Gear hits and misses

[jzs0040]

Hits:
-Argali Carbon Knife
-Peax Headlamp
-Anything from Wiser Precision
-Sig Image Stabilized Binos, 16x42

Misses:
- bargain basement spotter ($300-400ish range), wish i would have listened to advice and waited to dump as much money as i could into a spotter. I don't even pack it around anymore, not worth the weight.
-Steripen ultralight (emphasis on the ultralight model, I have the adventurer battery powered one, works great and i'd consider that a hit) but i even read reviews about poor quality on the ultralights, bought one and it failed out of the box, wouldn't even run 1L before not holding a charge. not confidence inspiring enough for the backcountry.

+1 for the Steripen Ultralight sucking. I had the same exact issue. full charge, wouldn't even treat a liter of water before needing a recharge.

I had the classic model and had no issues but I wanted a rechargeable one. I'll be going back to the fat battery powered one.

 

[thomas3705]

Hit: Quality hiking boots (central Idaho). I used to spend money every year replacing cheaper boots (ex. Danner) that would split or start falling apart. - runner up is my Katadyn Hiker Pro water filter that has been rock solid for years.

Miss: Cheap packs. I did several backpack hunts with a SJK Bounty 2.0 pack, Horn Hunter, and even Badlands - all of which got the job done but was uncomfortable at best. I'm still frugal, but picked up a Metcalf on sale and it's been going strong for several years now. It has made a huge difference during pack outs.

 

[Sinistram]

Hits: Kenetrek Mountain Extremes - an absolute, unqualified game-changer; fleece handwarmer muff - bought on clearance somewhere for $20 and feel like an idiot I didn't buy one 20 years ago; Coast dual color headlamp - bought at Home Depot and has worked perfectly for many seasons; the hunting knife I made by myself from a kit - way cheaper than factory options, fun to do, and works well.

Misses: All the pairs of boots I bought before the Kenetreks - bunch of low/mid priced crap that got sent down the road; rangefinder - I've never actually used it to range a game animal, only to play the "guess how far away" game with myself and others. I finally resolved to stop carrying it about halfway through this hunting season.