Vango Tempest 200 Review
Official Specs
Flysheet: Protex® 3000, hydrostatic head 3000mm, tape sealed seams
Groundsheet: HD PU groundsheet, hydrostatic head 5000mm, tough and durable
Poles: Powerlite alloy poles, light flexible and durable
Weight: 2.75kg
Pack Size: 42 x 16 x 16cm
Colour: Pine/Black
Official Features
TBS® II unique internal bracing system that ensures the tent performs well in adverse weather conditions
Top vent unique high level poled vent designed so that air and moisture will be drawn out of the tent by the movement of air outside
Seam taped flysheet and groundsheet give long lasting protection
Powerlite® alloy poles light, flexible and durable
Reinforcement points add extra strength on tension areas of the flysheet
Adjustable tensioning and pegging system keeps tent securely anchored and stops drafts
Breathable fabric inner creates a comfortable sleeping area
Mesh vents on inner allows continual airflow enhancing comfort
Lighting point conveniently placed point to attach lighting
Storage solutions inner pockets - keeps those essentials close at hand
Repair kit included for those urgent repairs
Review
First off, the quoted weight of 2.75Kg is more than mine weighs. Even though there are bits of mud, midges and probably spiders in it, it still only just reaches 2.5Kg – including the repair kit.
The pack size measurements are accurate, and it has good straps that you can tighten to reduce the size still further if backpack space is an issue.
The Tempest 200 is not the lightest tent on the market, nor the one with the smallest pack size, but it is fantastic value for the price. The RRP seems to be anywhere from £80 to £100 depending on where you look, but you should be able to pick one up for under £75 (as of May 2008) if you search around.
The tent is easy to pitch, easy to take down, and will survive heavy rain and substantial winds. As most tunnel tents do, it will flap a bit in the wind, but if it’s pitched properly this can be minimised – along with the use of the fabled Tension Band System.
The interesting vent system serves to keep the tent warm. It may be counter intuitive to let in air on a cold night though various net-like areas, but the circulation actually keeps the tent warm because air that doesn’t move just looses its thermal energy and creates chilly air sinks. I’ve slept warmly in this in temperatures down to four or five degrees with no extra clothing or sleeping bags than normal. In short, this tent will keep you warm and dry through most weather short of hurricanes and hail the size of golf balls. I should also add that it survived having a football blasted into it a few times… although had the ball hit a pole dead-on it might have been a different story...
There is room inside the tent for one person and all the kit they could carry by themselves, making this tent ideal for backpackers who don’t want to spend more on a lighter model. You can sleep two in the Tempest 200, but there won’t be room for kit inside, and you better be very, very good friends. The Tempest 300 is big enough for two, but the weight and cost go up in line with the space increase.
The entrance and porch is big enough to cook in if you’re brave, careful, and don’t mind flouting every safety rule ever made. I’m not suggesting you do it… as a small mistake will mean the tent will disappear very quickly, along with your eyebrows... I’m just saying that you could if the wind was strong, you had no other choice, and your cooker doesn’t produce a big flame or too much heat (I accept no liability for burnt skin, trousers, hair, tents, or any other personal items). If you can't concentrate for the length of an airline cabin saefty briefing, don't do it. Ever.
Disadvantages
If you are taller than me (about 5 foot 10) you won’t be able to sit up in this tent without your head touching the top. You can just about do it if you sit leaning ever-so-slightly into the porch, but if being able to sit up in comfort is a priority for you, you will need a bigger tent. The venting system means that there is quite a lot of space between the inner and outer tents above your head, so if it’s dry you can sit up straight-ish by sticking your head up into it without getting wet.
The porch itself has no groundsheet (as manufacturers generally now leave them out in order to make their tents look cheaper) so camping on wet ground inevitably means you churn the porch area up with your feet getting in and out of the tent. A simple £5 tarp to stick under the whole tent will fix this issue, and increase the life of the tent however.
Summary
+ Quality of construction = durability and reliability (plus the lifetime guarantee)
+ Price considering what you get
+ Stability in wind
+ Warmth during nights
+ Ease of pitching
+ Pack size and weight - for the price
- Pack size and weight – for backpackers with matchstick legs and bad backs
- Limit sitting height for people who aren't "vertically challenged"
- No groundsheet for the porch (fixable with a tarp)
Conclusion
Use this tent if you have less than £100 to spend, want something reliable, and aren’t over 6 foot tall. If you want a lighter tent, the Vango Banshee is similar in most other respects but weighs less. If you want something bigger, consider the Equinox, as reviewed here (2nd post down).
Update
I took this tent to Iceland for 10 nights this summer, and it stood up extremely well to some fairly high winds without any signs of damage at all. My conclusion is that it is pretty much bombproof weatherwise.
That isn't actually snow on it either, it is heavy ice - which is why the tent looks like I don't know how to pitch it properly. The ice did press down so the outer layer was touching the inner layer, so while the tent could handle it, if you're going camping in the deep winter abroad, buy a more expensive tent. However, as most sane people don't camp in the above conditions, this tent is probably good enough for you.
Pitching Instructions
Tempest 200 Pitching Instructions.doc
Flysheet: Protex® 3000, hydrostatic head 3000mm, tape sealed seams
Groundsheet: HD PU groundsheet, hydrostatic head 5000mm, tough and durable
Poles: Powerlite alloy poles, light flexible and durable
Weight: 2.75kg
Pack Size: 42 x 16 x 16cm
Colour: Pine/Black
Official Features
TBS® II unique internal bracing system that ensures the tent performs well in adverse weather conditions
Top vent unique high level poled vent designed so that air and moisture will be drawn out of the tent by the movement of air outside
Seam taped flysheet and groundsheet give long lasting protection
Powerlite® alloy poles light, flexible and durable
Reinforcement points add extra strength on tension areas of the flysheet
Adjustable tensioning and pegging system keeps tent securely anchored and stops drafts
Breathable fabric inner creates a comfortable sleeping area
Mesh vents on inner allows continual airflow enhancing comfort
Lighting point conveniently placed point to attach lighting
Storage solutions inner pockets - keeps those essentials close at hand
Repair kit included for those urgent repairs
Review
First off, the quoted weight of 2.75Kg is more than mine weighs. Even though there are bits of mud, midges and probably spiders in it, it still only just reaches 2.5Kg – including the repair kit.
The pack size measurements are accurate, and it has good straps that you can tighten to reduce the size still further if backpack space is an issue.
The Tempest 200 is not the lightest tent on the market, nor the one with the smallest pack size, but it is fantastic value for the price. The RRP seems to be anywhere from £80 to £100 depending on where you look, but you should be able to pick one up for under £75 (as of May 2008) if you search around.
The tent is easy to pitch, easy to take down, and will survive heavy rain and substantial winds. As most tunnel tents do, it will flap a bit in the wind, but if it’s pitched properly this can be minimised – along with the use of the fabled Tension Band System.
The interesting vent system serves to keep the tent warm. It may be counter intuitive to let in air on a cold night though various net-like areas, but the circulation actually keeps the tent warm because air that doesn’t move just looses its thermal energy and creates chilly air sinks. I’ve slept warmly in this in temperatures down to four or five degrees with no extra clothing or sleeping bags than normal. In short, this tent will keep you warm and dry through most weather short of hurricanes and hail the size of golf balls. I should also add that it survived having a football blasted into it a few times… although had the ball hit a pole dead-on it might have been a different story...
There is room inside the tent for one person and all the kit they could carry by themselves, making this tent ideal for backpackers who don’t want to spend more on a lighter model. You can sleep two in the Tempest 200, but there won’t be room for kit inside, and you better be very, very good friends. The Tempest 300 is big enough for two, but the weight and cost go up in line with the space increase.
The entrance and porch is big enough to cook in if you’re brave, careful, and don’t mind flouting every safety rule ever made. I’m not suggesting you do it… as a small mistake will mean the tent will disappear very quickly, along with your eyebrows... I’m just saying that you could if the wind was strong, you had no other choice, and your cooker doesn’t produce a big flame or too much heat (I accept no liability for burnt skin, trousers, hair, tents, or any other personal items). If you can't concentrate for the length of an airline cabin saefty briefing, don't do it. Ever.
Disadvantages
If you are taller than me (about 5 foot 10) you won’t be able to sit up in this tent without your head touching the top. You can just about do it if you sit leaning ever-so-slightly into the porch, but if being able to sit up in comfort is a priority for you, you will need a bigger tent. The venting system means that there is quite a lot of space between the inner and outer tents above your head, so if it’s dry you can sit up straight-ish by sticking your head up into it without getting wet.
The porch itself has no groundsheet (as manufacturers generally now leave them out in order to make their tents look cheaper) so camping on wet ground inevitably means you churn the porch area up with your feet getting in and out of the tent. A simple £5 tarp to stick under the whole tent will fix this issue, and increase the life of the tent however.
Summary
+ Quality of construction = durability and reliability (plus the lifetime guarantee)
+ Price considering what you get
+ Stability in wind
+ Warmth during nights
+ Ease of pitching
+ Pack size and weight - for the price
- Pack size and weight – for backpackers with matchstick legs and bad backs
- Limit sitting height for people who aren't "vertically challenged"
- No groundsheet for the porch (fixable with a tarp)
Conclusion
Use this tent if you have less than £100 to spend, want something reliable, and aren’t over 6 foot tall. If you want a lighter tent, the Vango Banshee is similar in most other respects but weighs less. If you want something bigger, consider the Equinox, as reviewed here (2nd post down).
Update
I took this tent to Iceland for 10 nights this summer, and it stood up extremely well to some fairly high winds without any signs of damage at all. My conclusion is that it is pretty much bombproof weatherwise.
Update 2
Last week this tent kept me warm and dry in the Peak District in November. The temperature was -6.5 degrees at midnight....
That isn't actually snow on it either, it is heavy ice - which is why the tent looks like I don't know how to pitch it properly. The ice did press down so the outer layer was touching the inner layer, so while the tent could handle it, if you're going camping in the deep winter abroad, buy a more expensive tent. However, as most sane people don't camp in the above conditions, this tent is probably good enough for you.
Pitching Instructions
Tempest 200 Pitching Instructions.doc
posted by Clive at
09:32
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