Ace has posted a couple of good threads about gear he uses. Hopefully a lot of you guys spend time in the woods so I was hoping to get a thread started where you review the gear you use. It can be very simple such as this....


Best "Multi Tool" to take in the woods: The Leatherman Wave

More Affordable Version of Multi Tool: Swiss Army Knife, I prefer one with a pair of scissors and also use it in my First Aid Kit


Or it can be in depth where you show some of the pros and cons of each item

Hopefully this can be a "try it before you buy it" type thing. That way a person doesn't have to own, for example, 40 backpacks before finding one they really like.


A couple of things I would love to see...
Best flashlight
Best tent
Best sleeping bag etc.

This should be good. I would recommend refraining from the term "best" because "best" cannot be defined in terms and normally reflects "works as advertised, reliable/dependable under field conditions"

I say that because SF has always been a "testing ground" for seemingly every new "whozie/whatzit that came down the pike wanting a NSN # ( and a govt contract) and we all have tested "something".

A lot of things work "good" under certain conditions but not in others and all equipment had limitations.

Thanks LT you are one of the ones I was hoping would jump right in. As far as the "best" connotation I was looking for the person’s opinion, as to what they felt that item was the best in the field and why.

For example I have a cop friend who loves using the 6D Cell Maglite. His unit isn’t allowed to carry a nightstick or baton so one of the main reasons he likes the Maglite is its heft. As a light though there are a lot of other choices that might be more practical and portable. But for him that light is the “best.”

I like the Surefire flashlights. I think the G2 Nitrolon gives the most bang for the buck. I use mine to light something up quickly and brightly (like if I hear something in the bushes), not as a flashlight that is on for an extended period. The batteries go quick in them, but they are bright.


I like any 0-degree, mummy-style sleeping bag. I prefer synthetic materials because of where I live (the PNW provides a lot of moisture). A down bag would be smaller, lighter and provide better insulation; however, they do not provide the insulation when wet, so synthetic "wins" for my uses.

Tents...boy that's tough. I have had big, family-style tents. I've had 2-3 person expedition tents. Right now I really like my Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy. I've been told people sometimes feel claustrophobic in them, but I don't. It's really well made, waterproof and almost "leaves no trace".


For cooking equipment, I like MSR (Mountain Safety Research). I like their Whisperlite stoves, although if I were buying again I'd likely get the "International" version...maybe.


Their cookware is also high quality and I carry the Alpine Classic Cookset, which the stove fits inside. The Alpine stuff is stainless steel, so it's a little heavier than the aluminum or titanium stuff out there, but the stainless steel is "stronger" and will last longer. It comes with two pots and a lid that works as a fry pan. If I'm just going overnight or for a couple days by myself I leave the larger pan at home to save on weight.


I carry an MSR water filter as well, the MiniWorks. It works well and is field-maintanable, which is important to me.


I use MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes when needed, but they aren't really needed often.


I carry a Gerber LMF, which works well. Sometimes I carry my old Buck folding hunter, just depends.


I wear Danner Fort Lewis 600g NMT Dry-Ice Uniform Boots


I've tried a number of freeze dried meals and prefer Mountain House over the others out there. Most of what they offer is pretty good. They are easy, you just boil water, add it to the bag, stir, close the bag and in 10 minutes or so you have a hot meal.

I like the Silva Ranger compass.

Best Flashlight:

The Black Bear Borealis - 1050 lumens!

http://www.blackbearflashlights.com/

Boots-
Matterhorn or Danner, with gortex liners. Treat with mink oil.

I have to go with Danner as well.

I recommend a magnesium firestarter in every bag

Compass- anything Silva makes but the std lensatic works everywhere on earth but the best of the best is a real ( check for the NSN) M2 with a degree ring. Regardless of what you use- get a GPS and plot a test azimuth and check that compass before each use ( they WILL lose accuracy)

Always carry 550 cord ( tool of a million uses)

For extended trips in the field, get a modular sleeping bag. Its a 3 in 1. The inner liner is removable and works as a light weight sleeping bag for moderate tempetures (45-60 F). The outer liner is weather resistant and is good for temps 30-45 F. Put them both together and you are good for temps down to 0 F. There are versions that are designed for extreme low temps as well. The advantage to the modular is that you can tailor make your load based on the current climate. Treat the outer liner with a silicone spray (kiwi camp dry), as this will make it virtually waterproof.

You need a good map. a USGS topographical map 1:50,000 scale UTM, with protractor. As LT stated, a Silva compass. Make sure you know how to convert magnetic to grid, and grid to magnetic azimuths. A GPS will not help you with terrain association or 'map recons' of potential points of interest in your expedition. A GPS is nice to have, but a map and compass are a must regardless.

Yeah, I have a GPS, but it's back up to map and compass. It tells me where I am, but the map and compass tell me where I'm going. I have a lot more experience with map/compass than GPS.

Garmin and Magellan usually make pretty good GPS, even the lower priced models (Garmin Etrex)



The newer GPS' (mine is OLD) have pretty good maps and will get you to and from a waypoint. I went out with a friend twice now where I either never took out my map/compass, or just didn't use it. We walked quite some distance through a lot of cover, which would have limited the range of taking a bearing/azimuth. It was interesting because I let him be the navigator and his Garmin with maps installed got us out of what would have otherwise been a "lost in the woods" situation twice. I typically am prepared to stay out several nights so I didn't worry too much how "lost" we got (we'd have found a road at some point), but was a little concerned that I would have to break out the cold weather gear at some point. The GPS put us right out onto a road just as he said it would, right when and where he said it would. Although I still consider the GPS as back up to my map and compass it really gave me some insight about how useful they "can" be (assuming you've got enough battery to use it long enough).

Also, as Fullybird said, GPS measures distance as line of sight (one-dimensional/one plane), so if it says you're a mile away from your vehicle, you could walk three miles (up and down mountainsides) before you actually get to the vehicle that is one mile away as the crow flies. It can be confusing because you know you walked a lot farther than the distance listed and expect to see the "landmark"/waypoint, etc but it never shows up and the GPS shows your distance travelled as very short compared to what your legs tell you.

Here is my pack, mission-ready.

I went geocaching last weekend when I got out of the truck it said the cache was .34 of a mile away, 1.8 miles later I topped over the moutain and the cache was almost .10 of a mile away.

Favorite goodies...tough call, depends on the situation weather wise up here in the PNW, and you can almost gaurantee you packed for the wrong one with the exception of a couple of summer months up here.

My most consistant favorite would be my Primus multi-fuel stove, that and a few packs of freeze-dried and a full tank of diesel I'm happy. I've got an old REI pack I picked up on a whim at one of their garage sales...its dated but well thought oout and we've put a lot of miles on each other.

I've got various of the newer gore-tex type parkas and such, but a consistant performer for me is still my Filson "tin-suit" its heavy, but it does not leak it warm and goes through brush with out getting tore up by the various versions of "wait-a-minute" vines and stickers up here.

For shelter, if I'm out with a number of folks we use a Montana Canvas wall tent for a base camp, if just a couple I use my Mt. Hardwear Trango 3.0.

By myself, usually my MSR Hubba-Hubba or the Light wedge 3 by Mt. Hardwear.

Map and 2 compasses is my preference, GPS depending on area and weather/familiarity.

Sleeping usually on either a Thermo-Rest lite or Mt. Hardwear Trailhead.....which turns into a reclining chair as well, kinda makes up for the bulk when your sitting in a dome tent with nothing to lean against but soggy gear or soon to be wet walls.

Bags I've got a couple that I really like, a Mt' Hardwear 25-40 (I think that's the name) synthetic works good in the warmer months into early winter...if the fire in the cabin tent stays going.

Most used though is probably the bag I bought for climbing and such, don't remeber the model, but its down filled with a water proof shell and its got an expandable zip for when its warm out. I bought an extended version to be able to keep things like boots, socks, pee-bottle, headlamp.....peashooter in from the cold and wet.

Its saved my butt a couple of times and probably 1/2 a dozen others when we've pushed to hard and got too cold or wet....I'll be blunt, my wife about crapped when the bill came in for that bag, but in the type of weather you can find here any given time or depending on altitude...spend the $$$.

So after all that it boils down to pretty much the stove and the bag for me....by the way give very high marks for the Danners, had mine for nearly 15 years before they gave up the ghost, was my own fault so didn't even try the life-time warranty approach...will replace them soon miss them alot.

Filson kicks *ss! I'd recommend their "tin cloth" clothing for the woods; however, it retains water (even though it's water resistant). It's GREAT for the woods and brush though. A lot of times I'll wear my tin chaps and double logger coat in the woods over my more expensive gore-tex stuff, or a wool vest. That combo pretty much makes you impervious to brush and brambles and keeps you relatively warm (layering underneath).

Your right for the most part about the water Ace!, if they aren't treated every so often...I'll wear mine a few times around the house or on trips to the range things like that, then come back and slather them real good with Filsons water-proofing goop and run a hair dryer over them for a bit to melt it in good. Seems to work well so far, crawled up under a log and took a pretty good nap during one MQ adventure whilst the camera guy was trying to figure out where to set up....I woke up dry and refreshed in time to hear him whining about our weather in the Skookum area.

By the way, spend the $$ on the wool liners, bought them originally for a pheasant hunt in ND, they weren't much good there...it was 70+ so hunted in T-shirt and shorts, but they have been fantastic here at home.

And come to think of it, somebody recommended using boot grease on Danner Ft. Lewis boots.....DON'T would be my advice for a set of field boots, use the Danner boot cream, the leather is silicon impregnated and occasionally needs refreshment or if for show blackening. The only folks I knew of that used grease or similar on them were the guys trying to make Kiwi stick abit better, and it usually ended up killing the breathing aspects of the boot, and not long after, the boots themselves.

Up here they used to issue friggin jungle boots as the standard foot wear, and a lot of guys wore them as the inspection boot, but I found that the standard combat boot worked much better for both uses. Still have a bag somewhere with a few pairs of never been worn J-boots, and hopefully they will remain that way.

And actually if you can keep the insides dry, those Danner "go-devils" are the best damned boot I ever wore in the service and for a number of years after.

Bottle Shock: 4 BPA Free Water Bottles Endure Torture Testing

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/10/bottle-shock-4.html

Communications have always been a key element to any succesful operation. Knowing what is going on to your left and right is crucial when operating in a group. You need to have situational awareness, ability to pass intelligence, and ensure command and control. I recommend a multi channel 2 way reciever/transmitter, 5-10 mile range, with weather alert and emergency bands. Motorolla and Cobra have good models for such use reasonably priced.

Amen! You can get lots of very nice clothing from many manufacturers, but if I had to fully outfit myself for any kind of weather in any kind of climate with only one label, it would be FILSON!

It's very pricey (quality is never cheap), but if you keep your eyes on eBay, you can get some outstanding deals. In the past 3 years I have spent about $1,200 on NEW Filson, with tags still on, for what would cost almost $3K retail prices.

Absolutely Kevin. I was about to buy some Mackinaw pants, but I've been losing weight lately and worried I'll be giving them away next fall/winter when they don't fit anymore. I think what I'll do is buy them next fall. Other than that, I'm pretty well Filson set. Like you say, pricey, but I don't know if there is better quality out there.

I used to backpack quite often and still use my gear when car camping (sigh, nowhere fun to backpack nearby anymore...).

My favorites:

tent - Kelty Canyon Ridge for two
Made the mistake of buying a new tent for the larger size and don't like it (sierra designs, I think, will have to look up). The first time I took it out, we got rained on and the tent now appears to have mildew growing, though I did dry it out upon returning from my trip. Though my Kelty got wet many times, this never happened. It also held up well during a snowstorm in the Grand Tetons. My only issue with it was I wanted more space.

Water filter - MSR Waterworks II
Works fine, doesn't clog easily but from what i recall, filters pretty slowly. I recommend bringing along iodine tablets, just in case you need them (not needed with the filter, but if your filter fails, this is a nice backup/option).

hiking boots - Asolo fx530
I have had these boots forever and have taken them into some rugged country backpacking. They have held up well, are comfortable and sturdy, and been lots of places with me, even to the summit of Kilimanjaro. I have bought other pairs since but keep coming back to these, though they are older and were supposed to be my 'backup' pair.

stove - MSR Whisperlight International
nice little stove, it heats things up pretty fast. When there's a lot of wind, I use a screen to block the wind and it's fine. I don't recall any problems with lighting it and it's never clogged. If you're wanting just a camp stove, go for something bigger, but this is great for backcountry treks.

lighter - ok, not sure what this is. On it is listed 'AWL super'. Appears to be butane. I found it in a remote lake in Ontario on a fishing trip. It was in the water near the dock, no idea for how long. Probably not years or it would've been buried in sludge. I pulled it out, and it was still functional! I've actually not had to load fuel into it ever, probably because I don't use it very often. I'm still amazed at its waterproofness.

I also like to bring along some rope, duct tape, a whistle, bungee cords, waterproof matches, jacknives/sharpener, and first aid/ER items. Those clips climbers use are also handy, for hanging things.

I use an external antenna on my Garmin III plus. Without it, accuracy drops significantly. If you have a unit that will support one, use it. The smaller antennas seem to get confused by the close proximity to the base unit, at least with mine. Double AA batteries also limit its responsiveness to satellite reception. Plugged into the cigarette lighter makes it respond quicker and with more sensitivity, even under cover and in tunnels. The unit also doesn't like CD players. It gets whacked out when playing CDs nearby.

If I had the money, the Rhino 580 would be a great way to go because of the ability to track another signal. Garmin does have a new one out that supports larger and better color maps... but no radio. It does have a 30 foot bluetooth capability that can download way points to other similar units. You could radio your coordinates to another person, which I have done, but it is not a live feed.

I also use a good compass and map. The compass doesn't like being near the GPS or antenna. Doesn't like the hatchet, knife, flint starter or cameras for that matter.

Recommending good gear depends on the intended use. There is good gear for when on foot, which would be different than the gear used in a 4x4 or a boat, which would also be different than stuff used in the air. Figure out your most likely intended use. In my 4x4 I have a marine band base and a handheld marine band radio. It covers very good distances. Nothing I would want to carry on foot though. The Rhino doesn't work very good while in a vehicle.

Double post

Something everyone should take, Garbage bags. The big thick black/green ones. These can be used for sooooo many purposes. They take up very little space, and you'd be amazed how often they can come in handy. Collecting rain water, emergency shelter/warmth, keeping biological evidence (carrying things you don't wish to touch), rain protection (yep, we've all worn a trash bag a time or two haha) and yes, for your trash! One of the cheapest, and most useful things I've ever taken with me.

A garbage sack is "required" in my SAR unit.

With all the heavy snow we had earlier in the winter, my good winter gloves gave up the ghost. My biggest problem was that the dexterity needed in that cold and wet would just chill my hands to the bone when working with metal and I'd have to come back in and try to warm them.

That either required undressing out of all the crud I had put on, or getting a little sweat going while I waited for the hands to get feeling back. Finally figured enough is enough and started loooking and found THESE.

Bought a set for my missus and a set for myself, they are pricey, but we both love them. She has used her's a lot more than I, but have had them on a couple of snow shoeing trips myself and they are great.

A well constructed glove in its own right, but when you stop and the hands start to chill, hit the switch for a couple minutes and HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY!.

Hi Ace!

Can you tell me how much your pack weighs? Is this mostly just the hardware, no foodpacks etc?

Anyone else have guesstimations on how much weight they are carrying on a hike?

This is a good thread, lot's of useful firsthand tips. I saw a pair of 25 mile radios on dealnews recently, I should have bought them.

Thx!

I'll try to remember to weigh it tomorrow. I'm guessing 30 lbs, but again, I'll try to remember to weigh it tomorrow. I took the ice-axe off a few weeks ago by the way

Edited to add...my pack changes in weight with the seasons. It's heavier in the winter, lighter in the summer. If the pack has light-weight extra clothes in the summer, you can guess it's got heavier wool in the winter. However, that said, I'd be glad to let you know what the basic ten essentials or SAR mission-ready gear weighs in my pack.

Thx a bunch!

I want to get a better idea of what others have and the weight before I go scrounging for surplus and supplies.



.

When it comes to gear, Filson excepted,weight is inversely proportional to dollars assuming quality as a constant.

I hear you. I want to carry as much multi purpose stuff as possible leave anything with real weight and bulk.

I'm rambling a little here, but,

I weighed my pack and it's at about 20 lbs in summer weight. That's "mission-ready" for SAR (I'm in a search and rescue group). In the winter it's approximately 10 lbs heavier. When I say mission-ready I want to be clear, that's for going out looking for someone, so it's got basic survival gear, basic first aid gear, etc. It's not what I'd carry on a backpacking trip, but it is what I'd carry 90% of the time when I'm in the woods and not with my vehicle. If I got lost, and not injured, I could live for weeks with what's in the pack (even though it's technically what people would refer to as a 24 - 72 hour pack). In the winter I carry a sleeping bag, which I don't in the spring/summer. I also carry a "sleeping pad" in the winter and don't in the summer. I can make an insulating layer out of forest duff, pine boughs, etc in the summer, and they are covered with snow in the winter. So, as you can see there is a lot of stuff that gets taken out of the pack in the summer, because it'd be a luxury to have in summer and is a necessity in winter. I don't carry many luxury items anymore. I'd do an Internet search for "Mountaineers Ten Essentials" and start there.

I added an axe to my pack and it's relatively heavy, but the first time out after adding it to my pack, after searching for a body up and down some seriously steep slopes, when I was exhausted, we had an injury in the team and the axe was used significantly to clear brush, branches, etc in order to "extricate" the injured searcher. I was the only one carrying an axe, and although it was well used, it was tough carrying extra weight. It's a $150 hatchet/axe and it was banged up pretty good after that one day, but it was worth carrying it all day. That being said, I was going to take it off the pack just before that person got injured because after hiking around all day I was WIPED OUT and was thinking of ways to shed weight. I think I'll leave it on the pack for now and deal with the extra weight. In the summer I do remove the extra wool clothing I have in the winter, and keep it much closer to the "Ten Essentials", but maybe a little enhanced due to some extra training I've had (little bigger first aid kit than the next guy).

I buy first quality gear and leave most of the other stuff on the store shelf. If you've ever had a tool break when needing it you know what I mean. I've also gotten to the point that luxuries are just that, and they are usually at home as well. If I "need" my pack it's a survival situation and I won't have some tuna in a can in my backpack and a can opener (they're both at home). I can last weeks without food, so food is minimal in my pack. I have firestarting stuff (at least three) and shelter. I carry water, water purification tablets or a filter (because you don't last long without water). I usually leave the filter at home now, and carry purification tablets because I'm less concerned with taste if I'm in a survival situation (I'd drink water that tastes like it was pushed through a skunk's *ss if I had to). I normally carry a Powerbar or two and some beef jerky for food. That's enough to make me comfortable for a day or two. In a survival situation, you're usually found within 1 - 3 days, so I plan for a very little food each day for 1 - 3 days.

I don't carry my stove, fuel, or food to cook. I do carry coffee though and a small stainless cup/pan. I can boil water, make a small amount of coffee, pine needle tea, etc. I carry this as my "luxury" but have never used it. It'd just be a morale booster more than anything else if I was lost in the woods.

I'd say the most important thing I take is my education/training and positive attitude. If I was going to spend a lot of time in the back country I'd take a class in basic wilderness medicine/first-aid, maybe a local plant/animal class and basic survival, maybe a tracking class (that seems to make being outdoors more fun). I'd say those types of classes have made me much more comfortable being in the outdoors by myself, or in groups. It adds confidence and from that I think you have a more positive attitude if you are faced with a more difficult or stressful situation.

Just having a list of good items to carry, and carrying those, doesn't necessarily make you good at using them. So education/experience really will help make you feel better about what you carry, and help you make sense of what you carry, or what you leave at home. Practice loading and unloading your pack too, so you know where things are, and how to use them. I know how to use everything in my pack, from the SAM splint in my first aid kit, to the lensatic compass and topographic maps. If I don't know how to use it I'm not going to spend the energy to carry it.

By the way, my pack weighed well over 40 lbs when I first started in SAR. It's close to half that now; however, I feel even more comfortable about what I bring, that it's truly the necessary items.

Thanks so much Ace!,

We're on the same page. I just want to meet the objectives with the least amount of froohaha I can get by with. I've priced all the equipment listed in these threads. I think a lot of it depends on climate, terrain etc. I know a rope saw isnt going to replace an axe, and hiking boots can't afford the same protection as the tall military types. All thing considered, I would rather carry a telephoto lens and camcorder than a 2lb sleeping bag. I think anythig less than 30lbs is probably a 1 or 2 day trip at best.

You guys have some great ideas but as someone who is on a fixed income but still gets out to do investigations I have to watch my pennies and go with items that I can afford. Some of the things I use are a good water proof tent, a tarp, good sleeping beg, magizuim fire strater, Maglite, cooking gear, cooler, backpack, ziploc baggies-both quart and gallon size, quick set plaster, wood tongue depressers, latex gloves, multi tool, tape measure, digital camera, ir flashlight, camcorder w/nightshot vision, digital recorder and a small notebook. Each one of things can be brought through E-Bay or at Wal-Mart or even at yardsales if you look hard enought. I also like to fish so I always carry my fishing gear in my vehicle so I can also use some light line with small hooks to try and catch hairs or even some skin if I am lucky. But what ever you use and carry you should be well versed in their uses. Also I advise to use a GPS so you can mark each spot where you find evidence. I hope this information help someone in the field and on an investigation

I'll chime in here with my gear, but you have to remember I'm from the pro kill camp not to offend the anti's out there....

Remington SPS Tactical .308

Ruger Blackhawk .357

DPMS Panther .223

JEEP

Johnny Stewart electronic caller

Ghillie suit--Handmade, not commercial garbage

Gerber LMFII tactical knife

Danner boots---Best I have ever owned, so far have been lasting 5 years with minimal maintenance

Magellan Meridian GPS

Iridium phone ---When necessary (we rent them)

Alice pack

Thats the main gear, unless you want to get into the camping area...

I have plenty of camping gear as well...Ranging from base camp set ups to minimalistic gear.

I have 4 primary sites that I alternate between in any given month. All 4 located on some very large lakes and or two different river systems. Allot of it's backwater marsh and swamp that I could never get a regular boat into and out of especially after dark. So I decided to build one that would get me there and back as quickly and safely as possible along with all my equipment and anyone else who might want to come along for the night.

The Sevtec Prospector Hovercraft
8.5 ft wide 20 feet long
120 hp Subaru EA 82
Cargo carrying capacity 1400 lbs at 35 MPH
Range @ 2.3 GPH approx 220 miles


I've been able to access areas of forest that would take me hours to walk into via the nearest forest service road which in turn has given me more time to spend on the ground at my research site without the prospect of having to walk out alone in the dead of night looming over me and the ability to keep gear stowed within the craft in case I need it. It's also equiped with GPS and marine radio and enough candlepower to light up the statue of liberty if I need it.
Built her myself from plans I purchased from Sevtec. I wonder what those guys would think if they knew what I was using her for lol.

Now thats what I call SWEET!!! Don't have one of those! Hell, I'm trying to tallk "The Boss" into a 4 wheeler...

I could build two of these for what one new 4 wheeler cost

Yes, thats probably true, but I live in PA where would I use that! I got hills! We need the equipment thats useful for our respective area.

That is very nice though...

Kind of off topic:

Here in PA I see ALOT of snowmobiles, yet we really don't get alot of snow! Whats up with that? Why would you spend 1000's for something that you can only use when and IF it snows? I think this year we may have had 2/3 snow storms that may have lasted on the ground for a total of 3/4 days!

Hey Dantallus, Why do you use a noisey hovercraft to drive ALL animals one mile away from you?????

I'm just laughing because I keep thinking of that ORBITZ commercial where the guys reply is "Because, we have this HOVERCRAFT"



.

Dantallus,
That is one impressive machine! And you're using an engine package that is tried and true, and also popular among aircraft homebuilders.
Very nice work!
Can you give me a ballpark figure for the cost?
Thanks,
S.

Impressive indeed!

With all that cammo it's a veritable stealth machine.

I would put huge friggen laser cannons on it, but BF would probably just hear the lasers over the huge fan on the back.



.

It's not as loud as you might think. The 2 strokes are tremendously
loud because they use small fans and are running wide open. The Sev
uses a 4 stroke car/truck engine, large mufflers and a 72" carbon
fiber prop. At 5200 rpm which is redline it measures 80db at 50 feet
over grass. Normal conversation at 3 feet is 50 to 60 db At cruising speed of 35mph at 2200 rpm the engines barely
running above fast idle which is 1000 rpm so at 50 feet over water
it's measures around 56db. Not even close to an airboat or other type PWC.

Another reason I use it because of low environmental impact. A
standard bike tire exerts about 6000 pounds per square foot on the
surface. My magic carpet only produces about 10 pounds per square
foot. So vegetation like hyacinth, marsh grass and cattails are barely
disturbed when I glide over them. Any fuel or oil leaks are all contained inside
the crafts engine compartment which is also a good thing. I have enough room
in the cabin for a queen size air matress, a stowable camo bimini top with
mosquito nettting and 3 12 volt batteries on relays. I'm actually getting ready
to re-experimient with some low level call blasting from off shore in
in order to see if I can call one onto the beach. Interstingly enough I have had rocks
plink the water next to me from 40 yards. That was a fun evening lol.
I can also go up whitewater rapids, skim over nets and just about anything else
since hovers are immune to submerged objects; over any rock or stump that's less then 12" above the water and I
don't need a boat ramp.
One day after hurricane Ike I went to retrieve my game
cams on the Trinity River, a few were gone as well as my bait boxes, washed downriver 50 miles
to Trinity Bay in the Gulf I guess. The river was so high even the search and rescue boats wouldn't
chance it. I had no problems at all and actually towed a swamped airboat back to shore. I don't use it everytime I go out in the field
but again some of my spots are so remote that it's really the best
way to get there. I'm hoping old biggie will learn to associate the sound it makes
with an easy meal someday since I'm always ready to re-bait whenever I show up.
Maybe someday I'll get that once in a lifetime shot from one of my
cameras. Oh and last but not least.....Because I have a hovercraft

Dantallus, that is FRIGGING AWESOME!!

OK I think I have compiled my list of gear:

5X6 lightweight trailer
Deep cycle battery
inverter with back up power supply
9X12 Coleman weathermaster tent (for base)
Coleman Peak1 backpack tent
2 10X10 military camo nets
Canvas tarps with poles for canopy

Audio technica shotgun mic w parabolic dish
digital recorder
(purchasing Archos)
((Have acces to :Thermal imaging camera and FLIR))
Digital video camera and still camera 7.2mp (sony)
Laptop ACER, also used to capture video and audio
Bushnell spotting scope, Leupold bino's
Vector spotlights

Coleman lanterns and stoves (old school, the best)
two folding tables one for outside and one for inside (electronic gear)

Edged tools:
Gerber LMF II tactical recon
Buck 110
Ontario Kukri and machette
Leatherman
Fiskars camp axe

Weapons:
Remington 700SPS tactical .308
DPMS panther .223
Ruger BH .357

Boots:
Danner

These are my personal choices based on years of weeding out junk, all of my gear has stood the test of time and heavy use.
I recommend Coleman lanterns and stoves that are of the old style, they are easy to fix in the field and require minimal maintenance.
I am in the process of purchasing an Archos system which will be able to record audio/video and has playback right on the spot. 30g HD and dump it right to my laptop. I don't have it yet so I will see how this works in the field.
I recommend Leupold for optics as the clarity and quality is top shelf!

ok, I ordered the Archos today along with the video cam attachment and DVR attachment. I got 160 gig HD, so I think I will be able to capture hours and hours on end of sounds and video out in the woods... Should be here by next Tuesday, so I will let you know how it works out..