How about a side-by-side list & evaluation of the new AMK S.O.L. kit with the AMK E.T.S. kit ?

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Do you have a link. I couldn't find either an SOL or ETS kit on the AMK website.

You're probably talking about the SOLO, and you're right RAS, it looks like they don't make it anymore. The "ETS" kit is called the Pocket Survival Pak on AMK's site.

From basegear.com:

# HeatSheets Survival Blanket - Reflects 90% of your body heat back to you. Waterproof, breathable and easily repairable. Survival instructions printed directly on blanket. 96" x 60" size fits two people.
# Mini Rescue Flash Signal Mirror - Visible over ten miles. Made of a durable polycarbonate mirror with mil-spec retro-reflective properties.
# Rescue Howler Slim Whistle - Ultralight and ultrathin triple frequency whistle can be heard over one mile.
# Survival Matches - Waterproof, windproof matches in a watertight vial with striker.
# Tinder-Quick - Tinder-Quick is waterproof and burns for 2-3 minutes, giving you plenty of time start a fire.
# Survival Fishing and Sewing Kit - Fishing or sewing line, fishing hooks, swivel hooks, and safety pins.
# 20mm Survival Compass - Accurate, liquid damped, fast acting needle, with groove to accept an improvised lanyard ring.
# Duct Tape - The ultimate repair and improvisation component

I understand that there is also supposed to be a bilingual survival datasheet. The pouch looks like a miniature roll down drybag- that and the dimensions put me in mind of it being intended for life vest pockets. Not bad, I'd rather see the SparkLite here to the matches, but that would turn it into a PSP variant.

http://www.basegear.com/amk-sol-survival-pak.html

I think it was a mistake to remove the sparklite and replace it with matches. The other items can be added as needed. I would add my own SAK, its better than a razor blade and no need for AMK to add the expense to the kit. Foil is found in every home so why should they need to add it, likewise for string or mason line.
And not to forget pencil and paper, the waterproof paper might be nice to have tho.
Maybe that is the Idea behind this kit, just include the items that are not readily found in the home and let the purchaser add the common items? Still IMO the sparklite is a serious omission, I have a bunch of BSA spark tools but how common are they in the average home.

I stand corrected...but am I the only one who is asking, "What was AMK thinking when they named it that?"

Granted, if you find yourself relying on this kit you probably are indeed S.O.L., but do they have to rub our nose in it?

"Survive Outdoors Longer"=SOL
It is also a double entendre; it is supposed to be a bit of a joke.
Leavity can be a great tool to help survive the occasional epic.

I don't really understand where this product belongs in their survival product line-up.

Is it supposed to be a beefier version of the original, DR PSK ?

You have a valid point about the sparklite, however, as you said they are not commonly found in the home. I bet matches are included so that AMK can target the kit at the general public. Outside of this forum, and a few select scouts I've met over the years, I know very few people who would choose a flint over a match. With a larger target audience AMK can produce more kits, keep prices down, or at the very least sell enough kits to continue production of the product.

A more advanced user (such as yourself and the rest of the forum) can easily modify the contents of the resealable dry bag to suit your needs, climate, experience level, personal preferences, etc.

P.S. I liked the double meaning of the name, I found it to be quite funny. Then again I can have a rather odd sense of humor at times, and could easily see myself laughing when I'm SOL and need to crack open my SOL kit