Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Too Complicated? - Catoma Stealth 1 Person Tent


Today Luke is setting up the Catoma Stealth 1 Person Tent and as you know, the Setup process is very important when it comes to the purchasing of a tent; 

How easy or how complex will it be?
What about the reversible fly?
....
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Monday, December 28, 2020

MSR Zoic 2 Tent Leaking Update - Companies Respond


Since the catastrophic failure of the MSR Zoic 2 tent I have been in touch with MSR and I am here today to share with you all that I have learned. This includes why my tent leaked, the problems that MSR has faced with the development of the Xtreme Shield technology and what the current status is of the tents that utilize this system of waterproofing.

You'll be shocked at how upfront and honest MSR is about this matter, I certainly was.
This is an episode of Companies Respond!

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Agenda Free Review MSR Zoic 2P Tent :

https://www.msrgear.com/tents/backpacking-tents/zoic-2-backpacking-tent/10893.html

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Real World Review - Maxoak Bluetti EB240 Power Station


This is an Agenda Free Review of the Maxoak Bluetti EB240 Power Station and in this video, Luke goes over the good and the bad along with all of the points which you need to be aware of before making a purchase.

Is it a good fit for off-grid use?
How does it work with overlanding?
Emergency Use?
....

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Maxoak Bluetti EB240 Power Station Review ::

Agenda Free Link : https://maxoak.net/products/bluetti-eb240-2400wh-1000w

Battery Size : 2400Wh Lithium Polymer battery cell Battery which are automotive cells. (87% of the 2400 is useable)

Price : $1900 retail but finding these for $1600 is common.

Weight : 48.5lbs

Dimensions : 19.43x6.5x14.4”

Included: Power Station, Power brick, Cord and MC4 Solar cable

From the Company :

All-in-1 power station with various outputs: 2*AC outlets for most household appliance under 1000W, 1*DC12V for car powered devices, 1*PD Type-C (Max 45W) for USB-C devices, 4*5V3A(Max) USB.

Review Pros :
Per watt hour, the price of this device is very good; 70 cents pers watt hour, Jackery runs more than 80 cents per watt hour.

Great quality Excellent handle - feels very sturdy and stable Great connectivity options Impressive capacity -

Sine-wave AC ports Regulated DC Port

1000W Draw Inverter (500watts per AC port) The AC ports are pure sine wave 1200W Peak - this is good but not great. It will run 1200 peak for 2 minutes before shutting off.

Features pass through charging; you can charge and use it at the same time.

Protections : built in BMS(battery management system), it has over-load/ over-current/ over-temperature/ over voltage/ low-voltage/short circuit protection.

Comes with a barrel port MC4 solar cable

Screen shows power input and output

Fast charging via AC and Solar : Solar is faster if you can harness the max 500W. - The text says 60v but it will handle up to 67v according to the company

AC takes roughly 12 hours to fully charge. Charging with solar; for 300W input solar energy, the charge time is about 8-8.5Hrs. for 500W solar panel, the charge time is about 5.5-6hrs.

USB can run indefinitely without a load which may be important for some users.

Review Cons :

Inverter could be larger - 1500w would make more sense considering the size.

1200W peak surge protection is a bit low considering the max draw is 1000W so if you plug in a 1000W draw device and it surges initially higher than 1200w, it could trip the device and shut down. Most of the time, the surge is double the draw rating.

Because the device is heavy, it can be a beast to move and maneuver around your vehicle. In your own, it won’t be much of an issue.

Battery level indicator doesn’t show actually percentage points but rather 20% blocks. This translates never knowing exactly how much power remains which I don’t like.

Only 2 AC ports - surprising to see with such a large device

The power brick and the device are very loud when charging....so loud that one likely couldn’t sleep with the device charging say at night time. Equivalent to a blow drier on low.

No Anderson power port nor convert cables included.

Lower than 30w draw inverter devices will not show on the screen.

Can’t be charged via vehicle DC which is a problem for overlanding which I find to be a major drawback for this unit. Yes, there are smaller Bluetti models which will charge VIA DC but this one does not.

Monday, December 21, 2020

The Worst Stove Ever - Small Lixada Wood Burning Stove - Real Review


Luke is back with another 100% Agenda Free Review of a wood burning stove from the company known as Lixada.

This happens to be the biggest piece of JUNK and I wouldn't waste your money on it.....it's terrible in just about every single way possible.

....

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:: Lixada Wood Burning Stove with Alcohol Plate ::

Agenda Free Link : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DF6XQNI

Price : $14 at the time of filming even though a few months ago I purchased this for $9

Weight : 4.9oz

Version : There are 5 versions;

Small 201 Stainless

Medium 201 Stainless

Large 201 Stainless

Medium 304 Stainless with Titanium Coating

Small 201 Stainless with Titanium Coating

The options are confusing and the information on Amazon isn’t very helpful. Plus each one of these stoves is a different size even when talking about two smalls stove or even the medium.

Also, the information for these products is poorly written; here is an example -

The medium 201 stainless stove includes the following;

Stove with Alcohol Dish & Pouch Stove & Pouch

Setup process :

Not easy – not because it is complicated but rather, the pieces do not stay together once the stove is put together fully. You can grab it and lift and it will fall apart VERY easily and that’s after long terms burns and warping of the stainless plates.

Want to increase your frustrations? Add in the alcohol pan….

Easy of Use :

The small size of this stove sounds good in theory but in truth, it is far more irritating to use than it should be. You have to feed the stove very small pieces of wood but with a pot on top of the stove, you will burn your fingers feeding it. So you have to change your approach; either feed it long piece of wood and leave some of that length hanging out or take the pot/cup off of the stove and drop in the fuel.

If you put in long pieces of wood, as it burns you will have flaming bits and pieces of wood falling on to the ground which is a fire hazard.

If you feed from the top you are extending your boil/cooking time. It doesn’t sound like much but it is as you continuously have to feed the stove.

Yes you can burn large pieces of wood but you have to have a good hot base to get to that point and more than likely once the stove is ready for large diameters of fuel, you will be done with the boil/cooking event.

Pros :

Lightweight

Small and compact

Comes with a carry pouch.

Quality of the stainless is ok but the edges are sharper than most stoves of this type. It won’t cut you but it is without a doubt sharper than most that I have reviewed.

Cools down quickly after you are done using it

As far as pros go, that’s it.

Cons :

Price – for what this stove offers and all of the problems and irritations which come with using it, the price is too high in my opinion.

Pain to setup and put together.

Isn’t sturdy - Stove once setup doesn’t stay together unless you hold the stove by two sides.

Can’t be moved easily.

No pot supports which means that this small stove can’t be used with small cups and pots.

Because there are no pot supports, your pot or cup will sit on top of the stove which limits airflow to your fire which causes a ton of smoke and inefficient burning.

Very inefficient to use

Because there is so much smoke thanks to the inefficient burn, there will be soot all over everything! Incredibly dirty stove to use.

Hard to feed

Accepts only small pieces of wood when using the stove safely.

Will burn your fingers if you aren’t careful.

Plate warping will happen immediately

Pointless alcohol pan – if you want to use alcohol, go with something else completely. You’ll waste so much time setting this up...

Summary :

Most of the time I like wood stoves like this but this is one which I absolutely hate. There are very few pros to using it and I can easily say this; don’t waste your money on it. I wasted my money so you don’t have to; there are other stoves out on the market, many that I have reviewed which are much better.

This is a poorly thought out product and my Agenda Free Advice is to buy something else if you are looking for a wood stove or an alcohol stove.

Friday, December 18, 2020

Some of the WORST Leaking EVER - MSR Zoic 2P Tent - Test Night


I'm not going to sugar coat this folks, in this episode of Test Night I experienced some of the worst leaking that I have ever had in a tent....EVER!

In the last 30+ years, I have only experienced one other tent which has leaked more than this and that was the River Country tent which I reviewed a few years back.

The amount of leaking with this tent is SHOCKING for a shelter that is this expensive. 

This is Test Night with the MSR Zoic 2P Tent.

.... 
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Too Tough? - Honest Real World Multi-Year Review : Fjallraven Barents Pr...


This is the review that many have been waiting for;

over almost 10 years I have been wearing primarily Fjallraven Pants on my channel and today, I'm reviewing two different kinds;

The Barents Pro Trousers and the Vidda Pro Trousers.

You want the best of the best when it comes to outdoor/bushcraft pants? This is them!

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Fjallraven Barents and Vidda Pro Pants

Barents Agenda Free Link : https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/men/trousers/trekking-trousers/barents-pro-trousers-m
Vidda Pro Agenda Free Link : https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/men/trousers/trekking-trousers/vidda-pro-trousers-m-reg

Fjallraven is a Swedish company who makes some serious outdoor gear and clothing and with just about everything that they make, the quality is amazing and their prices are exceptionally high.

My experiences with the company go back 10 years; I had a pair of the Barents imported and fell in love them these pants as they were so strong, so durable, and the performance was so good…..I’ve worn virtually nothing else since then.

Differences : Barents have a raw length and when you receive them, you will need to get them hemmed to your size.

The Vidda Pro Trousers have a predetermined length and one less pocked.

In truth, I have owned a pair of each and unless I looked really closely, I wouldn’t even notice a difference. The Vidda pants do come in a larger variety of colors than the Barents.

Price : Retail $145 for the Barents, $155 for the Vidda

Weight for Size 48 : 1.25lbs

Colors : Dark olive, Dark Grey, Black

Review Pros :

Incredibly tough – have handled all of my use and abuse without any issues. One pair of pants can literally last years and years. For an example, these are 3 years old and I wear them just about daily. Seriously, I wear them to go to town if it is cool, I wear them for most hiking trips….and they have taken everything that I have put them through.

I’ve ripped the crotch on some barbed wire, resewn them and no issues.

Left side pocket where I put my phone has begun to worn through and I have sewn them the best that I can...For 3 years of hard use, I’m very, very pleased.

Good wind resistance.

Good water resistance

Dry quickly.


Price – They are more expensive that a lot of pants but they are so strong, I consider even full price to be very fair.

Lower waist is awesome for backpacking as your harness will go above your belt if you wear one. This makes for a more comfortable backpacking experience. If you are aren’t familiar with wearing a lower wasted pant, these will ruin you once you get accustomed it. Anything higher wasted will not be your preference.

Lots of pockets

Re-enforced knees

Knee pads can be used but I have only done this once...it worked well but I found that I don’t really need them in most cases.

Lifetime warranty…..as long as you have your receipt. I’ve heard that the company can be less than helpful if you are not able to prove that you are the original purchaser.

Can be waxed….if you wish go through that process. I’ve done it a time or two and prefer not to it. It’s a chore to do, a job to wash it out, adds to the weight, limits breathability, and so on. I would suggest doing a cotton water repellent wash and that will help make them much more resistant to light to modern rain.

Belt loops are great for hanging items…

My experiences is that the fit is relaxed and comfortable….but with everyone having a different body type your mileage will vary.

Review Cons :

No rear wallet pocket

Not the best for hot conditions – in the summer, if you have to wear pants I would definitely recommend something else unless you need some pants that are very strong and durable. By the way, Fjallraven has pants which are better suited for warm weather...

Sizing can be confusing for American users. EU sizing has to be converted...I am a 32” waste and I wear a 48 in EU sizing.

Material doesn’t stretch….this really isn’t a big deal...but if you plan to rock climb of run around in an obnoxious sort of way...these aren’t the best pants for you.

Heavy...there are much lighter pants out on the market

Summary :

For the majority of my adventures and daily life use, these are my go to pants and I can’t state their praises any more than I already have. They are top notch and are well worth the money.

Great for bushcraft, great for hiking, great in warm, cool and cold conditions...not hot.

Great for being at the range, working around the house, and every day use.

Monday, December 14, 2020

How Difficult Could It Be? - Wildlands Outdoor Gear UL 2P Tent



Today Luke is setting up the Wildlands Outdoor Gear UL 2P Tent and as you know, the Setup process is very important when it comes to the purchasing of a tent; 

How easy or how complex will it be?

Are there any issues?

Find out now!
...
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Support TOGR through Patreon

Friday, December 11, 2020

Solo Camping Trip in the Windy Forest - A Storm Approaches



Susie is alone in the remote mountains of Virginia for this Solo Camp Adventure and a Storm is on the way! Will she be able to get out before it hits?

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Wednesday, December 9, 2020

RED DAWN! - Opening Stuff You Sent In - Viewer Mail #83


The generosity of our viewers continues to blow us away; thank you all for the kindness which you have blessed us with. 

This is Viewer Mail Episode #83!

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Monday, December 7, 2020

Serious Flames and Heat - Lixada Large Stainless Steel Wood Burning Stov...


In this Agenda Free Review, Luke is discussing the Pros and Cons of the Large Stainless Steel Wood Burning Stove from Lixada.


For the money, this stove is awesome!

....

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Lixada Large Stainless Steel Stove

Agenda Free Link : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012NHG1CS

Price : $29.00

Weight of stove : 1lb 1.7oz

Weight of storage bag : .5oz

Sizes : There are multiple sizes and variants of this stove including smaller version and even a titanium version of this stove – This is the Large Stainless Steel Stove and it measures :
Small
medium
large
some versions come with an alcohol stove and cost a good bit more

Lixada also has different stoves which feature a more boxy design

Measurements :

Setup : 6.5” wide x 7.5” tall with pot supports

Folded : 7” wide x 7.25” long x .25” thick

…… 
Review Pros :

Large size stove

Good price

Good quality

Smooth edges

Stainless steel construction

Good size storage bag – big enough to easily fit the components into it

Weight isn’t bad considering the size

Setup process is straight-forward

Plenty of air holes

Raised legs so it can sit on all types of surfaces without issues
once it is put together it stays together

Large fuel chamber

Feeding this stove is very, very easy and can be done from the top of the center plate.

Accepts large pieces of wood

Easy to Lite

Review Cons :

Setup with this style of stove is somewhat cumbersome and gloves aren’t a terrible idea easily as you use the stove and there is some natural warpage.

Summary :

This is a good stove for those who like to burn wood and want a larger stove to work with. This is made for large pots, big pans and would be great for larger groups. Before purchasing this stove, I would ask yourself whether or not you need the size as it is large.

Should be mentioned that the design isn’t anything unique or special and in fact, there are many companies who make the same product but with a different company logo on it. This is the least expensive version that I have seen but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if there was another company out there who was selling it for less.

Performance is good, it’s of a large size, can burned for a long time and can put out a lot of heat.

Friday, December 4, 2020

Real Survival with only an Emergency Tarp - Freezing Temps!


In this Survival Overnight Adventure Luke the Lone Wolf is headed into the remote forest for the purpose of sharing how to survival with only an Emergency Tarp and very little supplies.

The focus of this episode is a survival product known as an Emergency Tarp and Luke will show you how to use it correctly to improve your chances of surviving in conditions below freezing! .
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Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Prepare for Wind the Right Way - Pitching a Tarp in Windy Conditions


In this episode I'm going to share with you some very important points for using a tarp in windy conditions including when to use regular tent stakes and when to put those away and go with something much more substantial.

In this instructional video, Luke is going to be sharing information that every outdoorsman/outdoorswoman should know.

Instructional Playlist with more Tarp Setups

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