This follows on from Snoppernator's review of the Max Pump 2 Pro, with a look at one of Flextail's other pumps; the recently updated Tiny Pump X, the 2024 model.
It serves a slightly different niche in the array of back country gadgets. You still get the pump that can move air in both directions, inflating and deflating, and an LED lantern in the base, but the Tiny Pump X 2024 doesn't have the extra battery capacity to serve as an emergency charging source. As a result the weight over the Max Pump 2 Pro drops from 160grams down to 48grams bare.
https://www.flextail.com/products/tiny-pump-x
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA6Ucr5vLLk
Commenting on details that may get missed in other reviews: firstly when it comes to purchasing, there are now a few Flextail models with somewhat similar names. The Tiny Pump X 2024 has the LEDS in the base. I don't think the non-X Tiny Pump has/had a lantern, so if you want this feature, don't inadvertently buy the wrong pump. Similarly the previous Tiny Pump X was less tiny and 80grams. The pump here is the 2024 model as in the above link, now both smaller and weighing less.
Flextail have addressed the major reported failing of some earlier models of needing to hold the pump in place while inflating an air mattress, by making the inflation stem a little longer it seems, so the adapters now stay in place. You can walk away and leave the pump to do its thing. The setup for a Thermarest when inflating is as below.
Attachment 265058
The Thermarest pump sack here weighs 54grams. The Tiny Pump X 2024, in its bag along with the adapter suitable for hooking up to the current crop of Thermarest pads, weighs 60grams combined. For weight then it is pretty much a straight swap out.
Attachment 265057
A common enough complaint found online is of insufficient air pressure from some pumps. In practical terms I am finding that the specified 4kPa means I still need to then be letting air out to optimise comfort from the Xtherm, but YMMV naturally applies, and I can see this depending on the stiffness of the material a sleeping mat is made from, the Thermarest being pretty thin–walled and plastic bag–like.
Lastly — and this is more a Puffin–specific benefit — I'm able to ditch my back–up headlamp. The light output from the Tiny Pump X 2024 will be fine for getting me back to camp should my primary torch fail. I'll also likely then leave behind the spare 18650 that resides in the backup, as torches seem to run forever from the one battery on the settings I use. So overall a weight saving for me of 155grams with the added luxury now of having an air pump for the sleeping pad.
