When I started out as a novice camper, this tool was not on the list of equipment to purchase. However, campers are almost always a very helpful bunch, eager to impart their wisdom on the newbies among them. On our first trip, one of our fellow campers instructed me to buy a Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool. Now, I can't figure out how you could go camping without it. In the packaging, the Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool looks like a simple pair of stainless-steel pliers. It is so much more! The Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool is a multi-functional tool. What is a multi-functional tool? A multi-functional tool contains many different tools in one instrument. In this case, that means that 14 tools are contained within its 4 inches and 5 ounces. Why is this tool so important for campers? When camping, there are situations which come up that you aren't always prepared for. Having this tool keeps me from having to bring an entire toolbox with me for emergencies. The Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool contains a set of pliers - both needlenose and regular. This is helpful in many ways while camping, from helping to get tent stakes out of the ground to helping straighten out equipment bent by wind. My first use for the tool was trying to un-stick the knobs on my new Coleman Stove. I then had to use it to turn the stove on and off after we managed to strip the knobs until Coleman sent us a replacement set of knobs. The pliers are easy to grip, although when trying to turn something hard the edges do seem to dig into the flesh a bit. The edges aren't sharp, but they aren't comfortable either. My next problem came when a windstorm blew up and I had to take the rainfly off of our tent. In order to have some sort of covering, we bought a tarp. I used the awl to punch holes in the tarp. It went through the canvas material fairly easily. Another time I used it, I ended up using our mallet to add some pressure, but once again the tool performed well. I had to tie the tarp to nearby trees and used the Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool to cut the lengths of rope. I tried using both the knife and the wire cutters and found that the wire cutters worked better for this particular function. I liked the wire cutters since I could be standing next to the tree and cut like scissors. With the knife, I felt as if I had to be slicing against another surface. Both of these tools are very sharp and sliced through the rope easily, although if the rope is fairly thick, the wire cutters won't work and you have to use the knife. I have also used the knife like a boxcutter since that trip and it has performed very well with no dulling of the blade. The Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool contains a extra-small screwdriver, a medium screwdriver, a large screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver. I find this to be very handy just about anywhere as I don't have to go off hunting for my toolbox or worry that someone has taken them from my toolbox and not put them back. The only problem I've found is that if I apply too much pressure to the tool, the screwdriver blade sometimes collapses, especially on the Phillips screwdriver and the extra-small screwdriver. This only happened one time when I was trying to put one of my children's toys together and I just used a regular screwdriver instead.There is also a file and a ruler on the Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool. I haven't used the file before, but I went outside and tried it before writing this review. It files metal and wood very well, although again there seems to be a problem when applying too much pressure. The ruler measures up to 8 inches or 20 centimeters. The last function of the Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool is a bottle and can opener. At the end of a long day at the campsite, it's nice to be able to open a bottle of beer with ease. As a can opener, it isn't pretty like the can openers we are used to in our household, but it functions. For a backpacker, being able to carry so many tools in one small instrument is very handy. A big plus, especially when dealing with some of the tools that will collapse if you place too much pressure on them, is that the Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool features something called Posi-Stop. When a blade or tool is open, both handles can be closed over. This prevents the blade from closing all the way. It is still possible to pinch a finger - or even cut it - if they are down at the junction of the blade and the handle, but it makes it a lot harder to do. The Leatherman PST Pocket Survival Tool comes with a 25 year limited warranty. The tool should always be cleaned after a use and dried thoroughly. From time to time it will also have to be re-oiled in the pivoting areas with a light machine oil. My tool also came with a leather carrying case which fits on a belt or it can be placed on a lanyard by adding a no. 5 stainless steel split ring into the lanyard attachment - a ring on one of the hinges. One caution: this tool would not be appropriate to take anywhere there are high-security measures. You will not be able to take it on an airplane, into most stadiums and amusement parks, or anywhere else there are metal detectors. Please use common sense and just leave it behind, or pack it in your checked baggage on an airline.
When we first started looking for camping gear, the number one name we kept coming across is Coleman. Coleman makes tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, dining ware, cookware, stoves and many other items we are adding to our ever-increasing camping gear boxes. The Coleman Electronic Ignition 2 Burner Propane Stove is an outstanding product. It was recommended to me in several camping groups while I was debating what gear was necessary to buy. At first, I didn't think we would need a camping stove. Camping means cooking over an open fire, right? Well, after waiting 2 hours the first morning for a pot of coffee to perk, I made the decision that a camping stove would be a very good idea. The Coleman Electronic Ignition 2 Burner Propane Stove is long and flat, and about 11 pounds. For campers this is fine, since we usually are not carrying the stove great distances. Backpackers would have to pass on this stove. The stove packs conveniently in the car since it folds up so flat. It can even go under the seat! The outside is a rich green color and not smooth. This is important because it makes it a bit harder to clean the outside of the stove. You have to be very aware if something splatters on it that it's cleaned up fairly quickly. Opening the stove is easy. It unlock with a push of a metal clasp in front. On either side of the lid are wind guards that fasten securely and protect the gas flame when lit. The propane attachment is located in the base of the stove between the two burners. One side screws onto the stove and the other onto the small (one-use) bottle of propane. You can find these bottles either in a camping store, or I usually get mine at our local Target. The cost is about $3 for two bottles. Each bottle should last two to three days, depending on the number of meals and how long you have to cook the food. The inside of the stove around the two burners is made of stainless steel. This cleans up very easy when anything spills on it. I just keep a handi-wipe in my camping boxes and I use a damp one with a small amount of detergent. The electronic ignition works very well. On our first trip with the stove, we had one day that was very breezy. I can't imagine struggling to light a match and keep it lit while I fumbled to use the propane. The electronic ignition lit every time on one or two presses of the button. We have used it for perking coffee, making pasta, frying bacon, cooking eggs, and reheating Spaghetti-O's. This stove cooks food very fast. The knobs control the flame adequately, making adjustment of the cooking temperature a breeze. Though we enjoy the campfire, I much prefer cooking on this stove to trying to cook on the fire. My coffee is done in twenty minutes now instead of two hours (and that's important first thing in the morning!). On our first use, we had a problem with the control knobs on the front of the stove being over-tightened. I was alone with the three kids and there was no way I could get the knobs to turn. Campers are a helpful lot, and someone finally helped me get one of the burners going, but we stripped the knob of the other one. When we returned home, my husband used a pair of pliers and got the knobs to turn as they should. We called Coleman and they shipped out another knob to us. For this reason, I'd recommend a trial run at home after buying the stove, just to make sure everything is operable. It is also a good way to learn if you will have to adjust your cooking style.
Coleman is one of the biggest - if not the biggest - names in outdoor gear and products. When we began looking at equipment, it seemed that theColeman name was everywhere we went.
Coleman makes a huge line of sleeping bags, depending on your needs. It would be impossible to wade through and compare every single one. At their website, www.coleman.com you can search to find what sleeping bag best suits you out of their product line.
The first thing to consider is the size of the person who will be using the sleeping bag. Coleman bags run from under 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 6 inches.
The next is to decide in what temperatures you will be camping, or if the bag is just to be used indoors.
Next you can select from a variety of outer shell options: nylon, ripstop nylon, and cotton. Again, this will depend on the weather and if you are sleeping in a shelter, tenting or plan to just be under the stars.
Inner lining selections are tricot, cotton flannel, poly cotton, cotton or nylon. The tricot and cotton flannel are the softest, while the nylon provides the best warmth in extreme conditions.
Once you press the "Find my Sleeping Bag" button after selecting what features you desire in a sleeping bag, you will be given the specifications on sleeping bags for the height you specified or taller.
In addition to the specifications, the information on the site will tell you the weight of the insulation, which is important to backpackers, and the size the sleeping bag is when flat. There will also be a picture of each bag, so you can get an idea of exactly what each one looks like.
This makes it easy to select exactly what you want from the wide variety ofColeman sleeping bags available.
The Coleman sleeping bags that are not mummy style can zip together to form a double sleeping bag. This saves from having to purchase an additional bag should you want to sleep this way.
The tailoring around the zipper on Coleman brand sleeping bags helps to keep the material from being caught, and the thermolock feature reduces heat loss through the zipper itself. What makes a sleeping bag warm is your own body heat, so it is important to keep the heat in and cold air out.
Coleman backs its sleeping bags with a five-year limited warranty.
STAR RATING:
Way back when I was a young girl, my parents rented an RV and we toured parts of the United States in it. It was thrilling! The only source we had for campground information at the time was a comprehensive campground directory. There was no Internet as a source of information, and if AAA had campground information than, we did not know since we weren't members.
Fast-forward to last summer when we decided to take the plunge and invest our $600 bribe from the person in the White House in camping gear. One of the first purchases I made was Woodall's Eastern Campground Directory.
My first read through was wonderful. There is a section on the Biggest & Best which features things to see in each state of the union - as well as Canada. It was nice that even though this is the Eastern Directory, Woodall's put in information about much more than just that area. Each state featured in the directory also has its own travel section which goes more in-depth than the Biggest & Best section. I found all of this to be very helpful locating different events and sights to see. However, when I purchased the directory for this year, I found much of the information to be duplicated.
The main function of this book is a directory. Woodall's does a good job creating a comprehensive listing for each campground. I found that there was a great deal of good information.
The book covers campgrounds in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of COlumbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
It also covers the following areas of Eastern Canada: New Brusnwick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
Woodall's rates the facilities (such as hookups, dump stations, laundry, groceries and firewood) and recreation (such as activities, swimming, rec hall, fishing and arcade) at each campground. There is an explanation of how they arrive at the ratings - 1 to 5 W's. Woodall's representatives make personal inspections of privately owned RV parks & campgrounds every year to be sure the information is accurate.
Next, there is an explanation for how to read the listing for each campground. All listings contains directions to the campground and a descriptive phrase to begin with. Each campground's facilities are rated first and there is usually a listing of what is available to campers. If tent, RV or cabin rentals are available at the campground, that information is given. The campground's recreational program is then rated with a listing given of what is available.
The rate information for each campground is listed as a range of rates - no specific breakdown is given as to what the various rates are for the sites. The low end could be a rustic site with no hookups, or a site with minimal hookups. There is also no telling what the rates in the middle of the range are for either. If the campground accepts credit cards, that too is listed.
Information about the acceptance of pets and handicapped accessibility is also given, as well as any restriction in the size of an RV. If the campground has an advertisement in the directory, that is referenced here.
I do like the directory and enjoy using it. In this case, I find the advertisements to be a plus. Many of them are in color and contain pictures so I have some idea of exactly what is available and what the place looks like. The ads usually contain website addresses for the campgrounds as well.
For RV'ers, there is information on places to have your RV serviced, as well as dealers. Woodall's also checks these places out to give some of the best information available. For RV'ers, this is a big plus to have a reliable place to get their RV serviced in unfamiliar territory.
Although I like the directory, I would not go out an purchase it anymore year after year. One time every three to four years would probably be enough. The www.woodalls.com website has a great deal of the same information. Since many of the campgrounds also have their own websites, that is also a good source of information. However, this book is a great place to start from and get an idea of where to look.
Originally posted at Epinions.com
