Category Archives: Gear

Mail Call – New HG Hammock, Trail Magic Etiquette, Titanium Sunglasses

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Tips, tricks, and discussion on various Backpacking, Hiking & Camping topics.

Topics Discussed / Gear Seen

Disclosure: A commission may be received for purchases through the links in this post. Your support is appreciated and makes the backpacking trip videos on this channel possible. Be smart, make your own informed decisions, duh. 😉

Unigear Sleeping Pad Review – Budget Backpacking Gear

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A Review of the Unigear Inflatable Sleeping Pad.

In this camping gear review, I give a run down of the various features of the Unigear Sleeping pad, as well as my own personal experiences with the Unigear pad for backpacking.

Sintax77 Viewers Get 20% off by using this link and entering the code 20sintax77 (offer good through the end of October, 2018)

Disclosure: This post or video contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links. Cross reference, do your own research and make your own decisions, duh 😉

Specs and Features as per the manufacturer

  • Comfortable & Stability: The sleeping pad’s wave air tubes support your weight, keep you comfortably cradled in the middle of the pad, you won’t bottom out if you roll on your side. 2 Inch thickness of cushioning provide unrivaled comfort, stability and support, great for sleeping in any position
  • Durability & Warm: The durable 40-denier ripstop nylon polyester with TPU coating helps prevent tearing, offers the right balance between low weight and durability. You don’t need to worry about punctures or leaks. Thickness material limit heat loss for better support and warmth (R-value 1.3)
  • Ultralight & Ultra-compact: Unigear sleeping pad with ultralight weight(Only 507g/1.1lb) and compact packed to the size of a 1-liter water bottle, Inflated size is 74”x24”x2”, which is ideal for outdoor activity like fast-and-light backpacking, traveling or camping
  • Easy to Inflate & Deflate: This sleeping mat with one way valves for inflation and deflation, blowing air into this inflatable sleeping pad really is a breeze! Which allows quick to inflate (10-15 breaths) and super fast deflate(only one second). Includes repair kit with 4 self-adhesive patches for fixing punctures in the field
  • 100% SATISFATION GUARANTEE: If you are not 100% satisfied with this product for any reason, please contact customer service within 60 days, and we will immediately refund your purchase price – no questions asked

Other Gear Seen and Discussed

Olight S1R Baton II Review – Mini EDC & Backpacking Flashlight

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A Review of the Olight S1R Baton II for EDC (Every Day Carry)

The Olight S1R Baton II is a USB rechargeable battery LED flashlight with a 0.5 lumen low mode and a 1,000 lumen high mode. I’ve found this lumen range, combined with it’s size and weight of 1.8 oz (including battery), to make the S1R Baton II a very useful light for my backpacking and camping trips where the expected lighting needs are a bit more critical.  The 2.48 inch length, and deep pocket tail clip make it a great light for my EDC needs as well. Particularly for front pocket carry.

Links for full Manufacturer’s Specs, Features, etc

Specs and Features, as per Manufacturer

  • General Data
    • Beam Distance (ft): 476
    • Beam Distance (m): 145
    • Max. Performance (lumens): 1000
    • Charge type: Magnetic USB charge base
    • Compatible Batteries: Customised RCR123A IMR
    • Light Intensity (candela): 5250
    • Light Form:  Wide/broad hotspot. Perfect for up close illumination.
    • Mode Operation: Side Switch
    • Form / Size Factor: Small size (Car key / Zippo Lighter)
    • Lens / Reflector Type: TIR reflector (big, defined wide hotspot)
    • Series: Series S (EDC, General Use)
  • Notable Characteristics
    • 1,000-lumen output: With the help of the all new customized 10C discharge current lithium-manganese battery, the S1R II delivers a huge output of 1,000 lumens in a small pocket light powered only by a single IMR16340.
    • Premium beam: Perfectly balanced hot spot for optimal clarity and a soft transition to maintain comfortable vision during use.
    • Three-color power level indication: Once the light is turned on, the power indicator located in the center of the side switch shows the power level in three colors (Green: Power>60%, Yellow: Power is between 10% and 60%; Red: Power<10%).
    • Highly efficient MCC II charger: This round-edged magnetic USB charger is not only 13% thinner than the previous MCC but is also compatible with all existing rechargeable flashlights and headlamps using this charging method. The new MCC II provides another fast charging solution to future Olight products with high capacity batteries.
  • Lighting Levels & Run Times
    • Moon – 0.5 lumens, 8 days
    • Low – 12 lumens, 20 hours
    • Medium – 60 lumens, 3 hours 40 mins
    • High – 600 lumens for 1.5 mins, then drops to 300 lumens for 45 mins
    • Turbo – 1,000 lumens for 1.5 mins, then drops to 300 lumens for 37 mins
  • Technical Characteristics
    • Waterproof IPX8
    • Weight: 51 grams / 1.8 oz
    • Length (mm / in): 63 / 2.48
    • Head Diameter (mm / in): 21 / 0.82
    • Body Diameter (mm / in): 21 / 0.82
    • LED:  Cree XM-L2 CW
  • Package Contents
    • Olight S1R II flashlight x 1
    • MCCII Magnetic Charging Cable x 1
    • 550mAh IMR RCR123A Battery x 1
    • Lanyard x 1
    • Battery box x 1
    • Pouch x 1
    • User Manual x 1

GCI Slim Fold Cook Station – Make your Vehicle Adventure Ready

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A Review of the GCI Outdoor Slim Fold Cook Station.

In this video camping fear review, I give a run down of the various features of the GCI Slim Fold Camp Cook Station, as well as my own personal experiences with the GCI cook station for car camping and various camp cooking applications.

Disclosure: This post or video contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links. Cross reference, do your own research and make your own decisions, duh 😉

Specs and Features as per the manufacturer

  • Folds flat for storage
  • Easy to open, set up and close
  • Four multi-use fold-out side tables – beverage, wine glass, garbage bag, paper towel and utensil holder (weight limit per table: 30 lb / 13.6 kg)
  • Aluminum counter top (weight limit: 48 lb / 21.8 kg)
  • Lower rack for storage/dry goods (weight limit: 35 lb / 15.9 kg)
  • Powder-coated steel frame
  • Open size: 20.9 x 52 x 32.3 in (53 x 132 x 82 cm)
  • Folded size: 20.9 x 3.7 x 34.6 in (53 x 9.5 x 88 cm)
  • Unit weight: 18.9 lb (8.6 kg)

MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit Review

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A Review of the MalloMe Camping Cookset.

The MalloMe Cookware set is a 10 piece nesting mess kit for backpacking and camping that I’ve had for about year now, with great results.

While I typically pack pretty minimal for my solo backpacking trips, for group backpacking trips and snow melting in the winter, I’ve grown to really like this budget mess kit. It’s also quite nice for more involved backpacking meals and trail food cooking.

Items included with the MalloMe Cookware Set

  • Aluminum 1 Liter Pot
  • Pot Lid
  • Aluminum Frying Pan
  • 2 BPA Free Bowls
  • Folding Stainless Steel Spork
  • BPA Free Soup Spoon / Ladel
  • Wooden Spoon Spatula
  • Cleaning Sponge
  • Folding Stainless Steel Fork (free bonus)
  • Nylon Travel Bag Drawstring Pouch

Other Trail & Backpacking Cooking Items Seen

Toaks 450ml titanium cup
Toaks 750ml titanium cook pot 
Sea To Summit Alpha Light Long Spoon
Budget Canister Stove

Gregory Optic 48 Review

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A Review of the Gregory Optic 48 Backpack. 

The Optic line of backpacks is aimed at weight conscious and ultralight backpackers. There is a larger Gregory Optic 58 for those with additional space needs as well as a women’s version called the Gregory Octal 45 and Octal 55. All of these packs are very similar, so this review should hopefully be applicable to hikers looking at any of these backpacks.

You can check out my full 7.5 lb Summer Ultralight Backpacking Gear List using the Optic 48 here: Sintax77’s Summer Ultralight Backpacking Gear List 2018

You can see the Optic 48 in action on my ‘Hiking the Standing Indian Loop – 3 Day Hammock Camping‘ video where I take it out for a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip in the Nantahala National Forest.

Gregory Optic 48 Specs, as per the manufacturer

  • Gear Capacity (L)
    SM: 45
    MD: 48
    LG: 51
  • Gear Capacity (cu. in.)
    SM: 2746
    MD: 2929
    LG: 3112
  • Product Dimension h x w x d
    SM: 26 x 12.5 x 10.5
    MD: 28 x 12.5 x 11.5
    LG: 30 x 12.5 x 12
  • Weight (lbs)
    SM: 2.39
    MD: 2.47
    LG: 2.62
  • Rain Cover Weight (lbs)
    SM: .21
    MD: .21
    LG: .21
  • Stripped Weight (lbs)
    SM: 2.28
    MD: 2.37
    LG: 2.51
  • Material(s)
    100% Nylon

*Optic 48 pack furnished by Gregory for Trial & Evaluation. Opinions expressed are my own.