Which Bear Canister?

[rlown]

I've heard that complaint before. What's the issue with the BV ? Is it dust/sand getting in the threads ? Would a little grease fix it ?

The one that "cut" me was in the REI showroom. No Sand. It's the tang design for opening. As FM pointed out, i can imagine they get stiffer as they get colder.

[gary c.]

Bearkade.

I've heard that complaint before. What's the issue with the BV ? Is it dust/sand getting in the threads ? Would a little grease fix it ?

The lid works like the cap on a bottle of mouthwash where you squeeze the lid so it clears a catch so you can unscrew it. The problem with the BV is that the tang(more like a saw tooth) is on the outside of the lid. You have to press hard right where the two tangs are and it is easy to scrape your finger across the one on the cannister.
Gary C.

[rlown]

Ok.. called Wild-Ideas, and i can get my 12" canister for 250, and all i have to do is put my length requirement in the 2nd address line.. Guess what i'm buying today.

Russ

[snusmumriken]

On the picture above it looks like the BearVault 700 in terms of size is right in the middle between the Weekender 650 and the Expedition 900. But the specs say the Weekender is almost the same size as the Bear Vault.

I've also compared the Weekender to the Garcia. Both spec at 650, but the Garcia is quite a bit larger.

So I paid big bucks for a canister that is lighter than the competition - but its also smaller than the competition. I think I have buyers remorse.

[fishmonger]

On the picture above it looks like the BearVault 700 in terms of size is right in the middle between the Weekender 650 and the Expedition 900. But the specs say the Weekender is almost the same size as the Bear Vault.

I've also compared the Weekender to the Garcia. Both spec at 650, but the Garcia is quite a bit larger.

So I paid big bucks for a canister that is lighter than the competition - but its also smaller than the competition. I think I have buyers remorse.

the picture shows a Bearvault BV 500. Never seen a 700.

Regarding the "being larger" - the carbon fiber shell and lids of the Bearikade units are super thin compared to the plastic used on the BV500. The internal volume is almost exactly as much as you see on the external footprint of the Bearikade. The plastic units are "fat" to make up for the limited strength of their material by making the sidewall much thicker, wasting some space you can't use for anything.

The BV500 offers minimally more internal volume than the weekender, but weights more than the Expedition. Basically, after using these in the backcountry, you could not PAY me to use the BV 500 again. The hassle to get into the thing is not worth it. I'd probably end up stuffing my sleeping bag into it during the day and leave the food loose in the pack during the day (that is legal), simply because then I'd only have to open and close it twice a day. The Bearkade lid is easy to open, no pain, no cursing, I can leave the food in there while in the pack. When I stop for a snack, I just open the top of my pack, use a coin, and I am grabbing the goodies out of the canister, which much better access to the inside of the can becaue of the larger opening. I can't imagine having to open that BV 500 lid while the thing is in my pack.

Garcia - never looked at it because they are even heavier than the Bearvaults

[ERIC]

Re: Being able to sit on the Bearikade

Do you feel that's an advantage over BV? You can sit on a BV, too. A bear can sit on it for that matter. Makes a fine stool.

Re: Injury from opening a BV...

Wondering if haste may have been the bigger culprit? I've opened many BV's owned by others on the trail, and must have opened and closed my two new BV's 50 times the other night and that's the only explanation I can come up with. Press the lid rim firmly and turn slowly and it's hard for me to see how one could mash a hand.

[gary c.]

Wondering if haste may have been the bigger culprit?

Eric, for the most part I think you are right. When I take the time to actually watch what I'm doing my fingers are safe. The trouble is it's usually late, I'm tired, and I get careless. That is why reaching in my pocket and grabbing my pocket knife has just gotten to be a habit. At the same time I know a few people that seem to struggle opening there BV no matter what.
Gary C.

[rlown]

Re: Being able to sit on the Bearikade

Do you feel that's an advantage over BV? You can sit on a BV, too. A bear can sit on it for that matter. Makes a fine stool.

Re: Injury from opening a BV...

Wondering if haste may have been the bigger culprit? I've opened many BV's owned by others on the trail, and must have opened and closed my two new BV's 50 times the other night and that's the only explanation I can come up with. Press the lid rim firmly and turn slowly and it's hard for me to see how one could mash a hand.

I wasn't in a hurry to open the BV in the REI store. Not sure why, but i followed the opening instructions, and it cut me. Not a slight on the product, but it just felt wrong (for me.) Maybe it's something you learn with a new canister. I didn't like the BV design, and i didn't like the weight of the Garcial.

Yes you can sit on a BV.

I just got my new custom 12" bearikade, so i'm happy now.

[ERIC]

Eric , a wise man once told me that you need to be smarter than the equipment and it sounds like you are there. Congrats

Now if I could only use that intellect to decrease the can's weight I'd be home free.

[MountainMinstrel]

When I stop for a snack, I just open the top of my pack, use a coin, and I am grabbing the goodies out of the canister...

Back when I used the Garcia, I would always loose the coins. Then I would have to use my knive to open it. It seems to me that there is much more danger of cutting oneself with a knife than a lid. I have never had a problem opening the BV and as far as getting into it during the day for snacks, gorp is in a side pocket and lunch is in the top pocket getting warm enough for the peanutbutter and honey to easily squirt out onto the tort.

I guess it is just a matter of what works for you, and for me and my limited budget, the BV works.

In fact, if I had the money to get a bearicade, I would probably spend it on a neoair instead