Bushwalking gear and paraphernalia. Electronic gadget topics (inc. GPS, PLB, chargers) belong in the 'Techno Babble' sub-forum.
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Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
Sat 12 Oct, 2013 10:45 am
Does anyone have experience with the above? Need a carrier so I can get out again!
http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/c ... /poco_plus
Sat 12 Oct, 2013 11:43 am
Solid unit, very adjustable, comfy on the hips, plenty of space to store the essentials for baby...... me & my shadow use it when pottering around
the garden, short walks in the bush & picnics, dodging through the crowds at the weekend farmers markets etc etc.

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Sat 12 Oct, 2013 12:08 pm
Hey Strider,
That looks like a nice one. We also checked out the Deuter carriers at Mountain Designs and they looked very good.
We have a Kathmandu carrier that we may be looking to part with if you want something second hand, and cheaper.
Sat 12 Oct, 2013 2:08 pm
I'm not made of money, but happy to fork out for quality. These are $220 with free postage from EBay and with a wide range of adjustability I think should fit both myself and my wife well.
I was more looking to see if anyone had experienced any particular issues/annoyances. Amazon reviews are positive, but most are posted too soon after purchasing. I am very very happy with how my Talon 22 fits me and this one apparently has a similar amount of onboard capacity - perfect.
Not sure how I'd feel lugging 15+kg around town or the farmers market. This is twice my average base weight, we have a pram for that!
Will check out the Deuter offerings as well
Sat 12 Oct, 2013 2:40 pm
Strider wrote:Not sure how I'd feel lugging 15+kg around town or the farmers market. This is twice my average base weight, we have a pram for that!
Our local farmers markets are bustling places, with lots of people jostling for right of way....no room for our bulky pram.
Just pretend your in training for a strenuous walk, 15kg load(child & pack) plus whatever goodies in plastic bags your wife has you carrying.
....i usually end up making at least a couple of trips back to the car.
ofuros aka '
the farmers market donkey'
Sat 12 Oct, 2013 3:22 pm
I forgot the pack is another 3kg! Geez, after carting our little lump up a few hills carrying my pack will be a doddle!
Sat 12 Oct, 2013 10:05 pm
Next w/end I am planning to do a 3 day hike to Cedar bay in FN QLD with a baby carrier and my 2 yo boy. I did some training today and I it is tough with 20kg baby/pack/ water on your back. My son did not have problems, he even fall asleep for the whole second half of the walk! I have the Ferrino Wallaby.
The pack is fantastic, fully adjustable and extra pockets, it is brand new, it comes with extra sun shield and rain cover, and it will be used only on this walk because my son is quickly reaching the 18kg / 105cm safety size limit. Let me know if you want it next week.
Rico
Sun 13 Oct, 2013 3:15 pm
I have the deuter (3?) and can honestly say the pram got used less than 5% of the time the backpack did (town and bush) over 2 kids.
So much more practical around markets, city streets, stairs etc, let alone the bush. We take it on holidays - never the pram. Like Rico, i found the kiddies fall asleep in there no problem - disconcerting in the bush when you are ducking trees and hopping rocks and this rag-doll flops all about (but doesn't wake up). Yes, they get heavier when the fall asleep!
With all the gear it does make a fairly heavy load (good for fitness

). I remember once when my boy was nearly 3 - he made it part way up a hill climb and then chose the pack option for the rest. But he proceeded to copy and mock my heavy panting as I carried him the last few km. But give me 10 mins of carrying them in the carrier over 1 hr of carrying them on the hip or shoulders.
The Deuter was pretty good for the purpose, a couple of issue i didn't like. I personally find Osprey packs super comfortable and would have purchased that had they had the model when I was buying.
Sun 13 Oct, 2013 5:28 pm
I want something for bush use only. I have no interest in carting potentially up to a 20kg load around town! Have found a Deuter KC3 that I'm having a look at next week

What didn't you like about it NQ?
I also love Osprey packs but worry that the minimal padding on the Poco won't be enough for me with this size load. Then there is the difficulty of finding one to try on..
Mon 14 Oct, 2013 1:41 am
Poco here for $183.96 with free delivery in Aus:
http://theluggageprofessionals.com.au/o ... pQodNAsATQThinking of buying one myself.
Mon 14 Oct, 2013 2:05 am
Ah, my post above is the basic model, not the plus.
The plus is $224 delevered.
http://theluggageprofessionals.com.au/o ... pQodfjYAtA
Mon 14 Oct, 2013 7:13 am
Hmm
Well I've found a Deuter KC3 second hand for $150, but then by the time I add a raincover the Poco Plus and raincover is only an extra $50. I do like the idea of having foot stirrups and the rain cover on the Poco does look better. My only concern with the Poco is the adult suspension.
Mon 14 Oct, 2013 2:56 pm
Yeah the foot stirrups seem like a great idea for when they get a little bigger. The other things I like about the Poco are the integrated sunshade and the way the over-the-shoulder child straps. Is the rain cover an optional extra?
The adult harness looks a bit light on but a reviews are generally positive about comfort.
Tue 15 Oct, 2013 1:53 pm
Just bought an Osprey Poco Plus from Paddy Pallin Launceston at 30% off, $195.
They have one red one left, and a handful of the regular Poco's, if anyone else is keen
Tue 15 Oct, 2013 3:12 pm
That's good news Strider. Time for a walk then.
Tue 15 Oct, 2013 3:37 pm
Definitely a good outcome for today's boys' trip to the wrong end of the state!

We'll go for our first proper walk together tomorrow morning
Tue 15 Oct, 2013 7:43 pm
Strider wrote:What didn't you like about it NQ?
Looks like you made your choice already - good move!
For the record the buckles on the Deuter are crap - straps slip under load and the waist buckle pops open randomly.
Not a bad pack overall - i could nit-pick a few other things but I reckon you will be happy with the Osprey
Tue 15 Oct, 2013 8:05 pm
Sounds like I made the right decision
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