• PRICE £280
• SLEEPS Six
• WEIGHT 14.9kg

Packed size Bag one 85cm x 46cm x 37cm; Bag two 87cm x 23cm x 16cm
Materials Outer Taffeta polyester, 5,000mm hydrostatic head; inner breathable polyester; groundsheet polyethylene; poles Superflex fibreglass and steel
Dimensions Outer 745cm x 475cm (325cm); inners 220cm x 225cm and 220cm x 130cm; height 230cm

COMMENT

The Eagle is a large six-berth tunnel tent – and that should mean it is easy to pitch compared to a dome. But, Wynnster is not content with generic advantages. It uses heavy steel poles to support the weight of the outer – and that makes it even easier to erect in the sort of windy conditions that would distort flexible glassfibre poles. However, the roof supports that link the steel wall poles are made from Superflex for lightness.

The middle pole is larger than the others to create extra head height and width. In fact, the headroom is so good that I found it difficult to reach the hanging ring for the electric light.

Pitching is the work of two if you want to make light work raising those heavy poles – one person can do it at a stretch. It is the usual case of pegging out the back of the tent and dragging the tent upright against the resulting tension before fully guying out.

The tent has a long rear vent – the guys used to peg out the cowl also help keep the tent upright. The extended wall panels created by that long centre pole have a door and window each side of the tent.

Each window has a mesh upper protected by a cowl held open by a Velcro prop. A mesh panel backs each door to maximise ventilation while keeping the tent bug free.

The big open front porch, pictured below left, is great for cooking and this leads on to the front door panel. The groundsheet enters the porch so you can keep your socks clean and dry when taking off wet shoes prior to entering the tent. The plain door has a vinyl window to each side. The window curtains fold down and toggle up.

Inside, the tent has a full integral groundsheet to keep out bugs and drafts. The wall can be collapsed at the front door for cleaning and to stop the clumsier camper from tripping over it. You cannot do this to the groundsheet walls at the side doors although the edges do have yellow trim to warn people of the hazard. The groundsheet has rubber grommets inset to take the pegs used to secure the inners.

There is plenty of storage for knick-knacks. For instance, there are hanging pockets under the side windows and up the inner walls.

There are two inner tents – all sized to take a standard double airbed. The largest compartment can be separated into two by a zip-up curtain and has two doors – each fold to the centre. All the doors have a mesh upper portion that can be closed off by a zip-close curtain.

CAMPING SAYS You can see the Khyam influence now Wynnster is part of the same group. This tent appears nicely made from quality materials and the price reflects this. The tent wins the family stakes in two areas. First, it is easy to pitch. Second, it has plenty of extra space created by the long pole.
Many will also appreciate the sewn-in groundsheet – although I do have reservations about their suitability for long-term pitches. In all, the Eagle 6 is a neat contender for your money. CG



CONTACT
Wynnster
All contact via website
www.wynnster.co.uk



This tent review was published in the June 2008 issue of Camping magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.

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