What's the most reliable piece of gear you've ever owned?

[DougPaul]

One of my most unreliable pieces of gear is my Garmin Vista. Damm clickstick doesn't work half the time and I don't trust it's waterproofness...

This is a known problem with the Vista. The way that I fix it is to turn the unit off and then on with the click stick depressed. This will display a diagnostic screen with a display for the click stick at the lower left. I then manipulate the click stick to get an indication that it works for all 4 directions and reboot.

You could also contact Garmin--they are often very helpful.

Another known problem is the glue holding the rubber strip on becomes gummy with time. Garmin will likely send you a new rubber strip if you ask them.

Doug

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

It’s an interesting question that got me thinking. Most of what I use now I have purchased since my return to the US from France in 2000. However, I do have a polished stainless steel mirror and a pedometer that are both older than most of those of you who read these forums.

 

[TEO]

Hands down, without a doubt, my copy of the AMC's White Mountain Guide.

 

[jn316]

Limmers

Three pairs of Limmers have served me well.
My 46 year-old Limmers, after years of packing and trail-running, have been re-assigned to chainsawing and other woodswork.
The 40 year-old pair, vintage brown leather and brass hooks, now reserved for formalwear, dancing, going to church.
My 30 year-old Limmers, recently stretched and "re-souled" for the ?th time, have seen many ranges, trails, and peaks, still going strong.

 

[Jay H]

This is a known problem with the Vista. The way that I fix it is to turn the unit off and then on with the click stick depressed. This will display a diagnostic screen with a display for the click stick at the lower left. I then manipulate the click stick to get an indication that it works for all 4 directions and reboot.

You could also contact Garmin--they are often very helpful.

Another known problem is the glue holding the rubber strip on becomes gummy with time. Garmin will likely send you a new rubber strip if you ask them.

Doug

I know about the diagnostic mode and this vista is already a $75 replacement from my first one whose clickstick actually BROKE off and I was using it with a simply pin stuck in it for awhile. The new Vista replacement that I got lasted all of perhaps 1 use before the clickstick got funky... Latest software and all...

Jay

 

[Pamola]

Strange enough, one of my most reliable pieces of gear is my set of Komperdell Hiking poles.

My dad has a pair of 10+ year old Komperdells as well. He wore the picks on the ends down to nubs and had to replace them with 16-penny nails held in place by a bent galvanized siding nail each as a pin, plus epoxy. They're still straight, shocks still work, and haven't failed him yet. Meanwhile, my black diamond ones look like pieces of cooked spaghetti.

I'm going to have to add my Canon AE-1 program to the list. Thing's a rock. And my north face daypack. Had it for about 10 years as well.

 

[Bob]

2 things-

- Lowe Contour IV backpack
- TNF tadpole tent. At least 5 years ago a friend commented 'that tent has been through the war' Looks tattered but still waterproof.

 

[DougPaul]

I know about the diagnostic mode and this vista is already a $75 replacement from my first one whose clickstick actually BROKE off and I was using it with a simply pin stuck in it for awhile. The new Vista replacement that I got lasted all of perhaps 1 use before the clickstick got funky... Latest software and all...

Oh well...

Try a 60CSx--it'll knock your socks off after a Vista. So far, all of the buttons on mine are fine.

Doug

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

I just got to thinking that back about 1985 while living in France I bought an Army surplus (Alice) pack (a French version)--the medium size. It's made of heavy canvas and has an external frame. Instead of padded straps it has wide heavy duty leather straps. It has a belt that fits the small of the back but does not cinch in the front. I used it quite a bit for a few years and my son used it after I picked up a new pack. I don't use it very often now but have occasionally loaned it out. I'm sure that even if I used it every week, it is something that would last forever.

 

[Steve-o]

I just "bought" a titanium leg bone--I'll let you know how well it has held up in 20 years or so...

Doug

That PFD you have there, looks like it owes you nothing!

 

[DougPaul]

That PFD you have there, looks like it owes you nothing!

Its going on ~30yrs old, but it still works, although I haven't "tested" it recently...

Doug

 

[Grumpy]

Knives

Probably the oldest and most reliable piece of hiking gear in my collection is a Case sheath knife of mid 1940s vintage that belonged to my father. At 60 years old, it remains keen of edge and solid in the hand -- a wonderful, never-let-me-down companion.

There are many other items that have been wonderful and reliable tools, (and still are), but that Case knife is the family champion for age, length of service and sentimental connection.

G.

 

[amstony]

My Asolo 525 boots are the most reliable.

I have used them from Mt. Washington to the streets of Boston in a 36" snow storm. They still hold up and are the best.

 

[Rick]

I read this thread daily in hopes it will help me to remember some oft forgotten piece of gear that is more reliable than others... with exception to my Shop Vac which is my most prized possession for both inside and outside the house/basement/garage/shed (spiders/eggs/dead flies...Swooosh gone! dust Bunnies....gone!). But keeping this back on track with gear I can comfortably say that by sticking with name brands over the years, I have had positive outcomes with lifetime expectancy - Examples are Lowe 12 year old Alpine Countour IV, Dana Astralplane, 20 some year old Whisperlite, 20 some year old Orange Thermarest Any SD, Eureka or Kelty Tent....

I don't expect nylon to have a lifetime great than 20 years, and in that time new styles will come out that are much nicer than others (Anyone remember many tents from the 80's that you had to stake the flies down separately from the tent body instead of clipping them into the tent body as we do now? Great for ventilation, but you always needed a handful of extra stakes and 10 more minutes to setup.)

I tend to retire/replace gear based on what I see that is new or easier to use, more than the gear no longer functioning. Pepsi-can or Pocket rocket for the W-Light (except winter), Ultralight packs for the Contour or the Astralplane (except winter). sylnylon tarps or hammocks for the older tents.

I have noticed one trend with Merrill though - In the early 90's I bought a coupe of pairs of Merrill Heavy Duty off trail Ridgeline boots(Made in Italy) . I beat on one pair with thousands of miles and many peaks and went through them in 4 years. I still have the other pair, which I use sparingly. Having success with them, Over the years I bought several pairs of $100 Merrill Day-hikers over the years and they have all turned out to be crap - poorly made, cheap cement, cheap tearing heel liners and inner fabrics - usually by the end of the first year.

 

[Grumpy]

... 20 some year old Whisperlite, 20 some year old Orange Thermarest Any SD, Eureka or Kelty Tent....

I really chuckled, reading that.

Many years ago, Mrs. (Pretty) G. and I one day looked at our belongings, and realized just about everything we owned had become at least 20 years old. It was at that point we decided if you own a lot of stuff 20 years (or more) old you must have reached maturity (age-wise, at least).

G.

 

[TomD]

I have a Victorinox SAK, not sure of the model, about 25 years old. My XGK and SVEA 123 are very reliable-both 80's vintage-haven't been used since then really, but still work. I have a little no name daypack I use all the time-cost me nothing. Made of Cordura but no label. Whoever made it did a heck of a job. My MacPac down bag doesn't have a lot of nights on it, but it's about 20 years old by now-looks brand new. My old TNF Cat's Meow (mid 80's) has lost some of its warmth, but still is great physical condition.

I have a Univega Superlight (aluminum) road bike-also mid 80's vintage with Shimano 600 gear, that still runs well.

 

[marty]

My most reliable gear is my oldest: a 1962 Cub Scouts bandana, that I take on most of my hikes. Unlike present day bandanas, this one is incredibly durable and is hardly frayed after 35 years of use.

They just don't make 'em like they used to!

Marty

 

[jjo]

I also like the Svea 123 but the AMC Wh Mtns guide is invaluable. More recently, I've grown to love my Merrill Jungle Mocs for Light hiking. I have 2 pair.

 

[Head]

My compass...It's never failed me!

 

[blacklab2020]

your head/brain has to be one of the most reliable pieces of gear.... the ability to make decisions and rely on those decisions is critical... being resourceful with gear that doesnt always make it all the way...

when gear fails you manage the best you can.