Exo 3500 mods/add ons

[rileybassman]

This was my day hunt setup last year. I put this on the frame like you see leaving it compressed with like my sleeping mat folded instead of rolled up. My Ground Tarp My Tent anything that was low profile in it. Rest of my gear would go into main exo 3500 which then I compressed over the Highlander to the Frame. Worked great. When I got to camp I dropped my exo 3500 put my day hunt gear in the Highlander and off to hunt. Came back later setup camp.

I really really like the Guide Lid. its a nice piece of kit. So I may just stick with it instead of the exo Lid. THought about cutting off my Exo 3500 lid and just using the Guide lid instead. It would be a better setup for me.

Nice! I really like that system... may just do the same thing

If the guide lid works for you then thats great... I personally haven't played with it... it just looks HUGE from the reviews I have seen... and seems like it bunches a little... would be cool if they put elastic in it like the do with the grab it so it can be tailored a little better

 

[rileybassman]

I added a few pouches to my belt. I put the Exo pouch on the right for my range finder. I also added a Condor Tactical I Pouch for my GPS and wind checker.
http://www.condoroutdoor.com/ma45-008i-pouch.aspx

On the left side I added a Tactical Tailor horizontal E&E pouch . It has several compartments to hold anything else I want on my waist. It also helps keep things organized.
http://www.tacticaltailor.com/eandepouchhorizontal.aspx

Like the looks of that second pouch At this point I have two of the exo pockets, + I want room for my revolver while bowhunting

 

[rileybassman]

Hey, could you post some pics of how the pack sits with it on your back? I'm curious how far the pod hangs down

Here is a pic of it on... not a great pic, but you get the general idea. Have about 20 lbs of stuff in the bag and a 20 degree coleman bag in the roll top pod.

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[rileybassman]

So here is an idea that I came up with for mounting the kifaru organizer... Pretty happy with it so far!

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[SHTF]

Hmm id of tried to cut that more of a slit just enough for the 3bar to go through the webbing looks like it will work as long as you dont jerk the organizer.

 

[rileybassman]

Hmm id of tried to cut that more of a slit just enough for the 3bar to go through the webbing looks like it will work as long as you dont jerk the organizer.

Yea its actually fairly thin... Had to work it to get it on, so hopefully it should work out.

 

[jm1607]

Here is a pic of it on... not a great pic, but you get the general idea. Have about 20 lbs of stuff in the bag and a 20 degree coleman bag in the roll top pod.

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Nice. Ya, it doesn't hang as low as I though it would. Thanks!

 

[SHTF]

FYI, Just got the Hill People gear newsletter today. They are discontinuing the highlander bag. Guess its a slow seller. So if you want one get it now before they are gone forever. They have Foliage and CB left. 135$ plus shipping. I just ordered another for a backup incase I ever kill my current one.

 

[rileybassman]

FYI, Just got the Hill People gear newsletter today. They are discontinuing the highlander bag. Guess its a slow seller. So if you want one get it now before they are gone forever. They have Foliage and CB left. 135$ plus shipping. I just ordered another for a backup incase I ever kill my current one.

Ugh right after a pack purchase... May be hard selling that one if you know what I mean;-)

 

[SHTF]

Ugh right after a pack purchase... May be hard selling that one if you know what I mean;-)

If you use PayPal and setup pay after delivery on your PayPal account you get 14 days before payment is taken

 

[rileybassman]

If you use PayPal and setup pay after delivery on your PayPal account you get 14 days before payment is taken

Evil laugh

 

[darcytribe]

Does the HPG Highlander bag have any organizational feature on the inside of the bag? anyone have any pics of the interior? What's the cubic inces? Thanks!

 

[SHTF]

Does the HPG Highlander bag have any organizational feature on the inside of the bag? anyone have any pics of the interior? What's the cubic inces? Thanks!

Hi Darcy

Yes it does it has 2 rows of pals webbing running the full length of the entire inside.


Highlander is roughly 2000 ci but its a very low profile bag with a front zip. Which limits putting really big bulky stuff in it.

Here it is with Kifaru Mini Longs attached to the inside with malice clips

 

[SHTF]

Carpet review warning: This was to see if this setup would work and be functional.

Got a chance to put together the system I was thinking about. I need to get my hands on a Tarahumara. Thighlander at 22 inches long I dont have enough room to dock my Tailgunner 1 bag to the bottom like I wanted. I think with the Tarahumara it would be possible then.

The Parts

Nickname Frankenpack

Exo Mountain Frame
Hill People Gear Highlander
Kifaru Gude Lid
Kifaru Grab it.

I took the Exo Mountain Frame removed the 3500 bag. I strap organized the frame so this stuff would be out of the way.



Added the HPG Highlander Lid and Grab it. all attached and ready to go.











Lift the Lid the Frame Pocket is still accessable and usable.



Let me know if you have any questions. Digging this setup. If I need more capacity I can put dry bag or HPG CM25 Bag or Kifaru Camp bag between Frame and highlander.

 

[SHTF]

I didnt have the Highlander completely stuffed so it looked a little sloppy in the photo but it works great. Grab it is usable. Lid buckles down tight can get in lid while buckled can adjust the lid (connected it to the Exo lid straps). Pretty happy with it. This is roughly 3000 CI Highlander is advertised at 2000 ci Guide lid 1000 ci

Next Test will be seeing if I can get all my bivy gear in this setup as is or do I need more capacity.

 

[rileybassman]

Awesome pics SHTF! That guide lid looks better then I envisioned... May be the ticked with the stock bag as well as the exo lid is a little on the small side.

So what would you say are the advantages of this setup vs stock bag with a beaver tail or are you just not a fan of the exo bag? Or was this more of just a test? Wondering weight wise how this compares to the stock setup as well.

 

[SHTF]

I love Modularity but not at the sake of usability if it aint usable and easy to access for me then Id rather just go with one big bag. This was just a test and playing with the gear. If I can fit my gear in this setup I may give this a go. No real comparison between this and 3500 they both would work just fine. Weight wise this setup is probably about same as the exo bag but I dont have a scale to weigh. Both setups are super lightweight from in my opinion.

 

[rileybassman]

I love Modularity but not at the sake of usability if it aint usable and easy to access for me then Id rather just go with one big bag. This was just a test and playing with the gear. If I can fit my gear in this setup I may give this a go. No real comparison between this and 3500 they both would work just fine. Weight wise this setup is probably about same as the exo bag but I dont have a scale to weigh. Both setups are super lightweight from in my opinion.

Good stuff thanks man... All for modding and modularity

Usability is a huge dealbeaker for me as well.

Good deal for the weight!

Thanks for the pics!

 

[jm1607]

Have any of you guys tried the Kifaru Grab It with the Exo bag??

I'd really like to see a pic of that and how it would look/work.. I'm not super impressed with beaver tail and was thinking about getting the grab it but would love to see pics 1st

 

[rileybassman]

Have any of you guys tried the Kifaru Grab It with the Exo bag??

I'd really like to see a pic of that and how it would look/work.. I'm not super impressed with beaver tail and was thinking about getting the grab it but would love to see pics 1st

I don't have one, so it would have to be SHTF... What about the beaver tail don't you like? I ask cuz I have one on back order...