RAT + gear (Here lies great links)

The Sitka is brand new, so you won't find many folks that have them yet. I have a Malaga gearslinger, however, and find it more than fine on a long hike, even with occasional running. The secret is adjusting the main and support straps just right. If it's too loose it will "sag" on your back (like a backpack), too tight and the snap hook on the main strap will rub (though if you like it that tight just wrap a cloth over the snap). As long as you don't fill it with bricks you should be fine.

That's what I figured, if I keep it less than 15 lbs I should be good, I like the ability to swing it around and access my gear quickly. Appreciate the input!
 
Don
What would you recommend for a good AA powered Fenix light that would be a good work light but also be capable of tactical light levels.
Right now I'm using a Surefire E1B Backup, it's agreat little light but those 123A batteries are too expensive.
Thanks

The one I linked to. 109 lumens is kicking ass, like I said, until they can light someone's ass ON FIRE at a distance...

Mind you, the Cree LED in that thing, juiced by two AA batteries, is putting out what the smaller, personal sized Sure-Fires are doing.

If you want an excellent and absolutely dirt cheap light for your gear, get the Energizer brand penlight. Has a Nichia LED like the Photon Freedom and runs FOREVER AND A DAY on two AAA batts.

If you have long term storage concerns, get Lithium Energizer batts.

I have to continue to get CR123As because my converted ACR Firefly strobe requires them, but I just can't see using either CR123As or using incandescent lamps either for task flashlights. I use lights A LOT, you ain't hiding from me if I have that Fenix in my hand. :D

I also understand that a 2 min. recharge, as someone else pointed out, is of great value and that is the sort of thing that jacks up the price of a flashlight but that is a legitimate "jacking up" of the price.

Simply not making dynamite LED lights because then you would basically destroy your incandescent line of lights, :::COUGH:::COUGH:::SURE FIRE:::COUGH:::COUGH is B.S. Sure-Fire's LED lights are too expensive for what you get and they are never going to make them as powerful as their incandescent line unless they charge an assload of money for them because then they would be competing with their incandescents and they have to make up the loss somewhere.

Like I said earlier, I have been using Sure-Fires since 90 or 91, the first time I read about them was in the Cutlery Shoppe Catalog (Boise, Idaho) and I was like, "I have to get me one of these damned things." I bought a 9P and I've owned two E2es, E1e, M3 Millennium which was a beast, and a couple of others. I've owned Inova Microlights, X5s going back to the screw-head to turn it on before they were push button! X1s, CMG Infinity Task Lights, Photons going back to 1999. ARC Lights, still have one of them in UV. I have owned a metric shitload of flashlights. Still have an 8X Nightbuster, anyone remember that pig? :D

I reviewed some of the earliest PAL lights years ago on my website. I'm familiar with lights.

I sold my last E2e and to be honest, I miss the thing! It is probably the best light Sure-Fire ever made in my opinion, I just have CR123A fatigue in the extreme. I know part of that is from arguing with a branch secretary several times on why I needed a flashlight that took high-tech camera batteries that cost, then, 7.00 a pop. In the early 90s, they frowned on that shit. They were busy ruining our future by looting the company, so...who needs safety with your investigators/techs? 8-)
 
So I was going to get a Remora, then someone told me they were very small and to get a Lunada, now the Sitka! STOP! :D

Now I can't decide between the Lunada and the Sitka, I never wanted a full-blown 40-year old virgin single strap backpack like the others in the past but these three look great.
 
Go with the Lunada for a less complicated setup that has more room for building options, and if you want anything on the strap. Go with the Sitka if you're looking for a more complete-as-is setup with more versatility in terms of how you strap it to yourself thanks to the vertical and horizontal pocket access. If memory serves me correctly it also has a bottle holder pocket on the side, though the Kodiak might be the only one that does. However the usable space seems slightly less than the Lunada.

With all the research I've done deciding on my own bags I've turned myself into some kind of Maxpedition wizard. :D
 
Never buy CR123As anywhere but online. Surefire pack of 12 for $21 is a great deal. not too much more expensive than Alkalines. One 123A has 3v, while one AA has 1.5v. I like that difference. I do like how new LEDs are becoming more efficient with alkalines and are putting out more power than a few years ago. While I think 123As can be found just as cheap as alkalines, it's easier to get AA or AAAs at the gas station if you really need more batteries for your light.

Jeff, I dont understand how the G2 looses its battery power even with the cap locked out just by being in a pocket. I believe you, but thats strange. None of my SFs have done that.

I'm kindof looking into getting a Fenix E01 for a keychain light, or small survival kit light. Any of yall use those?
 
I have so much stuff now it is all over the place and my wife is ready to stomp me into the carpet.

Now if I could just land a new M6 Scout or convince Springfield Armory to start making them again, I'd be a happy guy.
 
Never buy CR123As anywhere but online. Surefire pack of 12 for $21 is a great deal. not too much more expensive than Alkalines.

I agree. If you want SureFire brand batteries, buy them from SureFire. I haven't found a source that sells them for less and I reckon they sell enough of them to maintain a fresh supply. They used to have free shipping on orders over 100 bucks so I always made sure to order enough to take advantage of the deal but I don't see anything about it on their web site at this time.
 
For a great site with a LOT of bag reviews and info, see edcforums.com, there is some great coverage there and a lot of maxpedition reviews and info there too. Go to this link for bag info specifically:

http://edcforums.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=89ac5c3e1f3b7bde4cfb013d1c6d9e76&board=33.0

Here is the best review of the new Sitka I have seen, I think I want one of these myself so I have been watching. Thinking it and the PFII, but I'm not sure what I want for sure yet. Not sure the PFII would be quite big enough. I'm 6' 2" or so and large framed, say 280 or so, so I do not want a tiny little backpack lol! Sitka may not be enough either I suppose, but I would not want to go bigger in a single strap design.

http://www.techiebags.com/index.php...kodiakandsitka&catid=37:maxpedition&Itemid=53

Last of all, I have had some great luck with these two sites for lights, batteries and other items:

www.batteryjunction.com
www.lighthound.com
 
Now if I could just land a new M6 Scout or convince Springfield Armory to start making them again, I'd be a happy guy.
The M6 Scout is not nearly worthy of being a criteria for happiness.
3309743770_c59eedb452.jpg

They are pretty cool though.:D
Thanks for all the LED info Don
 
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Oh yeah, another good link I forgot about. This place has been very nice for finding good deals on first aid items for my bags. From whole kits, to just a single package of gauze. GREAT service form them too, and there is usually a discount for the store to be found at around 5-10% off too.

www.rescue-essentials.com

Nice guys, good gear, I recommend them if they have what you are looking for.
 
The reason I want an M6 Scout is incredibly simple, it breaks down in half and I don't want a 9mm Keltec and don't want the Henry version of the Charter Arms AR-7. The M6 will fold and fit into a medium to large size backpack and I can kill anything I need to eat with it including deer. If you don't want it, let's make a deal. :D
 
Thanks for posting the links to the Sitka. I think I am going to stick with the Lunada and then address the outsides of it with Tactical Tailor and other Maxpedition units as needed. I like the whole modular concept, I call them "pods." You can swap stuff on and off as needed.

So, that begs the next question, I only have experience with MALICE Clips, now they have TAC-TIES. Are they any good and how fast can you swap out a pouch off of a Maxped pack or gearslinger with them? I hear unlike MALICE, you don't need tools and they are still rock-solid clips?
 
For a great site with a LOT of bag reviews and info, see edcforums.com, there is some great coverage there and a lot of maxpedition reviews and info there too. Go to this link for bag info specifically:

http://edcforums.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=89ac5c3e1f3b7bde4cfb013d1c6d9e76&board=33.0

Here is the best review of the new Sitka I have seen, I think I want one of these myself so I have been watching. Thinking it and the PFII, but I'm not sure what I want for sure yet. Not sure the PFII would be quite big enough. I'm 6' 2" or so and large framed, say 280 or so, so I do not want a tiny little backpack lol! Sitka may not be enough either I suppose, but I would not want to go bigger in a single strap design.

http://www.techiebags.com/index.php...kodiakandsitka&catid=37:maxpedition&Itemid=53

Last of all, I have had some great luck with these two sites for lights, batteries and other items:

www.batteryjunction.com
www.lighthound.com


Great links! Thank you!
 
The M6 will fold and fit into a medium to large size backpack and I can kill anything I need to eat with it including deer. If you don't want it, let's make a deal. :D
Noted, you'll be the first to know if I decide to part with it.
Mine is the 22 Hornet version which is a very capable little round. When I got it Springfield included a coupon for a scope, see-through rings, mounting rail and a case. I originally took the trigger guard off so it would fold more compactly but have since put it back on. Here's a current picture if you're interested:
3309743770_8d5821d5a3_o.jpg

Have you ever considered a Marlin Model 70PSS Stainless?
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/70PSS.asp
img_selfloading_model70PSS_70pss_Case.gif
 
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So, that begs the next question, I only have experience with MALICE Clips, now they have TAC-TIES. Are they any good and how fast can you swap out a pouch off of a Maxped pack or gearslinger with them? I hear unlike MALICE, you don't need tools and they are still rock-solid clips?

They work great. On accessories that require the longer 5" Tac-Ties where there's more weaving and advancing the tension you have work at it a bit but it's not a problem.:thumbup:
 
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