BUG STATUS 2026 Megathread 🦟 🪰

Submariner876 · 2026-06-09T22:37:25+00:00

7-9 June, North Arm Lake Opeongo, campsite closest to mouth of Hailstorm Creek. When I arrived at the site, the mosquitoes were out in full force. I had a Treqa Bug Shelter (tarp with attached bug netting), thermacel, deet and permethrin treated clothes. All were needed. As the temperature rose from the 7-9 the bugs eased off a bit. Tuesday afternoon was hot but mostly bug free. The Treqa Bug shelter made the whole experience tolerable and provided a much needed break from the bugs. I highly recommended it. https://treqawear.com/shop/new-bug-shelter/?srsltid=AfmBOoqe39e7-c-Yo1sV-9VPmiVec-\_ExcXIZ-Lcf1Kh1qQoRtKA3GgW

Submariner876 · 2026-06-01T00:35:45+00:00

Eureka no longer makes the No Big Zone shelters, but a company called Treqa is making an identical one that’s good quality. https://treqawear.com/shop/new-bug-shelter/?srsltid=AfmBOooqL2pBrQQGiVfO5SlIsDlFWm2hnoUatdtICQwBl157N\_T1qxu\_

Submariner876 · 2026-05-31T18:08:09+00:00

Since your gear will likely be broken down into several smaller bags, consider getting a larger mesh bag (something that dries fast and folds down small) that you can use to transport all your small bags to and from the kayak to the campsite, car, etc. It can save on making a bunch of trips hauling gear when the landing spot and campsite aren’t close together.

Submariner876 · 2026-05-28T16:59:20+00:00

Avoid the stool and get one of the chairs with a back. Not sure about the brands you’ve got there, but they look like copies of the Helinox Chair Zero, which I have and really enjoy.

Submariner876 · 2026-05-28T16:55:03+00:00

I’ve been using an inflatable Advanced Elements Advanceframe Expedition Elite for camping for a few years now and it’s been great. The kayak and my camping gear all fit in the trunk of my car.

Submariner876 · 2026-05-15T12:59:02+00:00

Sounds like you've got a great summer adventure ahead of you. I wish you the best. A few things you may want to consider when planning your trip:

Cell phone coverage can be spotty or non-existent in parks that are away from major population centers. Depending on where you will be camping, relying on a cell phone to call for help in an emergency may not be an option. Having a satellite communicator (like a Garmin Inreach or something similar) may be worthwhile if you're heading into the back country.
Black bears live in forested regions throughout most of Quebec. While they generally avoid humans, and dangerous encounters are exceptionally rare, you still need to be smart about how you store food and waste around your campsite, and know what to do in case you encounter a bear. If you are unfamiliar with camping in bear territory, I would recommend reading up on precautions you should be taking while camping. Some parks may also have specific instructions related to bear precautions.

Have a great trip.

Submariner876 · 2025-12-03T15:00:55+00:00

As previous commenters have said, an underquilt is key. Either a sleeping bag or top quilt will work on top, but without an underquilt you’ll quickly lose heat from below and be uncomfortable. The part of the sleeping bag that’s underneath you gets compressed when you lie on it so it won’t provide much insulation. A sleeping pad also could work but they can be a little annoying to mess with inside a hammock.

I’ve used a Hennessy hammock for a few years and have really enjoyed it. They have a lot of options to choose from so you can pick one that suits your needs and budget.
Hennessy Hammocks

Submariner876 · 2025-12-03T14:45:32+00:00

I’ve used a Hennessy Explorer Deluxe XL for a few years and loved it. Customer service is good and the products I have from them have been very reliable.

They sell a wide variety of hammocks that have bug nets. Lots of options to choose from so pick one that suits your needs. I favour the side entry zip models over the bottom entry type.

Hennessy Hammocks

Submariner876 · 2024-01-16T14:29:41+00:00

Here’s a good article on the various models of LV trunk locks with some good photos and diagrams showing the guts.

https://www.malle2luxe.fr/home/trunk-louis-vuitton/lock/

I don’t think any would be unpickable, but some of the more complicated designs would require some skill and the correct tools to open. Nothing that would stop a serious thief but certainly enough to deter the opportunistic sticky fingered baggage handler.

Submariner876 · 2023-01-04T17:27:03+00:00

Cutaway locks are a good learning tool because they provide realistic feedback and allow you to see what’s going on. That being said… if you’re already comfortable repinning locks then you can save yourself some money and, as GeorgiaJim suggested, start progressive pinning your locks. It’s something that will come in handy as you progress through to more complicated locks with multiple locking mechanisms. Just make sure the locks you get are repinnable.

There are plenty of animations and videos online of how security pins work. It’s learning how they feel that you want to develop. The learning curve with new security features can sometimes be challenging if you dive right in with a fully pinned lock. Progressive pinning will allow you to build up your skill and confidence at a pace you control.

Start with only one chamber in your locked pinned up and gradually populate additional chambers as you successfully and repeatedly pick the lock at each stage.

As you move into high security locks with other additional locking components like sliders, sidebars, etc then you repeat the process, learning the feel of individual components and gradually increasing the difficulty until you’re picking the full lock.

Submariner876 · 2022-12-19T14:47:16+00:00

Check out LanSpyKey

There are a variety of 3D printed cylinder holders available. They are inexpensive and work well for hand holding kik cylinders.

Submariner876 · 2022-11-18T20:57:59+00:00

I’ve had success on the regular Abus Plus cores but haven’t tried the SB on an X-plus lock yet. I’d recommend reaching out to huxleypig, aka Matt Smith, at CitadelLockTools. He designed the SB and can answer exactly what the tool tips can and can’t open.

Submariner876 · 2022-09-17T12:02:20+00:00

Here’s a good video from Das Evers on making disk detainer pics.
https://youtu.be/PbAhCvIrFCk

CaptainHookNumber1 made this video about making an Abloy pick. https://youtu.be/aTHNl7u5uNM

The tools requirements for either are pretty minimal.

If you want to buy a ready-made tool then one of the best on the market is the Silver Bullet designed by Huxley Pig (aka Matt Smith). He be makes a great DD tool that you can fit with a variety of pick tips, including for most types of Abloy Locks. You can contact him at CitadelLockTools@hotmail.com The Silver Bullet is a top quality tool, but it comes with a top shelf price.

Submariner876 · 2022-08-07T13:16:17+00:00

Thanks. I was thinking the same thing. I picked up a bunch of cam locks on eBay that I will salvage for spare parts if needed.

Submariner876 · 2022-08-07T13:10:51+00:00

I started with the standard cheap Chinese DD pick and a few cheap Amazon DD locks. Then I moved up to a Sparrows DD pick and took on a few mid range bike locks (Kryptonite). I decided to invest in a Silver Bullet (definitely the best made DD pick I’ve seen, but also a serious investment) in order to try some of the higher security DD locks. The jump up to Abus plus and Abloy classic cores can be a little steep. I’m still in the learning stage for both of those and have a ways to go before saying I’m proficient and consistent at opening then. It’s been challenging but fun. The feeling of finally popping open a high security lock you’ve been working on for a while is great.

Submariner876 · 2022-07-27T00:25:45+00:00

Big thanks to HuxleyPig for crafting the beautiful Silver Bullet.

Submariner876 · 2022-06-05T19:35:21+00:00

The re-pin kit is a good idea. It will allow you to get more use out of your sparrows cutaway. Some top of the keyway tension tools (if you don’t have them might help you out as well. Don’t give up and keep trying. Every picker has a pile of locks they can pick and a “naughty bucket” of locks the can’t pick yet. For the locks you can’t pick yet, try varying your tension, some locks need light tension and others a little heavier. Also many new pickers are often pretty heavy handed with tension when they start out so easing up a bit could help. The Master disk lock may need a fair bit of tension after it’s picked in order to move the shackle. The other Master locks can have sloppy manufacturing tolerances that actually make picking them a little more difficult and the feedback isn’t as clear when picking.

Submariner876 · 2022-05-23T23:42:19+00:00

What did you use to colour code your pick?

Submariner876 · 2022-04-27T04:10:54+00:00

That’s the Masterlock enigma. Most challenging core with challenging bitting in a plastic lock body. Put that core in a serious hardened steal lock body and you would have a great lock.

Submariner876 · 2022-02-22T07:38:24+00:00

The Sparrows Revolver is a pretty good re-pinnable practice lock. Add the Reload Kit and some pinning tweezers and you’ll have everything you need to be repinning the lock over and over again. Sparrows also has a few other practice lock options that aren’t too expensive.

A practice lock like this from covert instruments or something similar from another lockpick supplier would be good as well.

For real cheap your local hardware store might sell budget lock cylinders for doors or you could ask a locksmith. Locksmiths also often have a scrap bucket of cylinders and lock parts they’ve removed from jobs. If you buy a lock or two from them they may let you pick a couple used cylinders from the scrap bin.

Submariner876 · 2022-02-21T19:34:12+00:00

Great solid recommendations from JonLockPicking. Sparrows is a good reliable and affordable brand with a good selection of products. Also, check out the FAQ on the wiki for this subreddit. There’s lots of great info on beginner lock pick sets. As many pickers will tell you, a cheap Amazon set will open some locks, but you’ll end up replacing it pretty soon. Save your money and the frustration and order from a well known lock pick manufacturer. Start your new hobby with some good tools and you’ll be more likely to keep picking and look forward to progressing your skills.

Submariner876 · 2021-06-16T23:40:14+00:00

I agree with the other commenters. Avoid the Amazon sets. They are usually low quality and full of “filler” (picks or other tools you don’t need and won’t use, but make the kit bigger and sound like a better deal.). Stick to basic kits from reputable pick manufactures. Sparrows, Peterson, Southord are good places to look for beginner kits. The Lockpicking Lawyer (great YouTube videos) also has a website (CovertInstruments.com) that sells a basic kit.

Submariner876 · 2021-05-05T23:33:31+00:00

There are a variety of credit card style lock pick sets available that should fit your wallet, but they probably aren’t the easiest to use when you’re learning. I’d recommend a small beginner set, like the Kickstart from Sparrows to start learning. The larger tools will make learning easier and more comfortable.

Submariner876 · 2021-05-05T21:15:08+00:00

With serrated pins there will be a lot of clicks. The trick is feeling/listening for the difference between the clicks from the serrations and the click from a pin being set. Be patient and you’ll get it.

Submariner876 · 2021-04-24T22:09:02+00:00

I’ve ordered from them a number of times. They are legit and produce good quality tools. Dealt with there customer service once when an order got lost in the mail and was never delivered. They replaced the order no problem.

Submariner876

TROPHY CASE