BPL reviews etc.

> I can see it now, scantily clad model with "TT" tattoed on her butt entices joe
> backpacker into her silnylon boudoir.
> "Click here to enter"

Ah – Warmlite do that already. Old hat.

cheers

> I suspect that they are very crafty how they work that. The manufacturer offers
> to buy advertising space, but only if they can be assured that a positive gear review
> will appear in the same magazine issue.

Actually, the normal deal is that manufacturer takes out a full or half page ad guaranteed to be opposite the review (which is usually less than half a page anyhow).

Been there …

Cheers

Warmlite got a new website!!!! No more naked people!

They ditched the naked photos about 3 years ago. Those photos did not age well.

Wow, now you wanna talk about BAD websites, Warmlite's old one takes the cake.

This thread resembles one of those Andy Rooney diatribes at the end of "60 Minutes".

"Do you know what I don't like? Clock radios. If it isn't beeping in the morning, making a racket, you end up having to listen to the radio. I don't like that and never can figure out how to turn the thing off. You know what else I dislike? Macaroni and Cheese…I've never once bought a block of cheese that tastes like that. And what's worse than bad cheese and clock radios? Belgium…Maybe my least favorite of lowland countries…."

Ben, I remember naked people just last year.

Why, just the other night we were over at the hot springs….

"Ben, I remember naked people just last year."

Travis, why is my name in that sentence? :)

Dirk:

LOL… too true.

i think icebreaker has the most ridiculous advertising around, dude trying to act like an animal or something while wearing tights.

"Tarptent.com is one of the worst websites I've seen online."

I am one who disagrees. Clean fast loading, tech details, no flash or java scripts, decent amount of photos. Almost everything I need to understand the product line.

Oware is also clean and simple, but the photos aren't so good and the organization is a bit confusing. I want to understand the Oware line, but I can't quite figure things out from the pictures. Oware on the other hand is a word of mouth company, but I would like to be able to see more deatils on some of the products.

I do own some Oware products, so how important is it?

"Oware on the other hand is a word of mouth company,"

Most cottage manufacturers are. Even TarpTent isn't popular because of its web site, TarpTent is popular because in addition being great tents (duh), Henry stands behind them. As rare as that is these days, it's pretty common in the cottage manufacturers.

>>Ben, I remember naked people just last year.<<

We should take up a collection and send Travis to the Titty bar.

A whole year?!?! May God have mercy on your soul

I agree with everybody I have heard in the somewhat over 100 posts. I personally subscribed as a BPL member because of the SUL emphasis AND the in depth reviews (all of them). It's a complex issue, as a dedicated SULer. I enjoy reviews on gear I might be carrying when I'm guiding, as well as gear I would be keen on purchasing for my own pleasure. That being said I would be willing to pay a higher subscription price to see more emphasis on MLD SMD GG TT and all the other cottage mfgs I am not currently aware of. THAT is why I signed up for BPL. So PLEASE review more of the gear MOST of us want. I love REI, BPL however is not REI it is SUL.
cheers!

Jeff, that cracked me up!!!!!

"BPL however is not REI it is SUL."

Umm, BPLs mission statement "To promote multi-day, backcountry travel in a self-supported ("backpackable"), lightweight style."

Note the word lightweight, not UL, not SUL. There's room for plenty of variety in that mission statement from reviews of mainstream lightER weight products to cottage UL and MYOG SUL stuff.

I myself am a dedicated Ler (not really even ULer). However I agree I would like to see more specialized content on less mainstream products and techniques. Basically stuff I can't get elsewhere.

I believe the common theme here is "we want more" I have to admit for a paid service that's completely online I'm sure not feeling like I'm getting my money's worth out of the "M" articles. I feel that as a whole BPL is an awesome resource. I've learned so much and am very thankful for the forums and the people.

The trip reports are ok… they sure as heck shouldn't be "M" rated.

I do enjoy the depth of the reviews here at BPL I just wish there were MORE. I hate reading "REI" style user reviews "Tent is great it is light and I didn't get wet" – great THANKS!

I do have to agree with other posts pleading for manufacturers to send in their gear for reviews. As a person who works in marketing I can definitely say it's worth your product cost. Talk about cheap advertising.

I think that seeing as how the majority of your UL gear is sold to THESE people HERE the least you can do is help them out by submitting your gear for reviews. In addition that review if positive will generate further sales from outside this community.

Somewhere on this website somebody (staff or not, I don't know) tried to give concrete definitions of weight classifications.

Something like:
Kitchen sink- 30lbs and up
Traditional- 30lbs- 23lbs
Lightweight- 23lbs- 15lbs…
and so on

I can't find this thread (curse you, search engine!!!)
but Maybe if there were 'weight limits' on reviews, for instance- two man tents over 5lbs wouldn't be reviewed

Ahhh- well that rules out Nallos and such- which definitely applies to users of this website

Sorry

This post sucks

"Ahhh- well that rules out Nallos and such- which definitely applies to users of this website"

The Nallo2 is less than 5lbs, and anyway, defining such things needs to be situational. For instance, a winter trip will necessitate a heavier pack than an overnight summer trip. A Nallo2 may be appropriate for winter use whereas a cuben tarp may suit a summer Sierra trip.

Moments like this, I feel sorry for Ryan Jordan and staff…

A bit like Oliver twist, "more". How about just compiling a simple list of which UL items are in need of reviews and try knocking out the top ten by simple majority? You may want to give members a proxy , or … lots of ways to do it.

That is great idea, lets start a list on another thread. There are LOTS of things to review. SMD Haven, Swift, MLD Burn, too many maybe even for a top 10!

Someone , hopefully BPL can figure out a way to limit the number of times a person can vote for a given time period or whatever. You don't want to do it with a system that lets someone vote 100 times for the same item . The tradition of voting +1 seems to support that kind of playing field.

Are these rules for BPL, or our central government? Seems like the Feds could use a little regulation nowadays…..