What have you bought lately? (Bug Out Version)

[lockpickbob]

Kind of went on a spending spree today , went to wally world and noticed a display on the front aisle full of various meds on sale , bought a large bottle of foot powder , a bottle of chest decongestant , a bottle of acetaminophen , a bottle of aspirin , a tube of athletes foot cream , a tube of hydrocortisone cream , a pack of laxatives , a pack of anti-diarrheal pills , a pack of cold / flu capsules and some allergy relief capsules. Went to the local sporting goods store and bought a couple of carabiners , two extra pair of boot laces , a sherpa combination poncho , blanket and cushion , a camp cook set , 3 pair of leather work gloves , a folding shovel and a thigh holster for my 9mm. Now I just need to save up some more and start on my water filtration system and maybe a liitle food.

[Deenie7]

angelofwar, thanks again for the recommendation - got my Goal Zero kit today, with Nomad 7 panels and Guide 10 battery charger.

Here's the panel laid out, with the box it came in underneath (and battery charger still attached), and a 12" ruler laid next to them to show the size. I just about literally just unpacked it; I'm still reading the instructions.


And here's the other stuff I got - 100' of "foliage" color (it looks like a dull grayish green) 550 paracord, 25 sheets of plain white Rite in the Rain copier paper, and a Light My Fire Firesteel 2.0 (Scout). For the paper, I plan to make maps of my Get-Home routes, as I work about 15 miles from where I live and take the train there.

[zenprepper]

Oooh Deenie, now I wish I got those solar panels that you and angelofwar have.

I was naughty today and did some more shopping I ordered a 45 watt RF amplifier for my FT817 ham radio, so it can go from 5 watts max to 45/50 watts max. Sometimes you just need that extra bit of power to be heard

I also got a big antenna (my first-ever REAL outdoor ham antenna) yesterday for my birthday and put it up in the yard. It's really stealthy too, you have to be looking for it to notice it and you can only notice the wire in one spot if you're looking at it head-on. It's an end-fed zepp multiband HF antenna (10M-80M). I can finally hear other stations and I even worked a special event IOTA station in the Shetland/Fair Isle region last night on 5 watts.

[angelofwar]

Awesome Deenie! Hope you find it as useful as I did! It really is the ultimate off the grid power supply for small appliances!

[Deenie7]

Awesome Deenie! Hope you find it as useful as I did! It really is the ultimate off the grid power supply for small appliances!

If I can figure out how to remove the protective film, I will! I sent them an E-mail to ask...

My husband and I both have iPhones and iPads. He recently got an Eton brand solar powered/charger small "boombox" (portable speaker, USB port). We love to vacation when we can, plus where we live in the suburbs of Chicago, we had a few 2-3 day power outages last year, so it'd be nice to have an alternative to running the car and charging that way.

Edit: I got an E-mail back - apparently not all of them have protective film! If it's obviously "frosted" looking, it has film in place. If it's kind of shiny, then no.

That kind of scared me since one of the panels had obviously been "rubbed" by something during storage or packing, but it appears that whatever it was, it actually rubbed off on the surface of the panel rather than damaging it, and gentle rubbing on my part has flaked off most of whatever it was (a bit of paint or ink from another box, perhaps). It was only about an inch long and maybe an eighth of an inch wide, and not a solid line. Anyway, about the lack of protective film, I'm glad I had half a brain and didn't try to determinedly peel anything off.

[ineffableone]

Just received the Lifestraw I ordered from ebay.





Details

Weight 2 oz / 56.6
Water Treatment Type Filters
Cartridge Life 1000 liters / 264 gallons
Effective Against bacteria, protozoa
Filter Pore Size 0.2 microns
Size 1''W x 8.75''L

Removes 99.99999% of waterborne bacteria
Removes 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites

Bacteria removed includes:
Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella, Salmonella

Protozoa removed include:
Giardia lamblia (Beaver Fever), Cryptosporidium Parvum, Entamoeba histolytica.

Includes: Lanyard, and a cap for the mouth piece and end piece
Reduces turbidity (muddiness) by filtering out suspended particles
Filters down to 0.2 microns
Contains no chemicals
BPA-free)
Does not require replacement parts
Uses no batteries
Has no moving parts
Very high flow rate
Easy to clean
1 year manufacturer's warranty
5 Year Shelf Life (when stored at room temperature)



Much like the Aquamira Frontier Pro, or emergency straw filter, except it has a much higher volume/life, and no parts to loose as it is one piece. I was actually planning to buy a few Frontier Pro's when I saw a video about the Lifestraw on youtube and researched it and found it a much better option.

[zenprepper]

Picked up my Canadian Tire 40Watt standing solar panel kit @ 50% off sticker price along with a smaller panel (I forget how many watts) at 50% off and a marine deep-cycle battery to charge with it

Now I'm completely broke, so I think I'm done with the shopping haha

EDIT: I lied Picked up a Yaesu FT450D base HF/6M ham radio because I needed a good base station with some power (100W).

[11mongo]

Scored a Realtree print fleece blanket at "Wally World". 60 x 60, marked down from $10.50 to $7.00. Couldn't help myself. Picked up a spare camp mirror, too. The cheap Coglins one for a dollar somethin'. Thought I could put reflective tape, White, not red and white, on one side for signaling at night. Looking to pick up 11 strand para cord, brown, but not in the budget right now.

[11mongo]

Zenprepper, really wanna get into the Radio part of prep/ZS. I'm jealous. Congrats. I was looking a ICON america last week. Popular stuff. Yaesua was the 1st I considered. Lotta fans of their radios on youtube.

[zenprepper]

Zenprepper, really wanna get into the Radio part of prep/ZS. I'm jealous. Congrats. I was looking a ICON america last week. Popular stuff. Yaesua was the 1st I considered. Lotta fans of their radios on youtube.

Thanks! Icom makes great stuff, almost bought an ic718 but I wanted the built in DSP and antenna tuner and already owned a yaesu desk mike.

[Whackpack7]

Finally getting back into this after I had to let it die down for a few weeks for school. Putting together a little EDC kit to keep in my bag during college. So far:

Maxpedition Fatty Pocket Organizer (I looked at the 'E.D.C.' by Maxpedition but I want to add a little more to mine than that will allow)
More Stormproof Matches
Paracord
Streamlight ProTac AA
Rite in Rain Pocket Notebook

And just because I got a deal on them:
Maxpedition Volta Battery Organizer
Another Ka-Bar TDI, this one comes with both sheaths for the same price so why not.. (Probably will give it to a friend after how impressed we've both been with mine. My review: http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=89197)
840 Rounds 5.56x45 NATO M855 (I physically cannot turn down cheap ammo...)

[Deadboysdontlie]

Not the fanciest bit of gear but handy if we set up camp somewhere... Portable toilet.. Picked it up at a yard sale/car boot sale... Its old fashioned type but its never been used and for 4euro im not complaining

[GSHX2]

Got out and did a short morning hike with the Mystery Ranch Hot Top. Loaded it up with 4 liters of water, a 10x10 tarp, fleece jacket, first aid kit, fire starting kit and my cook kit along with some other small items. Estimated 20 pounds with the pack itself weighing 5.

I was surprised at just how well this pack balanced and kept everything "tight" while rock scrambling. Some of the straps got hung up while negotiating through thick juniper stands but everything stayed tight due to buckles that have an integeral lock in them. I didn't like the buckles at first but now I see the wisdom of them. Slid down some rocks on my butt and the 1000d fabric held as expected, just some cosmetic scratching on the buckles.





For a three day sized assault pack the suspension is beefy. Also note the cargo shelf you have on the top of the pack and the huge "jingle bells" zipper pulls.

http://www.mysteryranch.com/fire/hotsho ... t-top-pack

Really liked:
Open top ruck sack loading in a 3 day assault pack size.
Low center of gravity with a great subjective feel. Almost feels like it is suction cupped to you but has room between your back and the frame for breathing room.

Needs work:
The jingle jangle of the huge metal zipper pulls does not appeal to my scout side. Work great but they will be removed and replaced with 550.
Lots of straps that need lots of attention on my part. It comes with Velcro strap tenders witch are nice but some were no match for heavy bush. Some will retain the Velcro and less adjusted ones will get some tape.

Initial impressions are that it is a great pack if you are looking for a 3-day assault pack that has just a little more to offer in terms of suspension system and load capability if needed. This was designed for wild land fire fighters so the area on top of the pack is made to lash heavy items. Overall very happy.

[Deenie7]

On vacation right now and ended up in Freeport, Maine, home of LL Bean, so I picked up their Quad backpack in black for an EDC/GHB bag.

WTF moment when the guy fitting me for the pack picked out a green one because it would go well with my red hair... right in front of my husband who had at least a half foot on him in height and a whole lot more muscle. I told him I preferred "urban camo" (black).

[closingresponse]

Picked up a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2 for an EDC/GHB.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/PYGMY-FALCON-II-Backpack-12p145.htm

[angelofwar]

Picked up a Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon 2 for an EDC/GHB.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/PYGMY-FALCON-II-Backpack-12p145.htm

Looks like nice! I'd consider one, but I have to find a use for my other bags first...LOL!

[shrimpwd]

Thermarest Ridgerest in regular size, 100' 550 cord in yellow. (waiting for the mail to arrive, even if I DID order it today...)

Outdoor Products Packable Day Pack. In blue. Plan to use it as my food bag, instead of a normal dry sack. This way, I have more options, and it has straps I can hang it from. Also, for $7 + tax, it was a better price than any other ~15 liter container.

Up next for purchase: a can of waterproofing spray. (to be used on: day pack, 5x7 tarp, tent rain fly, and water bag.)

[TN-Shooter]

I couldn't afford one over 100 bucks so I had to settle for this one which was 60 bucks. Can't beat 70 oz for the price.

[Black Optimus]

Issued but it's still pretty cool!

[GSHX2]

Just picked up a z-lite foam sleeping pad and light my fire "army" fire steel. This is the bigger steel compared to the scout but smaller than my old one with a wooden handle.

[angelofwar]

Just picked up a z-lite foam sleeping pad and light my fire "army" fire steel. This is the bigger steel compared to the scout but smaller than my old one with a wooden handle.

Hmmm...got a pic? Sounds interesting!

[GSHX2]

Mmmm... Minty new! I am away from the casa but if you would like I'll get a comparo of the old and new steels I can get it up tomorrow.

[angelofwar]

Mmmm... Minty new! I am away from the casa but if you would like I'll get a comparo of the old and new steels I can get it up tomorrow.

Thanks for the pic! saw the "Army" model the other day when I was at the store, and was going to grab it (I currently have the "Scout"), but had some higher priority things to acquire.

Been out of town a bit, but between yesterday and my time gone, grabbed the following:

1) 3ea. Strap Gear 12" Bungee's in Sage Green for securing my sleep gear to my pack or to assist in shelter construction.
2) Camel Back insulated bottle carrier with MOLLE straps in ACU. Fit's my2nd 1-liter nalgene nicely, and will assist in keeping it colder/warmer longer.
3) Grabbed a 2nd Nalgene Bottle (1-Liter)
4) SS Alpine Cup for my Nalgene
5) 150# Nite-Ize Figure=9 just to try it out...liked it A LOT, so I will be grabbing a few more to assist in shelter construction, etc.
6) Large Out-Go Camping Towel (Been putting this one off for awhile, but after seeing my room-mate with one where I was at, I finally decided to go ahead and grab it...a lot better than taking regular towels camping, etc.
7)Another pack of Mini-Bics to spread through -out my kits/FAKS...can never have to much fire!
8) A few smaller peli's for my delicate gear/smaller items; Peli 1060, 1010. 1030.
9) 4 Spools of USGI trip wire, for the M-18, for use as snare wire.
10) A Flying Circles ditty bag; makes for a great camping FAK container...just fold it open, and all your stuff is there and visible.
11) Got the larger "Redi-Edge" Knife Sharpener, and since it had a different angle at which it sharpened the blades, I just tied it to my smaller one, so I can run it through the 60deg. one first, and then the 40deg.
12) USGI Bayonet...just cause!
13) Some sticks of camo-face paint.
14) Grundig M400 Shortwave Radio. If I'm going to take a radio with me bugging out, it's going to be quality...while it is fidgity, once you leanr it's tempermants, it's an awesoe little radio.
15) Another 4-pack of Eneloops
16) SOL Emergency Bivvy...this suckers warm! (The bag could be better quality though)
17) 2 Tru-Spec Multi-Cam MOLLE Canteen/GP pouches. Love these tons more than the ALICE ones.
18) Coyote Brown Tru-Spec 24/7 Tactical Pants...LOVE 'Em!!!! Going to grab a khaki or OD pair next payday, for the winter.

[GSHX2]

Almost sounds like a day at the gun show or an extensive military surplus store!

Edited to add: as far as fire steels are concerned they all get the job done. My first one was one of those magnesium flint combos, then a scout, then one that is big enough to hand down a couple of generations! The army model is just right in terms of comfortable handling size and compactness for me.