I worked on a film set for three weeks, and with the 15 hour shifts + driving each way that made for some insanely long days -- and a very lonely cat waiting for me at home. A few people on that show had campers and one slept in the team's van so that he didn't have to drive back and forth every night. I started thinking about that sort a solution for longer shoots like that, but this type of tent might be a better alternative for my needs, if I can place it close to the work area and stay with my cat nearby for attention during breaks and at night. And get a solar powered AC to keep my cat cool and safe on sunny days. Thanks for the review :)
I’ve got this tent - the TC version and it is by far the best tent I’ve ever slept in. Took it to Cornwall for a week and got very unlucky with the weather: high winds and heavy rain for most of the week. I can’t believe how sturdy this tent is. Despite the weather, not once did it need to be re-pegged or topped up with air. The air columns are extremely robust - you can lean on them and they go nowhere. And the poly cotton is both protective and breathable… and also quieter when winds do pick up. I’ve owned many tents over the last 20 years, mainly smaller polyester ones for festivals (at which i’ve camped in all types of weather). I wanted something nicer for longer breaks in proper campsites at home and abroad. This is like a holiday home - I just love it. Yes, it’s very pricey and heavy, but I think it’s worth it. Get the matching zip-on canopy too - you’ll gain an extra bit of sheltered space for outdoor cooking and/or storing wet gear. The storage compartment at the back is genius too. It’s like a crawl-in closet.
Have been using the same tent for 2 years, except not the TC. I use it on the west coast of Ireland. With stood strong winds and rain for a full week last year. Can not fault it in any way, can recommend it 100%
Hi, after your recommendation I've just bought one as I trust your opinions as been following your channel for a few years now. Keep up the great vids. Thank you 👍🏻
In a previous life I used to work in my local independent outdoor store. Vango air beam tents were and still are a total innovation. We have a Harris eco 350 fab tent and doesn't break the bank. I recently purchased the project Hydrogen...amazing. The Dometic tents look excellent. Great vlog Ray as always.
Thanks for the look at the tent Ray, My go-to weekend glamping tent for my wife & I has been the Vango Icarus 500 with optional canopy extension which we have used extensively for over 12 years. I am soon to replace it but at the current price points will probably stick with the latest version of the newer Vango variant. It has been absolutely bulletproof for us over the years and at a substantially reduced price including the canopy extension (which is really useful if you are pushing into the week to two-week trips). The Dometic does look bulletproof and considerably more robust than the Vango but also looks heavy and a bit of a pain to dry if packed away wet and possibly (in my humble opinion) a bit overkill for weekend basecamps at the price point. Each to their own as they say and if you do go for this I hope it brings you many happy memories :)
They also do a 4 man version with a bit more room which would be preferable to me. I have a Kampa Brean 4 TC. The quality is amazing and its wind and rain bomb proof! Great tents for a base camp set up although on very hot days they do become ovens inside with those plastic windows. Thanks for the review. J
That is a really nice tent. I like how the sleeping area is dark Not everyone want to wake up at 5am in the summer Well made and a great review by you! Take care 🇨🇦❤️🍁
Thanks Ray. I had not heard of this tent until watching the video so i will be looking at it in more depth as an alernative to a Berghaus Air4. ATVB Sidestickflyer
What a lovely looking tent. Seems so robust too. Surely they will let you keep it..🤔😉? If they put your vid on their website they'd have an advert just for the cost of this shelter? Good perspective on the tent requirements for camping in North western Europe too.👍
That's alot of tent for the money, looks absolutely bomb proof. If I were in the market, that would be my choice for sure...but I have a caravan as my base camp
Nice review. I have this tent and this will be my second season with it starting tomorrow in Scarborough North Yorkshire for 8 nights.I added a footprint and the canopy (adds a front end for bikes or table and chairs for socialising) which I can highly recommend. The rear storage section is also a great place for a porta potti. I’m over 6ft and there is no part of the tent that my head touches the roof and I noticed that in your video. Last comment is that the ambiance in this tent is outstanding, not sure if you agree but I think it’s a combination between the colour and the technical cotton.
That thing is bomber , like the squared off look, it's like a cross between a VW camper and the old whillans box tent on expeditions ( showing my age ) ! A
My mate has this same tent and has used it a few times as a base camp tent. I agree with everything you say and so would he... except there is a huge noise problem in windy weather. The robust strap guy lines vibrate massively in wind. The effect is akin to a chinook helicopter. If anyone reading this walks their dog on a retractable strap lead they will know what I am talking about. It is the same effect x 10. On two occassions he simply dropped the tent and retreated to his small backpacking tent. The rear section of the tent is a bit fiddly to get proper tension but once conquered it's fine. Great solid tent but those straps are a massive problem
It's about 24kg, all in (you get the pump and an absolute plethora of pegs). Only had any condensation once, just on the canvas fly after heavy rain (not on the sleeping compartment). Dried enough to pack in an hour so of decent sunlight and no rain.
Great review Ray, thinking of getting this tent so my daughter and grandson can come with us when we go away in our camper van. This review helped me make up my mind. Have you bought one yet?
Yes it is a bit expensive but as I tried to explain in the video not that bad when compared to the cost of some backpacking tents I have owned. Makes you think even more how Hilleberg, MSR, and the likes are just taking the piss now. Again it is a long term investment thats not too expensive if you go away multiple times in a year and get good use out of it.
Wife and I own this, got it early last year for the same thing: long stay car camping as a couple. Done 3 or 4 3-4 night camps in it. I agree with everything you've said, and have some other comments (my wife said "dear god, wind your neck in with the comments" when we started the video lol) One of the massive bonuses for me with it is the shape of it; I'm 6'2", and my head doesn't touch the ceiling stood up in the bedroom compartment, and that's across the whole width of it. Those near-vertical walls make all the floorspace useable. Two people can sit in chairs with a table between them in the living space, but it is a bit tight (at least with our big chairs). Completely doable though. Condensation has been no problem in it. We had heavy rain for a couple of days last time out in Nidderdale, and that was the first time there was any condensation inside. Took no time to dry out though. Removable sleeping compartment helps with that, too. It is bleeding heavy (26kg I think?) and absolutely massive (my wife can fit in the bag for it with room to spare), but it is poly-cotton. I didn't really expect any different. For anyone interested, it goes on the back seat of our Polo when the boot's full of everything else. Easy to pitch, takes me 10 or 15 minutes with my wife handing me pegs. And yeah, I think they over engineered it: think the manual says max 25mph winds? I'd trust it in more than that tbh. Last summer, we had it in Appletreewick in 25-28°c for 3 days. It was amazing. Been thinking of getting the extension for it, tbh. And the smell of it reminds me of holidays as a kid sleeping in canvas tents all around Europe. Pricey (I had to agree not to talk about car camping tents for 10 years to convince my wife to buy it), but I think it's worth it if you car camp 2 or 3 weeks a year, and can look after it.
I worked on a film set for three weeks, and with the 15 hour shifts + driving each way that made for some insanely long days -- and a very lonely cat waiting for me at home. A few people on that show had campers and one slept in the team's van so that he didn't have to drive back and forth every night. I started thinking about that sort a solution for longer shoots like that, but this type of tent might be a better alternative for my needs, if I can place it close to the work area and stay with my cat nearby for attention during breaks and at night. And get a solar powered AC to keep my cat cool and safe on sunny days.
Thanks for the review :)
I’ve got this tent - the TC version and it is by far the best tent I’ve ever slept in. Took it to Cornwall for a week and got very unlucky with the weather: high winds and heavy rain for most of the week. I can’t believe how sturdy this tent is. Despite the weather, not once did it need to be re-pegged or topped up with air. The air columns are extremely robust - you can lean on them and they go nowhere. And the poly cotton is both protective and breathable… and also quieter when winds do pick up. I’ve owned many tents over the last 20 years, mainly smaller polyester ones for festivals (at which i’ve camped in all types of weather). I wanted something nicer for longer breaks in proper campsites at home and abroad. This is like a holiday home - I just love it. Yes, it’s very pricey and heavy, but I think it’s worth it. Get the matching zip-on canopy too - you’ll gain an extra bit of sheltered space for outdoor cooking and/or storing wet gear. The storage compartment at the back is genius too. It’s like a crawl-in closet.
Glad you are enjoying it and have some great adventures. Atb
Have been using the same tent for 2 years, except not the TC. I use it on the west coast of Ireland. With stood strong winds and rain for a full week last year. Can not fault it in any way, can recommend it 100%
Great stuff and glad it is working well for you. Atb
Hi, after your recommendation I've just bought one as I trust your opinions as been following your channel for a few years now. Keep up the great vids.
Thank you 👍🏻
Thanks for watching and I hope you have some amazing trips with it. Atb
In a previous life I used to work in my local independent outdoor store. Vango air beam tents were and still are a total innovation. We have a Harris eco 350 fab tent and doesn't break the bank. I recently purchased the project Hydrogen...amazing.
The Dometic tents look excellent.
Great vlog Ray as always.
Thanks for the look at the tent Ray, My go-to weekend glamping tent for my wife & I has been the Vango Icarus 500 with optional canopy extension which we have used extensively for over 12 years. I am soon to replace it but at the current price points will probably stick with the latest version of the newer Vango variant. It has been absolutely bulletproof for us over the years and at a substantially reduced price including the canopy extension (which is really useful if you are pushing into the week to two-week trips). The Dometic does look bulletproof and considerably more robust than the Vango but also looks heavy and a bit of a pain to dry if packed away wet and possibly (in my humble opinion) a bit overkill for weekend basecamps at the price point. Each to their own as they say and if you do go for this I hope it brings you many happy memories :)
Superb Ray! Enjoy your break! 👏👏👏👏👏
They also do a 4 man version with a bit more room which would be preferable to me. I have a Kampa Brean 4 TC. The quality is amazing and its wind and rain bomb proof! Great tents for a base camp set up although on very hot days they do become ovens inside with those plastic windows. Thanks for the review. J
Well done Ray , looks very well made tent. thanks for reviewing it shame you got to send it back ,
Nice big tent Ray!! Enjoyed the wee tour. Paul
That is a really nice tent. I like how the sleeping area is dark
Not everyone want to wake up at 5am in the summer
Well made and a great review by you!
Take care 🇨🇦❤️🍁
Thanks for watching! Atb
Hi Ray, crackin tent and a great revue, fingers crossed for you on big discount for display model/used once😊😎 Cheers Will.
Thanks Ray. I had not heard of this tent until watching the video so i will be looking at it in more depth as an alernative to a Berghaus Air4. ATVB Sidestickflyer
Many thanks for watching and hope it was of some help. Atb
What a lovely looking tent. Seems so robust too. Surely they will let you keep it..🤔😉? If they put your vid on their website they'd have an advert just for the cost of this shelter? Good perspective on the tent requirements for camping in North western Europe too.👍
That's alot of tent for the money, looks absolutely bomb proof. If I were in the market, that would be my choice for sure...but I have a caravan as my base camp
Like the thoroughness of the review. Probably good for base camp.
DOMETIC tents are amazing, great review!
Looks like a great tent Ray. Great review too!
Thanks 👍
Nice review. I have this tent and this will be my second season with it starting tomorrow in Scarborough North Yorkshire for 8 nights.I added a footprint and the canopy (adds a front end for bikes or table and chairs for socialising) which I can highly recommend. The rear storage section is also a great place for a porta potti. I’m over 6ft and there is no part of the tent that my head touches the roof and I noticed that in your video. Last comment is that the ambiance in this tent is outstanding, not sure if you agree but I think it’s a combination between the colour and the technical cotton.
Hi Tim and thanks for watching. Glad you are enjoying yours and really do think it is a great setup. Atb
2024 with the tent has been good. Weather has been rubbish but the tent has been resilient. 40mph winds rain and hail stones. Didn’t skip a beat.
Thank you, your review was very helpful! You made me buy it! ;) Smart move, Dometic! 😉👍 Regards from Germany
Glad it was of some help.
That looks amazing, great review, thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Great review Ray; that really is a lot of tent for the money especially when you consider the prices of the “Gucci” 1-2 person tents!
Excellent review, thanks.
That thing is bomber , like the squared off look, it's like a cross between a VW camper and the old whillans box tent on expeditions ( showing my age ) ! A
Main reason I like it. Bit like a camper van, just without the wheels. Atb
Very handsome presentation! As contemplative as it is technical. Only I wonder if the 'glass' windows will not sag and break over time?
Not sure on the windows but if the quality is as good as the rest of it don't see an issue. Atb
Beautiful tent Ray. Thanking you for showing . We use De Waard tent crested tit. like a bascamp tent. Very strong
Hi! Missing your videos for a while. Hope all is well. Cheers, M
Nice tent, compare that to a 2 person Zpacks Duplex at over $700 nowadays, the Dometic Baracay is a 2 person castle, for a few extra quid.
My mate has this same tent and has used it a few times as a base camp tent. I agree with everything you say and so would he... except there is a huge noise problem in windy weather. The robust strap guy lines vibrate massively in wind. The effect is akin to a chinook helicopter. If anyone reading this walks their dog on a retractable strap lead they will know what I am talking about. It is the same effect x 10. On two occassions he simply dropped the tent and retreated to his small backpacking tent. The rear section of the tent is a bit fiddly to get proper tension but once conquered it's fine. Great solid tent but those straps are a massive problem
Thanks for ther info and fair point. Would be good to hear from any other owners if they have the same experience. Atb
Twist the guy lines to stop wind vibration. I do this on mine.
Great review, would be really interested in how much condensation you got, how long it took to dry and also the weight👍
It's about 24kg, all in (you get the pump and an absolute plethora of pegs).
Only had any condensation once, just on the canvas fly after heavy rain (not on the sleeping compartment). Dried enough to pack in an hour so of decent sunlight and no rain.
@@shabingly brilliant, thanks for that….much appreciated
@@debskeith actually, just looked at the manual; 27kgs.
Great review Ray, thinking of getting this tent so my daughter and grandson can come with us when we go away in our camper van. This review helped me make up my mind. Have you bought one yet?
Plan to get one next year its a really great tent and just keeping an eye out for sales. Atb
How come is so hard to find videos like this of dometic tents. Are people not buying them?
Nice review, thank you
Thanks for your review. How tall are you for reference please? I can't see height specs online.
Is the inner tent detachable?
Compared to the Hileberg that’s great value Ray
Yes it is a bit expensive but as I tried to explain in the video not that bad when compared to the cost of some backpacking tents I have owned. Makes you think even more how Hilleberg, MSR, and the likes are just taking the piss now. Again it is a long term investment thats not too expensive if you go away multiple times in a year and get good use out of it.
I have always said that they are taking the piss considering the size you have with that tent you reviewed .
How much is this tent for
Wife and I own this, got it early last year for the same thing: long stay car camping as a couple. Done 3 or 4 3-4 night camps in it.
I agree with everything you've said, and have some other comments (my wife said "dear god, wind your neck in with the comments" when we started the video lol)
One of the massive bonuses for me with it is the shape of it; I'm 6'2", and my head doesn't touch the ceiling stood up in the bedroom compartment, and that's across the whole width of it. Those near-vertical walls make all the floorspace useable.
Two people can sit in chairs with a table between them in the living space, but it is a bit tight (at least with our big chairs). Completely doable though.
Condensation has been no problem in it. We had heavy rain for a couple of days last time out in Nidderdale, and that was the first time there was any condensation inside. Took no time to dry out though. Removable sleeping compartment helps with that, too.
It is bleeding heavy (26kg I think?) and absolutely massive (my wife can fit in the bag for it with room to spare), but it is poly-cotton. I didn't really expect any different. For anyone interested, it goes on the back seat of our Polo when the boot's full of everything else.
Easy to pitch, takes me 10 or 15 minutes with my wife handing me pegs.
And yeah, I think they over engineered it: think the manual says max 25mph winds? I'd trust it in more than that tbh.
Last summer, we had it in Appletreewick in 25-28°c for 3 days. It was amazing.
Been thinking of getting the extension for it, tbh.
And the smell of it reminds me of holidays as a kid sleeping in canvas tents all around Europe.
Pricey (I had to agree not to talk about car camping tents for 10 years to convince my wife to buy it), but I think it's worth it if you car camp 2 or 3 weeks a year, and can look after it.
Great stuff Andy and great to hear from somebody that actually owns one. Atb