Just received the Anaconda club email, looks like a good bundle if starting out and have no camping gear (like me!). Email subject says ends Friday, but body of email says Sunday.
BUY THE BUNDLE FOR $499
CLUB OFFER - SAVE $410!
1x tent, 1x double airbed, 2x single airbeds, 4x sleeping bags, 4x chairs
Used to work at anaconda - would not reccomend purchasing this. get a coleman tent and 4wd mats instead of blowup, or get a few swags. Only people who don't go camping use inflatable beds. They are not good.
Ha that's me! Thanks for the tips
thanks for the tip :)
What is your feedback on this one pablo1? https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/tents/family-t…
I think the coleman instant ups are a great option for most people. Don't bother with darkroom though imo unless you are a really fussy sleeper. Can get the 6p version much cheaper. https://www.tentworld.com.au/buy-sale/coleman-instant-up-6p-…
Thanks for the feedback, I should have mentioned we were only looking at the 6p as we tried them out at the weekend and that was the perfect size. I do like the idea of the darkroom technology but the difference is $450 compared to $300.
@DoctorArd: Tentworld have an ebay store too, so if you are an ebay plus member you can sometimes get it cheaper on ebay than their main store.
Big tents like that generally aren't fun to setup or pack up. Plus the inside space is pretty useless since they get crazy hot during the day, you can't cook inside etc. Once they get wet they're a pain to dry out again.
I'd recommend getting swags + a gazebo instead. If you have small kids, get double swags so the can share with adults. The raised, folding swags are good because they get you off the ground, which is handy when it rains.
As pablo says, self inflating mats are much better than inflatable.
Cheers mate, I was looking at a double swag for the school camp outs as only camp once a year, so usually borrow a mates tent but want to get into it more now kids are getting a little older, but do not think a double swag would fit in the car (small hatchback) with two car seats,
Yeah maybe camping isn't for you if that's your vehicle, unless you consider hiring an SUV for when you do go.
Thats why im leaning more towards a tent over a swag will take up less room when packed up. Not going to upgrafe car anytime soon
@Jono258: @Jono258,
get roof racks or a roof tray, then you can fit all your camping gear on top of the car including your swag.
@Jono258: You can definitely go camping with kids in a small hatch - I've done it plenty. You just need to be smart about what you bring. Roof racks help.
Also, a tent is fine. (not necessarily this one). Falling alseep amongst the (little) kids at night is beautiful - some of my fave memories are having a good time by the fire with mates (other dads) once the kids are asleep, then snuggling in amongst them at the end of the night.
Go for it. Happy camping.
@afoveht: Why would you snuggle in amongst other dads? Some male bondng ritual that I am not aware of?
Done be so judgemnetal, Judge! Anyone can go camping irrespective of their mode of transport :)
@Sfh1975: Just being practical. Hiring a car for a camping adventure is much more economical - this is OzBargain right? - than upgrading, which OP said they won't do.
biggest downside of a swag is space - otherwise they are a perfect option. Check out the coleman instant up swags or tents though.
Would the Coleman one be any cooler? As a few people have mentioned how hot this one would be in the sun? Wouldn't all tents be hot? I am now considering one of the instant ups 6p
@Jono258: All tents are hot, yes. The point a few of us are trying to make is that you really won't spend much time in your tent apart from sleeping, so there's no point having a massive tent. You're better off with another form of daytime shade like a folding gazebo or a vehicle awning. If you can't use swags, small 1-2 person tents might be a better option than one massive one.
@Jono258: yep all tents are hot, just a product of having an enclosed space under the sun. Open up all the windows and let the breeze through to minimise it.
It also comes down to how you want to treat your main space though. You could throw a fly/gazebo/tarp over the top of the instant up and it will make a world of difference during the day. Or you could just not worry about how hot the tent gets during the day and use that shade as a living/communal spot. Obviously you get a lot less liveable area if you cover the tent as well but it just depends on your preference and approach.
I’m pretty sure people used to go camping back in the days before this SUV thing started. And while big tents like this one can take quite a while to set up, if you’re just setting up base for a few nights, it’s not too much of an issue. Just make sure you have somewhere else to go to during the day as it will be boiling hot inside if the sun is out.
Those Coleman instant ups are the latest “bargain” trends. Work extremely well for what they are (and much better than this one posted here). I’m a bit old school myself though, still going places with a teepee tent - just peg the corners down and then push the pole up in the middle and that’s most of the work done.
And definitely get good sleeping mats. You either pay money for a good one, or you pay with your sore back in the morning.
Big strong gazebo and 3/4 side cover like coleman 4.2m one and small tent / Swag / Stretcher…
thanks for recommendation
8 in one room???