Companion forum thread to:

2010 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

And my honorable mention that paid for itself within the first two months of owning it: my espresso machine, lovingly treated with LavAzza Italian espresso.

Edited by addiebedford on 12/28/2010 14:49:30 MST.

Sam,
So....what Do the Tech Pants weigh?

Ah yes, Addie. We spent more on Super Crema beans than ANY backpacking gear!

Contrary to the reviewer's comments about the Iphone 4's GPS in airplane mode being able to work...

According to http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1355
the GPS is disabled when in airplane mode. It is a complaint made by many, myself included. We want a wilderness-mode setting for the Iphone that turns off cellular network seeking, turns off wifi seeking, and enables gps reception. Apple ignores us, if enough complain perhaps we'll get it. Email sjobs@apple.com with a request for a wilderness-mode setting -- or a "enable GPS only" or something that will accomplish this.

Correct Roleigh. Sorry about that. I turn off the cell service but don't do Airplane mode. Thanks for the correction.

Great list this year guys. I love how the Staff Picks has evolved over the years from just strictly backpacking gear to including the places that we love to go, gadgets we like to bring and to just things that work for us whether they are ultra light or not.

That is the greatness of this site and its people.

HP 12C - that was a nice calculator - I liked how you could program it in reverse Polish - someone stole mine : ( - but, time to put that into a museum

You can also get this calculator for your iPhone/iPod Touch, for $15, or 12C knockoffs for less.

Museum?

My 11C is still going strong.
Lots of love here.
And lots of daily use.
My wife learned RPN, and now neither of us can run an algebraic calculator.

When you can find them, they ain't cheap.
It will be a sad, sad, day when the inevitable happens.

Edited by greg23 on 12/28/2010 17:33:30 MST.

I have one 12C, but I prefer the 32S, of which I have two. And my daughters have RPN HP calculators too. Hopefully, the 32S will outlast me.

I did have a 45, but it is now in the local museum. :-)

Cheers

nm

Edited by greg23 on 12/28/2010 22:19:27 MST.

Someone boobooed the photo. I'm sure it will be fixed.

Edited by simplespirit on 12/28/2010 18:44:15 MST.

I had an 11C -- after 20+ years of service, sold it to a collector on eBay, and purchased a Montbell Alpine Light Jacket with the proceeds...

Montbell Ex Light Down Jacket

Integral Designs Micro Bivy

Outdoor Products Trekking Poles (with two Latch Locks)

That would be me. Thanks for the correction!

I had the original HP 45. Cried like a baby when it died.
Then I went to the HP 11C. Cried like a baby when it died.
Now have the HP 32S. The #1 button sticks occasionally. I'm tired of crying - I'm going to replace it tomorrow.

My pants (that I am OF COURSE wearing right now because I wear them EVERY DAY) weigh about 25 ounces.

Oh, and any top-picks list that mentions Slartibartfast is nerdy enough to be a winner in my book.

I have HP 27S Algebraic calculator got it in 1988, http://www.rskey.org/detail.asp?manufacturer=Hewlett-Packard&model=HP-27S

non of this RPN stuff.

Tony

My 1981 hp41c recently passed :(
So i am using a 32s. But i prefered the 41

Edited by Fre49 on 12/29/2010 01:07:18 MST.

Greatest hits; gear I'd never sell or trade; not necessarily in this order:

SMD Gatewood Cape
GG Litetrek poles
iPhone 4 (agree we need "wilderness mode")
JRB Sierra Sniveler
GG Gorilla
GG polychro groundsheet
Ti-Tri Caldera Cone with Stanco Greasepot
Cozies made from Reflectix for pot and cone caddy/mug
Thermarest NeoAir
New Balance trail runners for my 4E feet
Feathered Friends down booties
Possumdown beanie hat
Vermont Darn Tough socks
Smartwool merino sock liners
BPL Cocoon hoodie
Marmot DriClime windshirt
ID eVent jacket
Rab Drillium eVent pants

Guess that's enough.