempest. Seems like a decent tent, will definately be on my list when I get around to buying a new one.

£100 is probably the most that I would be prepared to pay for a tent. Would love a really serious ultra compact backpacking model, but they're too expensive for occasional use. I think the Tempest with this 'torsion band' system should be able to cope with the worst that Spring to Autumn UK weather can come up with (I know it can get pretty bad, but if there's a hurricane forecast I ain't going camping!) My main issue to being able to camp in the mountains and at coastal spots which can get seriously windy at any time. Tesco tents can't usually hack this, although there are exceptions.
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Yamaha XJ600N

Ben_m · Nova Slayer Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Karma :

Don't know if you've got one yet but just seen this on ebay only 90 quid

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VANGO-Tempest-200-2-Man-Tent-EXPEDITION-LIGHTWEIGHT-NEW-/310219534309?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN&hash=item483a866fe5

Personally I think its a cracking tent but the 2 man is maybe a bit small for me so O would go for the 3 man tent.
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Yamaha Fazer FZS600 2003 ¦ Peugeot 206 GTI 180BHP 2003 ¦ BMW 323i SE

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Swim41 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Karma :

Almost bought one this afternoon, and then hesitated. Place I went to had all of the slighty more serious Vango tents set up. Got into the Tempest 200 and was disappointed to find that when my head was touching the inner door my feet were touching the sloping inner. I'm only 6"1, although I did have my bike boots on. I've had this before with my old Delta 200, although that's quite wide so there's the option to sleep diagonally.

I'm going to go back tomorrow when I've got a little more time to try them all out for size, the Banshee 200 included.
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Yamaha XJ600N

Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

I have that problem with my Vango TBS Micro 200, it is the model without the little poles at the end to try and reduce the problem... Quite annoying, I am a bit taller than you too.

One time in bed weather the tent leaked due to the inner and outer touching which was caused by my head/pillow/feet touching the sides. Only a small leak, other than that I find the TBS gets in the way slightly when getting in and out and the tent too small for two people.

Not quite sure why I did a mini-review on that tent when it isn't an option! But anyway, let us know how you get on and what you decide Thumbs Up

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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

Swim41 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Karma :

Yes I have found myself with wet feet due to the same problem. Looking at the spec sheets the Spectre 200 seems to have a slightly longer inner tent and shares the TBS etc of the Tempest. I think they've got them in so I'll test them tomorrow.

Seems crazy to make tents these days that someone of 6"1 can't fit in properly.
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Yamaha XJ600N

ms51ves3 · Super Spammer Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Karma :

They obviously don't make tents for abnormal people Laughing

Swim41 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 25 Jul 2006 Karma :

After a good half an hour this afternoon swapping between lying down in the Banshee and the Tempest I bought the Tempest. Was swayed by the larger porch area and the TBS system.

Put it up the garden, and must say initially I am impressed. With all guys deployed and the bands tensioned it seems very stable. And indeed it will need to be, as it is off to northern Scotland next week hopefully. Having pegged it out properly the length issue doesn't seem apparent now.
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Yamaha XJ600N