Cycling UK Forum

Sorry to bring up tents again... I've been reading through the forum postings and have decided on either a Coleman Avior or Vango Banshee.

I'll be travelling on my own mainly, and doing tours from a day long to a couple of weeks long, wild camping around the UK and Spain. I'd be tempted to go for the 2-person versions, although most of the recommendations here are for the 3-person versions, especially as the Banshee 2-person lacks the vital extra door. As it is, I'm probably leaning towards the Banshee 300 as that seems to have the most enthusiastic support here and is the right colour for wild camping, although it lacks the porch and I reckon might be bigger than I'd need.

Your advice would be brilliant: Avior X2 or X3 or Banshee 200 or 300?

Thanks a lot,
Sam

I had an Avior X2 and upgraded to an Avior X3 on the basis that it only weighed a lb more and was even more spacious with more headroom. You will find my thoughts here viewtopic.php?f=18&t=51689&p=430617&hilit=avior#p430617 .

Last year I toured with a guy who had a Vango Helium which I think is a lighter version of the Banshee. His tent was new, and he spent a lot of time grumbling about it. He is about 5ft 6, but he reckoned it was very cramped with no space for anything and very dark so you couldnt find things. When it rained, because it only has a side entrance water dripped in and all over his stuff which had to be by the door. He has now sold it and got an Avior X2 which he cast envious eyes at constantly.

Personally I wouldnt have any of those horrid little tents and that includes things like the Laser Competition. I dont mind carrying another couple of Lbs for the sake of comfort and space.

Al

Can you get to a Go Outdoors to see the Banshee 200 set-up? It is very cramped, but I don't know the Avior ones to compare. After clambering in and out of several tents I chose a Spectre 200, which is just the right size for a big chap like me, and I am very very pleased with it, although it is 20% (600g) heavier. I don't notice that difference in weight when it's loaded on the bike, although I would if I were hiking.

OK, so I'm tempted to go for the X2 instead, for the porch and headroom (I reckon I'd be fine with the 2-person one as I'm only 5'6). It seems like the banshee 200 is too small, so I'll rule that out, but there's the Banshee 300 or the Spectre 200 that Malaconotus recommended, which both have the advantage of being a much better colour for wild camping, which I'm planning to do.

So it's Avior X2 (porch), Banshee 300 (colour) or Spectre 200 (colour). I wonder how important the colour really is though.

I have the Vango Banshee 300, super tent and loads of room for one. I can get the bike inside, that is taking off the saddle and front wheel minus the inner tent and still have room to sleep. It's good to have two door flaps, the colour is good for wild camping. Vango Banshee 300 is lightweight for a 3 man tent.

At 5' 6" the Banshee may not be too cramped for you. I'm 6' 5", and not slender, so I chose the Spectre. As suggested earlier, trying them for size at Go Outdoors, where they have them ready erected on display, is probably the best idea.

Edit to Add: The two are compared on another forum here... http://www.goxplore.net/showthread.php?t=2983

Thanks for that link. Al, have you any had any trouble with the X2's colour for wild camping?

Thanks, Sam.

drum wrote:Thanks for that link. Al, have you any had any trouble with the X2's colour for wild camping?

Thanks, Sam.

I have never done it Sam. I do suspect that it would be rather visible though. Its bright green and it does have luminous guys and piping.

One tent that someone mentioned is the Vango Tempest, its much the same shape as the Avior in that it is high at one end as so you have a decent sized entrance with room for your panniers at either side, a place to easily sit up (instead of the stupid height in the middle) and you have a high roof over your head when sleeping instead of the roof in your face in those horrid little tents.

ATB

Al