Discussions
Reply to: (Official discussion) Best water canteens Posted August 20, 2021

It may depend on what exactly your priorities are when you say minimalist—size, weight, number of objects / ease of keeping up with, etc. Looking at weight, a rigid plastic 32-oz Nalgene is listed as 6.25 oz, and the GSI cup linked in the article is 4.9 oz, so 11.25 oz total and in arguably negligible extra space beyond the Nalgene itself, since it nests. The 27-oz Klean Kanteen undercuts that at 7.25 oz while trading away 5 fl. oz. water (and thus ~5 oz water weight, too, for better or worse!). Do they make a single-walled 32-ouncer? Nalgene lists its stainless 32-oz and 38-oz at identical weights (really?): 13.375 oz. I’d say that makes the Nalgene + cup combo rather appealing for leaving in a BOB. But yeah, for EDC, you’re not going to be nesting a cup with it if you’re actually using it daily, and the Klean Kanteen looks like—I’ve never owned one—it would fit some cupholders or an outside backpack pocket, while also blending better in a professional setting.

Reply to: (Official discussion) Best lantern Posted August 19, 2021

Hard to pick one, but maybe the CL26R and/or Apollo. But I think of it more situationally, which is to say: I probably bought too many lights. OTOH, I can now make use of most any battery type I might scrounge up in a pinch. In my defense, sitting in the dim and dark for days during the Texas freeze—we had improvised insulation covering the windows—was super depressing. I plan to put a CL26R in the BOB for sure. For a power-out emergency, I’d probably light the family room with a CL30R and an Apollo. I could stick a CL26R to the bottom of the microwave, over the stove, for cooking light. If I can figure out how to hang it, an Apollo seems good for doing dishes (soft, bright, downcast). For general task lighting, my Coast headlamp or Klein work light is probably more useful than any lantern, though the Klein is way too bright if the kiddos are nearby. Forgot to mention the Goal Zero crush light. Seems good for the kiddos—not as bright, and kinda “fun.”

Reply to: (Official discussion) Best lantern Posted August 19, 2021

I appreciate the list of additional contenders; it was definitely useful to me in my recent shopping. I would be curious to see commentary on each of these in the future, including what keeps each from dethroning the current picks. Myself, I recently ordered a few lanterns. I have not field tested these, so cannot comment on actual runtime, ruggedness, water resistance, etc. The Fenix CL26R is impressively bright and surprisingly small (like a V8 can), and dual fuel (1x 18650 or 2x CR123A). Has a red mode, has a down light mode. Magnetic top side. Handle/hook is small and dinky compared to the Siege X. One-button interface is a bit tedious, and hold-to-turn-on/off always trips me up. Seems like a great go-bag candidate. The Fenix CL30R is impressively bright, but not so small or lightweight. Not dual fuel. The UCO Sprout rechargeable can take 3x AAA if you remove the rechargeable battery pack. It’s brighter than I expected, and casts light downward well. The magnetic lanyard is kinda neat, as you can secure it wherever but yank it away as needed. The big surprise for me was one not mentioned here—Black Diamond Apollo, which REI carries. Very bright (if a bit cool). Dual fuel, but specifically the rechargeable is internal, so you can pre-install 3x AAAs for failover backup. Mfg. claims 24 hours total that way on high. I like that it is only occluded on the top, so if you hang it, it casts light down and not just around. I don’t like that its hold-to-ramp-brightness operation does not switch direction if you release the button; you have to go all the way bright (or dim) and “bounce,” which you’d rather not do if others are sleeping. Dinky handle/hook like the CL26R, but its split design increases your options, though how secure it is I’m not sure. Seems great for home or camping, maaaybe a touch big for a go-bag. (Personal purchases with my own funds, absolutely zero connection to the makers and retailers.)

Reply to: Best rechargeable batteries Posted August 19, 2021
Reply to: (Official discussion) Best water canteens Posted August 19, 2021
Reply to: Best rechargeable batteries Posted August 19, 2021
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Reply to: (Official discussion) Best water canteens Posted August 20, 2021

It may depend on what exactly your priorities are when you say minimalist—size, weight, number of objects / ease of keeping up with, etc. Looking at weight, a rigid plastic 32-oz Nalgene is listed as 6.25 oz, and the GSI cup linked in the article is 4.9 oz, so 11.25 oz total and in arguably negligible extra space beyond the Nalgene itself, since it nests. The 27-oz Klean Kanteen undercuts that at 7.25 oz while trading away 5 fl. oz. water (and thus ~5 oz water weight, too, for better or worse!). Do they make a single-walled 32-ouncer? Nalgene lists its stainless 32-oz and 38-oz at identical weights (really?): 13.375 oz. I’d say that makes the Nalgene + cup combo rather appealing for leaving in a BOB. But yeah, for EDC, you’re not going to be nesting a cup with it if you’re actually using it daily, and the Klean Kanteen looks like—I’ve never owned one—it would fit some cupholders or an outside backpack pocket, while also blending better in a professional setting.

Reply to: (Official discussion) Best lantern Posted August 19, 2021

Hard to pick one, but maybe the CL26R and/or Apollo. But I think of it more situationally, which is to say: I probably bought too many lights. OTOH, I can now make use of most any battery type I might scrounge up in a pinch. In my defense, sitting in the dim and dark for days during the Texas freeze—we had improvised insulation covering the windows—was super depressing. I plan to put a CL26R in the BOB for sure. For a power-out emergency, I’d probably light the family room with a CL30R and an Apollo. I could stick a CL26R to the bottom of the microwave, over the stove, for cooking light. If I can figure out how to hang it, an Apollo seems good for doing dishes (soft, bright, downcast). For general task lighting, my Coast headlamp or Klein work light is probably more useful than any lantern, though the Klein is way too bright if the kiddos are nearby. Forgot to mention the Goal Zero crush light. Seems good for the kiddos—not as bright, and kinda “fun.”

Reply to: (Official discussion) Best lantern Posted August 19, 2021

I appreciate the list of additional contenders; it was definitely useful to me in my recent shopping. I would be curious to see commentary on each of these in the future, including what keeps each from dethroning the current picks. Myself, I recently ordered a few lanterns. I have not field tested these, so cannot comment on actual runtime, ruggedness, water resistance, etc. The Fenix CL26R is impressively bright and surprisingly small (like a V8 can), and dual fuel (1x 18650 or 2x CR123A). Has a red mode, has a down light mode. Magnetic top side. Handle/hook is small and dinky compared to the Siege X. One-button interface is a bit tedious, and hold-to-turn-on/off always trips me up. Seems like a great go-bag candidate. The Fenix CL30R is impressively bright, but not so small or lightweight. Not dual fuel. The UCO Sprout rechargeable can take 3x AAA if you remove the rechargeable battery pack. It’s brighter than I expected, and casts light downward well. The magnetic lanyard is kinda neat, as you can secure it wherever but yank it away as needed. The big surprise for me was one not mentioned here—Black Diamond Apollo, which REI carries. Very bright (if a bit cool). Dual fuel, but specifically the rechargeable is internal, so you can pre-install 3x AAAs for failover backup. Mfg. claims 24 hours total that way on high. I like that it is only occluded on the top, so if you hang it, it casts light down and not just around. I don’t like that its hold-to-ramp-brightness operation does not switch direction if you release the button; you have to go all the way bright (or dim) and “bounce,” which you’d rather not do if others are sleeping. Dinky handle/hook like the CL26R, but its split design increases your options, though how secure it is I’m not sure. Seems great for home or camping, maaaybe a touch big for a go-bag. (Personal purchases with my own funds, absolutely zero connection to the makers and retailers.)

Reply to: Best rechargeable batteries Posted August 19, 2021
Reply to: (Official discussion) Best water canteens Posted August 19, 2021
Reply to: Best rechargeable batteries Posted August 19, 2021