Have an AMR, eyeing a Reckoning....

[freediver111]

I have an AMR, but the new Reckoning is tempting me bad! Help me save my money by sticking with my AMR!

AMR pros:

-Great for 1 day all the way to 10 day trips, but truth be told I'm a 1-5 day kind of hunter.
-Love the front pouches, don't really need side pockets since I rarely use a spotter. When I do I have a spotting scope pocket and use the side lashes to secure my tripod. Works well.
-Front pouches and Guide lid make for a very useable day pack, and then the bag can be used for meat packing.
-I'm not a meat shelf guy. Hate meat shelves.I need a bag large enough to house 1-5 days worth of gear and be able to pack elk quarters out with. The AMR wide top opening and volume works well for that.

AMR cons:

-In day mode, the top small pocket gets buried under the guide lid. Less useable.
-The bag is BIG, and when running smaller trips like 1-2 days, my stuff can be tricky to find. I like the bottom zip, but a full front zip is pretty nice. Not the end of the world, but with such a big bag it's just harder to find stuff.

The Reckoning solves some of these issues, but it's still not perfect for me. Side pockets are nice, but since I don't run a spotter or tripod all the time, it's less convenient than the front pockets on the AMR. I would run a couple medium pockets on the Reckoning anyway. Weight is about the same. I could shave 4-5 oz. by hacking off the meat shelf, but after adding a couple medium side pockets, I think weight saving is a wash.

I also like the independent front straps and the side straps on the Reckoning. Easy to strap a bow or horns. Of course the big draw is the front zip.

Anybody make the switch? I know Jordan did and seems to be happy. I'm really on the fence. I see pros and cons for both. I checked out a Reckoning at the PDX sportsman show and liked it a lot. I seem to recall the top opening is a little less wide, but I bet you can still shove a bull hind quarter in there.

Mostly just thinking out loud here......both are great bags, but I'm a one and done kind of guy. One bag to do it all on 1-5 day trips and haul meat IN the bag! Both seem very capable......

 

[mrbillbrown]

In the same boat brother. Love my AMR but tempted by the Reckoning. Another member sent me a pretty good list of reasons to stick with the AMR (when he had both side by side) but I deleted the message by accident.

Food for thought....
I added a pals matrix to my AMR to solve the "disappearing" top pocket when the guide lid was on. However, I find I rarely ever use it. I learned to put the most needed stuff in the bottom pocket and the occasionally needed stuff in the top pocket. Super essential gear rides in the guide lid and the bottom additional pocket just never gets added on.

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[Clarktar]

Keep the AMR.

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[Jordan Budd]

You know my thoughts on this! For me the reckoning really kicks ass in day mode compared to AMR. But for me with a tripod 100% of the time and a spotter 90% of the time, the side pockets are gold. But if you don't carry a spotter much then really there won't be much difference besides the center zip.


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[Kotaman]

I have both and the jury is still out for me. I really like the AMR, I was not a fan of the EMR2 because of the straps. The straps on the Reckoning are an improvement, but there are still too many straps for my liking. I prefer not to have horizontal straps on my packs. Time will tell...

 

[lintond]

Not what you want to hear but I'm in the same boat. Going to keep my AMR but also getting a Reckoning.


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[freediver111]

Not what you want to hear but I'm in the same boat. Going to keep my AMR but also getting a Reckoning.


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Not sure what I want to hear either! Maybe a solid case to not drop another $300. I'm leaning staying with AMR, but it's a slim leaning at this point. The side pockets and meat shelf don't really do it for me, but that center zip in a bigger expandable bag does! Then again, I'll have to buy more medium belt pouches to add to it......yep, still leaning AMR, but it's tough!

 

[Lockster]

Is there anything stopping you from adding a side zip just to the side of the front pockets to give you almost the same access as the Reckoning without the other issues, seems it would potentially give you the best of both worlds.

if it was me I would get a professional to turn the front of the AMR where the two pockets are into a panel loader by adding a big zipper all around it, now THAT would make it a kick-Ass pack and still keep all the benefits of the AMR.

while he was at it they could add a few extra tabs that you could add the independent compression straps to with k clips, then you'll have the ultimate pack, basically an AMR/Mountain Warrior hybrid, but with the independent compression system from the Reckoning.

 

[freediver111]

Is there anything stopping you from adding a side zip just to the side of the front pockets to give you almost the same access as the Reckoning without the other issues, seems it would potentially give you the best of both worlds.

if it was me I would get a professional to turn the front of the AMR where the two pockets are into a panel loader by adding a big zipper all around it, now THAT would make it a kick-Ass pack and still keep all the benefits of the AMR.

while he was at it they could add a few extra tabs that you could add the independent compression straps to with k clips, then you'll have the ultimate pack, basically an AMR/Mountain Warrior hybrid, but with the independent compression system from the Reckoning.

I can see that working. I worry about weight though. Zippers add a lot of weight, but maybe not as much as I think. That would almost work better to just replace the bottom zip and just use a panel zip instead.


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[whiskeysierra762]

I never had an AMR but just got the Reckoning.
My concern was that it wouldn't be big enough for the 10-14day backpacking trips.
I can tell you now that compared to my other packs its more than big enough. I also have the guid lid and 2 medium belt pouches.
I will post pictures and a more in depth review in the "Reckoning Experience" thread later.
Good luck.

 

[mrbillbrown]

A hang up I have with the Reckoning is the height when it's fully extended up. Toss a lid on top and it's a really tall skinny load way above your head. Does anybody else feel like that's gonna suck packing in when stuffed full and so tall?

 

[freediver111]

A hang up I have with the Reckoning is the height when it's fully extended up. Toss a lid on top and it's a really tall skinny load way above your head. Does anybody else feel like that's gonna suck packing in when stuffed full and so tall?

Totally hear ya on that concern! It was something I noticed right away in the video Aron posted when they released it. Makes sense since they use the top of the bag as a makeshift lid, but if you use a guide lid it's a moot point. Something to consider for sure!


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[Lockster]

I can see that working. I worry about weight though. Zippers add a lot of weight, but maybe not as much as I think. That would almost work better to just replace the bottom zip and just use a panel zip instead.

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Yes, if you went that way you wouldn't need a bottom zip anyway, you could get it removed but it would add to the cost and complexity of the pack mod.

I'd be surprised if there was much weight gain, the functionality improvements would more than make up for a fraction more weight in my book.

or you could always ask whomever did the zipper to trim a corresponding weight of cordura of the top of the pack if you were really concerned about weight, that would reduce the overall size of the pack in general , make it less voluminous since you don't need it as big as that for 1-5 days anyway.

I've never owned a front zip pack it I have a Eberlestock pack with a front panel load and it is awesome.

 

[chops24]

Not sure what I want to hear either! Maybe a solid case to not drop another $300. I'm leaning staying with AMR, but it's a slim leaning at this point. The side pockets and meat shelf don't really do it for me, but that center zip in a bigger expandable bag does! Then again, I'll have to buy more medium belt pouches to add to it......yep, still leaning AMR, but it's tough!

you wont have to drop $300 after you sell me your AMR!

 

[freediver111]

you wont have to drop $300 after you sell me your AMR!

Haha! Still leaning on keeping it, but it's a close one!


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[mfllood3800]

Lol I have the Tahr and looking to get an AMR

WE always want more

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[rhunter424]

Another option - Pick up an argali from the rhino den (aka on sale) and modify it as you need. The tahr/markhor/argali series is set up pretty nicely as a blank slate to start with.

 

[freediver111]

Another option - Pick up an argali from the rhino den (aka on sale) and modify it as you need. The tahr/markhor/argali series is set up pretty nicely as a blank slate to start with.

Good point....an Argali with a center zip, two medium or large pouches on the sides, and some tab loops for some center lash tie downs is essentially what I'm after. I'm now considering that option heavily.....

 

[N2TRKYS]

I have an AMR and have no desire to swap. I bought the standard lid for it when I bought my AMR and have no desire to go to a guide lid. Looks like I bought what I need/want the first time. Lol