Ultra Light Bear Canister

I don't see this as much of a difference over the small Bare Boxer I currenlty have. The best feature is the size. 7" dia by 9" long is what I like. The price is higher though. I don't see the pan as anything more than the lid to the container. It needs to be on at all time. 1.5 lbs vs 1.6 lbs. I would love a Bearikade in these dimensions even at much greater cost. 325 cid would be nice also.

Another advantage with all the other designs is that there are only two pieces to keep track of, not four. I'm telling you that little screw that holds it all together will be the center of much swearing in the backcountry. Better have a spare. Don't strip out the threads in the handle either. Don't loose that handle either.

Because of this thread I went to the Lighter1 website. It is still confusing as it shows a bear proof canister at 1 lb. 5 oz. and then the lid at 6 oz. and the handle at 1 oz. They really can't classify it as 1lb. 5oz. canister if the lid is not attached since it is just a plastic bottle at that point.

Kind of weird marketing if you ask me. Back on 7/12/2012 they said they would address the issue. I don't think it has been addressed. It just needs to be marketed as a 1lb. 12oz canister which INCLUDES a dual use cook pot.

"Back on 7/12/2012 they said they would address the issue."

To be fair to them, they only said they would clarify that they are selling two products. They did put the first line under the product as, "Lighter1 is two products!" I agree that is confusing…. what are the two products? They have stopped saying it is a 1lb 5oz bear canister and now call it a 1lb 5oz "polycarb" canister. They absolutely refuse to honestly and clearly tell their consumers how much their bear canister weighs.

I would still like to know if the lid can be used as a frying pan or is it only for heating water?

With all the comments regarding this Bear Canister (Polycarb Canister) most all of them negative.

Has anyone purchased one or know of anyone who has purchased one?

Has Anyone, purchased one of these canisters ? Anyone ?

WTB: Does anyone have a lighter1 bear canister?

I would like to try a new bear canister this year on a 5 week trip PCT/JMT.

They were listed at the Mather Ranger station as approved bear resistant canisters.

Rangers still rent Garcia Machine Bear cans.

Still have not seen anything other than bear Bearvaults and Bearikades "in the wild".

Sure would like to see a seasonal approach to food storage.

How about Ursack S29 approval from Jan 1 to May 1st for the Yosemite and Seki?

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An example of "bear canister country".

Of a couple of 'em…

Back in the day I lived in the Sierra Nevada and hung food. Hated it. What a pain, tying up rocks, finding a tree with a branch that works, yada yada. As one who loves treeline and above, hanging food was extremely irritating.

Used a Garcia a couple times, thing was heavy and huge.

Then I got a BearVault BV450 Solo. I actually really like the twist top (even in cold temps, it was easy to open and didn't need any tools to do it). And I also really like that it's transparent. Easy to find things. And the wide opening is really convenient as well. It's really been great. LOVE that I didn't have to hang anything! Forgot to brush my teeth? No problem, didn't have to bring down my hanging stuff-bag mess just to get the toothpaste.

Then I got more and more into photography, and with 10 pounds of photo equipment, and my legs not gettin' any younger (go figure), I started the process of lightening my load (I hike solo, so whatever I need, I have to carry).

I downsized from an Osprey Aether 70 to a Granite Gear Blaze A.C. 60. After that, I found that the BearVault was just a wee bit too heavy and too big, so I wondered if there was anything a bit smaller.

Then I saw the BareBoxer (yes, it's spelled Bare) Contender online and went for it. On my small scale (EatSmart Precision Pro) it's 26.7 oz, or 1.66666- pounds. So a tad heavier than advertised. But who knows how accurate scales are. Philosophically, how does one ever truly know? Do you have to buy ten scales, weigh everything and take the average (minus the scores from that one judge from Germany)? Let's say your scale is off 1/2 oz and you have 30 items (large or small) in your pack, that's 15 oz or about a pound of difference. But I digress…

Anyway, love the size, the weight savings is nice. It's basically a baby Garcia. The BearVault on my same EatSmart scale is 33 oz, so 6.3 oz savings and again, a bit smaller, but that smaller size is much more convenient. Fits my Blaze really well now; the BearVault was just a bit too large and made it pack funny. The opening is a little strange but makes sense once you get used to it, and I do have a multi-tool (I know, I'm not a true ultralighter) that makes it easy. My only concern is just that, really: needing a tool to open it.

I miss the transparency, the larger opening and the tool-free operation of the BearVault. But the compromise is worth it. I've toyed with the idea of getting the ursack, but the comfort of a hard-sided bear canister that I don't have to tie up anywhere is at this point worth the tradeoff. It takes me 30 seconds to deal with my food once I'm done eating and such. I walk a few dozen yards from my campsite, and I'm done. I don't have to care if there are rocks or trees for tying and all that.

So if you have any questions that I haven't covered about the BearVault BV450 vs the BareBoxer Contender, fire away. No, I don't intend on selling my BearVault at this point. It's the perfect size for when my wife and I backpack together, and I don't see any 5+ night jaunts for us in the near future.

Added: Oh, and as far as fitting food into it, I think I could fit a 4-5 night trip in it, HOWEVER I do not cook on the trail (weight goes to photography equipment). Well, 5 might be pushing it… BearVault could handle 5-6 nights if all cold meals.

Has no one around here tried a Lighter1? It reports to be the same weight and size as a bareboxer and you have multi-use potential. I am definitely thinking about getting one, but am a bit hesitant considering there response on here. I like that it is clear and doesn't appear to have a recess.

I wonder how well that closure system works. I am also wondering how well it would work for frying fish.

"Lighter1?"

We had quite a discussion about it here. As I vaguely recall, the issue had to do with the metal cap or no metal cap. The reported weight did not include the metal cap, yet the thing was non-functional without some kind of hard cap. If you added the metal cap, it blows the weight figures out.

It certainly sounded like one of those things that looks good on paper until you actually hold it in your hands.

I own a Garcia, three BearVaults, and one BareBoxer, so I don't really need another.

–B.G.–

They definitely got a well deserved crappy welcome around here because of their deceptive advertising and unwillingness to admit the error. But… by my adding skills, even with the metal cap, it is within an ounce of the bareboxer.

My assessments/educated guesses:

It probably behaves similarly to the BearVault in regards to transparency and large opening — both big plusses in my book as one who has used the BearVault a lot.

Weight: okay, so adding the canister portion (21 oz), cross bar (1 oz) and lid (6 oz), it comes to 28 oz IF the weight listed on their website is accurate. If you add the frying pad lid (yes, there's an optional lid for the lid that's 2 oz), then you're at 30 oz. My BareBoxer on my own happy li'l scale is 26.7 oz.

So, weight difference is nothing. cut off a few tags and leave out a few peanuts and raisins. Unless you want the 2oz Lid Lid.

BearVault BV450: only $47 at CampSaver if you wait for one of their 20% off deals. Weighs the most (33 oz on my scale), but opening it is easy and no need for tools.

BareBoxer Contender: $55 + $12 shipping via their website ($12 shipping is steep for the weight). Lighter than BearVault (26.7 oz on my scale), opening needs a tool, but more compact than BearVault. It fits nicely in my Granite Gear A.C. 60 and I would imagine in smaller pack quite well.

Lighter1: $85. I'm REALLY curious about how easy it is to open and close. Can't find anything (yet) that explains it. It looks like at least 2 screws that hold the crossbar in place. That would mean, I'd assume, a tool is necessary to open it.

NOTE #1: The Lighter1 claims 300 cubic inches with a 7" diameter and 9" length. The BareBoxer claims 275 cubic inches with 7.4" diameter and 8" length. WIth just those measurements, it's 344 cubic inches to 346 cubic inches, so all I can figure is that the plastic is thicker and/or the curves are more pronounced on the BareBoxer to give it that much less volume. Or that nice big opening on the Lighter1 is part of the equation.

NOTE #2: I've found that the more narrow, the better. So in theory, the Lighter1 would be beneficial, however it is 1 inch longer than BareBoxer, so it might really stretch a narrow pack if packed horizontally.

NOTE #3: I've found the price differences aren't worth caring about for something like this: get the product that is best for your need, the $20-40 difference will be long forgotten in a year.

SO…

If weight is most important: BareBoxer (26.7 oz). Then Lighter1 (28 oz or 30 oz with Lid Lid). Then BearVault (33 oz).

If easy access is most important: BearVault wins. No tools. I've never had any problems, even if I've had to take off a glove for 5 seconds on the coldest mornings. BearBoxer needs a tool, Lighter1 has at least 2 Mystery Screws.

If cost is most important: BearVault wins. Wait for a C@mpS@ver 20% special, you can get it for $47.

If transparency is most important: TIE between BearVault and Lighter1.

If wide, easy access is most important: TIE between BearVault and Lighter1.

If smallest diameter is most important: Lighter1.

If largest volume (of the three in question) is most important: BearVault.

If length/height is most important: BareBoxer.

If having a built-in frying pan (with our without Lid Lid) is most important: Lighter1.

For me: I'd be intrigued by the Lighter1, but I'm wary of how it opens and closes, it's 1 inch longer than BareBoxer, it's 2 oz heavier and it's $20 more expensive. So for me, I'll stick with my BareBoxer.

But if you like what you see with the Lighter1, go for it. It's light, small, semi-affordable and keeps bears from eatin' your twinkies.

There’s a lot of info on this thread. So this is what I got out of it:

-Barry

http://andrewskurka.com/2012/bear-canister-shopping-guide/

http://tinyurl.com/cpjxy8m

Yes, but has "ANYONE" purchased one?

http://lighter1.com/

hope nobody has wasted their money on that one.

Still very happy with my ursack. I haven't had any problems with bears either.

This reminds me that I actually wanted to start putting my food inside an OP bag so I'm going to add that to my TODO.

I HATE the hard sided bags as they just leave too much inflexibility.

Rodents can work over the Ursack Minor.

Make sure you hang them. If they are sitting on the ground or on a limb that gives the critters something "stable" to chew on, they Will get in.

This is an issue acknowledged by the Urasack folks, and not an isolated event.

Not a canister. Not allowed many places. I love mine, but to bring it up here is pointless. I got a deal on a Bearikade and haven't looked back.

"hope nobody has wasted their money on that one." – jshann

Why do you say that John? I have been quite critical of lighter1's advertising, but I think there is a lot to like about the can. I am planning on getting one.

I just received a Lighter1 Lil Sami. I had planned on using it for my JMT thru hike in July. Besides the pics on the manufacturers website this was the first I have seen of one. I couldn't track anything else down so I made a video instead of pics.

Watch the video then we can discuss. http://youtu.be/6AwLEgVraLQ

(and no Im not monetized on youtube)

Poly Can = 20 oz
Canister Lid/Pot = 6.42 oz
Handle/Support = 0.89 oz
Screws and Retainers = 0.38 oz
Pot Lid = 2.22 oz

27.69 oz total weight

Thanks for taking the time too do a video. Very informative, I still think it is a terrible design. Having the lid being used as a pot is not a good idea. Not legal to be used like that in the King Range as I have stated before. Better off with a Bearvault if you are considering this one.

"Not legal to be used like that in the King Range as I have stated before." – Ken

That is not accurate. You just can't leave uncanistered food out of your reach. Why would your canister be out of your reach when you are cooking? You need the cook-pot and food at the same time. This makes perfect sense as a dual use item.

"I just received a Lighter1 Lil Sami…." -Jim

Thanks for the review Jim! I am glad to actually get an independent look for once. It's good to finally see how the locking mechanism works. If you don't like how the knurled nuts protrude, you could get some button nuts at the hardware store to replace them, but then you would need to bring along a screwdriver (or equivalent). Likewise you *could* slip a nut in the inside to replace the handle, however I think doing that would invalidate the bear rating. I think the handle plays an important structural role in this design. The opening is the weak spot on any bear canister. I am not sure the metal cap provides enough structural rigidity by itself.

I agree that the handle seems to protrude quite a bit into the can. If the handle went in the other way (with the cross-beam on the outside instead of the inside of the can) it seems like you would get much more useable space. Have you verified it only slips in the way you did it?

"Why would your canister be out of your reach when you are cooking?"

All well and good if you never walk away from your dinner while cooking on the stove, while it is continuing to cook in a cozy, while it is cooling, while eating, while washing the pot, or anywhere in between. It seems like a slam dunk that the thing will be walked away from while open at some point by most if not all users.