[at-l] To buy now or wait.. tis the question

[Adkhiker2003@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Adkhiker2003@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)]

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  This is the same question I posed on Whiteblaze.net, but I want to also ask
you all what you think.  I value your opinions and your suggestions.
THANKS!!  SPARKY!!

First a little History.....

As you may have seen through various postings of mine... I am trying to
replace some of my gear with lighter gear.  Specifically

1) a tent... I decided on the Eurpoa II, $260  and weighs 33 ounces vice the
Peak1 Cobra I have which weighs 67 ounces ),

2)  A sleeping bag, which I have not decided upon but set the dollar limit at
$200 and max 48 ounces vice the Sandman I have which weighs 64 ounces,

3) a lighter Pack,  either the Forester or the Reality for $225 which is 80
ounces vice the Windriver which weighs  112 ounces)

4) a lighter rain coat,  decided on the Marmot Precip for $100 which is 14
ounces vice the lowe alpine which weighs 30 ounces.

  With these changes my pack weight will be at 35lbs which includes warm
clothes, 3 days worth of food, and 70 ounces of water.

  I usually give my gear a good home,  I take care of it when I first get it,
I go over each piece prior to going on a hike and when I return I do the
maintenance and make sure it is clean and if any repairs need to be done are
done prior to it being stashed away.

  I was originally planning on having all this gear bought by the end of fall
this year.  Specifically the tent and the Precip jacket this spring,  the Bag
this summer and the pack by mid winter ( looking for sales)

   I am not planning on starting out until March 2005, two years from now...
I know... I am planning way out there... It is the military in me.

                    OK,  that is the history... now here is the question...

Do I buy the gear now or do I wait till I am closer to my start date?    If
waiting closer... how much closer?

  Why the question?  Well as you can see that is a LOT of cash, $800, well to
me it is a lot of cash for all that gear.. and I don't want to cut my hike
short because I have to buy gear again... but again I don't want to get on
the trail with gear I have not tried and tested.

  OK,   let me have it... but be nice ;)

  Thanks,

  Sparky!