Compass Calypso 210 - Practical Motorhome

Verdict

A keenly priced, well specified two-berth motorhome that should appeal to many people, although there are one or two question marks over design and build quality.

Pros

Well equipped and spacious washroom which can double as a dressing room with lots of storage.

Cons

No clothes rail in wardrobe
Poor build in some areas.

Living

The L-shaped lounge of the Calypso marks it out as significantly different from many of its rivals, which have twin sideward-facing sofas. The dining space is nice and roomy, so occupants don’t have to squeeze past the table, as in the transverse-bench models. It’s just a pity that the dining table is about three inches too low for comfortable dining.
The Calypso is the well equipped for watching television and the position of the main TV socket is such that all parties can watch in comfort, without being contortionists or developing a crick in the neck. It is also directly below the drinks cabinet and can still be watched with the bed made up.
The fabric is bright and airy and, combined with the L-shaped lounge, it contributes to a genuine sense of space. As well as being attractive, though, the fabrics are hard-wearing and such practical considerations extend to the floor, where there are removable carpets with a wipe-clean vinyl flooring beneath. The cab is carpeted, too. The whole area is well lit, with broad windows, plenty of rooflights and spotlights and fluorescent strip lights. However, only the passenger seat swivels to face the lounge.
There are three 240V sockets as well as 12V and two aerial sockets, but the one in the overcab locker is only suitable for a flat-screen TV mounted on the ceiling.
The overcab area is relatively open and offers good access to the cab area.

Kitchen

The Compass has a four-burner hob, a decent grill and a large ovens. There’s no extractor hood, but instead there’s a roof vent with extractor fan. Workspace is non-existent if you need to use the sink and cooker at the same time; at other times, you have to use the cooker top and sink cover, which are made of toughened Chinchilla glass. The Domitec RM7271 fridge is at a decent height and has a handy cupboard underneath for wine bottles.
The rectangular sink/drainers is good, and we prefer it to rival’s circular versions because many more dishes can usefully be fitted in.
Storage isn’t bad for the size of the kitchen.

Washroom

The washroom is roomy and light – it’s a full-width washroom with a separate shower and Thetford swivel cassette toilet with electric flush.
The washroom can double as a dressing rooms, with an extensive wardrobes and storage space within. The model we tested, however, did not have a hanging rail in its wardrobe.
The shower is a decent size, and you get oodles of shelf and cupboard space in the main area.

Beds

The bed is a longitudinal one that is made up by using eight cushions, including four tiny versions, one of which is not matched with the interior fabric used elsewhere in the vehicle. To make the bed useable, these cushions have to be sited on the inside, making for a fiddly bed-making task. Once made up, however, the bed is comfortable and a sensible length.
An advantage of the Calypso’s L-shaped lounge is that getting past the bed at night to reach the toilet is not a problem – its made-up bed still allows a small amount of space in which to get by, something that ’vans with parallel sofas can’t do.
The cab is screened off at night with curtains.

Storage

Over the cab is an ideal space in which to store bedding but the Compass’ three cupboards would make it almost impossible to push it all through the gap.
Still, under-seat storage is fair, but a disadvantage of the L-shaped layout is that you only get such storage along one side and there are no external lockers. At least access to the area beneath the bunk is simple – it involves simply lifting the hinged seat bases.