Monday, October 31, 2022

Not a Dollar Over Retail - It's Good but Not Great - Helikon-Tex SuperTa...


After a great deal of testing Luke is ready to review the Helikon-Tex SuperTarp.  Is it worth your hard earned money or does it have flaws that are simply too great to overlook.
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Helikon-Tex SuperTarp 
What it is : This is a fairly inexpensive polyester tarp from the company known as Helikon-Tex. 


Size Setup : 10 x 10’ 

Size Packed : 12” x 6.5” x 1.5”

Materials : 100% rip-stop polyester, YKK zippers

Weight : 1lb 12oz with storage bags

Colors : Black, Olive Green, PL Woodland, US Woodland

Price : Retail $65 - prices are raised on Amazon - some are around $100.  I’m not sure what is happening there - it says that Helikon-Tex is the seller and it is they who are charging more on the site.

Features : 
19 reinforced Attachment points - check the placement of these 
Taped seams 
Storage bag allows for easy packing even when wet - I want to test that out specifically as storing a wet tarp is always a struggle. 

Two methods of storage included - zippered sleeve and drawstring bag

Pros :

Excellent size especially for the money - there is plenty of space for two individuals under this tarp in a pinch, a ton of space for one person.

Good quality considering the price and the materials - not great but good. There are some loose threads and the tie off points are very small.

Strong considering the low price - suitable for summer time conditions and potentially low impact fall and winter camping.

No issues when it comes to waterproofness in fact, it has held up well to strong thunderstorm downpours with heavy rainfall.  

Talking about wind, this tarp has seen mild to moderate winds with the highest gusts being around 15mph.

Versatile - large enough to be used any way that you like; with a tent, by itself, etc.  You can even use it as an awning and it works well in that regards

Pack size is reasonable 

Two storage bags are included and the mesh zippered bag is smart.  I also like the shape.  Both fit the tarp with little effort including guys lines.

Weight is reasonable for the price

Cons :
Not the best in terms of quality
small tie off points

For some a con could be the lack of guy lines and stakes; some less expensive just as good tarps will come with those items. In this case, you will have to supply your own.

Note : 
I mentioned the materials and made my recommendations on use; with the materials and the build quality, summer time use is fine, fall and winter is going to be fine as well as long as it isn’t too windy and as long as heavy snow isn’t laying on the tarp.  

If a stronger tarp is needed, then I would highly recommend looking at tarp made from a stronger nylon.

Summary : After countless months of testing, I can tell you that this is a good budget tarp. I had concerns about the overall quality but it has held up well for realistic and sensible 3 season conditions.

Something to remember, this is not a 4 season tarp meaning that it is not going to be strong enough to handle the worst that winter has to offer.

If you don’t need a winter strength tarp this is a good option to consider.  If you are looking for a strong tarp that can handle a lot of wind, heavy snowloading, I would look elsewhere.  

Note : I’ve mentioned that some sellers on amazon are trying to sell this for a higher than the suggested retail price.  For what this tarp is and the materials, I personally wouldn’t pay anything more than retail; otherwise there are better tarps out there for the money.
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Saturday, October 29, 2022

Rain Camping in a Toy Hauler Trailer Cabin Conversion - Fire, Cook and Camp


Everyone has been asking for a return to the off-grid "Cabin" so in this episode, Luke heads to the top of Lone Wolf Mountain for the evening.

Let's sit around a fire on the new patio with fire pit, we'll cook up a good dinner, washing the dishes with our new water system and enjoy the sounds of the evening rain.

Cabin Overnight Adventure : 

- DJI Mini Drone : https://amzn.to/3pHiffn
- Sony Alpha 7 IV : https://amzn.to/3vWgMa0
- Sony 20mm 1.8 Lens : https://amzn.to/3Fi3XbK
- Sigma 100 - 400 Lens : https://amzn.to/3NEONB1
- SIRUI Carbon Fiber Travel 5C Tripod : https://amzn.to/3BEahZX
- Rode VideoMic Pro Plus Mic : https://amzn.to/3iZMqMO
- Sony TOUGH-G SDXC UHS-II 128GB V90 Memory Card : https://amzn.to/3efDS16

- Fjällräven Vidda Pro Ventilated Pants : https://amzn.to/3ytuwYw
- Old Navy Shirt : oldnavy.com
- Darn Tough Socks : https://amzn.to/3mx20A5
- Vasque Juxt Multi-Sport Shoes : https://amzn.to/3DbNTK9
- Arcteryx Conveyor Belt : https://amzn.to/3i3CRfb
- Oakley Men's Gradient Flak Jacket 03-881 Black Wrap Sunglasses : https://amzn.to/2WcOGYm
- Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch : https://amzn.to/3GvkPMC
- Kershaw Cryo II Folding Knife : https://amzn.to/2Sej6aD
- Samsung S22 Phone : https://amzn.to/3wqzbLS

- YETI Rambler 24 oz Mug : https://amzn.to/3SJwVqW
- NatureHike Table : https://amzn.to/3I1Y4Sh
- Coldcreek Outfitters Outdoor Washing Table : https://amzn.to/3bIJtzf

- Dometic CFX45 Fridge/Freezer : https://amzn.to/3BZl8QL
- Bluetti Power Station MAX : https://amzn.to/3R2jjY4
- Jackery Explorer 1500 Battery Bank : https://amzn.to/3yIPenB
- Anker 521 Portable Power Station : https://amzn.to/3DA9vzV

Snow Peak Fire Pit : https://amzn.to/3syts3L
- Expedition Research Hexamine Solid Fuel Tablets : https://amzn.to/3fi3E6e

- USB Qooltek 60LED 7W Light Strips : https://amzn.to/34awT4J
- USB Fan SmartDevil : https://amzn.to/3yYYpje
- Gas One GS-3900P Dual Fuel Stove : https://amzn.to/3z33s24
- Butane Fuel : https://amzn.to/3oTpWyw

- Valtcan 1000ml Titanium Kettle Pot : https://amzn.to/3KVD1Ck

- Modern LED CordlessTable Lamp 4000mAh Rechargeable Lamp : https://amzn.to/3K4elqR
- LED Desk Lamp Cordless Table Light Rechargeable : https://amzn.to/3wikydb
- Nite Ize Lantern : https://amzn.to/3fCFbHN

- DOD Outdoors SOTO Sleeping Pad w/ Pillow : https://amzn.to/3SGund0
- Russian Military Sleeping Bag : N/A

- Toilet Bucket : https://amzn.to/3wIgnoT
- Trash Bags for Toilet : https://amzn.to/3z363Jm
- Odor Bio-Blue for Toilet : https://amzn.to/3iU89FT

- Smart Bottle 5 Gallon Collapsible Water Bag : https://amzn.to/2XaL2yS

- Teton Sports Altos Sleeping Pad : https://amzn.to/3wNbZHZ
- OneTigris Featherlite Quilt : https://amzn.to/3ueM3Do
- Teton Sports Pillow : https://amzn.to/3vnigH6

- Fresh Roasted Guatemalan Coffee : https://amzn.to/3y4njic

- OneTigris Folding Chair : https://amzn.to/3yr40Po

- Old Military Backpack : N/A

- PETZL ACTIK CORE Rechargeable Headlamp : https://amzn.to/3vYdDWT
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FYI : I don't live here
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Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Best Backpacking Stool? Lightweight & Comfortable BUT - Big Agnes Skylin...


Today Luke is reviewing a UL stool from Big Agnes;
while Lightweight and Comfortable, is that enough to justify the price? 
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Big Agnes Skyline UL Stool 

What it is : For those who want to pack light but yet carry with them a comfortable place to sit, this is a fairly lightweight sitting option for those who don’t want to carry with them a full size chair.

Agenda Free Link BA : https://www.bigagnes.com/skyline-ul-stool

Agenda Free Amazon Link : https://www.amazon.com/Big-Agnes-Skyline-Camp-Stool/dp/B07M65DV3T?th=1

Colors : Black Orange Yellow 

Materials : Nylon with polyester ripstop and waterproof UTS coating - aluminum pole system

Weight : 1lb 4.5oz for the full kit - you can drop .5oz by leaving the storage bag behind.

Measurements : 
Seat Height : 15"
Seat Width : 21”
Packed Size : 3.5 x 12" 

Weight Capacity : 250lbs

Price : $100

Features : 
Hubless design
Color coded frame for easy setup
For a stool, the seat is rather wide which isn’t common with camp stools.  Most are very narrow.
One directional way to sit

Review Pros :
Comfortable - Really comfortable considering that there isn’t a back rest.  When sitting in it, it’s like a chair but again, without the back.
Because the seat is large it doesn’t feel restrictive and doesn’t impact your legs or hips.
Lightweight
Small form factor
Easy to set up
Can be used for multiple purposes including backpacking, bike packing, kayaking and so on.
Durable
Can be used as a makeshift table if needed
Fairly stable for a stool - if you lean forward to grab something it stays planted fairly well. This is due to slight flexes in the frame and stretching being done in the seat.
Storage bag is big enough to house the stool and seat with no issues. 

Review Cons : 
Point 1 - Can’t recline - that’s not really a con just a point to make and for you to consider. 
Point 2 - feet will sink into soft soil
My only real con for this stool is the price - $100 for a stool with these materials is borderline insanity.  
There are a number of lightweight stools out there with most of them being $60 to $70 less expensive. 
Yes, they will be made with less expensive materials, they will feature different diving’s, won’t be quite as comfortable and won’t include a warranty that you can trust as most of these offerings will come from Chinese companies.  That’s up to you to weigh and consider.

Tip : If you are a taller or larger individual, I would recommend trying this stool out before purchasing if at all possible.  
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Monday, October 24, 2022

I See Why Everyone Loves This Tent - Eureka Timberline 2 Tent - Agenda F...


In this episode, Luke is reviewing the beloved Eureka Timberline 2 Tent.
He's going over the pros, the cons, what he likes, what could be better and the one big issue facing this tent.

PRICE!

#eureka  #tent #camp #camping #rain #storms #adventure 
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Eureka Timberline 2 Tent - Review


Materials :
Inner Body Fabric - 75D 185T polyester taffeta breathable
Rainfly Fabric - 75D 185T polyester taffeta 800 mm
Mesh - 40D polyester no-see-um
Floor Fabric -75D 210T polyester taffeta 800 mm
Aluminum Poles
Steel tent stakes
800mm hydrostatic head rating

Dimensions Packed : 6” x 24”

Dimensions Set Up :  86 in x 63 in - 42” tall

Weight : 6lbs 10oz

Doors : 1

Freestanding : Yes

Season : 3

Price : $220

Versions : 
There are a number of versions of this tent including the Timberline 2 that I have here.  

There is Timberline 4 person, there is the more modern designed Timberline SQ XT versions which feature more mesh ano a slightly different top pitch; that’s available in 2 and 4 person sizes.

Then there is SQ Outfitters Versions, those are available in 4 person and 6 person.

Add-on :
There is a vestibule Add-on available for this tent, it costs $65

Pros :
I will be honest, I was concerned about this tent when I first received it; it features a very low Hydrostatic waterproof rating 

This is a great example of what I have stated for many years; the hydrostatic Head Rating of a tent means very, very little in terms of the overall performance of tent.

I’ve tested out tents that feature high 3,000 HSH ratings that leak whereas this tent with only 800 has never had any sort of issues even in heavy rain.

So pro number 1 - it has been waterproof with all of my testing but that doesn’t mean it is the best tent for storm conditions and we’ll talk more about that in the cons portion of this review
Quality is good
Setup is fairly simple but is a bit of a chore. More on that too.
Size is good for two people But excels as a one person and their gear. One person is able to sit-up, change clothes, move around some.  Two limits that ability.
Condensation control is very good as there is Adequate separation between the fly and the tent inner.  Moisture will form on the inside of the fly in the right situation but it’s not going to be much of an issue thanks to the fabric is inner.
While I’m not overly impressed with the fabrics used to make this tent, I do like the strength of the poles.
On the inside of the tent, the hardware is present to put up a hanging line so you can dry items or suspend them above your head.

Cons : 
No doubt about it, this tent is heavy.
While the setup process isn’t complicated, it does take time as it involves putting together poles, inserting them in to hubs, then you the fly literally hooks to the body and to the poles.
Materials aren’t the strongest 
Especially for the price - High cost - That is my biggest complaint concerning this tent - the price is high for what you are receiving.
While i haven’t had any leaking take place, in some wind blown rain situations it is possible as the front and back of the tent feature little protection and there is no storm flap over the zipper. With that being the case, this isn’t the most storm proof of tents.
Because of the design, this tent doesn’t feature the best airflow and can be warm to hot in the summer months.  This is due to the limited mesh and abundance of polyester fabric.  Eureka does offer different versions of this tent, some with more mesh.
No vestibule - may or may not be a big deal.  Keep this in mind though.

Summary :
Overall I have grown to really like the Timberline tent; it’s a tent system used by many, appreciated by many and performs well.  At the same time, it lacks a modern design which means the setup is a bit of a chore, it’s heavy and not the most storm worthy.

Also this tent is expensive for what it is; there are plenty of really good tents out there that cost less than this that feature better materials.
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