Ambience Peridot air tent

well contructed, no problems putting up and down. Really dont understand how others are having issues..

I bought one of these tents secondhand for £35 based on reviews I'd read elsewhere and have to say, it's superior to a Robens tent that I paid more than £200 for.

I wanted it for a 2-week motorcycle tour of Scotland where it would be pitched and struck on a daily basis.

I didn't get on with using the dual action hand pump (too much hard work if using every day), so before the trip, I invested in a Vango 12v electric pump which inflates the Peridot to 8 p.s.i. in about 4 minutes. Time enough to start guying out or better still, getting a brew on the go, or if it's raining, just taking cover whilst the tent erects itself.

In truth, it does help to lift the peak of the tent a little whilst it's inflating, just so the air tubes better align themselves along the four corners of the tent.

Yes, it can deflate unexpectedly, but only if you've failed to close the Boston valve correctly before inflating the tent. I know because I've done it. It's all part of the learning curve if you're new to this style of tent. No big deal. You only do it the once..

The only other reason it'll deflate is if you've punctured one of the two air bladders through mishandling, although they seem particularly heavy duty and are well protected, mainly through good tent design.

Similarly, there is a logical way to pack this tent once the two Boston valves have been opened to release the air pressure, otherwise it may mean you're folding an air bladder in such a way as to trap air in it, much as you might if folding any other inflatable object. Best to always start furthest away from the Boston valves and 'roll' the air out before finally folding and packing. All done within a couple of minutes once you're used to it and so much easier than messing about trying to thread and anchor numerous tent poles in the pouring rain as you'd find on a traditional double skin tent.

I managed to pack the Peridot in a 30 litre motorcycle pannier, but to be honest, it is easier to use the larger, very good quality bag the tent comes in as it then means you're not trying to fold it too tightly.

Even given its pack size, I'll be using this for motorcycle touring again, simply because of its ease of pitching and packing, its overall space and its ability to manage condensation well.

If Ambience were still producing this tent, I'd have no hesitation in recommended its purchase. As it stands, keep your eye out for second-hand ones as the exceptional build quality means the tent should reliably last many seasons.

superb little tent. easy to put up and very sturdy. never had a problem with it. if you cant put it up you must be an idiot.

I have no idea what the other reviewers are on about i've had one of these tents for 2 years now & its never let me down, its such a simple idea to use that a novice camper could set it up in no time, the only let down it has in my oppinion is its weight, unless your camping by car you cant really use it, i found it strong sturdy & warm at night, Youd have to be blind or stupid not to be able to put this tent up in less than 10 minuets!

imposible to erect, the worst tent i have ever bought,i have been camping for 40 years, tents 40 years ago were better than this, it is so difficult to try erect i gave up after 2 attempts on 2 different days, spent over an hour each day trying to erect it, total waste of money, ive thrown it in the shed and it will go to the tip on my next trip.. i did not want to give it any stars but i had to fill in the form as it would not let me list my comment

This Ambience Peridot air tent was described by the manufacturer as a thirty second air tent, obviously a claim as to very quick 'pump it up' erecting. However, they failed to mention that it would deflate in less than thirty minutes! To be fair this did provide lots of fun and interest to other campers, if not for my wife and me. Pump it up, and watch it come down again! Maybe they should market it as a keep fit device, for it certainly made me sweat. Eventually I propped it up with an improvised tent pole, and never mind that it flapped about profusely in the slightest breeze. Just to complete the adventure the part that did at first inflate would not subsequently deflate, but a sharp knife helped!