Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

"An assortment of seven 0.35-oz fluid capacity mini-dropper bottles with different colored caps for easy identification..." BPL Gear Shop, see webpage at:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/dropper_bottle_assorted.html

As described at the Gear Shop web page you can fill these with anything. The dropper top pops out and the caps are color coded. I used a permanent marker to write on the bottle I filled with DEET, see the pictures below of how it filled and what it weighed. It takes the ink easily and well. I would forget what I put in the different colored caps, so I gotta write on them or make a big mess checking out what is in them later.



The dropper insert pops out easily for filling. Use a knife tip with very little pressure, so that you don't damage the dropper insert top, since it pops right back in when not damaged.



Once the dropper tip is out it is easy to fill the micro bottle:


The bottle when filled contains .35 oz. by volume of Ultrathon, 34% DEET which will last three or four days here in the southern Cascades and northern Sierras, maybe more, during the heavy bug season -- enough for me for a weekend trip. The amount or strength of DEET needed varies with the bug season, sometimes we use 100% DEET oils, other times the cream types like Ultrathon.

In any case, I weighed the Ultrathon before filling the BPL micro dropper bottle and the Ultrathon weighed 2.5 oz. Measured the weight again after filling the bottle and the scales didn't really register any difference in total weight because of the addition of the BPL micro bottle:





The BPL micro bottle weighed about .2 or .25 oz. by itself, saving 2.25 oz. and pack space. And, at about $ 1 US per reusable bottle they are a good deal.



The bottle filled with DEET barely made the red needle move, so it is about .2 or .25 oz. based on my previous experience with this scale.



So because of the performance to weight ratio, the reusability, taking ink for labelling, size and weight savings, fair or low cost compared to other way heavier camp bottles, and the sheer elegance of this piece of gear -- it is what it is supposed to be, and does what it is supposed to do well this is a 5. And, it will allow us to take things like It's Not Really Butter, Olive, Grapeseed, Sesameseed, or other oils and seasonings with us, making eating and cooking tastier and easier.

The final test: Which would you rather load in your pack or pocket?

Edited by bdavis on 01/06/2007 16:15:31 MST.

Rating: 4 / 5

The good has been clearly stated.

The not-so-good:
-orange and red are too similar
-could use a ridge on tip for easier removal and filling

edit: ridge not needed. Just push 90 degrees to tip.

Edited by tippymcstagger on 06/13/2009 13:14:11 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

I really like the size of the BPL minidrops.I have used them for DEET,Aqua Mira, Dr. Bronner's Soap, sunblock and even tooth powder. I think it is very important to mark them with a waterproof pen so that you do not mistake the bottles for future refiels. The mini drop bottles are so small that you can bring in a lot liquids and not worry about leakage. Another great BPL product.

Rating: 5 / 5

Best reusable Bottles for outdoor trips.

One tip for writing on the bottles: Alcohol can remove every marker, for example Deet. Write on a transparent duct tape, apply, and then apply a second duct tape over the first. This this is cheap and efficient way to protect the writing and everything is still removable.

Rating: 3 / 5

I like these because of the aforementioned. Just like many others I have found very suitable alternates. Since I was stationed in Japan twice I remembered that these work perfectly:

Japanese Travel Spice Soy Sauce Mini Bottles -give that a google search and enjoy!