http://www.outdoorlife.com/outdoor/survival/article/0,19912,1109018-1,00.html

Not that I agree with their choices but they bring up few interesting items that are worth exploring such as the pocket flare. I'm also a big fan of Rino but that rechargable battery is what worries me.

Well see for yourself.

The entire address of your link leads to the correct page. However, note that the entire link address in your message is not selectable. Therefore, one receives a page not found error.

Interesting list, lots of high end stuff. I'm considering the powerflare.

Columbia Ridge Runner Wheeled Backpack [color:"red"] 9lbs. 10oz.[/color] <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Really did anyone try this pack on and wear it for a day.

Adam

That's no moon, that's a space station... Errr. I mean it's not a backpack, it's luggage with an attachable day pack. I don't even know why it would be considered survival gear.

I'm at a serious loss on that one.

Someone please tell me what I'm missing...

I dig the Power Flare though.

Must be the return of the 'yuppies'

upscale survival -- everything else is 'upscale' nowadays

The only thing I agree with are the guns. The Kel-Tec SU16 and the AR7 are both interesting rifles. They are both light and compact. The AR7 tends to not be accurate or reliable.

I don't think the Power Flare has anything over the older TurboFlare360. The article says the MSRP for the PowerFlare is $90. I think that's for two since the website quotes $45 for one. I just saw an eBay auction for 10 brand new TurboFlares for $25, plus the TurboFlare uses regular AA's while the PowerFlare uses either CR123's or some special rechargable battery pack.

Cool Beans. Thanks for the info!

I actually prefer the 123s over AAs because of the shelf life.

No wonder I quit reading Outdoor Life 40 years ago! Although some of those items are great, they surely are not my choices for items I just have to have! Better than nothing I guess. That pocket flare thing looks ridiculous and way, way overpriced! As for the Rino, great piece of gear but I prefer a plain GPS with some better features. Color is prefered for a map capable GPS, as long as it is sunlight legible. Oh well, everyone has an opinion <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Don't knock that Rino down until you tried it. I had the 120 version and it really was something. It was great survival tool with locator, weather radio and decent battery life. I upgraded to 60cs because I needed more detailed maps and bigger memory but lost the radio. Now the new rino combines all the stuff that GPS should have with radio. Unfortunately in order to power all that stuff they have included a rechargable battery that should last about 16 hrs. And like we all know survival situations last more that 16 hrs and not always we have a possibility of plugging into an outlet. I wish they come tot heir senses and do the AA version soon.

Not a fan of the pack choice either.

There are a number of good quality"survival" knives out there and I won't argue about the article's particular choice, why this insane interest in attaching it to a pole to form a spear? Looks like a great way to damage or loose a blade; possibly the only knife you have.
Better to fire harden the sharpen end of a pole.

I'm with you...if a "Back" pack needs wheels it must weigh too much for outdoor survival travel.

What Garmin really should do is make the Rino with a removable MicroSD memory card also. I just bought one of the brand spanking new 60Cx models and it uses the MicroSD memory. I also got the 256MB card for it. Right now the cards go up to 1GB. I bet I can load a lot of map data in that baby! It should be here Monday!
I like the radio features of the Rino but I usually have a Yeasu 530 or X7R with me when I go out, so I really have all the commo I need. Cell phone goes along until it loses the signal, which is about anywhere off a major highway. Cheers!

Actually, IMO Garmin should make all their mapping GPSes (or at least the premium models) with removable memory.

-john

Well guys you always have to hit a nerve <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />:):)

I sold rino 110 to get the 60cs... Everything was fine and dandy if I stayed within 100 miles radius of my home. Now since I'm out further I need more memory so that's where removable card comes in. Looks like I be selleing my 60cs to get the 60csx. Technology progress needs to stop.

I got lucky for a change, I had ordered a 60C and it went on backorder, then I spied the new model with the memory card so I called the dealer and they were happy to switch the order for me. Gets here on Monday, I am excited!
Sorry to run up the expenses for you, it is costly staying up with the technology! My first GPS was a Garmin 12 and look how far they have evolved in a few years! Smaller, lighter and more acurate, plus all the awesome features. I have the topo maps coming too, should be a goodtime learning the new gadget! Cheers!

Gee, that Outdoor Life popup ad caught me faster than I could triggerfinger my floating survival rifle, er mouse <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Magazines are in the economic position of financing largely by advertising. The staff receives all manner of freebies to fieldtest. I daresay few carry this stuff. I can also say when a staff writer needs to make a payment on his new RV an article showcasing those advertisers makes everyone happy. If anyone truly does wish to lash a sharp object on a stick go to www.ragweedforge.com Ragnar has honest forged spearheads from India. They aren't Sandvik Steel ( which happens to be whatever the various knifemakers at Mora buy this month) but it sure beats lashing a Swiss Army Knife <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Oh, Ragnar has never sent me a freebie for promotion or testing <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Man you will have a blast... Look up my review of the 60cs on this forum.

When I was subscrbing to Outside magazine I always wondered how come they avoid certain manufacturers. They always seemed to skip few major players which I found weird. One of the brands that was never out there was Lowe Alpine (sister of LowePro camera bags). I met up with a gentelman during a photoshow who worked for Lowe Alpine mountain clothing and asked him how come they are never reviewed by anyone. He told me that they refuse to send samples out by boxes therefore they don't exist. The only time they get brought up in the reviews is when one of the staff member is a fun of their line. Sad for smaller guys who get run over by big commercial players like NF.

Interesting, indeed. Cool article. Thanks for the link.

-- Craig

Well, so far I have opened the box, inserted batteries and was duly impressed with the speed of acquiring satellites, the display and the features. I have a 256 MicroSD card coming along with the Topo US Map Source CDs and a carry case, should be here Wednesday or Thursday. Then I can get it loaded up with maps and start really getting into it. I also have some hikes planned the following two weekends so it will get some field testing. I have owned 5 GPS units, all but one have been Garmin products and I have to say they are setting the standards! I am sure this Map60Cx will be my GPS unit for a long time to come. Besides, I am broke <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Cheers!

Also the current issue of Field and Stream has a pretty good Survival Primer. As its cover story. (February).

Much of this is certainly well familiar to many of us here. But I think that it does serve as a good Refresher / Primer.

My apology if someone has already mentioned this somewhere, -I havn't the time at the moment to read the entire thread. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Polak187[/email]

Good to hear from ya Scott, how's it goin'?

Good, OK, and All Right! Things looking up at least some. Surviveing, Hanging in there, etc. Quite Good & Well!

I drop in about every two weeks or so on average. (Relying on a library computer, not presently having my own.). If you recall, -you replied to me not long ago, -about the Sci Fi Survival Boat, and it's Keel. I Appreciate your asking on how "I'm Floating".

To you and all Others here, -I do Admit that I've had various areas of Fault, Shortcomings, and Ruff Edges, -mostly back in my earlier past here. But some I'm sure still linger on into now. (Past Posting Pace like a Shark on a Feeding Frenzy, some Difficult Reading, a lot more capitalization than I now do at present, getting at times more towards or into the politics etc, than I here really should, and perhaps another few things like that.). I truly think I've Polished my Act up a good bit, -not that you doubt that. Some more Polishing remains to be done. It's only Right, Fair, and Proper toward All in our Community.

I'm taking this oppurtunity to so Come Clean about it, -Fairly Informing you and anyone else. I was thinking of soon making an original post on this, -but your asking now gives me a way to segue into this.

I think some of my past Ruff Edges have understandably rubbed you the wrong way, -in particular. I Fully and Duly so Own Up and Apologize! For whatever "Charges" I've been Guilty of, -but not for any where I've been/am not. But Certainly for wherever I was in any such Impropriety or Wrong. Again, -I must Continue to work on any remaining "Ironouts"! And Keep so "Wrestling it Down!"

A Standout along these lines, -as we've had between us, -is back when I replied that pouring water on Dry, Hard Ground, -is a great way to loosen the soil up, -in order to dig. That really got to you good enuff! And being a Construction Laborer as you've a number of times mentioned, -you're in a position to Know something on it.

I Understood and Got your Point, -in your reply. That in your View, -that is absolutely the Last thing one does! -In order to better dig.

I Agree with a lot of that, -as you put it. But I still Differ to a large extent.

In that for Dry, Hard, Compacted Soil, -Watering it up (to a Point), in order to Loosen it up, -is still the Remedy. To this extent, -my Point still Stands. If I were speaking otherwise on it, -which I wasn't, -it would indeed be as Industrial Strength Stupid !, -as it sounded to you. (to paraphrase a sizeable Admiree of mine, -Financial Talk Show Host Bruce Williams. I particularly like that expression of his, -"Industrial Strength Stupid!".).

I've now Cleared my "Chest" and Conscience so.

Beyond just taking the occassion to do so, -I again Appreciate your Asking of me, -in and of itself. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]wildcard163[/email]

I have a 60CSx with a 512mb card. I've downloaded the TOPOs for a majority of the western US as well as the City Select for the southwest. I actually was not able to fill up the card due to a limit of 1050 maps sections, which was about 460mb.

Hang in there, and keep coming back! Glad to hear things are starting to look up.

Troy