I've begun a search for a new pfd. My venerable Serratus is definitly on it's last miles, and they don't make the same model anymore. My perfect pfd would have: 18 lbs floatation two large zippered pockets in the front a lash/clip point on the front a night light attachment point in the upper/back shoulder area (preferrably in the middle) reflective material on the upper front and rear and have a large rear pocket big enough to hold a parachute flare (I know, not legal in the US. I'll consider permanently attaching an accessory pack by the same manufacturer) US or Canadian certified. equippable with a tow belt for sea kayaking. It doesn't seem to exist yet, so PFDs I'm considering just from catalog/web info so far, in no particular order: Astral Tempo 300T Serratus Poseidon Extrasport retroglide sabre Patagonia straitjacket Do any of you have these models? What do you think of them? In particular, I'm curious about the 300T's pocket system and fit. Any pfds I should consider? Comments appreciated. Greg Welker *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: <gwelker_at_chesapeake.net> PFDs I'm considering just from catalog/web > info so far, in no particular order: > > Astral Tempo 300T > Greg Welker I have the Astral 200. It doesn't ride up at all. I think it has 16 lbs flotation. Its a type V PFD and so must be worn at all times. Has a "big enough" pocket in front and a secret stash area in back. Don't tell the CG about the back pocket. You can fit a lot of stuff back there. I keep three of those fairly useless small red flares in there in a dry bag. Once a year I shoot them off and buy new ones. Every year only one works. This year think I will switch to some other signal. Jim et al *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On 28 May 2004 at 16:30, gwelker_at_chesapeake.net wrote: > 18 lbs floatation Most top out at about 17-17.5 lbs. > a night light attachment point in the upper/back shoulder area > (preferrably in the middle) Most are to one side for a couple of reasons - it's harder to reach the middle of your back to turn the light on and visiblity is better. If you put the light in the middle of your back, it can only be seen from behind. On your shoulder, it can be seen more to the front as well > a large rear pocket big enough to hold a parachute flare > (I know, not legal in the US. I'll consider permanently attaching an > accessory pack by the same manufacturer) Not legal in Canada either, so go with an accessory pack. > US or Canadian certified. It should be certified in the country in which you live. > It doesn't seem to exist yet, If you relax a couple of your demands, there are plenty that fit the bill. BTW - moving the flotation lower as they do in several newer designs increases the effective bouyancy. That alone can make your 18 lb requirement redundant. The light attachment point is not an issue, so go with what everyone else uses. Tow belts are on lots of guide or "pro" models. You won't need the parachute flair most of the time, so consider what this demand is doing to your choice. > Patagonia straitjacket I use the older model of this (Back when they were known as Lotus). Very comfortable and the newer model looks a bit better with the flotation moved down. > Any pfds I should consider? I think you should be focussing on the other features that we see in the latest models of PFDs. Double clips that allow you to open the PFD in warm weather, hidden pockets, decent adjustments and so on. We have lots of really good PFDs to choose from these days. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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> My perfect pfd would have: > 18 lbs floatation > two large zippered pockets in the front > a lash/clip point on the front > a night light attachment point in the upper/back shoulder area (preferrably > in the middle) > reflective material on the upper front and rear > and have a large rear pocket MsFit Tour by Kokatat. Yes, it's Ms - somehow those wise guys thought that Mr doesn't need a second large pocket. So Ms version has 2 large front pockets, 1 small near zipper for VHF or cellophone, and one very small (for candy bar) inside. Male version has 1 large pocket, one for VHF and small inisde pocket. No back pockets in either of them, but Kokatat has an add-on rear pocket for $20 or so. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Alex said: > MsFit Tour by Kokatat. Yes, it's Ms - somehow those wise > guys thought that Mr doesn't need a second large pocket. So > Ms version has 2 large front pockets, 1 small near zipper for > VHF or cellophone, and one very small (for candy bar) inside. > Male version has 1 large pocket, one for VHF and small > inisde pocket. No back pockets in either of them, but Kokatat > has an add-on rear pocket for $20 or so. My Kokatat Pro-Fit has 2 large outside pockets and my wife's MsFit has only 1. Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steve, I have a MsFit with TWO large front pockets AND a radio snap pocket. Double clips on front to allow open zipper in warm weather. I have separate tow belt and pig tail, but I think I read somewhere that you can sew loops on side to add belt as part of PFD. Has reflective tape front and back. Has attachment clip on left rear (high up) and one on front (lower). I velcro strobe to front left should strap. Am planning to buy Kokatat large rear pocket. Has hidden inside pocket left of front zipper too. Tom At 01:41 PM 5/30/2004 -0700, you wrote: >Alex said: > > > MsFit Tour by Kokatat. Yes, it's Ms - somehow those wise > > guys thought that Mr doesn't need a second large pocket. So > > Ms version has 2 large front pockets, 1 small near zipper for > > VHF or cellophone, and one very small (for candy bar) inside. > > Male version has 1 large pocket, one for VHF and small > > inisde pocket. No back pockets in either of them, but Kokatat > > has an add-on rear pocket for $20 or so. > >My Kokatat Pro-Fit has 2 large outside pockets and my wife's MsFit has only >1. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> My Kokatat Pro-Fit has 2 large outside pockets and my wife's MsFit has only > 1. There is MsFit (one pocket) and MsFit Tour (2 pockets + VHF pocket). *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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