Chopsy Baby is reviewing… Vango Airbeam Velocity 400
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If you are thinking of popping down the supermarket to pick up a cheap tent for a last minute low-cost getaway then stop now. Before you buy into a weekend of self-inflicted misery, check out the range of Vango Airbeams.
Camping specialists Vango, launched a series of inflatable tents earlier in the year, aiming to make camping easier and less stressful.
Using their new AirBeam technology, they have created a line of pole-free tents, replacing them with quick to inflate beams of air instead.
Vango believe the new tents offer a ‘fantastic family camping solution’ saying the AirBeam tents can be pitched in less than five minutes with even the children able to inflate the tent. The beams are inflated at low pressure making sure the tent doesn’t flop down at night.
The range of AirBeams includes tents suitable for 4,6 or 8 people.
Chopsy Baby reviewed the AirBeam Velocity 400. This tent features all the usual great things about a Vango. This includes: plenty of air circulation, orange ropes to stop people tripping, double entrance, a huge porch and internal pockets and storage areas in the sleeping quarters.
The flysheet, inner and ground sheet are all Polyester and the windows PVC.
The tent comes with a hand pump as standard. It is painless to use, the air beams inflate in seconds, and, there are a range of pump ends supplied meaning it can be used to inflate other items, such as an air bed.
The 400, is 4.8 meters in length, 2.7 meters in width and 1.55 meters in height at its tallest central point. The sleeping quarters sleep four in a row, but there are no individual rooms, just one big sleeping section. This inner section is 2.10 by 2.5 meters.
Of course, it’s easy to put up a tent in three minutes when you know how to do it. It’s also easy to quickly put up a tent that you don’t know how to pitch if you are a seasoned camper.
If you are:
A. Not a seasoned camper and/or
B. Have not pitched tents all regularly and/or
C. Kind of useless at the living the great outdoors life and everything you touch falls apart, then welcome to our Chopsy Baby review.
For those who are A, B and C, the Vango AirBeam sounds like a dream. No poles and quick to pitch while the kettle boils.
Setting up a stop watch and attacking the tent with the grit and determination of a Prime Minister during times of crisis, Chopsy Baby’s Jen Smith attempted to get the Vango up as advertised.
Jen says: “Ten seconds into reading the instructions boredom kicked in and I just went for it. It’s basically just flatten out, peg down and inflate.
“Five minutes in, I had only just managed to get the contents of the bag.”
“Ten to twenty minutes later, I still had no idea which way up the tent went. It was unzipped in the bag and I was just wandering round in circles with it. I was completely stuck inside the tent looking like some kind of Scooby Doo monster and trying to find the right way up.
“Thirty minutes later, while conducting a phone conversation and holding the picture of tent to try and work out which way it up goes, it starts kicking into place.
AirBeams instead of poles. They are already in place so no stuffing required
“Next came the inflating of the beams. Apparently, there should have been a pressure gague on the pump to make sure the beams were not over inflated. I did not see one of these, but guessed they were fully inflated when the pump jumped off them.
Make sure the tent is pegged down straight and taut to avoid collapse
“The whole thing was pumped up and leaning like Pisa really quickly. The way to make sure the tent does not collapse is to have the ropes and pegs pulling it as taut as possible. I found I had to re-jig some of the pegs and ropes.
“In all, pitching the Vango took an hour for one extremely novice camper to pitch. It took an eternity to work out which was the top and the bottom because the zip was open. But, once the tent was up, it was easy to see where each school boy error occurred and on future attempts can be so easily avoided.
Windows can be open or covered
“The tent is actually a real joy. It is simple to pitch if you only had a brain. It’s light weight, no faffing around with poles, perfect for rainy weather because it is up so quickly. It is compact and easy to transport in even small cars.
“Inside, the Vango gets warm pretty quickly, especially in the post pitch sit down. But there are two entrances, and mesh for air to circulate. In extremely hot weather, it is unlikely you would even bother with the sleeping section.
Taken from the sleeping section showing the porch size
“Inside, the tent is so roomy. The sleeping section will sleep four grown adults, possibly not all on air beds though.
“The porch is huge, big enough for storage and a place for the family to sit, or children to play.
“This is a brilliant tent. I totally recommend it for families who have little storage space at home, little storage space in cars and just don’t want the rows, tears and swearing that putting a tent with poles up in wind and rain can cause.
Advantages of the AirBeam:
1. The AirBeam matches the usual high quality expected from a Vango tent.
2. This is a tent that can be pitched by one person on their own.
3. This tent can be pitched by an idiot.
4. Strength and height is not an asset the individual pitcher needs.
5. It is incredibly simple to pitch – after a practice.
6. It’s a good quality item.
7. It comes in a compact bag and is extremely light weight for a tent.
8. It won’t take up much space in the car.
Disadvantages:
1. As with any tent, it does take patience to get back in the bag again. We failed and packed into two bin bags.
Could improve…
Our tent was not zipped up in the bag. For the novice camper, this can cause confusion as they wade through meters of Polyester not knowing their head from their AirBeam.
Of course to seasoned campers, rocking up, blowing up a tent and pitching in minutes is going to leave a sour taste in their mouth. There’s nothing like a row with the partner as you try and control children, put in poles, acquire a variety of injuries and a potty mouth to complete the camping experience.
Basically…
A fantastic family tent. Once you get to grips with it, it is so easy to put up, take down and camp in. This is an ideal family starter tent. More than plenty of room for a couple and a growing family. In hot weather if you removed the sleeping quarters, you have enough room for eight.
Perfect for families camping with only one adult as this can be pitched by one person.
You can buy from…
AirBeam Velocity 400 – £415
The AirBeam is currently available in 2 models:
The Vango AirBeam AirBeam Velocity 400available in 200, 300 and 400 sizes
The Vango AirBeam Infinity – available in 400, 600 and 800 sizes
Prices range from just £235 to £760
0844 770 7058
www.vango.co.uk