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| | Motorhome News
Practical Motorhome
Magazine - Geist Touring 65, Low Profile, Fixed bed Group Test.
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The March edition of
Practical Motorhome featured a group test of low profile, fixed bed
motorhomes. Included in the review were the Burstner T585, Chausson Odyssee
078, EURA-MOBIL Profila 672 SB and Geist Touring 65.
The low profile, fixed bed
sector, is one of the most competitive market segments. As a result the
prices of the four motorhomes tested were within £520 of each other.
The Geist was commended for its
unfussy interior, attractive upholstery, easy assess under-bed storage and
comfortable dinette bed. It lost points for its kitchen workspace, two
level floor and open, over cab storage.
The verdict of the review was
that both the Geist and the Burstner, were edged out by the Eura-Mobil and
the Chausson.
The March edition of
Practical Motorhome is available from News agents now.
Back issues are
available from Practical
Motorhome Magazine |
2004 Earls Court, Outdoor Leisure Show
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The Mercedes
based Geist Phantom RL was launched to the public at the Earl's Court -
Outdoor Leisure Show.
This two
berth Motorhome features a 'U' shaped rear lounge, with luxurious toilet
compartment and separate shower. |
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|
| Specification |
Phantom
RL |
| Berths |
2 |
| Length |
7390mm
24ft 2in |
| Width |
2320mm
7ft 6in |
| Height |
2920mm
9ft 6in |
| Passenger
Seats/Seatbelts |
4 |
| Payload |
720kg |
|
| Features |
Wood
Dash kit |
| Sprint
Shift* (Opt) |
Blown
air heating (6002) |
| Cab
Air Conditioning (Opt) |
Blinds
and fly screens |
| Driver
& Passenger
Airbags |
Door
fly screen |
| ABS/ASR |
Electric
step (remote) |
| Awning |
Cab
electrics |
| Oven |
97Ltr
Fridge |
| Heki
Roof light |
3rd
Brake light |
| Remote
awning light |
75
Amp leisure battery |
| *
Manual transmission available |
|
Practical Motorhome
Magazine - Review of the Geist Matterhorn
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The
November edition of Practical Motorhome reviewed the Geist Matterhorn as
part of a six-berth overcab, group test.
The Geist
differentiated itself from the other motorhomes tested, by being the only
one to be based on the Mercedes Sprinter 416 CDI. Giving the Geist a
huge 1220kg payload. This is achieved with a heavier chassis running on a
four wheeled rear axle. At £43,262 the Geist was also the least expensive
of the
four.
Internally the Geist
was commended for the size of it windows, allowing lots of natural light.
It also has one of the biggest and best overbeds the magazine had tested.
The design of the washroom, with its swinging wall, was seen as a clever
piece of design. Allowing the shower space to be maximised.
The
article concluded that: German quality is apparent although this isn’t
the best six berth here. The big bed is a bonus, but best of all is this
vans massive 1220kg payload.
The November edition of
Practical Motorhome is available from News agents now.
Back issues are
available from Practical
Motorhome Magazine |
Motor Caravan Magazine - Review of the
2005 Geist Motorhome Range
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The
review discusses the impact that Geist motorhomes have made since their
launch at the NEC six months ago. The review also looks at the new
low-profile RL (rear lounge). This is the first motorhome in the range, that has been
specifically designed for the UK market. The RL features parallel seating in the rear that can be made into a large double
bed. This Mercedes based motorhome also boasts a classy washroom with separate shower. For
those with a more limited budget, Geist have added the touring range of
motorhomes for 2005. These low-profile, Fiat Ducato based motorhomes cost
£30,990 for the 55 and 34,180 for the touring 65. The touring range should
bring the Geist brand and Germanic build quality, within the reach of many more buyers. |
Practical Motorhome
Magazine - Review of Spirit 560
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The June edition of
Practical Motorhome magazine featured a First Look review of the Spirit
560. The verdict drawn by this review was that the Spirit 560 is a
little diamond, sparkling with innovation, practical and good to look
at. Consider the genuine Anglo specification, ABS - braked chassis,
high capacity Truma heating and sheer no-hassle design.
Its £28,579
on-the-road price looks suspiciously like the bargain of the century.
Back issue are
available from Practical
Motorhome Magazine |
Geist Motorhomes - Stars
of the NEC by Pauline White
 |
This years National Boat
Caravan and Outdoor Show in February featured many
exciting new vehicles, gadgets and camping ideas that we
found during our five-day visit. We are among the elite of
motorhome journalists who actually own and love using a
motorhome whenever possible, so we are always on the
look-out for new ideas and gadgets. We have decided to
pick our star attractions: a motorhome, a gadget and a
luxury. Our choices are based on innovation and quality (motorhome),
safety (gadget) and sheer pleasure (luxury). |
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|
The motorhome
Geist (pronounced 'hard G 'eye' st), a new company headed by Paddy
Docherty, Patrick Carlin and Jeff Kenrick, all familiar names in
the industry, launched a whole new brand of motorhomes. Built by
LMC, who are based in Sassenberg near Munster, the range combines
German engineering and British design, in addition to giving the
customer a choice of upholstery comprising ten cloth and
eighty-four shades of leather. This means that anyone who buys a
Geist motorhome can personalise it would he or she wish to.
|
The five-model Spirit range (the
English meaning of the Germanic Geist) is based on the
ever-popular Fiat Ducato, while the two-variant Phantom
and the single Matterhorn models are based on a Mercedes.
All of them are extremely well built, look as if they will
last forever (only time will tell), and have some
interesting features.
There is a choice of low profile or
overcab models. All of the dining areas are well designed,
however I was particularly impressed with the Phantom's
forward living space, which was so open and spacious that
it looked almost like an A-class. All of the dinette
tables have an extension so that four people can eat
without stretching. In one of the Spirit models, we saw
how the dinette transforms into a bed using a unique
mechanism on the table: a simple lift and tilt action of
the table top and base.
Kitchens come complete with round
sink, three-burner hob, grill, oven, fridge and ample
storage. My only real disappointment is that there is very
little surface for meal preparation. This could be
resolved quite easily by having a removable shelf at the
back of the sink - Jeff Kenrick, who was presenting the
motorhomes at the NEC, noted our suggestions.
I liked the washrooms throughout the
ranges, the size of the motorhome reflecting its
dimensions, and the design of the separate shower area.
|
 |
 |
| This is one of the low-profile
Phantom based on the lwb Mercedes 316 and offering a 665kg payload.
|
 |
Spacious cabs in the
low-profile models
almost give the impression of being in an A-class
motorhome. |
|
Little innovations include a spy hole in the caravan door
(ladies you can see who is visiting), awning light and
step using a remote control so that you can activate them
as you get closer to the motorhome, plus a host of other
surprises.
So, what is all this going to cost?
Well, I was astonished when I saw the on-the-road prices,
especially in view of the apparent quality and build of
these motorhomes. Below you can see the full list however
if you are interested in finding out more then contact
Geist Vehicle Leisure
Four-berth
Spirit 560 based on a Fiat Ducato 11, 2.0P
.............................................
Four-berth Spirit 580 based on Fiat Ducato
15, 2.3TD
..............................................
Six-berth Spirit 690 based on Fiat Ducato
18, 2.8TD
................................................
Four-berth Spirit 6650 based on Fiat
Ducato 15, 2.8JTD
..........................................
Four-berth Spirit 6850 based on Fiat
Ducato 15, 2.8JTD
..........................................
Four-berth Phantom swb based on Mercedes
313 chassis cab
................................
Four-berth Phantom lwb based on Mercedes
316 chassis cab
................................
Six-berth Matterhorn based on Mercedes 416
chassis cab
...................................... |
£28,579
OTR
£32,986 OTR
£36,986 OTR
£42,623 OTR
£48,897 OTR
£43,280 OTR
£46,430 OTR
£44,263 OTR |
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| L-shape kitchen is
small, but it has convenient food storage
in slide-out racks hidden behind the
sliding door below the sink. |
|
Looking rearward to the
fixed bed. Cupboard above the fridge can
be removed to provide space for a
fridge/freezer if required. |
|
Washrooms
vary in size, however all sport a separate
shower and washroom/toilet area. |
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Launch of Geist
Motorhomes at the NEC - National Boat Caravan & Outdoor show 2004.
|
Which Motorcaravan
review of Geist Phantom. |
 |
Peter
Vaughan of Which Motorcaravan magazine visited the LMC factory for a
preview of Geist's flagship motorhome - the Phantom.
Peter concluded that
the Phantom has a pretty extensive equipment list, although there are
still odd omissions such as the hob/oven ignition. The overall quality
feel is more important. With massive storage capacity, excellent washroom,
comfortable bed and four-person touring capability, the Phantom is a
worthy addition to the ranks of garage layout motorhomes. If faces
numerous (cheaper) rivals if you include the Fiats, but if you want a Merc,
take a close look at this one.
Commenting on the
overall Geist Motorhome range Peter's review continues - It's a comprehensive
line-up that is expected to grow (possibly to include an A-Class) in
future years. With the Hymer Group building the vehicles and a host of
well-known dealers selling them, Geist motorhomes will not take long to
become a familiar sight.
Full copies of this
review are available from Geist
Vehicle Leisure or by back ordering the March 2004 magazine from Which
Motorhome.
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The
Geist Phantom was also reviewed in the March edition of Motor Caravan
Magazine
To read the full review - contact the back issues department of
Motor
Caravan Magazine.
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