El grande gear question- from the ground up!

[the_camera_poser]

Hi all, it's been four years since I've done any overnight walking- and I've added a member to the family as well (Age 4), and she's not much use as a pack mule.

Anyhow, I've got to replace a lot of stuff, and upgrade others. Here's what I need:

Stove and fuel system- can cook for three
Cooking gear big enough for three
Lightweight 3 Season Tent (LARGE Two person or small three person)
Lamps (2) (I really like the small LCD lamps you can get now- there's one by Primus, but man they're expensive)

I've got ground mats, and know about sleeping bags.

Anyhow, I'd love to hear recommendations for all this stuff. Overall, these are my requirements:

-Reliable but cheap
-Good for a 6-day trip
-Up for Tassie conditions
-I'm happy to consider getting stuff from overseas.
-LIGHT- as I'm the family pack mule.

Also, my wife Helen thinks we need a Sherpa or at least a Mule!

Thanks guys!

[Son of a Beach]

For a stove these days, I'd prefer gas (reliable, fast, controllable, simple). If you want to go for light weight, then the Kovea Titanium or similar looks brilliant (and has lots of fans on this site). If you want to go comprehensive, then the Trangia with the gas option is still great. Not as light, but you can include up to two pots plus kettle plus stove plus windshield all in one package. You can choose from 3 sizes. The largest size is also good for additional extra large pots if you ever go walking with 4 or more people (I put a huge steel wok on top of mine to cook for 4 to 8 people all at once).

My head torch, a Black Diamond 'Ion' was only about $25, I think. It's not very bright, but it's all I need. It's the smallest and lightest I've seen, and somewhat cheaper than most. See this topic for pictures and links.

I don't know much about what tents are around at the moment.

[the_camera_poser]

I've been struggling with stoves all morning Nik. Thank you so much for your pointer. Will the Kovea work in dead of winter?

I'm actually thinking of buying a tent from the US- a Kelty 4 person tent, would make a good base camp tent, and it only weighs 3.8 kg, so not too heavy.

[corvus]

Have used the Kovea Titan in winter in snow ,so the answer is yes however you do need to keep the gas cannister in your sleeping bag overnight and keep it insulated from cold ground and snow when you use the stove.
Ditto with the Ion Headlight which I find good enough and it weighs only 30g , I also have a Chickenfeed 5 led one it cost $4.95 and weighs 60g so this may do the job for you .

[sirius Tas]

Re stoves...the following thread has some info...viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1125&start=30#p12496
Also link re Ion headlamp........viewtopic.php?f=15&t=530&p=12500#p12500
Cheers

[dee_legg]

The mont krypton is a great tent. http://www.mont.com.au/index/catalog/product/110 is the link for the website. the photo shown isn't a great example but it's a great roomy 2 person, suitable for tassie use and made offshore but designed by a well known and well trusted australian brand. there's one on display at Mt Creek Outdoors if you're in hobart then you should go in and have a look.

[the_camera_poser]

I was going to get a little lantern thingy, but I have a 2AA Led Lamp-flashlight, a very good LED headlight and a cheapo one like the Chickenfeed one-I've been using it for ages on the same batteries. So I guess I don't really need a lantern!

I've also got a cheap but serviceable Oztrail 3 tent for hiking- will get me through the Summer. I'll have a look at that Mont too- thanks!

I've spent all morning reading up on stoves- I reckon the Kovea may be the go. I'd like the Trangia- even with the weight, but I'm not sure I want to use a liquid-fuel stove with a 4yo.

This is all shaping up well guys- thanks!

[Son of a Beach]

I'd like the Trangia- even with the weight, but I'm not sure I want to use a liquid-fuel stove with a 4yo.

With Trangia's you have the option of liquid (metho) or gas. I've just recently got the gas conversion for mine, and it is a huge improvement. See this topic for some info on it. The photo there doesn't show the actual burner itself, but does show the kit in use with gas (with the canister improperly placed on its side).

[elemental]

+1 for the kovea, great little kit, only problem is the naked flame, dont know about your 4yr old wanting to play with it but my 14 month old loves it.

[the_camera_poser]

I went to Allgoods to buy the Kovea, and they had this knock-off Trangia with bigger pots for sale for $69.00. I checked, and it will fit the gas upgrade in the future. SO....economics won over weight. It'll get me on the trail, otherwise I was going to get the Kovea and have to layby some cookware, and now we've got everything we need.