Vargo Ti BOT?

Hammer67

Hammer67

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Nov 9, 2012
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Probably going to pull the trigger on one of these today or tomorrow, but I'm curious to hear from those who've used them - likes/dislikes? Any similar alternatives that are worth considering?

I'm primarily looking for something compact that can go in my hunting/bush pack, that can function as a pot for a twig stove, also as a bottle when needed, enough room inside for a small emergency kit, and lightweight.

Thanks for your input! :thumbup:
 
I want to try one too. Reviews I've read say the lid is really tight--too tight sometimes.
 
I've heard the same - there's a gasket on the lid, so you have to be careful with it if you're making big changes in altitude. But where I live, I'm used to that. ;)
 
I had to look it up to see what you were talking about.

[video=youtube;oNW4ZzPlaGM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNW4ZzPlaGM[/video]

Interesting.
 
Yeah, I think it's the best thing I've seen so far to fit the bill I'm looking for. If you look around, you can find them for significantly less than the price he quoted in the video.

I like the multi-functionality of it. Normally when I'm out day-hiking, I'm carrying water in a hydration bag, or Nalgene-type bottle. But, if there was some sort of emergency and I had to bivy, or even just heat water, obviously neither of those types of water carriers will be of any use. So this seems like a good solution, plus containing most of my emergency kit.

I pulled the trigger on one this afternoon, and I'm headed to AZ on a 5-day hunt with it, so I'll post some pics and thoughts after. :thumbup:
 
I have had one for 4 months or so. It's cool. The upshots are that I carry my water in it, and can use the same container to boil water via canister stove, or wood fire if I run out of gas. The lid makes a grinding noise when turning it, like something you would buy from KMart. I've read that putting bees wax on the threads makes it work better but haven't tried it. It's easy to cross-thread too, but the threads are so course that one simply needs to back off and start over without damage.

I carry it in a 4X10 Maxpedition pouch (the cylindrical ones for JetBoils), and it fits nicely. I put a folding stove on the bottom with the fuel canister on top. Next comes the Bot filled with water. The long Ti spoon goes through the loops on the outside and salt/pepper/etc. fits in the outside pocket along with a SteriPen. This setup used be the same container packed with a JetBoil, and then a seperate 3L bladder, or bottled water. Now it's way smaller and since I'm carrying 1L of water and no JetBoil, about 3LB lighter (if memory serves...I'd have to check).

Altogether, I have two ways to boil, two ways to purify, and it's really light. I only pack dehydrated meals and wanted to be sure that I don't wind up starving if something breaks. :)

If anyone wants a pic of the setup let me know.
 
jacobconroy75 said:
If anyone wants a pic of the setup let me know.
Click to expand...

Yeah!
5xR6gf.gif
 
It looks interesting. The problem I see is that it can only do one thing at a time. If you need it to hold your water you can't use it to heat up some chow without dumping your water. I also don't like that it doesn't have handles.

I'd opt for some sort of nesting canteen stove system.
Lighter option
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBoNuxPefL8

Heavier option (pathfinder makes both a canteen and a bottle version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41UTFvvV_is

Different heavy option
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCcj5RjC-IM

Here is some discussion over at BPL
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=68262
The SnowPeak Ti Mini Solo looks best to me.

You can also to nest some stuff with the Bot if you want to add a bit of versatility. Or pack some of those roll up platypus water bottles (bags?).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPMOZeMEcHU

Looks like you can actually nest a nalgene in the vargo bot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmtYkMp65tk
 
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Here you go:
[URL=http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/jacobconroy75/media/IMG_1606.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/jacobconroy75/media/IMG_1607.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/jacobconroy75/media/IMG_1608.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/jacobconroy75/media/IMG_1609.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/jacobconroy75/media/IMG_1610.jpg.html][/URL]

You are right Sideways, I wouldn't want to take it to the Zombie Apocalypse. For the most part I do long day hikes around 10 miles, or very spartan ultralight overnights. I also always hike along creeks, rivers, or to lakes. The water deal isn't an issue unless I'm hiking a new trail with unknown sources. Then I take a bladder.

I suppose in an emergency, I'd eat raw, dehydrated food for the first time. :) However, having only 1 liter of water will probably be a bigger problem.
 
sideways said:
I dunno... It just seems to me like a confused item. Is it a pot or is it a bottle? You need both on the trail so that limits the usefulness.
Click to expand...

I guess I don't see it as the solution for when I need a pot and a bottle simultaneously. I see it as useful for those situations when I really just need one container that, if need be, I can put on a stove. But like I was saying above, it would go in my daypack when I also have a hydration bag or plastic bottle for holding water. For situations where I'm really planning on camping out and cooking meals, etc. I would have other stuff with me.
 
It would bug me that it has no bail for lifting from a stove. Yes, I can see a spondonicle being carried and used. But I thought I escaped using those after the mid 1970's! :D
 
Smithhammer said:
You got me, Codger - it was my turn to look something up. :D

My spondonicle is usually a bandana or a glove, if it's not a big heavy pot. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Hah! jacobconroy75 showed one in his picture above. They work but it is just one more rattley bit of gear to carry and keep up with. My pot is a quart stainless billy like a Zebra with bail.
 
Spondonicle....God damned...I am for real...seriously impressed with your word usage Sir! :P

But, by "a bail", do you mean the Ti grip that is pictured above? Said device is included in a fellows pack to avoid the burning of fingers when grabbing hot shit. Only costs $40.00 or so.
 
I think I'd rather have a plain titanium or aluminum pot and lid or just simply a pot. I have one but can't remember if I've used it to cook. I throw a Sea to Summit nylon tarp poncho in mine and use it as an emergency cooking/shelter/raincoat setup for day hikes. For that I think it works well. I can verify what others have said. The lid screws on pretty tight and I don't think you could use the lid to boil water in a campfire because of the rubber gasket and the tightness but you could cook without the lid. I've never tried it though (IIRC).

It seems to me you could accomplish almost the same thing with a Kleen Canteen, though the opening wouldn't be as big.
 
Hmmm. When I boil I just take the gasket off.

But if I was forced to tell the truth: the last time I boiled water in the Bot I didn't take the gasket off...and you know what? It still seals the Bot.

I would imagine that the Kleen thing works. Don't own one though. Shouldn't comment I suppose.
 
Right Jacobconroy75, I guess I am lazy to take the gasket off and I was talking about campfire cooking. oh well. Knowing me I would put the gasket down somewhere in the campsite all tired and with all my gear around and then lose the thing. Not that it's a big deal. Like I said I haven't used it a lot, and just keep it as an emergency item with a poncho inside.
 
I'm sorry. After re-reading this thread I realized that I've reacted like a "snot". We all should be "allowed" to practice these passions in whatever fashion we'd like to. That being said, "I have a Bot, and FU!".
 
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