Gear

Gear talk: adding caps to my MSR Groundhogs

An easy hack to make pushing pegs into the ground a little easier- adding plastic caps

Map measure of the month: the Carl Zeiss Jena/Freiberger Präszisionsmechanik Kurvimeter 78

The Freiberger Präzisionsmechanik company is based in Saxony, Germany and has a long and convoluted history that has seen many name and structural changes. From 1965 to 1990, they were part of the Kombinat VEB Carl Zeiss Jena optics parent company. The Kurvimeter 78 map measure looked at here dates from that period of Soviet control.

Gear

Gear talk: peg selection

Three Points of the Compass has tried various combination sets of pegs (OK, stakes to our friends across the pond) with my various tents over the years. I suspect many of us have. There is no one-size-fits-all peg, though some come damn close to being perfect. Some ground or soil types or weather conditions such as wind or snow lend themselves better to more specialised pegs.

knife

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer X and Pioneer Farmer

The Pioneer X and Farmer each provide one additional tool over their two-layer cousins. That extra tool, either scissors or saw, may be enough to tempt you

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Elliott Brothers opisometer

Elliott Brothers were one of the foremost instrument makers of the 19th and 20th centuries. The two opisometers looked here are prime examples of their craft

Gear

Gear talk: a replacement of the Zpacks Duplex vestibule double-hook apparatus

Backpacking the Southern Upland Way recently, I reached out one evening to close and tighten the vestibule doors- twang! One of the hooks had broken. I tied it shut for the remainder of that hike and simply used the other side of the shelter. Back home, I found thirty seconds to replace it with one of those sent to me by Zpacks

knife

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer and Pioneer Electrician

The Alox Pioneer knives from Victorinox are good looking with well made robust tools. These two-layer options from the 'medium-pocket knives' range differ from each other only slightly and either may provide exactly the tool set required.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the “Inco” Krzywomierz Turystyczny

This months map measure was manufactured by Polish manufacturer ZZG INCO (Zakład Chemii Budowlanej United Economic Teams INCO-Veritas) for both civilian and military use. It is simple, well made and accurate.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: a Fritz Chatelain measure

This map measure from Fritz Chatelain of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, was sold by Lawrence & Mayo in the early 20th century. The accurate and high quality instrument was later called the 'Universal Map Measure'.

Gear

Favourite gear: GSI sipper mug

Another item of favourite gear for Three Points of the Compass. This time it is something simple- a sipper mug from GSI Outdoors

Cooking

Gear talk: Fire Maple FMS-116 and FMS-116T gas stoves

Some backpackers prefer a wide burner head on their gas stoves. This feature can add both weight and bulk to a cook kit, but not always. Two canister top options from Fire Maple have proven themselves as reliable performers over the years, one is light and expensive, the other is heavier and cheaper, the choice is yours.

knife

Knife chat: are you flying? a look at bladeless ‘knife’ options

Many of us like to pack along a little knife when backpacking or travelling. But what to take when flying. Rather than lose a favourite to zealous security, there are some little tools that don't include a blade. Three Points of the Compass looks at three options.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Zlatoust curvimeter KY-A

The Russian made KY-A Curvimeter was made for both the civilian market and the Red Army at the fabled Zlatoust watch factory in the 1970s. Cheaply made from plastic and metal, it is a robust and reasonably accurate instrument.

Cooking

Gear talk: Aspen 4- a cleaner burning option for multi-fuel stoves

The whole point of a multi-fuel stove is that it gives you options. One fuel may be more suited to colder conditions, another may permit better simmering, one could be the cheapest option, another may be the only fuel available. Aspen 4 is amongst the very best of fuel options for a liquid fuel stove.

Gear

Gear talk: the Opticron 8×20 Gallery Scope

Opticron are a UK optics company that produce monoculars, spotting scopes, binoculars and peripheral equipment. The great majority of their products are manufactured in Japan by 'elite optical manufacturers'. Products are good value, high quality and backed up by warranty and good after-sales service. The 8x20 monocular is quite an old product now, but has undergone a minor design revamp. It is an affordable and good choice for the lightweight backpacker.

Gear

Gear talk: the Viking 8×25 ED monocular

For those backpackers amongst us that like to carry a small optic for nature watching and the like, there are surprisingly few decent options. The Viking 8x25 ED monocular is a well made instrument with features that belie its reasonable price.

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