Gear Ratings...

[Big_Saw]

Started this thread in GPC so we can discuss our experiences with new, updated, or experimental gear....

Last night, me and 3 buds over-nighted in negative degree weather at a buddy's BoL...with the weather, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to test out a new sleeping bag I'd recently acquired...obviously, I brought along my usual bedding kit, just in case.... so here's my opinion:

Gear: Alps Mountaineering "Crescent Lake 20" Mummy Sleeping bag...
Purchased: eBay...
Price: $20 + $5 s/h...
Rating: Excellent...

This bag lives up to its rating (20 degrees), and then some...on a night with 7F ambient temp and a wind chill of -17F, I was cozy as I could be with 1 layer of long underwear and a fleece liner, and sleeping on a 1/2" mat, inside a debris hut...next to the friggin' door (short straw).....I've never had any sub-$150 bag that could make the same claim...

Construction is superb...right down to the included stuff sack and embroidered logos, etc...and at 6' 1", the fit was snug, but not claustrophobic....I wouldn't recommend this bag for anyone longer, or wider (about 220Lbs)...

This bag will replace my North Face sleeping system ($230), and at around 2Lbs, it'll also cut a bit of weight...not to mention, it's about a 90% price difference...and packs smaller, to-boot...

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this bag a 9.5 across the board for quality, cost, weight, and comfort....



Gitchu Some!!!

[Diesel]

Excellent - reviews should also include pics - and let's skip any commentary - either pm the person or start a thread, let's keep this one technical.

[Big_Saw]

Camp axes...

I'm a machete man...don't try to change me...just accept me...

That said, I've tried the "pack axe" before...had me a nice li'l Gerber w/an 8" handle...it cost a fortune and came razor sharp...problem for me was every time I had to use it, it'd give me a bad case of the trick-wrist, 'cause the balance was shit, and the handle was too short to absorb any shock at all...so I ditched hatchets altogether, not being a fan of anything other than quality (pricey) tomahawks...I'm cheap...so what?



Last weekend I discovered that you can actually get these guys in a 14" configuration that won't fall off the handle (I don't trust a wooden handle, nor an epoxied head)...my buddy handed me one of these:



Although it was about as dull as my wit, it felt good and hewed many a sapling comfortably, without the above mentioned problems with ergonomics...but with the price tag (around $50), I was fine w/my machete...

A quick search found that there was an affordable alternative, without a loss of quality...I found that Gerber and Fiskars are the same damn company, and usually the Fiskars label is more affordable for IDENTICAL GEAR!!

For $20+ s/h, I RXed this yesterday:



Gear:Fiskars 14" Camp Axe...
Purchased: Amazon.com...
Price: $20 + $6.95 s/h...
Rating: Very Good...

This axe also came shave-sharp from the factory, has a hollow Nyglass handle with enough room for about 20' of paracord stowage, a 7/8# forged head, and chops firewood like a damn meth-crazed psycho-beaver...after splitting about a 1/4 rick of kindling with it, the blade was duller than original, but still sharp enough not to worry...I put the edge back on it just to see, and it sharpens right back up very easily....

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this an 8.5 for quality, durability, cost and ergonomics....I may edit after a thorough field test (going to the woods again the weekend after next)....

[Big_Saw]

Let's go, folks, this should be a busy thread....our people need intel...

[Skyowl]

Gear: Alps Mountaineering "Crescent Lake 20" Mummy Sleeping bag...
Purchased: eBay...
Price: $20 + $5 s/h...
Rating: Excellent...

If I could find this for $25 I would jump on it. Best I could do was $65 at Amazon.

[denvernative321]

here are the purchases of the month for me, well the most interesting any way


MSR MIOX PEN 140$



E2L SURFIRE 150$


6P SUREFIRE WITH RED FLIP TOP FILTER 89$ 35$ for the filter so about 125 for the whole set up




I do like all of the items i have posted. they all work great. but out of all three i am most pleased with the E2L. it is the best little flash light. i have had several surefire lights but i have to say i wont buy anything but led now and anyone getting anything but LED dont. the E2L has a runtime of 100 hrs on the lower setting and 11hrs on high. that is 10 hours longer than my other tactical light and just as bright. the LED doesnt heat up to hot either. anyway the only complaint i have with any of the stuff i have posted is the 6P. the color of the light is a little to pink for my taste. it is also heavier than i thought it would be but with the red flip top filter it really makes it a nice light for tactical purposes.

[denvernative321]

thats strange why didnt the other two pics in my posting not show up? can someone please change that so i dont have to repost?

Done.....'Saw...:)

Thank you very much saw.

[slowz1k]

Black Diamond LED Headlamp - REI

Got this little guy for Christmas, and now I never want to be without one. It's great to have light where you need it, when you need both hands for tools, firewood, or whatever. Retails for $29.99 at REI, which is in the lower 1/3 price range for headlamps.
Uses 3 AAA batteries, has two brightness settings and one slow strobe setting, The rubber sealed water resistant power button needs to be pressed continously for about 2 seconds to power on or off, which helps eliminate the risk of accidentally turning it on when it's stowed with other gear. It does have an automatic shutoff after 9.5 hours, but I haven't tested it and don't really plan to. Since it's LED the light does tend to white wash at greater distances, and I found the claimed 32 meters a bit of a stretch. It's great for anything around the campsite, or under the hood though.
I would highly recommend this light for camping, hiking, and general purpose. Cavers and those that might find themselves in slightly more volatile situations, may want something a little more robust.

http://www.rei.com/product/761907

[njenkins]

I'll contribute. I have to give a big recommendation for Nike's SFB Boot. I've worn many different styles of military combat boots and this one is by FAR the most comfortable. Being a thinner design, I'm sure longevity will be an issue if you pound on em, but if you take care of em, they are a great investment for your feet. Feels like a sneaker on your foot, I'd have no problem going for a run in these.

***************
The SFB was developed over the course of four years by a team of innovators led by Nike Innovation Manager Tobie Hatfield, while paying homage to the service and inspiration of Nike’s first designer and Co-Founder, Major Bill Bowerman. Before Bowerman became the University of Oregon Track & Field Coach, he served as a founding member of the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army. Utilizing the lessons learned both from his service and his years coaching, Bowerman’s footwear design legacy would serve as a guide for Tobie and his team, a premium was placed on creating shoes that were lighter, making use of the foot’s natural motion, while decreasing the addition of heavy overbuilding which traditionally yields boots that are stiffer, hotter, heavier and less breathable. From day one, Bowerman knew there was “might in light”. The SFB is undeniable evidence.
*******************
I can't post links yet so you'll have to go to Nike's site for picture's or just google "Nike SFB Boots"
*******************
Breathable poly-nylon and suede upper Nike Free outsole technology Outsole designed for traction and natural mobility, inspired by Nike FREE technology Weight: 15.9 oz. based on Men's size 10

[slowz1k]

Otter Box 9 month report

It's now been 9 months since I armored my Blackberry Curve with an Otter Box, and I thought I would share my thoughts on the subject...
First,
I'm an IT manager for a small law firm and I'm on call 24/7. My job requires that I carry my BB everywhere.
Second,
I like to drop my Blackberry... Often. It's usually not planned... sometimes it is. My previous BB 8830 looked like it had been used as a hockey puck.
My point is that this thing gets a serious work out everyday, and some form of protection is needed.

The review:
The Otter Box adds quite a bit to the dimensions of the BB. I'm guessing around 1/2" extra in Length,Width and Height. I found the added bulkiness of the OB a little hard to get used to at first, but the added protection is a good trade off in my opinion.
After 9 months and many trips bouncing and skittering across parking lots, restaurant floors, and mountain trails, my Blackberry curve looks as new as the day I received it.
As for the Otter Box itself.... The black rubber "shock barrier" sleeve shows only minor wear and scuffs, mostly on the corners. The yellow hard shell shows no wear at all. The silicone barrier that protects the keyboard, screen and camera lens, has been only a slight disappointment. The keyboard section has held up well, and has done a great job of preventing any debris from collecting on, or between the keys, showing no signs of cracking or wear. I found after a few months use, that the screen and camera portions of the silicon barrier were limiting visibilty. The screen showed air bubbles no matter how many times I tried to re-install, and any pictures taken were somewhat hazy and lacking detail. The smart person would just contact Otter Box and order a new silicone barrier. I opted to cut the screen and camera portions out with scissors. The yellow shell is more than deep enough to protect both screen and camera from most scuff threats and moisture is only a serious threat around the keyboard area which remains protected.
All in all, I love the Otter Box and would highly recommend one to any "smart phone" user who has an active lifestyle, or someone who likes to drop things.

[Apocalyptic_Sojourner]

I got another boot for ya: Merrell's Outland Mid Gore-Tex. My unit let us use civilian hiking boots during deployment & I took these babies up & down the mountains of Afghanistan for 15 months. I also talked about half my platoon into getting Merrells too, and everyone else loved em as much as I do. Excellent traction (even on slippery surfaces such as snow, river crossings, rainy trails, etc.) and good ankle support (a must when humping 80 pounds of gear everywhere you go). They retail for $140 but worth every penny.

I think Asolo would probably be 2nd best, but it's a lot stiffer boot & not nearly as good on wet surfaces.

[Diesel]

thanks for the intel Sojourner

[slowz1k]

Just got a few of these Jet Scream whistles for the family to carry when hiking. You never know when you might get separated, or need to signal for help. At $5.00 each, my rip-off alarm was going crazy, but I have to say, I am very impressed with these little screamers.
The sales lit stated that they were good for 122db... To be honest, I wasn't really sure how loud that would be. But after putting a good lung full through the Jet Scream, I can say that 122db is quite close to painful. It is without a doubt the loudest, schrillest (is that a word?) sound I've ever heard.



I just posted a gear review on a whistle...... Yes I'm bored.

[Diesel]

heard good things about them too

[TacSKS]

On a similar note to your whistle, I picked up one of the Ultimate Survival Tech Wetfire Stoves and like it well so far. It is super light (half ounce) and fold very compact. It comes with one cube of their fuel but I just use cheaper trioxane bars. Beware, the stove holds round cups/pots fairly well but has trouble with anything that's not round (i.e. my canteen cup). $15-20