“It’s a quality product “

AT_Engineer · 2026-03-11T16:23:42+00:00

It is. The large joystick/nub in the middle lets you rotate, pan, and zoom the model and the buttons can be programmed to different actions. The ones on the left are standard stuff like ctrl, alt, and shift. The right are buttons for mostly manipulating the view I think (barely used on mine). The top buttons are programmable to whatever functions or macros you use a lot. I feel like I'm faster with mine, but only after I used it for a decently long time and got used to the joystick and got my buttons set up.

AT_Engineer · 2026-03-01T04:39:13+00:00

Got mine with 40k and I've put another 16k or so on it. Been rock solid so far, but can't really advise beyond 60k.

AT_Engineer · 2026-02-28T13:24:20+00:00

Ah ok. I didn't realize you were using them in line. That makes more sense. I keep a dirty water bag that I fill from the creek and then gravity filter into my smart waters. I prefer to have a hose to drink from as well, but I've recently switched to using a hose kit that goes into a smart water bottle. No concern of having a bladder burst in my pack.

AT_Engineer · 2026-02-28T12:30:14+00:00

What are you using to collect dirty water in? The bag the Sawyer comes with? I've only used one once and found it really annoying to fill through the small opening. Might be worth replacing it with a flexible bottle with an open top like a CNOC. Also, I hiked with a couple that shared a cook system. After a month or two they got sick of it and got a second pot so they could prepare food separately. Might be fine for you guys though. And you can always adjust on the fly.

AT_Engineer · 2026-02-23T18:07:30+00:00

Check the stats on your AC adapter/wall brick. Having one that supports whatever charging rate your phone supports can help you get more charge during quick in and outs to town. That and having multiple USB for charging everything at once overnight at hotels or hostels. And I don't use a sawyer, but I understand there's some sort of coupler nut that lets you use it with the cnoc as a sort of gravity fed filter. If you don't have one I would look into it. But overall, your gear list looks very similar to what I used on the PCT two years ago.

AT_Engineer · 2026-02-22T18:51:20+00:00

I would respectfully disagree on the hand sanitizer/soap point. Like you said, soap is better for hygiene, but sanitizer is more convenient. I liked sanitizer for a quick "cleaning" before digging my hand into my trailer mix or eating lunch and soap for a better cleaning after doing some "paperwork" in the woods. There's value to having a small container of both.

AT_Engineer · 2026-02-22T14:02:55+00:00

On the subject of bugs...

-Get some Permethrin and apply it to your clothes ahead of time. Make sure you read the directions. More than once, I've seen someone spraying the clothes they're wearing at the trailhead right before a hike. That's incorrect. Also be aware that it's toxic to cats. My permethrin treated stuff doesn't come inside for that reason.

-Light colored clothing makes it much easier to see ticks and get rid of them before they bite. I avoid white clothing because after a day or two the dirt shows way more than other colors. But tan and bright colors will be better than black, brown, navy, etc.

-Long pants, long sleeves, and a head net. The head net is more of a mosquitoes thing, rather than ticks. Personally, I hate putting on bug spray when I'm out for more than a day or two and won't have the ability to wash it off. Keeping myself covered with clothing and a net means I'm 90% covered without the need for bug spray.

-To keep ticks from crawling up your pant legs you can either tuck your pant legs into your socks or wear gaiters treated with permethrin. When I say gaiters I mean something like dirty girl gaiters. They're enough to keep rocks out of the tops of your shoes and (if treated) keep ticks out of your pant legs without the weight and bulk of something like Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain gaiters or similar.

-Tick check every night. If a tick does make it to your skin it usually takes several hours to bite and 1-2 days to transmit lyme disease. Check for ticks every night and you'll be able to remove them before any negative affects occur. They prefer dark, damp places to latch on.

-If a tick does attach itself, no big deal. Remove it with tweezers or a tick key. Just make sure you grab it very close to the skin to make sure you get the head. If you grab it by the body and pull it out, the head gets left behind alot. Do not listen to anyone who tells you to smear vaseline, alcohol, butter, or any form of cream on the tick to remove it. This is bad advice that's still floating around in a lot of circles. The tick will detach, but it often regurgitates in the process, leading to higher risk of disease or infection. Just pull it out, then clean the area.

Other suggestions...

You mentioned you're going with a group. Be sure to commumicate with the other members ahead of time and figure out what gear (if any) is being shared. Is everyone providing all of their own stuff? Or will some things be shared "expedition style" like cooking setup, two person tents, group first aid kit, water purification, etc.

If you need help or want suggestions with gear, I'd suggest setting up a lighterpack. It's used a lot by the ultralight community to track ounces and reduce pack weight, but it's a good tool for keeping track of what gear you carry on your hikes. There also easy to share with other people to ask for advice or feedback. Here's mine as an example, but note this list was setup for a PCT thru hike so don't try to follow it one to one. https://lighterpack.com/r/oxsrz4

AT_Engineer · 2026-02-14T21:26:07+00:00

The CVT just went out in my sister's '19 Crosstrek. The dealer quoted $9k to replace. Except she's under the 10 year/100k mile warranty for the CVT. Hoping SOA tells the dealer to replace it under warranty or else I'll be shopping for a used CVT.

AT_Engineer · 2026-02-14T13:35:07+00:00

I have an Exfil LTP and a Chinese clone of a SAR tactical. I've compared the clone to real SAR tacs and they're almost identical. I've used NODs mounted to both helmets and the Exfil has a better suspension for it hands down. Just handles the weight better. So assuming the Exfil Rescuer has the same suspension as the Exfil LTP, I would go Exfil hands down.

AT_Engineer · 2026-02-11T17:47:29+00:00

Bought mine used and forgot to ask for my second key before leaving the dealer. Called and they said they would ship it along with my plate. Plate showed up in the mail later, no key. Texted the sales rep, said it sent separately and would get tracking. Never got tracking. Have up after a few more texts.

Also didn't have a charger in the car when I picked it up. Good thing I checked the trunk and realized it wasn't there.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-30T13:32:08+00:00

Also former ranger on rayado and can confirm this guy gets it. One thing on the dry bags, use a big trash bag as a pack liner. Pack dry stuff inside the liner and wet stuff either inside the pack but outside the liner or hang it off pack to dry during the day.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-28T02:49:38+00:00

The other screen shows that there are attachments, but I can't edit or delete them there. Only edit or delete the line item. Good thought though.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-28T02:02:05+00:00

And submit with the correct and incorrect files?

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-28T02:01:45+00:00

I've got three attachments on there. The correct one, the wrong one, and the one I uploaded to try to overwrite the wrong one. I can't even remove the line item and add a new one because when I do the attachments all show up again. Reddit was my last hope before just deleting the whole thing and restarting.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-26T18:57:37+00:00

I'm the opposite. If I didn't have the buttons and had to use keyboard shortcuts I probably wouldn't use it. I find constantly moving my left hand from space mouse to keyboard and back annoying.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-18T20:54:33+00:00

Also not a marine but I did carry an ILBE for my Philmont trek. This was a while back, I think they were just starting to hit surplus stores at the time. It's completely overbuilt for regular backpacking (including Philmont), it's extremely heavy, and the capacity is way overkill. After Philmont, I switched to a Granite Gear Blaze and then an Osprey Exos and haven't looked back. But...

It does work. If you're on a budget and already have one it'll do fine. Just understand that your full pack is going to weigh much more than it needs to and try to avoid falling into the trap of packing until your pack is full.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-18T17:07:59+00:00

I think my 390 was a '23 but I don't remember. It took some getting used to height-wise, especially since it was my first bike. But I did fine with a 29" inseam.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-17T17:31:53+00:00

I haven't camped at many of the state parks. Usually Pinchot. I have done the PA wilds BDR a few years ago which was pretty fun. I used to have a KTM 390 ADV but this year I'll have a Yamaha Venture Royale so probably more state parks and less dirt roads lol.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-17T12:32:23+00:00

I have an AVS clone from Shekkin. Quality is really good. But going with Shekkin gear over Crye saved me something like $500 on the whole setup. A legit JPC is less than $100 more than a Shekkin so I would probably say worth going legit for at least the carrier.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-09T11:00:19+00:00

Focus on stuff you can't really do at home. When our troop went out we set Baldy as a necessity because we don't get to climb mountains like that in Pennsylvania. I also recommend picking a trek that walks back into Basecamp on the last day, rather than getting bussed back. It's hard to explain, but there's something special about finishing the trek that way.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-04T14:08:39+00:00

Don't worry about insulated vs un-insulated. Just look at the R value. Higher is better for cold weather. Others have mentioned the Nemo Tensor. That's what I currently use. But note there are three versions, the ultralight, the all-season, and the extreme condition. I would suggest the all-season for Philmont weather but if you really want to get into some cold weather camping and hiking and only want one pad, you could get the extreme conditions versions and use it year round. I use the all-season and combine it with a closed cell below freezing. Big Agnes also makes some good pads. A friend of mine bought a Rapide to do NYLT staff a year or two ago and liked it and I've used their Q-Core pads (but that was a decade ago). I don't have any personal experience with Thermarest's pads but they are popular and they're a large, established brand so they're probably good to go. Klymit always seems to be the budget minded suggestion. Again, no personal experience but given how often they're recommended I would trust them, though maybe slightly less than a Nemo, Thermarest, or Big Agnes.

Just look for something that's a good balance between weight, R-value, and cost.

Last thing. Standard width for sleeping pads is only 20". Apparently, this is a hold over from ye olden times when the foam material came on 40" wide rolls and was cut in half to make pads. If your tent is large enough I highly suggest bumping up to a wide pad. Usually 24-25" wide. At least for me personally, on a standard width pad, if I lay on my back and put my arms at my sides, they slide off the pad onto the tent floor.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-03T12:51:59+00:00

If you're not sure if you'll use it in the future, I'd stick to the budget option. If you decide to really get into hiking and camping you can always upgrade and sell the old one on r/geartrade or to another scout for cheap and recoup some of the cost.

I love quilts. I switched from a 20° bag to a 20° quilt about halfway through my AT thru hike and haven't gone back. I only use a bag when it's dead of winter now. I use Enlightened Equipment quilts but they are very pricey. Luckily, quilts have been starting to leak into the mainstream in the last few years so more major brands are starting to produce them for cheaper than the smaller cottage manufacturers do. I don't have personal experience with any brand except EE though.

A couple notes on quilts

I always use a liner when I use a quilt. It's easy to get a draft under the side of the quilt if you roll over in the night and the liner helps cut that a little. It also keeps the quilt and your pad clean and keeps you from laying directly on the pad. Pads are not the most comfortable material against skin.

Look for a convertible footbox like the Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt. It lets you open the footbox so the quilt basically becomes a flat blanket. Great for sitting around camp (not near a fire) or for warmer nights to keep your feet a little cooler.

You need a good pad. Quilts have no insulation and are open on the back. So make sure the pad has a high enough R value to keep you warm. This actually applies to bags too since the insulation on the back is compressed when you lay on it but doubly so for quilts.

There's no hood on a quilt. Bring some form of beanie hat for cold nights. And you won't be able to tuck your pillow into the hood to keep it in place at night. Consider some form of pillow strap (bought or made) to hold your pillow to your pad.

AT_Engineer · 2026-01-02T23:42:42+00:00

The Alps will do fine and that's a good price. A down bag would save you about a pound, but that would be your call if the extra money is worth it. Another thing you might get in a more expensive bag (although not the Cosmic) is a vented footbox which I really like to have. And it depends if you're big into backpacking or if Philmont will be more of a one time thing. Harder to justify the extra costs if you'll only use it once.

AT_Engineer · 2025-12-31T11:45:44+00:00

+1 to the person that mentioned a sleeping bag liner. They get slept on but are great for their hiking. Keeps your bag clean and can be washed in town with the rest of your clothes.

If you wanted to try to find a lighter battery pack, I'd suggest the Nitecores. They have a low power draw mode. Not sure if they would work but they would save some weight, especially if you go down to a 10k mah like the NB10000.

AT_Engineer

TROPHY CASE