I compared the Quantum and the N.Meridian side by side yesterday; answers in a moment..
Gene, I also own a Mountainsmith; the Sting45. It would be the perfect mid-size alpine pack for me, but for one critical flaw. The straps were constructed laying flat, then curved for assembly, instead of being pre-curved and assembled. Thus, there is a bulge of high-density strap material on the concave surface of the strap, right where the weight-bearing surface contacts my shoulder. This is very painful, and unacceptable. This can actually be seen in retail photos of the pack, as shown below; I just didn't notice it before buying, unfortunately. Also, the nylon straps below the padded part; the part which goes through buckles to lengthen the straps is way too short. Im only 170 lbs or so (that's pounds, Ben..), but the straps are all the way out if I'm wearing layers. Minor flaws which Mountainsmith could have easily anticipated and fixed. I emailed them twice and got no reply. The seller will take the pack back for a refund.
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Michael, last night I went to Sakaiya sports in Jimbocho Tokyo and spent about 30 minutes annoying the staff by stripping the 55 liter version of the Quantum (goes by a different name here), as well as the GG Nimbus Meridian and Meridian Vapor. I also loaded up each with about 5kg. Long story short, I'm going with the Nimbus Meridian. Here's a short comparison:
"Strippability"
The Quantum strips very easily, takes about 30 seconds total. The waist belt is held in with some velcro, and the T shaped frame is held in with a couple velcro tabs. The crampon straps are removable by rotating a ring so it goes through another ring sideways (under tension of normal use it would not fall out). The lid is held on with 4 side-release buckles.
What I learned is that the GGs also strips very easily! The lid comes off with 4 buckles, and the waist belt can be unscrewed once, then held on only with velcro for install-removal cycles. The frame can not be removed, but actually the tepex frame is one of the best features of the pack; Id leave it in for comfort.
Weight of both stripped packs is roughly comparible, to within 100grams (GG heavier).
Panel Access
All three packs are top/panel loaders; BUT, what I learned is the GG packs open up along the front like a gutted fish. The BD packs only open a slit shaped cut along the side. After using panel access packs, the size of this opening makes a big difference on how I pack, and how I use my gear. I strongly prefer the opening used by GG, and since the other features were similar, that sold me on the GG.
Top access
The drawstring on the top of the GG pack slid open and closed smoothly and easily. It is easily rolled down for waterproofness if going lidless. The BD string got totally caught in the sticky Dimension Polyant laminated fabric. I could not smootly close the top. This would be a problem when going lid-less in the rain. I suppose replacing the nylon cord with slippery dyneema or similar might solve this problem. Why didn't BD test this!! No excuse.
Comfort
No one beats GG on comfort IMO, BD came close, but after experiencing my Nimbus Ozone 'disappear' on my back; that leans me to expecting the same from the N.Meridian. The Quantum was comfortable enought that this was not a deciding factor either way.
Size variability
Both packs have four compression straps, and so can be cinched down to about 2/3, or 1/3 the max volume. I prefer the shape of the BD, but not to the extent of buying it for that reason.
Im going with the GG Nimbus Meridian.
Meridian Vapor shown here in the gutted fish configuration. Staff would not let me take pictures, so I got only this one..
Ben, no need to delete your comment; that was interesting that another country in Asia actually uses the English system?? But as an engineer I prefer the decimal neatness of SI units. Makes spreadsheets and comparisons so much easier. I suppose America will never switch over; but when dealing with the rest of the world, SI is so much easier. Quick, how many lbf for a British metric ton at 2gs? Heck if I know..
