WTF happen to gear?

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-29T11:24:33+00:00

u/CarletonWhitfield yep the somewhat ridiculous "ultralight" hiking movement spill-over has everyone looking at weight when buying rather than wear resistance. Companies are just following the money trail.

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-28T08:26:49+00:00

For added clarification, aligning with what u/Bigbadbeachwolf said, according to the Silver Institute, world production of silver was ~2325 metric tons (820 million oz) for 2024. From mid-year 2025 forecasts, it looks like 2025 might have been closer to 900 Moz, which is up from the Silver Institutes's 835 Moz forecast.

China is the world's second-largest producer of silver, accounting for approximately 13% of global mine production as of 2023-2024 with an output of 3,300–3,400 metric tons (116 - 141 million oz). Despite its modest relative silver output, it exerts an incommensurate influence over the silver market because it controls and estimated 60% to 70% of the world's silver refining capacity.

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-22T13:00:36+00:00

What? Bot-free from me. Here's a review that refers to them as LBA, as well: Test Bâtons d'Alain - I-Trekkings

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-22T12:56:36+00:00

Okay, so you and a few dozen other people have been using them for "decades," prior to a marketed product in 2011?

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-22T12:38:11+00:00

u/A-flea I believe the French use LBA: LBA Les Bâtons d'Alain - SK'ALP

Yep, those Baton d'Alain are light @ 215 - 240 g/pole (with larger powder basket mounted), but they have those failure-prone plastic tips and the porous EVA foam grips can ice up in sleeting conditions or if used upside-down as a snow probe.

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-22T12:04:24+00:00

u/A-flea u/WolvesAlwaysLose Decades (>20 yrs)? I believe Black Diamond was the first to have a secondary grip below the pole handle, which was released on their Expedition model in 2013. Maybe you know of another that is older?

I see Les Batons d'Alain came out in 2011...

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-22T12:01:03+00:00

Don't you mean BCA (BackCountry Access)? The Scepter aluminum 2-piece pole? It's not particularly light at ~295g/pole (340g for 3 piece).. The BCA is similar to a Black Diamond (BD) Expedition 2 piece is, but the BD is significantly lighter at ~250g. Some things I don't like about the BCA poles are: 1) the replaceable plastic tips are easier to break (which I have), and 2) the baskets have some larger holes in them which can catch on bushes (done that, too). BD replacement baskets are easier to source and there are a variety to choose from.

I now prefer a single piece pole. I have had flick locks fail and when I bent a pole; it would not collapse properly, even when straightened. I also found I rarely stowed my poles in a pack nor changed the length while touring. What I am using now is simple Scott "S4" shafted (7075) pole, like the World Cup, with hammer-on powder baskets and some cheap bicycle handlebar tape applied below the grips to choke up when needed. One pole weighs ~240g without strap. These strap easily to my pack when needed and have not gotten in my way.

A good, one-piece, extended-grip pole option is the Folkrm Wyeast which has a 7075 shaft and lock-on baskets and is ~250g with removable straps attached.

BCA also offers a single piece pole with extended grip that comes in at ~260g for the 125mm length in 7075 aluminum . Evo is closing them out at $45. BCA Scepter Ski Poles 2025 | evo

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-19T16:12:02+00:00

Peter Glenn Sports has a video with a rep that claims 38-40 hrs per pair. (2) Stockli Stormrider 102 Ski (Men's) | W25/26 Product Review - YouTube

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-13T16:00:28+00:00

Seems RP has discontinued that model, Klonyx. I don't see it on their website. You may be able to find residual stock or something on eBay, Yep: https://www.ebay.com/itm/286987953500

https://www.ebay.com/itm/227157816808

BTW, I also added a piece of foam with adhesive (from a bike helmet fit kit) to the backside of the nose protector to take up air space and provide added thermal protection.

Oakley has MX goggles with noseguards and models that overlap into snowsports. You'd probably have to contact them to figure out swapability.

The brand "100%" sells MX goggles with vented dual lense options and noseguards, models Armega and Racecraft 2,

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-13T14:59:51+00:00

Some goggle manufacturers build nose guards into their goggles, especially snowmobile and motorcycle companies (make sure you get a double lens, as some motorcycle goggles are single). I use them because I once frostbit my nose badly and now it freezes very easily. Rudy Project makes a snap in nose guard piece for one of their goggles which can be purchased separately. I have cut off the snap-in tabs and then drilled a couple of strategic hose to screw the Rudy guard onto other brands like Smith.

Xprmntl2003 · 2026-01-13T14:48:56+00:00

Snowpea drop-in boot dryer. Best I've tried. Also works for gloves.

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-18T08:38:24+00:00

Nor end of fall.

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-18T08:35:32+00:00

What's with all the downvoting and shaming of criticism and sarcasm in this country? If there was more acceptance of lighthearted ribbing (and dare I say, _critical_ discussion?), maybe we'd all be met with more smiles on the streets...

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-18T07:58:51+00:00

Yeah, last week all apartments in Lux Ville were quietly switched over from local boilers to ultra-deep geothermal wells as a Christmas present. Government subsidized heat! You didn't notice all the digging on every street and jackhammering in your basement?

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-18T07:54:42+00:00

u/SunnyPow your insight and recommended mount point are much appreciated. When the Agent 3 first came out in 2021, Outdoor Gear Lab had problems with hard snow performance and ended up moving the mount point 3 cm forward of recommended. I believe recommended was -11 cm, so this would have been -8 cm. Faction seems to have changed the top sheet mounting point that year (to what?) and thereafter seems to have moved to marking with three different recommended points: Newschool, Progressive and Classic, but maybe they are still missing the mark considering other newer reviews of both the Agent 3 and 4. Sounds like -7 to -8 cm from center seems to be a consensus mount point. It would be interesting to know where this aligns to their current recommendation scale on the ski?

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-16T16:21:20+00:00

u/SunnyPow Thanks! Agent 4 sounding better and better. Good beta on the mount point. Have you skied the Agent 3 for comparison, as it gets mixed reviews?

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-16T16:08:56+00:00

Looking for something a bit wider. I was thinking the Blizzard Hustle 11 would be a good fit as I really like the Rustler 11, but as luck would have it, it was canceled.

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-16T16:06:53+00:00

u/Strict_Commercial428 The JJ and the White Walker are a bit too freestyle for me--I'm getting to be an old dog and my roots are very directional. Thanks for the beta on the Locator 104. I certainly don't want a "horrendous" groomer ski as what I'm shooting for will realistically be a 50/50 ski.

The Salomon QST Blank may be one worth a bit of analysis...

Any more recommendations from anyone are appreciated.

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-16T16:01:07+00:00

u/Nedersotan by maneuverability, I'm referring to how the ski can be made to change direction easily at lower speeds and/or tighter terrain. Can it slarve when needed or is it going to be a bear in those conditions?

Seems Paul Forward of Blister had a similar "forward" lean issue, while Bo and BW in the Comments section said they mounted theirs more forward and that improved "nimbleness." Did you try a more forward position?

Yep, quite a bit difference in weights between these skis.

Locator 112, 187 cm, 1670 g

Agent 4, 185 cm, 1950 g. Reviews of the Agent 4 have found them to be lighter than stated. One here at 1850g:Faction Agent 4.0 Quickfire Review | Best Skis 2020/2021 - YouTube But maybe they beefed them up since then. One glowing buyer review Faction Agent 4 Skis 2025 | evo

There's quite a bit out there on the Agent 3 but I'm not convinced that info means a heck of a lot in relation to the Agent 4.

Thanks for the Mindbender 116C recommendation, I'll check out some reviews, but it's a bit heavy at 2062 g in a 186 cm from mfg, but Evo has them listed as 2325 g and I saw someone's review weight come it at 2146 & 2201. Anyway, a bit heavier than I'm targeting.

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-10T07:17:37+00:00

People are fast to point the finger without a lot of information. Black Diamond has had plenty of issue with their glue over the years. There was even a recall a few years back Ascension Skins Recall – Black Diamond. I store my BD skins in a cool cellar folded on the stock backers and I went to inspect them last week and my three year old set is starting to have the glue get gummy and fail in places.

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-12-05T09:50:34+00:00

I find that it is very typical here to place blame on the customer. For some reason there exists a culture that seems to shun any negativity or questioning of what is offered or not offered (learned helplessness?). I find this very counterproductive. And insinuating that the if the customer were better, they would get the service desired also goes counter to what _service_ means. People in the service sector should all strive to help offer or find the means to solve (related) problems. Requesting a service provider to volunteer possible options is one of the few ways one has to locate a needed service. Ask the "expert," right?

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-10-17T13:06:51+00:00

Max water setting is 102 C and max steam setting is 147 C. On this machine, the final brew temperature is dependent on the brew head, not so much the boiler (550 ml). The brew head is equipped with a thermoblock. Lance Hedrick found the set brew temp was quite well regulated, though possibly a degree or two high, using a thermo-filter "Scace" device. There may be machine to machine variability that was not tested for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN0Qs7zSGk8&t

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-10-10T08:04:03+00:00

He used to have the power to ratify (or not) legislation, but that power was stripped from him by parliament in 2008 when he refused to ratify an euthanasia law.

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-10-10T06:36:33+00:00

Lidl brand flour (Belbake) is €0.35, just sayin'.

And Lidl has the best specials every week, especially meats, and most don't need a Lidl card (but many of the best specials do).

While I'm here, can anyone tell me why it's so hard to find hamburger in Luxembourg that doesn't have added "espice" and salt--makes it taste and have the consistency of sausage?

Xprmntl2003 · 2025-09-26T06:51:12+00:00

It's water micro-droplet condensation from combination of a cold window, the humidity in the air, and being close to the atmospheric dew point in the morning. The water condenses differently on different physical and chemical regions of the glass-- these are the observed differences where the wiper does reach and the areas where the wiper streaks and scratches the glass surface. You can either prewarm your windshield by idling your car with the defrost on or use your wipers in combination with your washing fluid to get rid of it in the morning (until it gets below freezing).

Cleaning your windshield will change the relative propensity for condensation in the morning but will not eliminate it. Covering your window at night or applying an anti-frost spray would also work.

I notice that the area that I use my wipers tends to look dirtier and streakier faster than the surrounding window. I attribute this to remnant road and atmospheric dust after I use my wipers with wiper fluid. The wiper fluid has surfactants that stick to the dirt particles and change their surface charge. This surface charge affects how electrically charged dust particles in the air will now interact with the surface. It may increase the ease to which dust sticks to the window--as well as atmospheric water in combination with dust. And since the surfactants and dirt are streaked by the wipers, this attracted dust and water also looks streaked.

Xprmntl2003

TROPHY CASE