Gear advice

DayHunter433 · Nov 25, 2017

Ok, so I ended another fun deer season with my day a couple weeks ago. Saw several does and a couple small bucks but nothing worth putting the crosshairs on.
Anyway, to my point. I have a long list of upgrades I want to do, including spotting scope, pack, rangefinder, etc. I’ve decided to hold off on a new spotter this year so that I can get a really nice one next year, figure I’d rather use the crap one I have for another season and buy something like a Leupold Gold Ring 60mm or Vortex Razor HD rather than buying a $500 spotter now and still wanting a new one later.

Ok, so here’s the questions. I’m looking at a new pack. I’ve got it narrowed down to the —Alps Outdoorz Extreme Traversed X $240
—Outdoorsmans Optics Hunter $400
—Tenzing TZ3000 $400
—Cabela’s Instinct Fasttracker 40L $124

Obviously the current price of the Cabela’s pack is topping the list, the Alps has just about every feature I want in a pack, and the Outdoorsmans and Tenzing have better quality reputations. So has anyone used any of these packs and have practical knowledge of any of them? I figure anything will be an upgrade from the Trail Hawk Kodiak I picked up from Big 5 a couple years ago, but like my spotter, I don’t want to be shopping for a pack every season or two.

Next question is about rangefinders. I have a Leupold VX-1 scope that I’m sending in to have the reticle replaced, maybe do a CDS overhaul. Just debating now on the
—Leupold RX1200i TBT w/DNA $350
—Vortex Ranger 1000

I leaning towards the Leupold since that’s the scope I have and I think once I get the new reticle or CDS, the TBR will match up better with my scope.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

iupa1 · Nov 25, 2017

Hello Tim
what area do u hunt or will be hunting?

DayHunter433 · Nov 25, 2017

iupa1 said:
Hello Tim
what area do u hunt or will be hunting?

D11/13/15 for deer. Thinking about trying for a 14 or 19 tag though next season.

ilovesprig · Nov 25, 2017

I feel your priority of gear is as important as the gear itself.....Buy the best possible binos you can afford (Swaro 10x42 EL's are the best INVESTMENT I've ever made).....Then have the best scope you can possibly afford (Vortex Viper or Leupold vx 3i, good mid range).....Then if you hike long distances for your deer, it would be your back pack (I'm old school and still use fanny pack & drag).....Spotting scope?.....I feel the Vortex Viper is as good as you'll probably need for our country.....Lastly, rangefinders are imperative for bow hunting, but for rifle hunting, most range finders will do, again in our kind of habitat ( I have the Nikon Laser 800 and is more than good enough)......2 cents

longbowhunter2 · Nov 25, 2017

Sure need a Cabellas in San Diego.

Prime · Nov 25, 2017

I would check out the Eberlestock and Kuiu packs as well. For the rangefinder I use an older Nikon laser 800, works like a champ. You cant go wrong with either the leupold or vortex you listed.

DayHunter433 · Nov 25, 2017

Prime said:
I would check out the Eberlestock and Kuiu packs as well. For the rangefinder I use an older Nikon laser 800, works like a champ. You cant go wrong with either the leupold or vortex you listed.

I’ll just say “for personal reasons” I will never own or endorse Kuiu or any of their products.

My dad has an Eberlestock and seems to like it a lot. Might have to check them out again.

Deerdon · Nov 26, 2017

longbowhunter2 said:
Sure need a Cabellas in San Diego.

^^^BINGO!!!^^^ Years ago Bass Pro shops did a feasibility study in the Santee area. I wonder if that will every go anywhere?

Deerdon · Nov 26, 2017

Tim433 said:
Ok, so I ended another fun deer season with my day a couple weeks ago. Saw several does and a couple small bucks but nothing worth putting the crosshairs on.
Anyway, to my point. I have a long list of upgrades I want to do, including spotting scope, pack, rangefinder, etc. I’ve decided to hold off on a new spotter this year so that I can get a really nice one next year, figure I’d rather use the crap one I have for another season and buy something like a Leupold Gold Ring 60mm or Vortex Razor HD rather than buying a $500 spotter now and still wanting a new one later.

Ok, so here’s the questions. I’m looking at a new pack. I’ve got it narrowed down to the —Alps Outdoorz Extreme Traversed X $240
—Outdoorsmans Optics Hunter $400
—Tenzing TZ3000 $400
—Cabela’s Instinct Fasttracker 40L $124

Obviously the current price of the Cabela’s pack is topping the list, the Alps has just about every feature I want in a pack, and the Outdoorsmans and Tenzing have better quality reputations. So has anyone used any of these packs and have practical knowledge of any of them? I figure anything will be an upgrade from the Trail Hawk Kodiak I picked up from Big 5 a couple years ago, but like my spotter, I don’t want to be shopping for a pack every season or two.

Next question is about rangefinders. I have a Leupold VX-1 scope that I’m sending in to have the reticle replaced, maybe do a CDS overhaul. Just debating now on the
—Leupold RX1200i TBT w/DNA $350
—Vortex Ranger 1000

I leaning towards the Leupold since that’s the scope I have and I think once I get the new reticle or CDS, the TBR will match up better with my scope.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

FYI: The Tensing TZ4000 is available from Amazon for $259. I have one....AWESOME pack! It's like an 1800 unless you open it up.

DayHunter433 · Nov 27, 2017

Deerdon said:
FYI: The Tensing TZ4000 is available from Amazon for $259. I have one....AWESOME pack! It's like an 1800 unless you open it up.

I have been playing with the Tenzing every time I’m at Bass Pro. Recently(since posting this thread) I’ve been lookin at the Badlands packs also. I think something like a Tenzing will really do what I’m looking for in a pack for 99% of my hunting.

DayHunter433 · Nov 27, 2017

Deerdon said:
^^^BINGO!!!^^^ Years ago Bass Pro shops did a feasibility study in the Santee area. I wonder if that will every go anywhere?

I heard rumor they were going to build one down there, but with Bass Pro buying out Cabela’s I am interested to see if they really do continue to push the Cabela’s brand as they say they will.

NBK · Nov 27, 2017

Tim433 said:
I’ll just say “for personal reasons” I will never own or endorse Kuiu or any of their products.

You are missing out - the Kuiu Icon Pro is probably one of the best packs made. The Eberlestock packs are made in the same country as Kuiu. Just saying...

Pick your rangefinder based on what distances you plan to use it for. The rangefinders you listed above are good out to 500-600 yards on a good day. If that is sufficient then they are a good choice for you. If you plan on ranging deer sized game beyond that, then you have picked the wrong tool.

TonyS · Nov 28, 2017

As to the pondering Leupold over other optics I can offer this. I bought a used 750 and after owning it a month acquired some problems with it working. I sent it back to Leupold and without asking for anything they sent me a brand new one. That is customer service.

d16ridgehiker · Nov 28, 2017

NBK said:
You are missing out - the Kuiu Icon Pro is probably one of the best packs made. The Eberlestock packs are made in the same country as Kuiu. Just saying...

Pick your rangefinder based on what distances you plan to use it for. The rangefinders you listed above are good out to 500-600 yards on a good day. If that is sufficient then they are a good choice for you. If you plan on ranging deer sized game beyond that, then you have picked the wrong tool.

I second that. Packed my deer out last weekend with my Icon Pro 3200. While I could feel the weight it was not uncomfortable at all. Told myself I would never drag another deer again so had to get something that could handle a pack out. Definitely worth the investment. I recently picked up a Sig Sauer KILO850 rangefinder. Awesome unit for the price, picking up trees and bushes out to 800 yards. The 850 is only 4x so if you need to get up to 6x you can get the KILO1250.

TRICER · Nov 28, 2017

MAGA spend the money get a Exo Mountain Gear Pack or a Stone Glacier. I use the EXO 3500 it will last me a lifetime. The stone glacier packs are the lightest in the industry held one at a dinner recently I could not believe how light it was.

jtrexler · Dec 2, 2017

I am thinking about getting my dad a slumberjack 2000 pack because he just day hunts. Lot of great input here. Take my advice for what its worth. I have yet to pack out an animal, but have trained/ backpack hunted with 45-80lbs in my old kifaru pack. This pack has always worked great for me. Their load lifters and hip belt worked perfectly. I actually just upgrade to their new frame and a new bag because they were having a pretty good sell. I think i paid $450. I got an argali bag that will easily serve as a day pack and overnighters. Reading through hours and hours of forums and different reviews, I found Exo, Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch and Kifaru are going to be the best pack for meat hauling. will also add, everyone that had failures with Tenzing and Badlands their customer service made things right as well. If you want a day pack where you won't be packing meat out, then maybe those packs you listed will serve you very well.
Optics-- the saying will always apply, buy the best you can. What binos are you running now? Look into Maven and Ziess spotters also. I personally didn't see much difference between the viper hd and razor hd at bass pros shop. But i looked through both during the day. I would highly recommend getting there an hour before sunset and finding which one you like better during last light.

I run a sig 850 rangefinder as well. Mine was maybe $120. I know Vortex will be releasing a budget minded rangefinder soon.
Rokslide is a great forum for gear advice as well.

Lungpopper · Dec 2, 2017

If you plan on hauling meat. Get a pack that the bag separates from the frame so you can sandwich the meat between the bag and the frame.
This will keep you from getting blood all over the other items in your pack and (depending on the size of the bag) you can haul more per load. With a pack that separates you can run a smaller pack and save some weight.
Of the packs that you listed only the Outdoorsmans will do this. But at 7 lbs 3 oz that’s a heavy pack to start with. Some of the other packs that have been mentioned will save you 3 lbs.

For the rangefinder.
However far you plan on ranging, get a rangefinder that will double that distance.
They will get close or farther than their labeled distance in the early morning or late evening but during daylight hours the lasers are affected by sunlight and humidity and won’t range as far.

MJB · Dec 9, 2017

I'm a mystery ranch user have had the crew cab for over 10 yrs never an issue with anything. The quality & durability is remarkable. I've packed out over 100lbs 5miles with no issue or pain and CC goes from 5500- 1200cc. Now locally you may not need that ability but a lot of my local deer are far from the truck plus sometimes I'm taking my entire camp out at the same time so comfort and stability is key

NBK · Dec 9, 2017

jtrexler said:
I know of a few people that that had their Kuiu packs completely fail with 50-60 pounds and their customer service did absolutely nothing. This is a huge problem for me.

Just curious - of those few people you know, what exactly were the failures?

TaftHunter · Dec 10, 2017

NBK said:
Just curious - of those few people you know, what exactly were the failures?

I am curious also. I have packed a whole mature mule deer quartered out, plus all my backpacking gear for a 3 night trip with zero issues for 4 miles, it was probably around 100 pounds. I’ve carried at least 50 pounds in both my icon pro and icon for I don’t even know how many miles total. Again zero issues.

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