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ZPacks Sonic Stakes


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Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) ZPacks Sonic Stakes

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 20 total)
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  • #3476979
    Don Burton
    Spectator

    @surfcam310

    Locale: City of Angels

    I know these just came out but I’m wondering if anyone has used them in the field yet. Zpacks says not to hammer them but that’s mainly what I’m wondering about.

    I’ve been using MSR mini groundhogs have hammered the @#$* out them for about 50 nights and I’ve only broken the head off of one which is pretty good to me.

    Do these stand up to that? Is Zpacks disclaimer just in case?

    #3476988
    Scott Kilcoyne
    BPL Member

    @scottx

    Locale: Indianapolis

    I saw them last night and ordered them. Hopefully I’ll get them in time to take on my Smokies trip next week, if so, I’ll report back.

    #3477004
    Alex Willows
    BPL Member

    @bigggbird

    Locale: Tasmania

    Following this thread with interest, the design looks great, just depends on their strength I guess!

    #3477035
    Don Burton
    Spectator

    @surfcam310

    Locale: City of Angels

    Thanks Scott. Let us know.

    #3477047
    Bob Moulder
    BPL Member

    @bobmny10562

    Locale: Westchester County, NY

    Yep, practically identical spec to Mini GroundHog.

    Around here, if I could not hit stakes to get them into the ground then I wouldn’t be using them at all.

    My approach with stake placement is to start off by tapping lightly to see if the stake will go in, then gradually increasing the force of the taps until it ‘feels’ as if the stake can’t take any more without bending. Fairly easy to tell if it just isn’t going to go in. But occasionally even Ti skewers will penetrate granite or shale that is somewhat rotten.

    Similar stakes on Amazon (7″)… I have used some like these (larger GroundHog dimensions) and they are perfectly fine.

    #3477051
    Matthew / BPL
    Moderator

    @matthewkphx

    Very interesting. They are ~3g lighter per stake. I wonder where the weight savings comes from. I’m a huge fan of full-size Groundhogs but I’ve bent a couple of the minis in the rocky soil of Arizona. I’m skeptical about using the ZPacks variant here. I will be interested to hear more about them.

    #3477061
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Yes…the significant weight reduction is very interesting. 0.24oz vs 0.35oz (Mini GH).  Nevermind the nearly 50% weight reduction compared to GroundHogs and the Amazon versions that are both just 1″ longer.  To my mind the only viable explanation is the Alloy used.  Will be interesting to hear real-world usage reports.

    #3477068
    Yoyo
    Spectator

    @dgposton

    Locale: NYC metro

    Man!  I just ordered the carbon fiber ones from Zpacks the other day…Why do they keep coming out with new stuff!  My wallet is hurting!

    #3477080
    Richie S
    BPL Member

    @landrover

    I picked up a set. I do always feel somewhat resentful if four stakes come up over the oz – so I’ll give these a crack.

    #3477988
    Richie S
    BPL Member

    @landrover

    Size vs groundhogs.

     

    #3477992
    Cameron M
    BPL Member

    @cameronm-aka-backstroke

    Locale: Los Angeles

    I learned that its all about “tapping.” In construction I occasionally have to embed a 6′ copper grounding rod and when you whack it hard your hammer bounces back. Tap tap, tap, and it is amazing when you see all 6 feet slowly and easily sink in. I still use my Ruta Locura Sorex 9″ carbon stakes, but as I lost several last year I am considering changing (they don’t like getting hit sideways). Carbon tent stakes and carbon  trekking poles do lessen nervousness about airport confiscation. On the Treklite forum they seem to favor Eastons. Oftentimes I think that length matters the most so I am not sure I would like that 6″ blue thing shown in the picture above.

    #3477995
    Brad Rogers
    BPL Member

    @mocs123

    Locale: Southeast Tennessee

    Easton’s seem to be getting hard to find for some reason.  I have had good luck with them over the past nine years or so though (knock on wood).

    #3478037
    Todd T
    BPL Member

    @texasbb

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Easton’s seem to be getting hard to find for some reason.  I have had good luck with them over the past nine years or so though (knock on wood).

    When have Eastons not been hard to find?  I’ve sometimes wondered if I’d have to buy a new Tarptent just to get another Easton or two, not that that’s the worst fate I could suffer.  :^)

    #3479222
    John Rowan
    BPL Member

    @jrowan

    I picked up a set (due to be delivered Tuesday or so) that I’ll be taking out on a 700-ish mile PCT section, so I’ll have some feedback in a few weeks.

    Thst said, it IS the PCT, so it’s also very possible that they’ll never even touch dirt, since I cowboy camp anytime it’s at all possible.

    #3479241
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    Re: photo posted by @landrover

    Pretty easy to see from whence the weight savings are derived…the Zpacks stake is significantly narrower in addition to the (previouly known) shorter length.  Will likely be easier to wiggle into the cracks of rocky grond, but that’s not really the conditions where Groundhogs are favored.

    I see them as another option…they don’t really replace anything.

    #3479247
    Matthew / BPL
    Moderator

    @matthewkphx

    JCH, I believe that photo shows the Sonic next to a full size Groundhog next a Mini-Groundhog.

    #3479248
    Richie S
    BPL Member

    @landrover

    It does Matthew. I don’t have a minimgroundhog. I’m would see them as a good replacement over shepherd hooks but not replacing a full size groundhog.

    #3479256
    JCH
    BPL Member

    @pastyj-2-2

    “…next to a full size Groundhog next a Mini-Groundhog.”

    Oh.  Nevermind. :)

    #3479300
    Scott Kilcoyne
    BPL Member

    @scottx

    Locale: Indianapolis

    Got mine in but they arrived while I was gone on my 4 day trip so I didn’t get to use them in the field. They are 100% identical in shape and size to mini ‘hogs….just lighter.

    #3479331
    Nick Gatel
    BPL Member

    @ngatel

    Locale: Southern California

    In poor weather (which is the only time I use a shelter) a shelter is only as good as the stakes. A stake the vendor says bends easy and do not hammer them in — sorry, I’ll pass. Save 0.1 ounce and have your shelter collapse in the wind… that’s stupid light.

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