Am I the only one obsessed?

A

AaronL

Joined
Jul 26, 2004
Messages
54
Let me explain. I love all the gadgets and gear involved in outdoor adventure. I love boots (I own more pairs of boots than anyone I know), packs, clothing, knives (god yes I love knives) tents… You get the picture. I spend way more time than I should on Specwargear, Military Morons, Blade Forums, US Cav, Maxpedition etc than I know is healthy.

The thing is I’ll bet I’m not alone. Come on now, confess, you are a “geardo” just like me. Join me brothers and sisters in celebration of gear obsession.

Share in your pain/obsession
 
Hi AaronL-

You're not kidding! I find myself spending HOURS on the internet in the evenings browsing related gear sites. My day job is in Information Technology, yet for some bizarre reason I'm considering an ATC LaGana Tactical Tomahawk for absolutely no good reason. It is an unnecessary tool, but there I find myself visiting their site to read the technical information, yet again...

I've got "pouches for my pouches" and always looking for the next great tool that could be of assistance when the chips are down.

We're sick, I tell ya', absolutely SICK! Clearly, there are better ways to spend time than languishing online considering the same gear over and over. The worst part is that I don't have a reasonable explanation for these desires to acquire more equipment.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Yeah, I'm commonly known as "inspector gadget". In fact, most of my friends firmly believe that I took up fly fishing solely because I could fish with a fully loaded vest :rolleyes: I keep telling them that there are 31 pockets in my tac-l-pac and 2 of them are still empty, so they can't be right :D

Not counting my watch, I usually walk around with at least 10 distinct gadgets on my belt or in my pockets.

Guy
 
Denix said:
Not counting my watch, I usually walk around with at least 10 distinct gadgets on my belt or in my pockets.
Click to expand...
That sounds like what I've got on my keychain alone.
 
My obsession is being prepared for all those little events that come up during the day. So, I tend to buy inexpensive, everyday items and then spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about combinations to carry. Fortunately, there is not a lot of money invested in this, just time and thought.

It's very annoying to need something and not have it. My pockets are pretty well loaded compared to the unwashed masses, and I take some good-natured ribbing for it. But people do often turn to me when their sentence starts with "Does anybody have a ..." .

By the way, this is not a new thing for me. I'm in my late 30s, and I can remember doing the same thing as a kid. There is probably some psychological explanation, but I don't want to know what it is. What can I say, it's just a part of who I am.

:)
 
Exactly... to all the above.

I am looked on as being a bit odd..and I am..
But they all come to me for info or direction
OR...when they need the right gadget.
ha

And Esav does have all that on his keychain and more!!!
Tom
 
Were any of you boy scouts. I was and for me i think it has something to do with that( the whole be prepared thing) and also for some reason maybe it lets us all stay young.
 
Dr sharp said:
Were any of you boy scouts. I was and for me i think it has something to do with that( the whole be prepared thing) and also for some reason maybe it lets us all stay young.
Click to expand...

Cubs Scouts, Boy Scouts, Police Explorers, US Army. I think that explains it to a certain degree. However, my chosen career, and my academic background really do not jive with all my "uniforn" history. I'm a lecturer and a product marketing guy for a vitamin/healthcare company.

I think the gadget freak is the part of me that wants to go back to that type of environment.
 
Count me in as a gadget geek! you guys make it worse for me all the time! I just bought a Camelback M.U.L.E. :D
 
Yeah, I know what you mean. My knife budget is in constant conflict with my budget for flashlights, binoculars and other cool gear. I'm just thankful that watches don't interest me. *That* would be just too much for the ol' wallet to bear.
 
Nathan, the good thing about having a watch interest is that it makes even custom knife prices look positively cheap! :D


Speaking of gadgets, how do you folks "retire" your old ones when you get newer, better gadgets? I try to gift them in the extended family so I don't have to store them.
 
Dr sharp said:
Were any of you boy scouts. I was and for me i think it has something to do with that( the whole be prepared thing) and also for some reason maybe it lets us all stay young.
Click to expand...
AMEN to that! I think that is part of my problem. I have almost a fear of NOT being prepared for the situations that might arise (albeit once in a million years! :) )

I also think that being alittle OCD and slightly (ever so slightly) paranoid helps the nervousness and preparedness some. Hey did you hear that? :eek:

Just kidding. I agree that the "be prepared" philosophy has carried through my whole life.

David
 
I'm guilty here too. At times I find myself not-quite-subconsciously hoping for situations where I have to illuminate something, cut it, duct-tape/zip-tie tie it, Leatherman it, and then make application of one of my emergency back-up Chapsticks in order make the world right again. :D I guess it's got a lot to do with what others have said: it's very satisfying to be prepared.
 
Interesting, just yesterday I got back my old Mexican military issue boots from military service 1975, got new heels on them and wore them today, fancy boot lacing and all, they are cool.

Besides what I´ve got in pockets and belt I wear a neck lanyard under my shirt, compass, lighter, led light and whistle.

Do harmonicas count as gear/gadgets ? I always carry at least one, sometimes two or three in different keys.
 
Only thing holding me back is money, otherwise my room would look like james bond's hideout or something
 
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