Recently in Product Reviews Category

I was recently in the market for a pair of binoculars that could take some abuse, fit in my already overcrowded pack, and still provide a decent zoom. The other major component was that since I knew these particular binoculars would take some serious abuse, I didn't want to spend a significant amount on them.

Taking a quick trip to REI, I decided to test drive the Brunton Echo Compact 12x26 binoculars. They were light, folded up enough to fit in a pants pocket but still retained a decent 12x zoom with a 26mm objective lens.

Image Quality: Image quality was quite good, especially when considering the price of the Echo Compact. I wouldn't recommend a 12x zoom to all of our readers, as the field of view begins to drastically narrow after 8-10x. This particular model will display about 288 ft @ 1,000 yards, which for some users will make it difficult to find what they're looking for on the horizon with-out lining up your shot before hand.

Brunton uses a BAK-4 prism on the entire Echo line, which is superior to the more commonly used BK-7 prims found on the lower end binoculars. The BAK-4 uses a higher density glass, producing a technically superior image and sharper detail. That being said, at 12x zoom the binoculars do need a decent amount of light to provide a clear image, however, they are quite a bit better than most 'zoom' adjustable binoculars and will function in most any condition outside of late evening. If you plan on using them most during late evening, I would recommend picking up something with a little less zoom and a larger objective lens than 26mm.

Form Factor: The size of the binoculars is pretty impressive, especially for a 12x. When folded up they're small enough to fit in my hand and will actually tuck into a cargo pants pocket very easily. The 12x model weighs in at 10.7 ounces. Looking to shed more weight? Brunton also makes a 10x and 8x model at 9.2 and 7.8 ounces respectively. All models come in the same size: 4.8" x 2.8" x 1.8". Despite the fairly light weight, they feel very solid and strong. I would have no reservations about beating them up a little.

Verdict: For a casual compact pair of binoculars they're a good offering, and generally better than most binoculars in this price range. Additionally you'll be hard pressed to find something as powerful with this kind of size. That being said, I would recommend spending a little more money for the versatility and quality that something like the Nikon EagleView 8-24x25 Binoculars offer, especially if you're looking to purchase your first pair of primary binoculars and don't want to spend over $200.

Pros: Compact, good zoom, cheap, rugged, only 10.7 ounces at 12x26mm
Cons: Low light may be a concern, not as versatile as other offerings

Brunton Echo 12x26 Binoculars for $56.00 direct from Brunton.
Also available: Nikon EagleView 8-24x25 Zoom Binoculars for $139.95 at Amazon.com.

I had the pleasure of trying out the Crystal Stick recently and was pretty impressed. The Crystal Stick is an all natural fragrance free hypoallergenic deodorant, crafted from 100% mineral salts. As I popped the cap I expected a fairly strong scent and a possibly rough 'salty' texture; this is a deodorant rock after all. The name isn't just a clever marketing ploy; it is honestly a large stone or crystal rock of deodorant. It's hard, bone dry and has absolutely zero scent. In addition to the above properties, it carries with two features that the travels of the world require: extreme longevity via the included guarantee that the stick will last at least one year of standard use, and the perpetual shelf life. Unlike a normal deodorant that has a shelf-life of 3-5 years, the Crystal Stick will outlast you.

How does a chunk of mineral salts claim to deodorize? When passed over damp skin (it's a dry rock remember?) it leaves a transparent non-sticky barrier on the skin, allowing sweat and toxins from the body through, while preventing bacteria that cause odors the ability to grow on the skin surface. Thus odor is eliminated through bacterial growth rather than masked by fragrance. Its lack of fragrance is also a possible downside for some, as to prevent bacterial growth; you'll want to apply it directly after a shower. Applying it mid-day will do little, as the bacteria you're trying to prevent already exists. Application is as you would expect from any other deodorant stick with one caveat: you or it needs to be damp before applying. Once the stick is damp it slides on as if it's made of a smooth glass.

Pros: All Natural, Hypoallergenic, won't melt or smoosh in your gear bag like a standard stick, extreme longevity, very cheap
Cons: Requires a daily shower, or some sort of bacterial wipe to be used each day before application to prevent odor.

Get more info and order direct from TheCrystal.com for $5.99.

Thanks to L. Mercedes Moulton for the tip.

Doing the Coleman F1 UltraLight review allowed me to heat up a variety of backpacking foods that I needed to try for testing. During that review I had the pleasure of trying out the Mountain House Pro-Pak line of backpacker foods. For those who have tried freeze dried meals in the past and didn't like how they tasted, it's time to try again using the Mountain House products. Mountain House is the #1 backpacking food on the market, and has won the Gold Taste Award the last 3 years in a row.

New Features
I specifically tried the new Pro-Pak line, as they've added a couple new features to the product in this series. The Pro-Pak's come in a new vacuum sealed pouch that won't expand in high elevations, while just generally taking up less space. The other bonus of this is that you don't need to worry about gear puncturing your food packaging with this new design; always a threat with the old packaging. The serving size in the Pro-Pak's has also increased, from the standard 10 oz meals to the new 16 oz servings. As for the menu selection, Mountain House has taken the top 8 best selling entrees and reproduced them in the new Pro-Pak series from pasta primavera to spaghetti with meat sauce.

Meal Preparation
Preparation couldn't be easier with the Pro-Paks. Bring two cups of water to boil, tear open the pouch and pour boiling water in the top. Then seal it up using the included zipper and wait about 8 minutes. The meals require no plates or bowls; simply eat directly from the pouch and save the weight of carrying excess gear. When you're done you can reseal the pouch and pack it back out with you to discard of later.

As for the taste? My personal favorite was the lasagna with meat sauce. Everything was as you would expect from lasagna; good smell, lots of cheeses and great texture. Despite what every instinct told me as I added the two cups of water to the meal, it was most certainly not a lasagna soup. It turned out perfect, not too "wet" and defiantly not dry and crunchy like many freeze dried meals I’ve tasted prior. It was a good experience; beats a "nature bar" any day of the week.

Verdict
Fast, easy, no clean-up, great taste and good menu selection

The Pro-Pak line of freeze dried meals is a great choice for anyone looking for a solid quality meal out in the field; a superior choice to the weight and size of a military MRE, or for a quick lunch on day hike. With the Mountain House Flameless Heating Unit you can forego the stove heating all together if you need to be ultra light in your travels.

REI carries the full line of Mountain House products in both Pro-Pak and standard varieties for about $5.

For more information on Mountain House the company, as well as other products, you can check out their site here.

The Coleman F1 UltraLight Stove is one of my new favorite backpacking tools. Designed as an ultra light, high output burner for the serious backpacker; I had high hopes for the F1. When I first opened the box, however, and took the unit out I was a little concerned. It was very small, almost fragile looking. Being as light as it was, it was hard to believe the performance claims that this little unit touted. Despite my cynicism, I was thrown into the realms of a believer soon enough.

The Specs:
Coleman F1 UltraLight Stove
Stove Weight - 2.7 oz
Adjustable heat up to 16,400 BTU's
2 min. 56 sec./1 quart boil time
3 min. 40 sec./1 liter boil time
220 g cartridge will last up to 0.83 hours on high / 2 hours on low
Serrated Pan Supports fold flat
Burns butane/propane cartridge
Lifetime Warranty

Assembly
The F1 comes in a small card board retail display box about the size of a closed fist. Upon opening the package, you'll see a small instruction book, the F1 itself and a nice quality little carrying pouch. After taking the F1 from the carrying pouch, you'll simply unscrew the burner head unit a few turns, adjust the three serrated pan supports into their even-spaced predefined positions and then tighten down the head unit to lock it all in place. Once everything is locked into place you simply secure it to your desired butane/propane mix cartridge. In this case I used a larger MSR cartridge instead of the Coleman 350g unit to ensure I had lots of fuel for testing. It assembles from storage to cooking in about 15 seconds and couldn't be easier, even with frozen fingers.

This past summer I was looking for something to wear while kayaking, swimming, quick hikes and daily walks around town. Unfortunately I hate thongs, traditional sandals, and basically anything sandal like or with an open toe. Considering the aforementioned issues, it's easy to surmount that I've personally never worn anything in the summer but a standard tennis shoe, even in the river or lake setting. That is, until I purchased the Keen Newport H2 Sandal.

The shoe is simply amazing. I know it's a sandal; however, it's a sandal that wears like a shoe but still allows the open air, quick drying freedom of a sandal. The straps are an ultra comfortable nylon material with a healthy dose of neoprene for good measure. It has what most people refer to as "Shock Cords" for laces. These things rock. It's a one step process for comfort; just give them a tug on the shock cord to tighten them down as much or little as you want. The soles are made of a very sticky, soft rubber that seems to grip anything they touch like glue. It's also one of the most comfortable soles I've ever had the pleasure of walking in, regardless of the type of shoe. And the best part: A wide front end "toe box" that encompasses your toes like a shoe to prevent cuts and scrapes, as well as aiding in mobility through the use of your protected forefoot for maneuvering.

The sole has a unique feature, partly responsible for the amazing comfort, in that it actually cradles all of your toes. To explain further, basically there is an indent and ridge that separates your toes from your foot, and each toe from the others. Additionally, the shoe sole "melts" to encompass the shape of your foot within about a week of wearing them. It's like nothing I've experienced in a shoe before. Soon after breaking in the shoe, it was like they were hand crafted to fit my foot, and my foot alone. The bonus of this is that once they craft themselves to your foot, you don't even need to tighten down the laces, you can just sort of flop around on them with-out experiencing any chaffing or blister causing movement.

As far as in the water, they perform superbly. The soles are sticky wet, dry or underwater. Walking on rocks or wet docks made no difference in the confidence level I had in these shoes to keep me upright. Transferring from wet to dry and dry to wet environments is seamless, as the shoes do not get heavy like Aqua Sox or similar water shoes. I would also go as far as to say that if anything they helped, rather than hampered, my ability to swim.

Verdict:
One of the truly great wet/dry shoes. Keen crafted such a great shoe, it forced me to go out and buy a pair of their tennis shoes, which I continue to wear any time the Newport H2's are not on my feet. Do yourself a favor and put them on at least once. You'll walk out of the store with them.

Available at REI for $90.00 and Amazon.com for $89.95, with additional reviews.

Keen has more information available on their site.

Recently I've been in the market for a light jacket with some weather and wind resistance. I needed it to be light enough for every day wear, but provide warmth enough for light outdoor work or trail excursions. On my quest for this product, I (or my Girlfriend rather) found the men's REI Syncro Jacket. After getting it home and putting it on, though it was ultra-light and pretty darn thin, it appeared that it may be too warm. I was quite surprised, considering its thickness and overall weight. After wearing it around indoors for just a couple minutes I had already gathered a surprising amount of sweat forming on my face.

Outside and on the trails it performed to a higher degree than I had even hoped. It's extremely warm, breaks the wind very well and breathes better than any of my previous jacket purchases in a similar class. Often times I've worn multi-layered jacket setups, creating a very cumbersome and constricting environment to navigate harsh trails, or scale boulders and other obstacles. The Syncro jacket eliminates this as a concern. It's very free moving, using a soft-shell stretchy material in the shoulders, sleeve backs and chest. As well, the underarm gussets are made of a stretch fabric to increase flexibility. Aside from the warm, unrestricted movement of the Syncro jacket, it also has 4 times more wind resistance than a traditional fleece and is very water repellent. This was most evident during a recent storm, which had a healthy dose of both wind and rain.

As stated above, the jacket is water repellent. It is not designed to replace a rugged outer-shell, able to be drenched and submerged with no water getting through. It was designed to be a middle-weight soft-shell jacket that can be worn stand alone or combined with another layer. For the purpose it was designed, it's an extremely capable jacket, and I highly recommend it. Specifically, it's the best choice for when it's too cold for a wind breaker, and the weather doesn't require a multi-layer hard-shell jacket. It's my new all-weather jacket of choice.

REI Syncro Jacket Features:
* Polartec Wind Pro main body provides warmth, durability and breath ability without the weight and bulk of traditional insulating fabrics
* Exposed areas (shoulders, back of arms, collar and chest) are made from rugged Polartec Power Shield
* These surfaces offer good abrasion- and water-resistance to shed rain and snow; velour-grid laminated lining wicks moisture and breathes freely
* Stretch Wind Pro under the arms offers enhanced breath ability, four-way stretch and low bulk
* Fleece-lined collar and chin guard offer soft warmth against your skin
* Articulated elbows enhance comfort
* Hem draw cord exits into hand pockets for easy adjusting and helps seal in warmth
* Two hand pockets and a chest pocket feature sleek reverse-coil zippers

For more information, check out REI's product page.

Anyone planning a motorcycle adventure down a California coastal highway or a high speed cross-country trip needs a SportVue MC2 head-mounted display. This wireless display mounts just outside of your direct vision on a standard motorcycle helmet and displays speed, RPM, programmable shift indicators, current gear, and visual radar alerts in realtime.

The display has three brightness settings for use in broad daylight or on dark roads far from the city. Installation can be done at home in less than two hours and mainly consists of wiring up the motorcycle sending unit and the wheel speed sensor to transmit to the head-mounted display. The unit was track tested at over 160 MPH and has been designed for durability and rock solid performance.

The usefulness of this product goes without saying. It takes the average rider 3 to 5 seconds to adjust to their instrumentation from the road when attempting to gather information. A lot can happen in that time, especially on a motorcycle. These should be standard gear for any rider.

Also in development is a version for cyclists and sky divers.

The SportVue MC1 Retails for $329 and the MC2 with radar support Retails for $389 at SportVue.

You can also check out the PDF brochure for more information.

I saw this on Cool Tools and realized how important it is to carry something like this for our readers. It's a GPS system with a built in personal locator and emergency band broadcasting. Manufactured by McMurdo, this is a must have for any real adventurer out there. At one point in your life, you will undoubtedly find yourself in a less-than-ideal situation, possibly involving a debilitating medical emergency. This device is the best insurance policy I can recommend to you to equip yourself with to ensure continued adventuring. The Description from McMurdo:

When activated, the Fastfind Plus with integral GPS provides a 406 MHz alert signal via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system. There is a visual indicator of GPS acquisition. Fastfind Plus also transmits on the International Aircraft Emergency Frequency of 121.5 MHz providing a homing signal for the Search And Rescue (SAR) services. A built-in self test facility includes testing of the 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz signal (where permitted) and GPS power up.

If you're looking into a McMurdo or similar system, I'd recommend checking out the Wikipedia article on Emergency Position Indicating Rescue Beacons, it covers the technology described above in explicit detail.

Check out McMurdo for more information on this life saving device.