Product Reviews

Gear Reviews

Reviews of products that have earned the "Lionhearted Seal of Approval"

click to buy:
Italian Military San Remo Internal Frame Pack
Reviewed by: LSPAN2K_@_aol.com
Where to buy: Surplus Dealers
Cost: $50-90	Tried and true?	Category: camping/hiking
Comments: The San Remo is the Italian military's answer to US CFP-90 standards. It is an internal frame pack with a single main compartment with 4410 CI of capacity, an 896 CI capacity pocket on each side and a detachable 1014 CI patrol/day pack. Total capacity is 6,320 CI. Main pack is about 30"x21"x7". Side pockets are 16"x7"X4". Patrol pack is 13"x13"x6". The one I have is an early version made from OD nylon that I bought for about $50.00. Newer models made from camo nylon are available now from most military surplus dealers for about $80.00 - $90.00. The main bag has an expandable, draw-cord closure top. The lid has a zippered compartment that fits a GI issue poncho perfectly, and is accessible behind your head when wearing the pack. The top lid is secured with two straps with FasTex-type buckles. The two side pouches allow items such as skis, fishing rods, entrenching tool, etc., to be passed behind them and secured to the pack. The pack uses a heavy-duty flexible plastic frame sheet that slides into a pocket behind the upper back pad, and then locks onto the detachable hip belt with two web/buckle toggles. There are no stays in the pack. The padding on the hip belt is minimal; I added a belt pad to mine to make it more comfortable with loads over 40 pounds. The shoulder straps are not adjustable for torso length; the pack is made pretty much for someone with a 20" - 21" torso. The shoulder straps do have load lifter straps and thumb-loops. Padding is adequate. I added a sternum strap to make it a bit more comfortable. The detachable patrol pack has accessory straps on top, bottom and both sides and lightly padded shoulder straps. The top lid closes with a storm-flapped dual zipper. When secured to the main pack, the patrol pack can be cinched down tight with an elastic band and D-rings on the main pack. The patrol pack can also be configured to be used as a shoulder bag or a butt-pack, using the accessory straps in different combinations. The pack is comfortable when care is taken in loading the pack, as is true with all internal frame packs. I can carry a four-man dome tent, sleeping bag and provisions for a two-nighter in the main bag, "survival" items, camp tools and food in the patrol pack and my sleeping pad slung underneath with a set of US "spaghetti straps" that hook nicely through the vent holes in the frame sheet. The side pockets will each hold two (2) one quart US military canteens or even better a big hydration bladder. There are web straps on the shoulder pads on the main bag that will adapt to hold a drinking tube. Overall, it's been a great pack for $50.00, and if you have a torso length of about 20"-21" and are looking to carry about 45-50 pounds or less with a lot of external attachment points, this could be a great pack for you. Buy a $5.00 sternum strap and a $5.00 belt pad and this bag turns out pretty good.
Reviewed on 2/23/2003 5:34:59 PM		24.54.149.40

click to buy:
Brigade Quartermasters Team Leadership Seminars
Reviewed by: Bill Ames
Where to buy:
Cost: $2250 or so	Tried and true?	Category: when all hell breaks loose!
Comments: Ranger TLC Experience™ Learn the secrets of leadership and team building from one of the world's most elite teams... The Rangers! The core Teamwork, Leadership, and Communication workshop is The Ranger TLC Experience™. Simulated Ranger missions are used during this four-day, eighty-six hour training exercise to remove learning barriers, ensure retention, and accelerated application. Throughout the four days, participants repeat the following learning cycle: * Receive Teamwork, Leadership, Communication instruction. * Apply this instruction by planning and executing a Ranger Team mission. * Review and evaluate lessons learned. * Apply experiences and skills to their business situation. The Ranger TLC Experience™ is unlike any other teaming experience. It is not basic training, a survival school, hug-fest, or war game. It is a comprehensive, one-of-a-kind discovery process teaching combat-forged principles & techniques, connecting them to your business, and improving your bottom line. To order the complete training program, just add this item to your Shopping Cart. Leading Concepts will contact you within 10 days to arrange your visit. For complete information on this unique training program, visit the Leading Concepts web site by clicking on ''Vendor Info''. Price includes lodging, and meals during the workshop period. Airfare is not included.
Reviewed on 1/19/2003 8:51:13 PM		24.54.149.40

click to buy:
Swiss Army Multi-tool
Reviewed by: Joe Ames
Where to buy: EMI, REI, etc.
Cost: $80	Tried and true?	Category: general_outdoors
Comments: This is Victoinox's response to the Leatherman. In some ways it's better, in some ways it's worse. I wanted something a bit smaller, but the store didn't carry Leatherman... so I got it. It is one of the larger tools on the market and that yields very useful pliers, several nice-sized knife blades, and a good grip. But it is too big to carry discretely on my belt and it weighs it down when I do. A feature I prefer to Leatherman is that the tools are accesible from the outside of a closed tool, meaning you don't have to open the thing first. Some people think it safer to have them on the inside, but I can't really see how any of the tools would open without intent. The spring is heavy and strong, there are no protruding edges to catch... At the same time, the lock-back mechanism, and it's release, is much easier to use than on any of the Leathermans I've tried. It is a simple button that is pulled to the middle, thus releasing the blade. The Leatherman answer is inconsistent and often two or three techniques are needed, even on the same tool. But, as I indicated, it is big and heavy while the Leathermans are small and light. I find it useful--but not useful enough.
Reviewed on 5/31/2002 5:36:45 PM		141.151.12.70

click to buy:
USGI stainless steel pocket knife
Reviewed by: Joe Ames
Where to buy: Surplus stores, catalogs
Cost: $20	Tried and true? ON	Category: general_outdoors
Comments: If you like the Swiss Army knives, you'll love this baby. Picture your old Boy Scout knife on steroids--that what it is! Made by Cammilus from heavy guage stainless steel and features a a roughly three-inch blade, a bottle-opener/screwdriver, can opener, and leather punch. The blade--and all the tools--is thick and sturdy, but still thin enough to be useful for whittling, cutting food and whatnot. But it is thick enough that it won't break if you try to pry something with it. I can't remember how many Swiss Army knives I've busted doing that! Actually, I did break a can opener once. I used it as a screw driver trying to free a stuck window. Bent it too far and it snapped on flattening... Camillus replaced the knife free-of-charge, not a question asked of me! Now that's customer service.
Reviewed on 5/31/2002 5:30:26 PM		141.151.12.70

click to buy:
Coleman Extra-large outdoors folding chair
Reviewed by: Joe Ames
Where to buy: Wal-Mart etc.
Cost: $20	Tried and true? ON	Category: camping/hiking
Comments: OK. So it's just one of those folding chairs you see everywhere. Except that it's a lot bigger than those others, so big guys like me can sit in it without having to blow all the air out of my lungs first. The sticker says it's 15% larger, and I believe them. It fits well. It is sturdy. I don't feel like a sardine in a can. I love it!
Reviewed on 5/31/2002 5:16:38 PM		141.151.12.70

click to buy:
FUBAR shirts
Reviewed by: Joe Ames
Where to buy: Brigade Quartermasters
Cost: $10	Tried and true? ON	Category: general_outdoors
Comments: What can I say? They are brown and say "FUBAR" in big, black letters across the front. I'm on my third shirt and I love wo wear it whether on an adventure or while working out. If you don't know what FUBAR means--well, I won't tell you here! Hint: it is not named for the bar in Manhattan. Rather, the bar is named for FUBAR! The shirt above says 'BOHICA', but FUBAR is available there as well . . . Heck, buy both!
Reviewed on 5/31/2002 5:14:46 PM		141.151.12.70

click to buy:
Platoon Fitness
Reviewed by: Joe Ames
Where to buy: www.platoonfitness.com
Cost: $80	Tried and true? ON	Category: general_outdoors
Comments: Platoon Fitness isn't really a product, it is a service available in Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey. Simply put, it is Army PT run by a bunch of ex jar heads, Marines, and Navy SEALs who will whip you into shape. If you don't go and quit first. In three months, I lost thirty pounds and am as fit as I've been since drinking my first beer. The concept is simple: outdoors exercise, using only your body weight and fresh air, make for a superior environment. The camraderie, the encouragement from the instructors, and the stunning results speak for themselves.
Reviewed on 5/31/2002 5:12:39 PM		141.151.12.70

click to buy:
Sliver Gripper Tweezers
Reviewed by: Joe Ames
Where to buy: Brigade Quartermasters
Cost: $10	Tried and true? ON	Category: general_outdoors
Comments: These are a neat pair of tweezers made from a springy stainless steel, machined to a perfectly aligned point. In fact, the point is too perfect and I'd like it a whole lot better if it were a bit wider at the peak, because the tiny point makes it hard to grip fine objects! However, they work as advertized and I keep it on my keychain along with my Sapphire LED light and my Swiss Army knife.
Reviewed on 5/31/2002 5:08:01 PM		141.151.12.70

click to buy: LED Lights from REI
Sapphire LED keychain lamp
Reviewed by: Joe Ames
Where to buy: EMS, REI, BQ, US Cav, catalogs
Cost: $20	Tried and true? ON	Category: general_outdoors
Comments: You've all heard about the new LED flashlights. I got myself one of the Sapphire units a few months ago, the kind that is made to hang from your keychain. Well, it works as advertised. It projects a bright, blue light atthe push of a button. You can get other colors for the LED, including white, but I liked the cool look of the blue so that's what I got! It connects with a little snap-link that follows the lines of the unit, which is about the size of the small Swiss Army Knife that also dangles from my keychain. I use it all the time and can't imagine leaving home without one now that I've got one.
Reviewed on 5/31/2002 5:03:56 PM		141.151.12.70

click to buy:
Deutsche Optik Leather Binocular Cases
Reviewed by: Joe Ames
Where to buy: http://www.deutscheoptik.com/products.php3?cat=acc
Cost: $80	Tried and true? ON	Category: general_outdoors
Comments: Do you use binoculars? Do you hate the flimsy, vinyl "cases" that come with even expensive binoculars today? Do you remember the really wonderful hard cases that once housed a set of binoculars in your father's day? I do! I own a nice set of Bushnell marine binocs and hated the flimsy, cheap-o, vinyl case. So I asked for and got a beautiful leather case from Deutsche Optik as a present. First of all, it is beautifully crafted. The leather is thick, heavy, and gorgeous saddle leather. It is hand sewn and heavily oiled. Brass is used for all fasteners including the rivets that hold the straps to the main case. It smells wonderful. And it houses my Bushnells perfectly. Because the leather is thick and rigid, I can remove and replace the binoculars with only a single hand, even while the case is slung by my side. This was impossible with the so-called case it came with. I also got a matching case for my lensatic compass. Same thing--so much better than the nylon GI case that doubles to hold field dressings!
Reviewed on 5/31/2002 4:59:42 PM		141.151.12.70

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