LivingOverland.com's Camping and Travel Gear Reviews

flyfishexpert

flyfishexpert

Adventurist
Reliance Products' Fold-To-Go camp toilet
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Fold-To-Go in Valley of the Gods, UT

We are strong believers in the 'Pack it in Pack it out' philosophy of back country travel and for several years we toted around the Reliance Products Luggable Loo and their Double Doodie Waste Bags with Bio-Gel. The system is simple and effective but the size of the Luggable Loo took up a fair amount of space in our 4Runner and after the sleeping platform was installed we decided look for a new setup. After contacting Reliance Products, they were kind enough to send out their Fold-To-Go toilet for review.

Specification
Length: 14.50 Width: 4.50 Height: 14.50
Weight: 4.50lbs
Price: $42.99

Our Thoughts:
We have been using Reliance products for several years we were excited to try out their folding toilet on our trips. The toilet uses their standard Double Doodie Waste Bags and the system can be setup, ready for use in less than a minute. The three legs easily fold out and click into place, providing a sturdy and stable platform for sitting. At 260 pounds, I never felt like the toilet would collapse beneath me, even when placed in an off-camber position. The size of the toilet worked well for storage behind the driver's seat and below the sleeping platform.

For the rest of our review, visit our blog at www.LivingOverland.com, or click here.
 
Bergans of Norway Wiglo LT4


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Specifications:
Persons: 4
Season: All
Weight: 8lb 13oz (Outer Tent) 4lb 6oz (Inner Tent)
Footprint: 157.5” x 135.8” x 70.9”
Sleeping area: 59.2 sq ft
Price: 549.90€ ($725.77)


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Our Thoughts:
It isn’t every day we come across a tent that makes us stop and take notice. The Bergans of Norway Wiglo LT4 is one of those tents. The design is unlike any other we have seen here in the US, and it is for a reason. The Wiglo LT4 is based on the Lavvo-style Norwegian hunting tents and it incorporates a center pole design with three flexible tent poles running radially to provide taller walls and a more open floor plan compared to other tents. The tent provides plenty of room for four people and all of their gear, an invaluable feature, but definitely not an industry standard for four-person tents. There was so much space that we could fit Gus, his big bed, our packs, both of us, and would have had enough room one more person. The almost vertical walls in the tent made the difference; Krista was able to stand up in the center of the tent and had plenty of space to move around near the edges of tent.


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For the rest of our review, visit our blog at www.LivingOverland.com, or click here.
 
Light and Motion Solite 100


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Specifications:
Output: 100 lumin
Run Time: 2.5 hr -High; 5 hr - Med; 20 hr - Low; 100 hr - Read; 60hr - Flash
Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Charge Time: 5 hr (USB)
Weight: 149 gr. (with strap)
Price: $84.99 (color: Frost); $99.99 (color: Pewter)


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Our Thoughts:
Spending days at a time on the road, traveling from one destination to the next, often means pulling into camp after the sun has gone down. True to form, I pulled into the campground after dark and still had to setup the tent and download the day's photos onto the computer. The Solite had been charging in the truck during the day's travels to replenish the batteries from the previous nights' usage and was now ready to go for another couple of nights. The best part is I no longer have to worry about keeping spare batteries for yet another device.


Click here to read the rest of our review and see why we would recommend the Solite 100 for anybody looking for a new headlamp.
 
Review: Light My Fire MealKit

by Beau Johnston

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Specifications:

  • Material: Polypropylene, Tritan (Spork)
  • Actual size: 185x185x58mm
  • Weight: 312g
  • Kit includes:
  • Lid and/or plate (450 ml).
  • Plate and/or bowl (900 ml).
  • SnapBox, waterproof (170 ml).
  • Spill-free cup with measuring lines (350 ml).
  • Combined strainer and cutting board.
  • Spork.
  • Price: $24.95 (via Amazon.com)

Out Thoughts:
I will be honest, I have never been a fan of traditional 'mess kits;' like the ones tossed into the backpacks of generations of Boy Scouts. I inherited such a kit from my father when I began backpacking in the late '90s. It was bulky, weighted a ton, and while it was made of metal it wasn't much good for cooking and tended to suck the heat out of the meal it was containing. It was with reluctance that I began looking for a mess kit after deciding to outfit our pelican case as a adventure motorcycle kitchen.

[video=youtube_share;RhuJkD5oBPM]http://youtu.be/RhuJkD5oBPM[/video]

Click here to read the rest of our review and see why you will find our MealKits in our adventure motorcycle kitchen box on our future adventures.
 
Review: ALPS Mountaineering Guide Table


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Specifications:
Frame: Powder Coated Steel
Top: ‘Easy to Clean’ rubberized surface
Dimensions: 22" wide x 61" long x 30" tall (Standard Height)
Dimensions: 22" wide x 61" long x 42" tall (Extended Height)
Dimensions: 8”x9”x31” (collapsed)
Weight: 25 lb 7oz
MSRP: $99.99


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Our Thoughts:


We have had our ALPS Mountaineering Dining Table since 2008 and it has traveled with us on nearly all of our trips. We have come to rely on the table as an essential part of our camping kit so we were excited when ALPS announced their new Guide Table in May of 2012. When I first saw the table at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, I immediately thought of it as great for cooking preparation and serving. The adjustable height allows for an elevated working surface, a feature I have long sought being 6’6” tall!


Visit our website, www.LivingOverland.com, or clickhere to read the rest of our review and see why the ALPS Mountaineering Guide Table has become our go to table for camping and why we used it for all of our prep work at Overland Expo.
 
I seem to recall a certain Scepter water can with a faucet that could use a review and link to buy :)
 
That's a pretty sweet table Beau. I've always liked ALPS gear - very durable.
 
So that's why the description and parts list disappeared from your website. Glad I wrote it down!

-Andy
 
Review: Buck Knives' Stowaway Kit

Review: Buck Knives' Stowaway Kit
by: Beau Johnston


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Buck Knives Stowaway Kit


Specifications:

  • Blade Length: 4 7/8"
  • Blade Material: 410HC (serrated)
  • Handle Material: PaperStone
  • Knife Weight: 3.4 oz.
  • Cutting Board: PaperStone
  • Cutting Board: 6" x 8" and is 1/2" thick
  • Price: $75 (Small); $80 (Large)





Our Thoughts:
I am a firm believer in the importance of a quality knife, especially when it comes to the camp kitchen. If we think of knives as tools, the size and shape of the blade determine its function. All too often people use the wrong knife for the job, and that is when we experience problems; I have many scars on my fingers to prove this.


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So what can we tell from the blade design for the Stowaway Kits? The kits are based around Buck Knives' 941 Spreader knife, which features a thin/flexible 410HC blade with a serrated edge. The full-length tang is covered by a triple-riveted PaperStone handle. The blade is designed as a general purpose kitchen knife, able to tackle the tasks of general meal preparation. The flexible, serrated blade is suited for slicing cheeses, spreading peanut butter, slicing softer vegetables and bread. The blade's flexibility would not be suited to cutting firmer vegetables like carrots and the blades width would not be suited for boning meat.


Click here to read why 'Our Stowaway Kit now resides on our 4Runner's kitchen drawer, along side our two favorite chef knifes, and is the first thing we pull out when we make lunch.'
 
Grumps said:
So that's why the description and parts list disappeared from your website. Glad I wrote it down!

-Andy
Click to expand...

Andy, the write up is still available. I had moved the link to our vehicle modification page. You can still find all of the information here:
http://www.livingoverland.com/2011/07/inexpensive-on-board-water-system.html

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I will be updating the write up to reflect using the system on Scepter MWCs. We were able to work with a various part suppliers to put together all of the parts needed for the kits. The pumps are no longer sold in the US (UK only), but we were able to secure a bulk deal to cut on shipping costs. We are actually able to sell the kits for less than I built the original for, back in 2009!
 
flyfishexpert said:
Andy, the write up is still available. I had moved the link to our vehicle modification page. You can still find all of the information here:
http://www.livingoverland.com/2011/07/inexpensive-on-board-water-system.html

IMG_20130730_075638.jpg


I will be updating the write up to reflect using the system on Scepter MWCs. We were able to work with a various part suppliers to put together all of the parts needed for the kits. The pumps are no longer sold in the US (UK only), but we were able to secure a bulk deal to cut on shipping costs. We are actually able to sell the kits for less than I built the original for, back in 2009!
Click to expand...

Thanks Beau. I have one of the pumps that I use with the Zodi water heater. I didn't realize they are no longer available in the US.
I saw the thread in the Marketplace for pre-orders, may have to do that!

-Andy
 
I'll be interested in viewing your Scepter pics. I have a novel solution, however, it requires one hand for operation using a Scepter siphoning fuel pump adapted for potable water.

Also Beau, I assume from the posted pictures this is a "kit" requiring assembly by the customer?

I was also wondering if this could operate directly from a solar panel -- what current does the pump draw? It would be really neat if it could operate from a vehicle detached source.
 
TangoBlue said:
I'll be interested in viewing your Scepter pics. I have a novel solution, however, it requires one hand for operation using a Scepter siphoning fuel pump adapted for potable water.

Also Beau, I assume from the posted pictures this is a "kit" requiring assembly by the customer?

I was also wondering if this could operate directly from a solar panel -- what current does the pump draw? It would be really neat if it could operate from a vehicle detached source.
Click to expand...

Great questions. The kit does require assembly; including cutting/tapping the Scepter cap (can be attached to most water jugs), and soldering the wires. We are also offering this as an assembled kit on a Scepter cap. We have more information on the system here: www.LivingOverland.com/p/store.html

We have run the system directly off of our PowerFilm solar panel. The system draws just over 3amps at full flow. You can get by running the system on a 30Watt panel, with a slightly lower flow rate.
 
Review: Big Agnes Flying Diamond 6

Review: Big Agnes Flying Diamond 6



By Johnathan Aulabaugh

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There is nothing quite like a trip like this to bring a family together and let everyone enjoy the outdoors. Of course in some instances a tent can make or break you. Rain, cold, wind - All can destroy the perfect camping trip by simply making one person miserable. While I do not subscribe to the belief that the most expensive product is the best, I do believe in buying quality made products I have used countless cheap tents and had the fall apart within a year. If a cheap tent does not last through the first camping trip, you are on the wrong track...

Specification:


  • Weight: 18lbs 2oz
  • 6 person (3-4 recommended)
  • 12.5 x 6ft floor space
  • 5'6 tall (at peak)
  • 2 door, 2 room tent
  • 4 DAC poles
  • Polyester Floor/ Polyester Ripstop walls/ nylon mesh
  • MSRP: $539

Our Thoughts:
The flying diamond 6 is referred to as a 3-4 season tent and while I would not quite call it a true 4 season tent, this tent is solid in all weather except for maybe deep snow, and I only say that because the full coverage fly does not quite hit the ground all the way around like most 4 season tents do. The dome design with multiple DAC pole system proves to be strong in wind and not overly heavy.

Click here to read why Johnathan relies on the Flying Diamond 6 for his family camping trips.
 
Review: Grand Trunk Double Hammock
by: Beau Johnston

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We love traveling and sleeping in our 4Runner but sometimes it is too warm outside to sleep in the truck. Tents are great, but are bulky and with the 4Runner's limited interior space, can be difficult to store. A great alternative to sleeping in a tent on a warm summer night is curling up in a hammock. The complete airflow around the hammock helps to keep you cool and two hammocks take up less room than a traditional two-person tent.

Specifications:

  • Weight: 20oz
  • Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.5ft
  • Folded
  • Capacity: 400lbs
  • Includes rope and hanging instructions
  • Price: $64.99

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Our Thoughts:
We were excited when Grand Trunk asked us to be apart of their National Hammock Day campaign and supplied us with one of their Double Hammocks for our travels. The Double Hammock boasts the largest bed space of any hammock on the market and includes the two lengths of rope to secure the hammock to a tree or vehicle. I really liked how simple the hammock was to setup. We were able to string the Double Hammock between just about anything that was able to support the 400lb load capacity - including a tree and the 4Runner (as show above) at one of the area reservoirs.

Click here to read the rest of the review and why we would choose the single hammock over the double.
 
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