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 | | From: | Andrew Priest | | Subject: | BackpackGearTest.org - Call for Gear Testers | | Date: | Wed, 19 Jan 2005 06:51:01 +0800 |
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 | Hi All
This is a blatant plug for BackpackGearTest. We want more Testers to
test FREE gear. Why? Read on.
BackpackGearTest.org is an international volunteer organisation
dedicated to testing gear. It is strictly NON-commercial: there are NO
fees (and no advertising either). The aim is to really test
backpacking (bushwalking, tramping, walking) gear and to report on
that gear for the benefit of other hikers (walkers). These reviews can
be read by anyone at all around the world, for free.
So what is involved?
Well, BackpackGearTest.org talks with vendors and persuades them to
put items up for test. These items are advertised and qualified
Testers send in applications. Usually there are three to five copies
of any item, so three to five Testers are chosen. They get the gear,
test it and report to BackpackGearTest.org on it, and then are allowed
to keep the gear. Actually, more and more vendors are now coming to us
to OFFER gear.
In more detail then:
Anyone can become involved. To become a 'qualified Tester' you have to
submit two 'Owner Reviews' (ORs) and have them accepted.
BackpackGearTest.org reviews have to meet certain standards, but these
can be found on the http://www.backpackgeartest.org web site and the
BackpackGearTest.org Editors will help you meet the standards. The
more ORs you write, the better your chances of getting selected for
the big items of gear. The day-to-day traffic about the tests and
reports is on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/ feel
free to lurk. It's free too.
Once you have had two ORs accepted you are a 'newbie'. This means you
can Field Test one significant bit of gear. Sometimes minor items can
also be tested. The sequence for a Field Test is:
* On receipt of the gear: notify BGT that day.
* Within 7 days: submit an Initial Report: first impressions, without
any field testing.
* Within 2 months: submit a Field Report (FR) based on actual use in
the field.
* After 6 months: submit a Long Term Report (LTR) - did it wear out
etc.
After this the gear is yours to keep.
Once you have finished one full Test (i.e., submitted the LTR) you
'graduate', and can then apply for multiple items. The purpose of the
slow intro is to ensure that everyone who is given a bit of gear WILL
complete the full Test and WILL write the reports. Before that the
gear belongs to BackpackGearTest.org. That's the deal. In practice,
many experienced Testers may have six or more items under Test at one
time. That's fine, but you do have to write all the reports.
So far I have become involved in testing:
* Red Ledge Cirrostratus Jacket - Completed.
* MSR Overland Carbon trekking poles - Completed.
* Shock Doctor Ultra 3 Footbeds - Completed.
* Mountain Safety Research (MSR) Missing Link Tent - Completed.
* Watchful Eye Designs O.P. Sak bags - In progress.
* Cascade Designs Therm-A-Rest ProLite 4S Sleeping Pad - Completed.
* Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Packcloth Gaiters - Completed.
* AntiGravityGear Mamas Kitchen Cookset - Completed.
* Tektite Trek Lithium Flashlight - Completed
* Bite Trail Low Sandals - Completed
* Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone 3800 backpack - Completed.
* Enertia Trail Foods Single Meals - Completed.
* Leatherman Squirt S4 - Completed.
* Red Ledge Voyager Rain Gear - Completed.
* Birdiepal Junior Umbrella - Completed.
* Duray Socks - Completed.
Do these things look interesting? And how! There are some big brand
names included, as well as smaller brands, which are available over
the web.
Why do vendors participate? Because BackpackGearTest.org is now way up
on the Google hit list for people searching for info on new gear. It's
becoming a major gear reference site, because unlike the magazines it
is unbiased.
In addition, I get to read about some of the latest gear developments,
including the stuff from the smaller manufacturers. And especially in
the lightweight and ultralightweight areas. This happens on the
backpackgeartest@yahoogroups.com channel, open to all to read.
So why am I advertising this?
BackpackGearTest.org needs more Testers for the gear that is being
offered. Many of the current Testers have as much gear as they can
handle (max'ed out), and yet more gear is being offered to
BackpackGearTest.org. As well we are getting more international
manufacturers (e.g., Australian and New Zealand) interested as well.
Have a look at the BackpackGearTest.org web site and the Yahoo group,
and see what you think.
Cheers
Andrew Priest
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