tomdav

SOLD [ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: tomdav ]

This is a BRAND NEW 66cm Grivel Air Tech Racing Ice Axe. It just arrived in the mail today but unfortunately I decided to buy a more expensive Ushba Altai Ti axe in the mean time to save a couple ounces . Returning the Air Tech is going to cost me an arm and a leg in shipping costs alone (I ordered it from overseas) so I am offering it up here instead of giving the $$$ to the post office. The only caveat is you MUST live in the Seattle area and you MUST arrange to pick it up ASAP. The reason for this is I have a very short return window to send it back to the merchant. Price is $60, cash only. [ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: tomdav ]

[ 02-18-2002: Message edited by: tomdav ]

Thanks, some really good points there TTT. I hadn't even considered the fall ramifications.

According to the link above it says the Crag Hat is "CE certified and UIAA approved". I saw it at Marmot Mountain Works in Bellevue and it didn't seem any less sturdy than the rest, but it sure was easier on the pocket. What do you like about the Erin Roc? Seems heavy (100 grams more), but a lot of folks seem to like it.

OK, forgive me folks. I'm not necessarily a climber but I do occasionally scramble and I'm thinking of getting some lightweight head protection. I was dorking around the net and saw this reasonably priced helmet called the "crag hat" for $36 at http://www.bittersweetgear.com/helmets.html. Would any of you recommend this helmet or have another suggestion? I was also thinking about the Petzl Meteor (strictly from the minimal grams standpoint) but was a little concerned re. the "one time use" disclaimer, not to mention cost. Thanks for your feedback!

IMO, Digital cameras are the best thing since sliced bread... As far as how many MP to get, it depends. If all you want to do is post on the web and print 5x7's, a 2MP camera will do fine, but I would strongly recommend spending the extra money and getting a 3-4MP camera, particularly if you want to print 8x10's or need to crop. You're gonna be pretty pissed when you take that awesome shot with your 2MP toy and can't frame it as a film quality 8x10 (like you can with 4MP). As far as brand, I'd pass on Nikon. They had their day with the Nikon 9xx series and sat on their butt for the last two years only to be left in the dust by Canon and Sony. The holdout Nikon purists themselves are even panning the new CP 5000 which should tell you something. Sony is a good brand, but is known for oversaturating colors, particularly reds. I'd like Oly a lot more if they didn't use smartmedia. You really can't go wrong with Canon. Most accurate colors, uses compact flash (not dumbmedia or betamax memory$tick), microdrive capable, flip out LCD, hotshoe, minimal chromatic abberations (still a problem with the Oly's), RAW format, great rechargeable battery, remote control, and I could go on and on. As far as getting a good price, you only need to know a bargain sleuth like myself. There were some fantastic internet deals at Christmas being able to quadruple scoop with the $100 MSN Passport Holiday reward, $100 off your next purchase gift certificates at some stores, Amex Blue pricematching, cash back via ebates.com, etc. All said, I got my Canon 4MP G2 for less than $350 at Christmas (and it still can be had for < $525 tax free, email me if you want details). In my opinion, the Canon G2 is hands down the best digital camera out there right now for under $1000. If you want something more pocketable, try the Canon S30 or S40. Don't take my word for it, read the reviews on the web. The best place to get digicam info is at the reviews, forums, and links over at http://www.dpreview.com. As far as weatherproofness, I've used my Canon G2 in the rain, sleet, snow, heck, it even fell into an icy cold creek with me and was immersed! Stuck it on the food dehydrator for week and far as I can tell it still takes as good shots as the day I took it out of the bag. Check out that picture below (taken after all this abuse) if you need some convincing. Now, that's not to say you shouldn't stick it in a waterproof plastic baggie. I do now! Finally, ignore anything consumer reports or computer magazines have to say. They might be capable of reviewing dishwashers and computers but not cameras. It breaks my heart when I see a couple shopping for a camera at BestBuy or CirciutCity with at an outdated, uninformed printout from cnet.com or consumer reports. Listen to the folks who know cameras and that is NOT necessarily the folks at your local camera shop either - your mileage may vary. Canon G2, F/8, 1 second shutter, no filters, straight out of the camera. [ 02-16-2002: Message edited by: tomdav ]

Gart Sports was selling the $160 Alta/Freestyle Altimeter watches for <$50 around Christmas. You might look for them to go on sale again. They still had a bunch the last time I looked. Haven't tried mine out yet, but the watch has excellent reviews on the web and is reportedly accurate to +/-1 meter. REI Outlet was selling them for around $80, but I'd check Gart Sports first and save the shipping (I think the non-sale price was $70).

This is a superb 15F synthetic bag, but you probably already know that if you've read the user reviews. I am INCLUDING the optional Moonstone +2 3D synthetic liner (a $60 value). Attaching the liner adds 25 degrees to the comfort rating and makes this a 4 season bag (if necessary) in the jaws of winter, but you probably won't need to do so very often because this bag is plenty toasty . Both the bag and the liner are in "like new" condition and are the "long" size which fit up to 6'4" (moonstone "regular" bags only fit up to 5'9"). I have only used the bag once. [ 02-18-2002: Message edited by: tomdav ]