New mystery ranch packs

[littlebrotherC]

I don't understand what everyone is so up in arms about. You can still buy the old bags separate from the frame, right now you can buy a new bag on the new frame, and next year you can buy everything separately. The old bags fit on the new frames, the old frames fit on the new bags, and everyone is happy. I just saw the new frame at the BHA Rondy and I'm impressed. Super light and it looks like the waist belt will carry loads better then the old belt which always worked well for me. I think it's a better product but there's some transitional logistics.

 

[Kevin Dill]

I'm willing to wait and see what the new generation of MR packs look like and how they work. The main thing for me is whether they offer real improvements. I don't care that much about backward compatibility...at least not enough to let it be a deciding factor on a pack purchase. If I end up buying one (likely) I'll simply evaluate it on its qualities as a stand-alone hunting pack. If it's as good as the other 3 MR packs I've owned I'll be very happy. I've never been into the whole bag-swap or multi-component modular tactical thing.

 

[Gumbo]

I wasn't referring to you specifically gumbo, just the bashing in general.

Good, I really try not to be a hater and keep it positive and help folks out when I can. Unfortunately I just can't help having strong opinions about things.

 

[fort fireman]

I'm new to the backpack thing and MR was deffinately on my radar for a good hunting pack. That was until I saw that the bags, unless the tactical bag that require Berry compliance, are now made overseas. However the price of them certainly don't reflect that to me. They are just as expensive as the older American made models from what I see. I'm by no means an expert however. Kuiu bags are made oversees but the price reflects that IMHO. In my search I think I'll look past MR. I'm leaning very hard toward an EXO 5500.

 

[tipsntails7]

I understand the disappointment but the MR bashing is uncalled for. Not every company can make the necessary improvements on their systems and remain backwards compatible and it's unfair to hold them to that forever. Hell some other companies out there change systems frequently with no regard for compatibility or product quality and still market themselves as top tier. I'm a kifaru guy but MR has always seemed a stand up company with a solid product to me.

I don't buy that for one second, sorry, these are backpacks not space shuttles..

 

[Zbot]

I'm new to the backpack thing and MR was deffinately on my radar for a good hunting pack. That was until I saw that the bags, unless the tactical bag that require Berry compliance, are now made overseas. However the price of them certainly don't reflect that to me. They are just as expensive as the older American made models from what I see. I'm by no means an expert however. Kuiu bags are made oversees but the price reflects that IMHO. In my search I think I'll look past MR. I'm leaning very hard toward an EXO 5500.

I think this will be the start of their downfall...

I was a little disappointed when they announced they would go overseas. I was very disappointed when I saw their new prices, especially on the overseas packs. I think it is safe to say the majority of buyers bought from them for the USA made factor, not the brand. You can't go overseas and expect to get the same.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I've owned a Nice frame and handled the guide light in person multiple times.....I wouldn't agree. They've said they have their own dedicated factory with MR employees supervising the process.....I'm not defending the overseas move, but it seems like most are blowing it out of proportion. That said, they just missed spring bear with the initial production run slipping to May....who knows why, but it seems like the logistics of the move have really gave them trouble. My guess is maintaining the same quality takes some work, and they are trying to maintain that.

If you haven't actually handled or used the pack, debating how tough or good it is doesn't help anyone. I was equally as pissed when they did the "kit" move, and their marketing seemed to become less clear and clear. I sold my Nice frame because an 8 lb pack was just too much. When they released the metcalf in 2012 Seacat was all over the forums with info. Andrew's come on line a few times, but they way these threads read, it might be a losing battle trying to defend themselves....

 

[Dameon]

MR could really help themselves out if they made some GLF packs available for critical review. I wasn't about to invest in an unknown and was about to purchase an EXO 5500 until Camofire started selling last years MR models at a steep discount. I was able to pick up a new Marshall from Camofire and a used Longbow bag off of EBay for less than the cost of a GLF Marshall pack or fully kitted Exo pack. My family has deep military ties and I'm a big fan of MR, but there is next to nothing informative about MR's new line of hunting packs. Some online presence and good critical YouTube reviews would have gone a long way in steering me toward their new packs.

I also agree with others here, not making new frames and bags available to long time MR users is akin to shooting yourself in the foot. From what I can tell, the addition of two buckles to the lower straps of the new frames is all that is really needed for full backward compatibility. To not offer the new frame and a conversion kit or new bags at reasonable prices to existing MR users is ridiculous. MR moving to a retail model has no bearing on not being able to sell their frames and bags separately. In my opinion, MR should change course on this or a retailer like Black Ovis should step up and fulfill this need.

Lastly, I don't think MR moving production to Clark Field will really hurt quality or sales as long as the proper checks are in place and the price reflects the move. I think MR's catalog prices on the new hunting packs are about $100 too high across the board for non-Berry packs. If they are going to list those prices as MSRP, then allowing retailers like Black Ovis to run reasonable discounts would be a wise option.

As of now, I am happy with my MR packs. If MR stepped up their game and showed me these new frames and bags are as tough as their old ones, I might be tempted to give them a try. As of now, I'll wait and see if the new frames can really hold up and if MR comes to their senses sooner rather than later, I'd probably buy one.


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[tipsntails7]

I've owned a Nice frame and handled the guide light in person multiple times.....I wouldn't agree. They've said they have their own dedicated factory with MR employees supervising the process.....I'm not defending the overseas move, but it seems like most are blowing it out of proportion. That said, they just missed spring bear with the initial production run slipping to May....who knows why, but it seems like the logistics of the move have really gave them trouble. My guess is maintaining the same quality takes some work, and they are trying to maintain that.

If you haven't actually handled or used the pack, debating how tough or good it is doesn't help anyone. I was equally as pissed when they did the "kit" move, and their marketing seemed to become less clear and clear. I sold my Nice frame because an 8 lb pack was just too much. When they released the metcalf in 2012 Seacat was all over the forums with info. Andrew's come on line a few times, but they way these threads read, it might be a losing battle trying to defend themselves....

I'm not 100% on this but I don't think SeaCat is with MR anymore. ALOT of the guys who used to run an MR are running stone glacier now..

It's a losing battle because they moved oversees, kept the same pricing, and froze out guys who were loyal to them with the kit only option.

They will probably make a lot more money with the moves they made, but I envision them fading out of this area of the market.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I'm not 100% on this but I don't think SeaCat is with MR anymore. ALOT of the guys who used to run an MR are running stone glacier now..

It's a losing battle because they moved oversees, kept the same pricing, and froze out guys who were loyal to them with the kit only option.

They will probably make a lot more money with the moves they made, but I envision them fading out of this area of the market.

Yeah he's not with them now.

Dude I'm with you, sold mine and went SG

 

[Mk7mmSTW]

I'm not 100% on this but I don't think SeaCat is with MR anymore. ALOT of the guys who used to run an MR are running stone glacier now..

It's a losing battle because they moved oversees, kept the same pricing, and froze out guys who were loyal to them with the kit only option.

They will probably make a lot more money with the moves they made, but I envision them fading out of this area of the market.

When I spoke with MR at a trade show, the kit only option didn't sit well with me but they said it is only until all orders are caught up. Once the guide light frame is out and not on back order, ordering will go back to normal.

 

[LBFowler]

Running their own factory is probably more expensive then just contracting out to any ol' "Asian Sweatshop," that and the retail markup is going to keep the price up (really Shrek, there are plenty of intelligent arguments you could make against MR without petty ad hominem name calling). There are plenty of import packs with near-domestic prices, I don't see how this is much different.

We have gotten desensitized to buying high-end gear site-unseen direct from manufacturers, but that is a huge hurdle for a lot of people. For every guy on Rokslide investing in a high-end pack there is 10+ guys buying some POS from their local sporting goods store because that is what is available in their town. I don't think MR was ever selling a huge number of hunting packs, if this helps them grow in that market and brings the bar up on what is available at retail stores, then it is a positive step for everyone in the market. They are taking a risk and I respect them for it, I won't be buying one but I'm not going to bad mouth them unless their quality ACTUALLY suffers.

Oh, and backward compatibility can be a huge PITA. The decision to stay shackled or make a leap is a tough one every time there is a generation jump. Usually 80-90% backward compatibility is fairly easy and close enough for most users, but 100% can really prevent designs from evolving.

 

[Kevin Dill]

My typical select-a-pack strategy is to winnow through companies and pack designs until I'm down to a couple. I'll look at price. Then it's on to the purchase of a pack(s) and evaluating them. I'll still be looking at price as I consider fit and quality. I'll almost always end up picking the pack that fits me best and exhibits great quality with an acceptable price. That price doesn't matter whether it comes from USA, Great Britain, Australia, Philippines, Canada, China or Chile.

The tire industry is a great example of the confusion surrounding American companies making products in America as well as internationally. A lot of iconic tire names are headquartered here but tires can be made in any one of several different countries. Most consumers probably don't ask a Michelin, Goodyear or BF Goodrich dealer where a particular set of tires is made. They know it's an American brand and they trust the manufacturer to maintain the (supposed) high American standard on any tires it markets. Surely a few people question or debate this, but it's now a manufacturing norm. Global business is part of American business with ever increasing and expanding manufacturing points. I want my tires to perform well, and if Spain is doing it well...I'm okay with that. Sell me bad tires and I'll be changing brands...even if they were built right here in America. Same with MR packs. I'll evaluate the packs and go from there. I'd rather buy the pack I prefer even if built in the Philippines versus one I don't like built in the USA. I'm not anti-American manufacturing, and when all else is equal I will buy American over foreign every time. The only reason I wouldn't buy a MR pack would be due to dissatisfaction with the product or price not in line with the quality. Time will settle that out for me. Truth is that probably 75% of the gear I use in my hunting is made somewhere other than America, but many of the companies are American owned.

 

[WesternHunter]

Hey guys I was finally able to get my hands on both the GLF metcalf and NICE metcalf and put together a comparison post. It's posted as a new thread by BlackOvis so go check it out. I tried to answer a bunch of peoples questions but if I missed something let us know on that thread. Turns out the bags really are quite compatible between the two frames.... not sure why we were told otherwise.

 

[operator449]

Can anyone give an update or some field use evals of the new frame? Interested if the weight cuts have decreased any comfort or capability?

 

[MT_Wyatt]

When anyone gets their hands on the new Traverse frame (scapegoat pack) I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts. I'll see if MR will let me load some salt in one and pass on my thoughts, assuming their at the Big Sky Total Archery Challenge event this year.


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[doncarpenter]

When anyone gets their hands on the new Traverse frame (scapegoat pack) I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts. I'll see if MR will let me load some salt in one and pass on my thoughts, assuming their at the Big Sky Total Archery Challenge event this year.


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MT_Wyatt, I have a scapegoat and it is outstanding. I posted a thread about a week ago with my initial impressions and some specs that aren't listed anywhere. The scapegoat is everything I wanted the big sky, big horn, and dragoslayer to be. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

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[MT_Wyatt]

MT_Wyatt, I have a scapegoat and it is outstanding. I posted a thread about a week ago with my initial impressions and some specs that aren't listed anywhere. The scapegoat is everything I wanted the big sky, big horn, and dragoslayer to be. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

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What's the inside like? Is it pocketed like the old tri zips? Is the frame the same style of curved rods? What would you rate the comfort/weight limit at? The old dragonslayer most people said about 80 lbs.....does the scapegoat seem to match that?
Thanks!

 

[doncarpenter]

What's the inside like? Is it pocketed like the old tri zips? Is the frame the same style of curved rods? What would you rate the comfort/weight limit at? The old dragonslayer most people said about 80 lbs.....does the scapegoat seem to match that?
Thanks!

I will take a pic of the inside, but its basically a hydration sleeve and thats it. There are two pockets on the lid and the two bottle pockets on the outside. Very minimalist. The frame is two parallel fiberglass rods that run vertically, they are straight and pretty stiff, they are 23 inches long. I've had 75 pounds in it and its pretty comfortable. Compared to the dragonslayer its way more comfortable for me, i have a 21 inch torso, so i was already at a negative angle with the load lifters. I have no doubt that it will carry what you can stuff in it, comfort will probably be a personal thing, for me, its the cats pajamas.

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[doncarpenter]

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