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.

 

[TetonRecon]

Hits: Sig 8K Ballistic Rangefinder, RRS SC-ARC, Leofoto Tripods, Suppressors, MDT HNT26, Atlas PSR Bipod, Kifaru Puffy jacket. OR Croc Gaiters

Misses: Cheap Pack and boots, Magview, anything Manfrotto, Vortex optics, Gunwerks Bipod, MDT GRND Pod.

 

[mtwarden]

Hits—Alpha Direct (or Evolve) insulated active mid-layers and vest; I'm sure something will come along eventually and replace it as king of the hill, but not right now. Spartan Precision adaptive system- quick change bipods, swapping binos/spotting scopes/rifle on a tripod—love it. Nalgene bottles- the old school, lightweight ones. The wide lid doesn't freeze shut like narrow mouth bottles; no danger of them splitting if you drop one, unlike many other bottles; the only bottle I trust to hold hot water and put in my sleeping bag on especially cold nights.

Misses—cold weather quilts (warm weather quilts are fine), I've gone back to sleeping bags for any temps sub 20's—way too many nights fighting drafts.

 

[turbo406]

Hits: Sig 8K Ballistic Rangefinder, RRS SC-ARC, Leofoto Tripods, Suppressors, MDT HNT26, Atlas PSR Bipod, Kifaru Puffy jacket. OR Croc Gaiters

Misses: Cheap Pack and boots, Magview, anything Manfrotto, Vortex optics, Gunwerks Bipod, MDT GRND Pod.

What did you not like about the grnd pod and the gunwerks bipod? Also how does that 8k perform in the snow?

 

[SodakJay]

Hits: darn tough socks, Kuiu super down pro puffy jacket and pants

Miss: the Klymit seating pad. Lasted about half a hunt and wouldn’t hold air anymore. It’s about as durable as cotton candy.

 

[Billdoe]

Hit my mystery ranch pop up pack

Miss was my klymit sleeping pad. Less than a week into a 2 week hunt and sleeping on a pad that held no air.