Comments by "TJ Marx" (@tjmarx) on "MyLifeOutdoors" channel.

I think if my only options were these two packs I'd go for the $65 one, just because I can't say I'd ever carry the same pack my entire life. Life changes, technology changes, needs change. The flexibility to change or upgrade packs later without feeling bad about spending $500 on a bag is worth so much more than the bag itself. If we're not limiting it to these two bags, then I'd spend in the $170 range on something a bit more comfortable and featured, but without falling over the remorse cap when I want to upgrade or change bags.
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It's 2023. The amount of UVB getting through the ozone means you need SPF50+ sunscreen IN ADDITION TOO a cloth barrier such as long sleeves or an umbrella. They aren't enough on their own, particularly when you're outdoors in direct sunlight for longer than 15 minutes per day. Sunscreen and suntan lotion are DIFFERENT things. Suntan lotion DOES NOT provide adequate protection, it's designed to allow UVB through so your skin tans (which is damage to the skin and causes sun cancer). If you apply SPF50+ sunscreen and it "gets gross feeling" you haven't applied it correctly and it isn't protecting you properly either. Sunscreen is not soap you're trying to lather on, it needs a thin layer completely rubbed into your skin in order to provide protection. Sunscreen properly applied should not be detectable to the touch or feel any different than without the sunscreen. Read the instructions on the bottle.
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You forgot that human waste contains viruses and bacteria which infect humans. Other animals faeces generally does not. Can't believe you even had to make this video. It's this kind of stuff that is the reason we don't need the mainstream in the community. They ruin everything.
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Best video on the Grayl I've seen so far, it earned my sub. So here's my question, I keep seeing all these claims (which appear to come from the manufacturer) that it filters out pathogens including viruses...but has anyone actually independently verified these claims? There's no regulation on these kinds of claims from this class of product, so repeatable independent verification of the claims are necessary. That pouring coke into it still comes out looking and tasting like coke doesn't give me much confidence that it's filtering out far smaller particles such as viruses.
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@MyLifeOutdoors I agree it would be a good video. A standard PCR and NASBA test would be more than sufficient in detection of viruses present. They wouldn't catch 100% of everything, but they'd give an indication of whether grayl is capable of doing at least some of what it claims. I wouldn't think anything fancy like an AFM or ELISA test would really be needed. A private water testing lab is your best bet. Would also consider a particulate ppm test, and a standard water test in the same video to check for the presence of dissolved solids and to check the chemical removal claims. Based on that coke test I think it will fail some chemicals in a standard water test and will do nothing for viruses.
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"But the one bad doesn't even cost $300, at sports basement it's just $289. That's like getting 3 bags..." If I act now how many free steak knives do I get? When did this become an infomercial?
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@MyLifeOutdoors I'm ok with sponsored videos, dogs gotta eat. You put in an amazing amount of effort to your videos, I appreciate that and you should absolutely reap the rewards. Certainly to some extent I'm just razing you. But on the other hand, the way you said that line absolutely made it sound like an infomercial. In your previous videos you would have described the price as "around $300" or just stated the price. I don't know if that line came from you or sports basement but it felt a bit icky. Particularly compared to your usual style which is so upfront (which is so refreshing). Sure $11 under $300 isn't $300 but it isn't that big a difference to warrant that kind of a line. It's still very much in the general ballpark of $300. At $300 it seems like it would probably be a decent sleeping bag, so there really wasn't a need to quibble over $11. Do I get the steak knives now? 🙃
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Meh. For me a thing costs what it costs. I own several tents worth more, an $800 MSRP or more isn't a problem so long as the value proposition is there. What I would like to hear about is durability, longevity and how it handles weather. It really is a shame when a manufacturer sends a product to a reviewer, but gives them such limited time with the product for it's class that it isn't possible to provide a fair review. Listen, if it's a nice night out, no wind, no rain, nice temp, I'm probably more likely to not even bother staking a tent in the first place. What determines the value proposition in a tent for me is, how many uses am I likely to get out of it before I need to replace it in full or in part? What is it going to do in torrential rain? What is it going to do in high wind? What about in both? How will it take a branch or debris rubbing against it? Seeing what happened to it with what I as an Aussie would call light winds, I have concerns. I'd really want to see those concerns addressed with a much longer review window before I'd even consider making a purchase. Ball is in Tarptents court. If they want my money they have to let you hold on to it for a few more months at least to show me what happens in weather and how it holds up with repeated use and storage.
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I've been a survivalist my whole life. I don't live in the USA so I don't need bear spray. I also regularly hike without most of the gear you do take. I'm one of those idiots who likes to get dropped off in the middle of a desert or remote bushland and have to hike my way back home. Often I hike with just those things in my pocket. But one thing I will NEVER go without, ever, is a knife. A good knife is your best friend in a survival situation. A quality knife makes you fire. It makes you shelter. It makes gets you food. It gets you water. It's protection from becoming food. It helps in a medical emergency. A quality knife will save your life. Maybe you don't find yourself in those scenarios often, but I wouldn't get complacent about it. If you ever do find yourself in such a scenario you'll wish you had a knife. Scissors are great, take them too. If I had to choose between them, I'd choose a knife.
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@MyLifeOutdoors I know Ben, completely acknowledge that you are taking all of that stuff. I'm not saying otherwise. I'm merely suggesting that there are emergency situations where a knife will come on handy for you, and given a good knife doesn't add a lot of weight what is the argument for not taking something that can be that useful and potentially save your life? I don't see "I've never needed it" as a reason, you don't need it until that one time when you do. Folding knives have pant clips for a reason. That's where they're supposed to live. So if you did hypothetically lose your pack, you should still have your knife. A knife, a paracord bracelet and a 1m X 1m piece of plastic and you can survive indefinitely through any conditions.
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