Piet,<br><br>Thanks - based on all the testimonials on the Thinsulite versions, I suppose I'll look into them. Meanwhile, we're all happy with the issue liners, although I did have a bit of sticker shock when I saw what they cost now. Even the Clothing Sales price is substantially more than what I paid several years ago.<br><br>Have fun with your Scouting - I sure do!<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Tom Ayers

Hi Oliver,<br><br>I know the feeling, I'm having a room under the roof with my "hobby" gear.<br><br>The Video card in combination with the added Video capture capabilities of Windows XP (or at least a program called Intervideo WinDVR are making the caputure of photo's so easy.<br>I just have the digital video camera attached directly to the PC through an Super VHS connector and I'm able to play the recorded dat tape onto the hard disk in perfect quality or when I love a picture just hit the camera button and voila the immage is captured in perfect quality.<br><br>This sure makes life easier as making a picture of some piece of equipement and capturing it on haqrd disk as a BMP file is just a click of the button.<br>I then put it through Paint Shop Pro and make a jpeg of it and also smaller if I want to.<br><br>Oliver, speak to you soon, Glowrings are about the only items that our scouting group has some arriving very soon and they make dandy keychain, flashlight and equipment markers so you'll see were your gear is in the dark.<br><br>Best Scouting wishes,<br><br>Bagheera

Hi Tom,<br><br>Yep, thinsulate poncho liners seem to be good, but if this shocks you as an American then multiply the price of such an thinsulate poncho liner by 2.5 and then you'll have the price that I have to pay in Guilders. I've seen them for $50 and for that money I can buy a sleepingbag that will keep me warmer and is decent quality.<br>If somebody over here makes $10 net an hour in Dutch money he has a VERY good salary.<br>For a lot of "normal" earning people $50 is at least half a days hard work sometimes even almost a day.<br><br>Perhaps I can get the normal military version in an army surplus store.<br><br>Best Scouting wishes from Holland,<br><br>Bagheera

Last year I was on a campout where I was a bit chilled at night when the tempuratures dropped lower than expected. My Colman bag was rated to 0 degrees F, as I recall, but it didn't seem comfortable when the early October night dropped to 17 degrees F. <br><br>It was my first experience with cold weather. Since the bag was rated to zero, I didn't expect any problems. So I was a bit surprised when I couldn't get comfortable. I was wearing a hat on my head, but the wide openning at the top (not a mummy bag) let cold air in, even when I "folded" the corners under my shoulders. I tossed my coat over me too, but the bottom third of the bag was not covered. I was never in danger, just uncomfortable. <br><br>I wish I had thought of my poncho. I have a large, used French military poncho that I could have rolled around my bag. I would guess that would have made the night more pleasant.<br><br>Live and learn. <br><br><br>

Piet,<br><br>Nah, it's not the cost of ONE that I'm whining about, it's having to buy SIX <grin> - Me, wife, and our 4 kids. For now, I'll stick to the issue liners - but I will take a look at the Thinsulite ones.<br><br>Safe Scouting,<br><br>Tom

Willie,<br><br>Try blocking up the opening around you with whatever is handy - spare clothes, jacket, whatever. In a case like you describe, USUALLY I have had beter luck with a blanket (poncho liner, actually) wadded up and used to "chink the cracks" than by wearing it inside the bag. YMMV, but that's what has worked for me.<br><br>OTOH - a barrel bag in a large size may work out for you.<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Tom

Actually, I bought a pair of surplus balaclavas this summer, one for me and another for my son who has the same bag, for $5 at www.sportsmansguide.com (). They have flaps that extend down the front and back. They should also help solve the problem of my hat falling off! It wasn't cold enough on the last campout to try them out. We have a nother out scheduled in 2 weeks, but family schedule may force us to opt out. Then there's always January, but if it's really cold, the bags will be totally unsuitable.<br><br>The real solution is to get a winter bag.<br>