[mrstang01]

O.K., Skunkabilly has convinced me, I have to get tactical and get a camelbak. What kind, and who has the best prices on them?

[Skunkabilly]

Kentucky? Check Lightfighter Tactical, they're near you and have good selection, but don't know how the supply is because of the war.

Warning is that if you intend to wear it WHILE you shoot (I hardly do) is find a smaller one without a waist strap as it'll either flap around, or get in the way of your pistol.

The BFM is the biggest one, and the Motherlode has been reworked. I don't like the new designs with the MOLLE things all over them. They look too....tactical. Other than that, the new 2003 models are great with the redesigned padding and organizer in the main compartment.

I have a Motherlode and HAWG. Keep in mind if you plan to do any traveling with it, the BFM and Motherlode come real close to what you can bring as carryon.

If you want to use it for hiking, biking, etc, I'd get one of the small ones like the Ambush with just a small cargo area and without the belt loop.

[tw1112]

If you aren't looking for the tactical sort like with the woodland camo or desert pattern, you can get a lower price. Meaning the 'normal' camelbaks are priced a little bit cheaper than the ones with the special patterns. I think they are exactly the same pack tho?? Like the hawg with the desert pattern would be the same as the one other stores normally sell?

[mrstang01]

OMG, the world is ending. Skunkie says something is too tactical? :what:

Thanks, though, good report.

[Skunkabilly]

I doubt I'd ever get anything with the desert pattern, you can walk around with a black Camelbak in the city (even the military pattern ones) and it won't look like you're going tactical. Some of the skateboarder types in college were wearing OD-colored kinda beat up military-style rucks around school, and camo was trendy for a while, maybe it still is?

REI: Camelbak HAWG $100, 1020 cubic inches capacity
Lightfighter: HAWG $107, 1100 cubic inches capacity.

Really the military ones WITHOUT the MOLLE stuff is more low-key and people think I'm going to class, the REI ones look too techie.

[shadow 1]

Stang, let me tell ya, Skunk-man knows his stuff about about Camelbacks! He's the ultimate in CB Tactical wear, now having said that, I personally like the Vagabond Systems called the 'Source', I recently picked up mine from www.tacticaltailor.com and have deployed it to Kuwait, Saudi, Jordan and the like this summer, it neatly tucks into my TT 3 Day pack, in Navy Blue, as not to attract too much unwanted attention, it performed flawlessly, stood up to the pressures of the region. I like the hose sytem much better, easier to drink out of etc. Check em' out.

[mrstang01]

Thanks Shadow, willco!

[tw1112]

I recently purchased a Rim Runner and a MULE from this place. The Hawg is going for I Think about 84.00 right now. Free shipping over $50.

http://store.yahoo.com/fulfillmentadventures/hydrationpacks.html

This is my first time buying from these guys, but they shipped it in 3 days time because the black mule that I bought was out of stock. I called in and the guys were really nice and told me when their shipment should arrive and that they would rush my shipment out in the same day so that I would get them in time for my hiking this weekend. I will let you know once the stuff arrives today. Hopefully everything is tip-top

[Bacchus]

I don't remember the model name of the one that I have, but I went with the 100 ounce bladder. It's great for trips and it doesn't draw any stares in the airport.

Make sure you look at sportsmansguide for replacement bladders for cheap (they're not camelbak brand but only about $10).

[Kobun]

OMG, the world is ending. Skunkie says something is too tactical?
Yeah. I noticed too. :uhoh:
Had to read it twice...
Eighter we have to get skunk checked in to a shooting skul ASAP, or have someone formate the internet. :scrutiny:

[Kobun]

As for Camelbak's, I have a Storm, the old type with carry straps.
Fits great in a vest or in a backpack. :)

I'd go with a
http://www.camelbak.com/camelbak/images/pm20131.jpg
ThermoBak for capacity and comfort.

Guess skunk should start wearing a
http://www.camelbak.com/camelbak/images/pm30072.jpg
to avoid being too....tactical . :D

[Skunkabilly]

Or roadkill! You know how we get crossing the street :o

[Schuey2002]

I don't like the new designs with the MOLLE things all over them. They look too....tactical.
I've always been lead to believe that you can never be "too....Tactical" or have "too much Tacticality"..

What gives?! :uhoh:

( Whoever you are, will you please give us back the old SkunkabiRRy??)


:neener:

[Skunkabilly]

Eighter we have to get skunk checked in to a shooting skul ASAP

2 day rifle class this weekend and a 3-day handgun class in 3 weeks.

Holy crap, that's 1.5 weeks of pay for me, a half month's pay if you add up the ammo and gas...

Crap! There goes my plane ticket to Norway :banghead:

[Kobun]

Crap! There goes my plane ticket to Norway
The real skunk wouldn't miss a trip to Norway!
So, who ever you are that has figured out skunk's password. Give it up! We have blown your cover!
Go and hack the CIA or something instead.
:p

[tw1112]

C&C outdoor store came through and delivered the packs. They came in perfect, NIB condition. I used the packs today for a hike and it was great!

[Sportcat]

I picked up an olive drab BFM today. That sucker has tons of cargo space!

[Skunkabilly]

I picked up an olive drab BFM today.

Pictures!! Pictures!!!

[Sportcat]

Skunk,

I'll do my best to get some pics up over the next few days. I picked the pack up for $149!

-Sport

[Skunkabilly]

Where? That's a great deal.

[Sportcat]

Sorry Skunk... he must have just raised the price to $159. But he does offer great service... mine shipped the same day for $6.95 using UPS ground.

http://store.yahoo.com/reliancesales/bfmolivedrab.html


-Sport

[Sportcat]

The same guy's ebay site has them going for $149 as a "Buy it Now."

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3618774366&category=2021

[DrDremel]

Somebody is obviously imposting under Skunkabilly's name. I don't think he would ever say the words "Too Tactical". Damn hackers.

I don't even know which one I have. I just picked the size the looked about right for me and bought it. It is a Non-Tactical model. I figure it is better to blend in and can easily be covered in a situation where I don't want to be seen.

[Skunkabilly]

I think I'm going to stick with my not as tactical looking Motherlode...the BFM fully loaded might be too much for the little skunk.....

But I do see a BFM in my future...just not yet.... :o

How do you like the new mesh thingy and easy opening thingy in the new models? Is there an organizer or two in the compartments?

[DrDremel]

I like the organizers. They fit pistol mags or a motorola pretty well. It is a MULE. Not too big for carrying when out but I was thinking of picking up a small one as well.

[OEF_VET]

I've had 4 Camelbaks over the last three years. They are absolutely awesome. I've had the old black & grey basic model, the all black 70 oz. version (actually Army-issued in Kosovo), a 70 oz. Desert camo pattern I bought for OEF, and the Motherlode w/ 100 oz bladder.

Mine have been used in some of the most inhospitable environments in the world, from Eastern Europe to Afghanistan to the woods of Louisiana and Kentucky. They've carried more things than I can remember, and have always proved themselves 100% reliable. My desert camo one is currently in Iraq with one of my buddies, and I'm sure it's doing just as good a job for him.

mrstang01, where are you in KY? If you're close to Hopkinsville, try either Lightfighter or U.S. Cavalry in Oak Grove, or Mr. Militaria in Clarksville, TN. If you're close to Ft. Knox, try U.S. Cav in E-town.

Frank

www.uscav.com
www.lightfighter.com

[mrstang01]

I'm just down the road from Cav. Boy, they are really suffering, I remember when they had 3 stores in the area, plus the one @ Campbell. Now they've consolidated the last store into the headquarters building. An example of how not to be a seller.

They used to have everything a gun & knife nut could want, then the owner got into thinking that everyone would instead want to buy Russian surplus crap @ inflated prices because the USSR was no more.

Sad.

[mercop]

My 70 oz Pakteen sees the most use when it rides in my Eagle AIII pack. I use it for missions and every day stuff like Amusement Parks. My kids love to drink out of it and it save me $$. I also slip it into my hydration sleeve on my Tac Vest. The Classic is what I wear on the range etc. BTW get a black one and do what you want with some Krylon. I LOVE MY CAMEKBAKS

[atek3]

What do you all think of the Viper and the Stealth. I wanted the ambush but it doesn't come in black so I guess viper it is.

atek3

[jthuang]

I have the old style Stealth (70 oz). It's great for biking and other activities where you want water but not cargo space.

I would not use the Stealth as your sole hydration system as you will run across situations where you want some cargo space to go with your water. I recommend using a Camelbak HAWG or HydraStorm Cyclone for such situations ... both hold a decent amount of gear (1,100-1,900 cu in) sufficient for a day trip.

Justin

[.45TCB]

Has anybody used the Morph (http://www.lightfighter.com/item.html?PRID=1238517)? It adds cargo capacity to a couple of the "water only" models. I was thinking about trying this style since it would give a cargo capacity between the ambush and the MULE, and I could use the sabre model alone if cargo wasn't an issue (biking, etc)

For $65 ($28 for the morph + $37 for the sabre) it seems like a pretty good deal, too.