Choices in equipment.

[Omegaman]

To explain a little let me first say that I work for one of the largest family owned outdoor outfitters 6 days a week for over 6 years and that I was raised by my grandfather who was a Maine guide. So here is my compliant, I have customers who come in all the time that tell me they want a gun to protect their families and then there is the but " I don't want to spend more then a $150". So what I just heard is your families life is not worth more then $150. In most cases through gentle education I can show them that you get what you pay for and that I would and they would feel better if they saved a bit more money and purchased a fire arm that you know will go BANG when you need it most. I also get the same type of people who will tell me that they are outfitting their BOB or GHB and they will do the same thing by loading it with the cheapest stuff they can. So I try to guide them through the fact that this is not camping gear that if it fails you just run to wal mart and get a new one. I reinforce the idea that the supplies in your BOB or GHB are going to be what keep you and maybe your family a live during a SHTF event. I will open packages and show them the difference between a $5 Mylar blanket and a $20 survival blanket. I will let them handle a $20 Remington knife and then a $75 Becker Companion. Please do the same when you go to make a purchase, have them let you handle what you are about to purchase. Don’t take this as preachy because what I am saying is there is a difference between inexpensive and cheap. Here is the truth, if I tell you I would not own some thing or use something there is a reason and it is not to up sell you. I have probably had lots of that product that come back defective or have I have handled and used or repaired them so many times I know what the short comings are. Remember the equipment you choose maybe what saves you or your families life. Lastly use your friends and internet before you make a purchase that you are not sure of and always check the return policy.

[Echo2]

To explain a little let me first say that I work for one of the largest family owned outdoor outfitters 6 days a week for over 6 years and that I was raised by my grandfather who was a Maine guide. So here is my compliant, I have customers who come in all the time that tell me they want a gun to protect their families and then there is the but " I don't want to spend more then a $150". So what I just heard is your families life is not worth more then $150. In most cases through gentle education I can show them that you get what you pay for and that I would and they would feel better if they saved a bit more money and purchased a fire arm that you know will go BANG when you need it most. I also get the same type of people who will tell me that they are outfitting their BOB or GHB and they will do the same thing by loading it with the cheapest stuff they can. So I try to guide them through the fact that this is not camping gear that if it fails you just run to wal mart and get a new one. I reinforce the idea that the supplies in your BOB or GHB are going to be what keep you and maybe your family a live during a SHTF event. I will open packages and show them the difference between a $5 Mylar blanket and a $20 survival blanket. I will let them handle a $20 Remington knife and then a $75 Becker Companion. Please do the same when you go to make a purchase, have them let you handle what you are about to purchase. Don’t take this as preachy because what I am saying is there is a difference between inexpensive and cheap. Here is the truth, if I tell you I would not own some thing or use something there is a reason and it is not to up sell you. I have probably had lots of that product that come back defective or have I have handled and used or repaired them so many times I know what the short comings are. Remember the equipment you choose maybe what saves you or your families life. Lastly use your friends and internet before you make a purchase that you are not sure of and always check the return policy.

I've ran into the same situation with folks putting a $30.00 scope on a $900.00 rifle.....now they have a $30.00 rifle.

[Echo2]

It does boggle my mind on how "cheap" folks want to go on stuff that may really have an effect on their well being...or life.

I've been guilty of it....but after learning from use that some thing you just don't skimp on....I generally go for quality.

Hopefully folks won't look at this as snobbish.....but realistic.....That being said....just because something doesn't cost a lot of $$$$.....doesn't mean it's junk.

Example....$15.00 "Super Siphon.....good....$9.00 "jiggler" siphon from Northern tool....just as good.....$5.00 siphon from Harbor Freight......BAD....BAD...did I say BAD?

A bargain isn't a bargain if it leaves you swinging in the wind.

[PT945]

I have to agree on some points and disagree on others, I agree with the firearms statement always buy something that will serve you well if you can't afford a new glock, buy a used one.
Now my disagreement, isn't it better for someone on a tight budget to have a 5.00 Mylar blanket then to be saving for that 20.00 and not have any, the knives well Winchester knives are junk, but Gerber isn't and a good Gerber at Wally world is 17.98 .
and I believe there is a place for cheap gear, as a teaching tool and also as a starting point for our younger folks, and as you get more experiance your gear starts to change ( or should).

[slowz1k]

I tend to agree with PT945's analysis.

A $20.00 remmington knife is better than a sharp stick and harsh language anyday.

I think one should always buy within their budget, with the plan to upgrade in the future. I consider myself somewhat established in my preps, but I still buy items this way. When you need an item I feel it's best to have the item rather than the savings to almost buy it.

Just my opinion.

Omega,
I think you're providing a great service to your clients buy educating and showing them the differences in quality. I wish all vendors were like that.

[Omegaman]

You hit the nail on the head. You don’t have to buy the best and just because it costs 4 times more does not make it better. We are not being snobbish because there are some things that work great and they are free (inner tubes, candy tins). I don’t want to hump even ten miles wearing a $25 Wally world pack loaded with 80lbs of gear nor do I need a $400 North Face pack to be comfortable. I get the same thing new Remington 700 BDL $899 + $50 scope+$10 rings= $50 rifle. Then they come back to tell me the gun is junk because they can't group at 250yds. So please to people who read this, it is not about cost but about quality and the sad fact is that some times cost equal’s quality. There is a reason that Yugo's are not used in Indy races and huffy bikes are not used at the Olympics. I under stand tight budget all to well and I have competed and won at 3D shoots with a 60 yr old recurve, cost $50 at yard sale. Here is the thing what happens as you are training with sub par stuff and The SHTF? I have seen some great BOB's and gear built with free and inexpensive supplies but these people know how to use what they have. I think the people I am talking about think that that $10 knife is a magic bullet and will do every thing they read about. Example; if I buy a boat with a hole in the hull because it is cheap and I will fix it later, when the flood comes early before I fix it then it is still a boat that won’t float. I think more important then GEAR is knowledge.

[PT945]

There are also people that buy 500.00 vx- 3l and a 700.00 rifle and still couldn't group at 250 yards . I know guys that have 80.00 mosins and 50.00 Scopes and can group in the ½ to one inch at 250 yards. Quality does make a difference but so does knowing how to use it. Everybody has to start someplace.
also it makes no frigging sense if a person can afford a 700.00 rifle to not put a quality optic on it.

[Echo2]

There are also people that buy 500.00 vx- 3l and a 700.00 rifle and still couldn't group at 250 yards . I know guys that have 80.00 mosins and 50.00 Scopes and can group in the ½ to one inch at 250 yards. Quality does make a difference but so does knowing how to use it. Everybody has to start someplace.
also it makes no frigging sense if a person can afford a 700.00 rifle to not put a quality optic on it.

I got a savage 110 30-06 with a beat up 3-9x40 VarixIII.....it will cut an inch at 100 with ease.....got it for $325 as is....In expensive is the way to do it....but still quality.

2 of my Glocks were bought new.....4 were used....one of them very harshly....

I have bought 2 new CRKTs.....9 were gifts or bought used....

It doesn't matter where you get it....as long as you get it

[PT945]

I got a savage 110 30-06 with a beat up 3-9x40 VarixIII.....it will cut an inch at 100 with ease.....got it for $325 as is....In expensive is the way to do it....but still quality.

2 of my Glocks were bought new.....4 were used....one of them very harshly....

I have bought 2 new CRKTs.....9 were gifts or bought used....

It doesn't matter where you get it....as long as you get it

Well said 100 percent in agreement, something else IMHO, Is the discouragement factor, if a kid ( I say kid but I'm just meaning the younger folks) just getting into prepping can only afford a Gerber knife and he hears how its not as good as a CRKT and wont hold up, what if he buys nothing and losses interest in prepping cause it costs too much.

[slowz1k]

HEY!!!!

I carry a Gerber!!!!

Oh wait... I am a cheapskate... Nevermind, carry on. :D

[PT945]

HEY!!!!

I carry a Gerber!!!!

Oh wait... I am a cheapskate... Nevermind, carry on. :D

I'm right there with ya. I like Gerber knives. The quality for the cost is good. But so is mora, and some cold steel.

[Omegaman]

I buy lots of tools and equipment used on Craig’s list. I have purchased very few new from the factory guns. Let the first owner eat the expense. CRKT knives and tools are very well made but even then they make the some crap like the dog fish and turtle. I think people are still going to take my thread wrong. I will not bash name brands but in knives as well as guns there are certain makes and models that guys always say "I owned or own one of these and it is the best ever" and you are thinking in your head boy you got lucky because you have no clue on how many come back defective or fail all together. I will go on record as saying that I am not just some 40+ sales person with no real life experience, that in my past I worked in South America, Mexico, the pacific rim, eastern and western Europe during some ugly situations as a non combatant providing support. I like many others on here don’t own the best of every thing but I don’t go cheap on equipment that may save my life or the lives of others.

[PT945]

I buy lots of tools and equipment used on Craig’s list. I have purchased very few new from the factory guns. Let the first owner eat the expense. CRKT knives and tools are very well made but even then they make the some crap like the dog fish and turtle. I think people are still going to take my thread wrong. I will not bash name brands but in knives as well as guns there are certain makes and models that guys always say "I owned or own one of these and it is the best ever" and you are thinking in your head boy you got lucky because you have no clue on how many come back defective or fail all together. I will go on record as saying that I am not just some 40+ sales person with no real life experience, that in my past I worked in South America, Mexico, the pacific rim, eastern and western Europe during some ugly situations as a non combatant providing support. I like many others on here don’t own the best of every thing but I don’t go cheap on equipment that may save my life or the lives of others.

Please don't think I took it wrong, I understood the point you were making, and your last post pretty much hits all our points dead on target. And that is with experience. comes knowledge and as a reward for that knowledge comes an understanding for good gear, and in time all of the new preppers will get that. But everyone has a starting point and not everyones is the same. So they make due till a better option comes along.

[Omegaman]

I do believe in something is better then nothing and I teach that in my classes but I will not tell you with a smile that product A is as good as product B when I know it is not true. I will even let people know of other sources of inexpensive alternative equipment. On the same token the person who is buying the $10 knife but has no trouble dropping $40 on an NFL hat. To me it is what are your priorities? Buying apps for your smart phone or better survival equipment. Heck I started with a buck 110 a used alice pack, M65 jacket system and a used ruger 10/22 and hand me down camping equipment.

[PT945]

I do believe in something is better then nothing and I teach that in my classes but I will not tell you with a smile that product A is as good as product B when I know it is not true. I will even let people know of other sources of inexpensive alternative equipment. On the same token the person who is buying the $10 knife but has no trouble dropping $40 on an NFL hat. To me it is what are your priorities? Buying apps for your smart phone or better survival equipment. Heck I started with a buck 110 a used alice pack, M65 jacket system and a used ruger 10/22 and hand me down camping equipment.

Absolutely agree on were peoples priorities are. A buddy of mine wanted a shotgun when his tax money came in. He bought an old Stevens at the pawn shop for a hundred bucks. And right next to the stevens was a mossberg 500 for 160.00. Then went to Wally world and nought a 32 inch LCD TV but a Sony for 200 more than a visio that is made by Sony.