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Paul R
05-06-08, 04:27 PM
I purchased some new gear a few weeks ago and had the opportunity to try it out last weekend.
I was a bit worried about feeling the cold at night, up in the hills around Tenterfield as it can reach double figures in the negative during winter down there and I was only taking a -5 rated bag. I figured that I would probably be ok that early in the season but just in case I bought a sleeping bag liner. I thought that the liner combined with some thermals would probably keep me out of trouble if a cold change came through.
Half an hour from the area I would be hunting, I came across a flashing sign warning of snow and ice conditions ahead, that's when I started getting worried that I'd come under prepared for the cold, but as it turned out I was fine and slept nice and warm after I used the liner. I went to sleep on the first night in my thermals without using the new liner, but woke up cold at 3am, so out came the liner and 5 mins later I was toasty warm. I was very impressed, it definately added a lot of warmth to my bag and I used it the next night, right from the start and slept like a baby without waking up cold once. I highly recomend it.

The liner is a Thermolite Reactor sleeping bag liner from Sea To Summit and retails for about $80.

Thermolite is a hollow core fibre that provides extraordinary warmth for it's weight and remains extreemly breathable. It is made from the lightest weight thermolite fibre that DuPont has yet approved and is lighter and more packable than fleece.

Increases sleeping bag warmth by up to 8°C
Made from Dupont Thermolite® fabric
Box foot & hood design
Stretchy & soft knit fabric
Quick drying
Drawstring hood
265gm / 9.2oz

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/PaulRea/Reactorsbliner.jpg

RazorX
05-06-08, 05:25 PM
Thanks for sharing Paul. There's nothing worse than waking up cold through the night. What kind of sleeping bag do you use?

Luke
05-06-08, 06:15 PM
That sounds like good medicine for us cold frogs ;) (Hey Ant) :D

cheers mate,

Luke

ozzyshane
05-06-08, 07:33 PM
Hey Luke this is what Ant needs to take with him next time he packs in some where
http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&q=picture+of+hot+water+bottle&um=1&ie=UTF-8

Luke
05-06-08, 07:38 PM
I reckon this one would be the pick of them:

http://nerdapproved.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/hasselhoff-hot-water-bottle.jpg

:P:P:P

(sorry to be off topic Paul)

ozzyshane
05-06-08, 07:46 PM
WE could call it the Antmeister and do it in camo.

Sorry paul i carnt help it its all the rain ........is the liner made out of sim material as poly prop thermals

Paul R
05-06-08, 11:23 PM
:P I love it, the water bottle looks like just the ticket Ant and with the picture of the Hoffmeister it's sure to make anyone hot in the sack.:D

It's similar to the poly propelene in that it's a type of polyester Shane, only much thinner and lighter than the poly propelene thermals.

Jas the bag I was using was a Roman compact, light weight down bag that I've had for years. I have another down bag 950grm of 90/10 goose down 650+ loft but thought that it was a bit of an over kill to use that early in the season and I also wanted to put the liner to the test.

RazorX
06-06-08, 06:15 AM
Oh sweet as. I've got a Roman as well but it's only rated to 0 so I freeze come winter. I need something more heavy duty!

Luke
06-06-08, 08:04 AM
Well, on Paul's good word I've ordered some for my son and I for our hunting trips when back home in July. :D

I'm still keen on one of those Hoff bottles though... perhaps if there was one with Kit on it I'd get it! :D

Paul R
06-06-08, 12:36 PM
The other bit of gear I used for the first time last weekend was a SteriPEN Adventurer.
This is what they say about it:

SteriPEN® is the only portable water purifier that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy waterborne microbes. Whether your source is a woodland brook or an overseas hotel tap, SteriPEN purifies clear water by destroying viruses, bacteria and protozoa—including Giardia and Cryptosporidium (http://www.steripen.com/cryptosporidium.html)—in seconds. Carry a SteriPEN to disinfect water wherever you travel, hike, camp or trek. It’s the fastest route to pure, safe drinking water anywhere.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/PaulRea/steripen.jpg

SteriPEN® Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier (AD-RP). The Adventurer is half the size of the SteriPEN Classic. Because it’s fast (48 seconds for 16 ounces), light (under 110g/4 oz), easy and effective, it’s perfect for hikers and campers who value powerful products in small packages with no loss of effectiveness. Adventurer is especially effective against common protozoa like Cryptosporidium[/URL ([URL]http://www.steripen.com/PDF/CoccidianParastites.pdf)]. Its optional solar charging case let’s you go off the grid—way off. Adventurer ships with 2 non-rechargeable (disposable) batteries, a nylon case and users guide.
When clear water is not available, use the Water Bottle Pre-Filter by SteriPEN. The Pre-Filter filters out particulates and debris. Fits on Nalgene® and wide-mouth water bottles.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/PaulRea/steripeninaction.jpg

The area I hunted on the weekend has nice clear water but it's held in pools and doesn't flow. These pools are the only source of water and they're shared by all of the animals including wallowing pigs. The steripen was ideal for this application and I didn't need the pre filter as there were very few suspension particles in the water collected and those that were present were filtered through my shirt. It only to took me 1 1/2 minutes to sterilise 2L of water and I was on my way. The steripen is excellent for this sort of application.

Luke
06-06-08, 01:31 PM
How much is retail mate?

cheers,

Luke

Paul R
06-06-08, 03:30 PM
Around the $300 mark depending on the retailer.

Luke
06-06-08, 03:32 PM
WOW! So the one in the classifieds that went for $50 was a steal!!!!

cheers mate,

Luke

Paul R
06-06-08, 05:01 PM
Definately a good buy.