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[at-l] [Fwd: [BackpackingTalk] BackpackGearTest.org - Call for Gear Testers]



Hi all, I thought I would forward this around.  Please excuse if you've 
already considered it but read on if you think backpacking gear you 
don't have to pay for but get to keep sounds interesting...


-r
===============
On Tuesday, January 18,  Andrew Priest <andrew@aushiker.com> wrote:
                                     
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



-- 
-r

Pressure
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Grace