It's for 'car camping' and weekends away with the lad..
I've currently got a vango beta 350 that is now years old and ripped and the zips don't work- I love the front porch area, so have been looking at the Beta 350xl (about £100) and the omega 350.
The beta is more 'family fun' and has a lower hydrostatic head.
[url= http://www.vango.co.uk/341294-thickbox_default/beta-350xl.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.vango.co.uk/341294-thickbox_default/beta-350xl.jp g"/> [/img]
The Omega is a bit smaller, but looks more professional, and is likely to be better made.
[url= http://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/1155-omega-350.html?search_query=omega&results=8 ]Omega[/url]
[img] 
[/img]
I'm tempting towards teh omega - better HH, better made...
Any others like this to consider?
DrP
I've got an Omega and it's been good for about 5 years, car camping, having changing space in the porch on biking & kayaking events etc. I've recommended them to a few people for the same. For me, I'd avoid the Omega just because it has fibreglass poles - I've had too many issue with them delaminating when it gets windy. That might just be a personal thing, but it's a factor I always look at.
You're two tents, relax.
More expensive and not on your list but I love my Soulpad (other bell tents are available)
[img] 
[/img]
Got a couple of different sized Omegas in our family, and we've all been pleased with them. They've been pitched in sites in a few mountainous areas and stood up to the weather.
I have a Vango Mirage (same range as the Omega) and its fantastic. Survived a campsite flooding in the Lakes as well as a weekend winter camping in the Dales. The alloy poles are really good quality as well. I'd recommend the Omega but shop around because you can get them for much lower than RRP.
..shop around because you can get them for much lower than RRP.
Yeah, seen for about £180ish...
DrP
Those omegas are great tents, have had two of the 350 ones for years problem free, the tension system really helps in strong winds and the porch is a great size considering the overall size of tent. I would happily buy another if one needed replaced.
If it's for car camping, is there are reason you wouldn't get a larger one with a higher roofline that you can stick a couple of chairs in & sit in comfort in the evening?
Depends what sort of activities you'll be doing and age of the lad etc. I suppose.
Something like this
http://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/1080-lauder-400.html
Obviously, might be more than you were looking at spending though...?
Stumpy - I see where you're coming from, but the size of the beta 350 has always been fine. I like that it packs down pretty small, and I can stick it in the trailer on the bike for a little "dad and lad" cycle tour (2 miles up the road!)
Anyway...Ordered an omega 350 so I'm pleased!
Ta all
DrP
DrP - yeah, they quickly start to get a bit unwieldy.
I only mentioned it as our first tent (my Wife & I) was a 3-man Blacks tent similar to the Omega 350 in size.
We found that our imagined camping evenings of sitting outside with a glass of wine playing cards as the sun set, consisted more often of being huddled in the cramped porch while the rain lashed down outside.... 😆
[s]My Wife[/s] We decided quickly to upgrade to more of a 'glamping' size tent.