SMD has started sales

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/index.php

amazing deal on their larger packs.

Some real deep discounts on their packs. Alas, no cuben love though….

I wonder why the fusion packs are so heavily discounted. Maybe an upcoming redesign? Or maybe they're getting rid of them altogether. They didn't make quite the impact that some expected, but I'm definitely thinking of picking one up just to try. Even if a bit flawed, $105/115 for a lightweight framed pack is a pretty great deal.

If you can get over the highlighter color, it's a really good pack.
Carries well, great hipbelt and spine to carry that load.

I have the flight 40 that shares many features and I love the pack.

I got a "more to come" from them on a facebook reply, so something is coming.
What it will be is the question.
We waited over 2 years for the flight/ fusion to come out.
I hope it doesn't stall forever for the new items.

If I needed a 50 or 65 liter pack, I would be all over that deal.

For $123 shipped for a smd fusion 50 liter for winter load. You can't beat that price.

They are supposed to be redesigning the pockets at least.

Would love to see a few changes, and after just one year, it's impressive that they would do this.
Things I would love to see change.

Better outside storage on the back of the body.
A real way to carry (and be able to reach) a bottle on the side.
Color, color, color… White is even worse than the highlighter color. My Flight 40 is filthy after every hike.

That's really about it.

I know there are a few things people have mentioned about some packs being better for whatever reason and I'm sure some of the changes will come from that. I think it was in the shoulder area?

All I know is that hip belt is so amazing, that any change will just make the pack all that much better.
The folks at SMD know what they are doing.

Appears to be an issue of lack of sales. 50% off is a clearance price.

Darn – I'd already bought a Southwest 2400 on sale at HMG when I saw this

Less Flights , or they are selling as they are 20% off.

50% off will kill anyone with one in Gearswap.

for one 32oz pack by a company (albeit cottage) seems almost unacceptable in this day and age. can't pull the trigger based on that alone.

Its a bulky item, and I assume they aren't marking it up at all or too bad. 133 to your door is quite the deal.

I think ULA charges about $15 shipping, or used to. It's the bulk of the pack that's gets ya. Shipping costs now days are crazy high.

Ryan

Bought a ULA CDT in October and shipping was $9.70.

Also bought a Luna Solo LE November 2013 and shipping was $10.60.

Of course, this could just be based off my location.

"Of course, this could just be based off my location."

I think that's the key factor here. I just ran through the order process and its $14.29 for me.

Ryan

Received a ULA Circuit about a week ago – $18 for shipping.
Because of the hoop, the box was 24x4x14.

I just sent it back – $19 to do so, FedEx 5 Day. (No insurance)

It is what it is. I doubt anyone is trying to turn a profit on shipping.

"I doubt anyone is trying to turn a profit on shipping."

You would be surprised. It is quite common for a seller company to have an agreement with a carrier such as UPS or Fedex. With the agreement and based on volume, they get a discount on shipping charges. However the shipping charges that show up on the invoice would be the full charge (to be paid by the buyer), and the shipping discount represents pure profit to the seller company.

Some buyers are aware of this, so, if their shipping volume is sufficient, they also have an agreement with many of the same carriers. Then when they make a purchase, they have the shipping charges made against their own account. That way, the seller company does not make any profit on the shipping.

It may be argued that overall shipping costs are more than just some UPS charges. That is correct. There is a small cost in packaging and boxing products for shipment, and the labor associated with that.

–B.G.–

Bob,
Are you suggesting that ULA is making a profit on shipping, or just blathering on for the sake of it?

The girlfriend purchased a net tent and haven 2person tarp using the discounts. Good deal.

I really like SMD. Very good stuff. I'm hoping the big % discounts are just prepping to introduce new models and do not mean they're in trouble.

"or just blathering on for the sake of it?"…..like most of us here at BPL

I'm puzzled by the specs on the Fusion 50.

Website says the pack dimensions are 11" W X 6" deep X 22" T, if I'm reading things correctly.

It then says the main bag volume is 2300 cu.

Hmmm, 11x6x22=1452 cubic inches

Must be a simple answer but I'm stumped (not the first time).

I think Ron drastically dropped the price on the Fusions in order to "prime the pump" and to get people to start using them. Then word can get around about what great load haulers they truly are.

Initial sales probably weren't as good as expected and it's easy to see why when you look at all of the competition out there (Gossamer Gear, Zpacks, Osprey, etc).

I also think the listed weights of the Fusions might have seemed a tad heavy to a lot of the UL crowd, but there is a very good reason for it.

I've gone full circle with UL packs. My first pack was a Deuter Futura that weighed 3.5 lbs. I could load that baby up and it would ride great! But oh no, I had to get an "Ultralight" pack instead. So I bought a Deuter Spectro AC 38…..what a miserable piece of junk that thing was. Then I went out and bought a frameless 46L Osprey. Sold it. After that I went online and saw the ULA OHM. I heard how great it was….hated it!

Then it finally dawned on me that the rigid belt on the Deuter Futura was what made it handle the weight so well (for me anyway). But rigid belts do ADD WEIGHT. They have to because they are built like a good saddle tree on a horse's saddle. The Fusion 50 is just such a pack. The weight displaces right onto the hips to ride comfortable because the belt is melded to the spine of the pack in on solid, RIGID structure.

I own a Fusion 50 and it feels like I've found a long lost love, and grand total weight is 2.5 lbs.