Hi All
This is a blatant plug for BackpackGearTest. We want more Testers to
test FREE gear. Why? Read on.
BackpackGearTest.org or BGT (as it is known) 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 walking gear and to report on that gear for the
benefit of other walkers. These reviews can be read by anyone at all
around the world, for free.
So what is involved?
Well, BGT 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 BGT 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. BGT reviews
have to meet certain standards, but these can be found on the
http://www.backpackgeartest.org web site and the BGT 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 BGT. 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:
* MSR Overland Carbon trekking poles - In progress.
* Red Ledge Cirrostratus Jacket - In progress.
* Shock Doctor Ultra 3 Footbeds - In progress.
* Mountain Safety Research (MSR) Missing Link Tent - In progress.
* Watchful Eye Designs O.P. Sak bags - In progress.
* Cascade Designs Therm-A-Rest ProLite 4S Sleeping Pad - In progress.
* 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 BGT 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, at least in America, 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
[email hidden] channel, open to all to read.
So why am I advertising this?
BGT 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 BGT.
Have a look at the BGT web site and the Yahoo group, and see what you
think.
Cheers
Andrew Priest