Gear Test - bivy tent and cartridge stove

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by Seawolf1090, Oct 25, 2007.


  1. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    On my recent roadtrip form north Florida up into northern Alabama, I got to more thoroughly test some new gear.
    The Sportsman's Guide Bivytent proved quite adequate, with a couple weak points noted.
    Setup is quick & easy. I found I could stuff the whole thing - rods included - into my compression bag with blanket and travel pillow. An All-In-One shelter package!
    It rained on us Sunday night - I stayed dry and comfy. I did get some internal condensation the first night, so left the rainfly off the second night. It was chilly though, and the fly helps retain heat.
    I had switched from metal wire stakes (useless in Florida sandy soil!) to plastic pegs. I broke two of the six in the rocky Alabama soil! Luckily, a prior camp spot tenant left a bunch of wire stakes - saved my keister!
    One other problem - the foot end fiberglass pole broke one section! I bent it too much on setup the first night. But, using a little bit of wire and my multi-tool, and I had it "McGuyvered" and it held up the whole trip.
    The air matress (I have a bad back) was a PITA to inflate by mouth - then I got smart and used my Slime Electric Air Compressor from the bike - made it nice and comfy!
    I’m six feet four inches tall, and something over 350 pounds – the tent was snug, but I fit in it. Entering and exiting takes some practice – I go prone then slide my feet in and wriggle on in. A groundsheet extending out the door side keeps dirt and leaves to a minimum inside.

    For meals, I used my new Coleman Peak1 cartridge stove. Easy lighting, very adjustable flame - I could simmer or go into full afterburner! Worked great. I had my meal cooked in my steel GI canteen cup, before Robert got his cranky MSR gasoline/fuel stove fired up and finally hissing. The Peak1 burns more cleanly too – no soot or grunge.
    However, he does have the advantage of being able to take fuel from his bike. His stove only had one setting though - HIGH! He had to use a separate flame spacer - made his gadget very bulky.
    The Peak1 is very light & compact. However, it is a little less stable than I would like. I need to make a wire mesh platform to fit over the folding wings. The cup/pot could slide around a bit too easily.

    All in all, both pieces of gear worked well. Repairs and mods will be easy enough. They are well worth the money spent.
    $25 for the Bivytent from Sportsman’s Guide catalog, and about $20 for the Coleman Peak1 stove from WalMart.
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    The Bivy Tent:
    [​IMG]

    The Coleman Peak1 propane/butane cartridge stove in use (left):
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Blackjack

    Blackjack Monkey+++

    Cool, thanks for the review!
     
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