Paradise Oasis Review - continued . . .

Windows
The newest Electrolux hopper windows (Dometic) really are something else. Jack and Kay went for the tempered glass option. This cost an extra $620.00, but in our view worth every cent as glass is just so much better than acrylic as they just don't scratch. They have the gauzes and blinds "built in". You simply roll them up or down as required. A wonderful feature is being able to leave them open just 10 mm yet still be locked. A wonderful idea for those needing to occasionally leave pets in the vehicle yet requiring security.

Build Quality
Well this is an area where this manufacturer almost scores a perfect 10 for the interior cabinet work in this motorhome! The interior is sure to satisfy the most fastidious purchaser. Insulation is excellent with 40 mm in the ceiling and 50 mm in the walls. This is light years ahead of say market leader Winnebago at 25 mm in most models around the same price. All hinges are piano style. All vertical surfaces are a Formica type material, so they will look new for years. The white fluffy carpet used to cover everything else in sight looks magic even if it wouldn't be our first choice for practicality in red dirt country.

Extras
Well this is a real surprise area, as most "extras" come as standard. It comes complete with the excellent Orion Televideo combination. We particularly liked the way it was mounted on a nylon swivel base - so much nicer than the dreadful wrap around system used by so many others! This means that you can easily watch TV in bed or from the front swivel seats. The newest Dome type aerial is also an included extra. An excellent paid extra though is the built in safe. ($280.00) This is a very practical and sensible extra. The generator fitted to this unit is the ever reliable Honda. We tried this and it worked flawlessly, but it wasn't overly happy with the microwave and everything else on as well - bit of a torture test really. It was installed in the rear in a lockable compartment.

Storage
Lots of very clever storage ideas in this unit. At the rear there is a huge pull out bin which is completely covered in carpet. We particularly liked the high strength rollers on close centres - said to take almost 1000 kgs. Lady solos could have problems with this box on slopes, as it could get very heavy if you started carting fire wood etc.

Generator
The unit was fitted with the ever reliable and quiet Honda 2.0i (built in inverter). We liked the excellent attention to detail around the door fit etc. The unit just drove the supplied airconditioning.

Summing Up
This is an emerging sector of the market simply because of the amazing possibilities brought about by Fiat and Mercedes. As far as we could determine it seems to come in well under its main opposition Trakka - around $110.000.00, but as this was ordered at the show (June 2003) it could well be dearer now. Overall a very nice unit well suited to a couple travelling around Oz, or just for getting away at weekends. The fantastic Paradise build quality, is the envy of the industry and they are the undisputed innovation leaders.