Thread: Thoughts on tatonka modulus

Originally Posted by SPEARONZ

The harness on the Tatonka Bison is mint for carrying heavy weight. I would def buy another and not worry about the modulus.

Also with the ‘premium’ side of the market I’m not convinced that all weight savings are a good thing. If something weighs a bit more but increases comfort or reduces fatigue then it’s not a negative

That’s the thing though, the Tatonka doesn’t always have that over the lighter ones - it’s just a straw held onto to justify the extra weight a lot of the time. Everyone I know who owned a Tatonka and then upgraded to a Kuiu or Stone Glacier etc have all said they are just as if not more comfortable with a big load. My 115L Kuiu (LT7000) at 2ish kg empty weight is super comfy with a shit ton of support. Their one confirmed negative is price point, hence why so many are happy just rolling a Tatonka because they do work good.

The harness on the Bison is truly great. I have carried 50kgs with it, apart from me nearly dying the pack handled it. That's about the only good thing about it, whoever designed the bag to go with it is a brainless moron.

- requires an extra rain cover, costing an additional 50$ which is neither suitable in wind nor when bushwhacking, this means you will need an additional drybag.
- pack is incredibly unwieldy, even when nearly empty as it can not be properly made smaller and is absolutely unsuitable for bushwhacking. the harness sticks out behind your head and will literally catch on every branch.
- pack is very heavy.
- dumb design adding additional "side" bags that are completely unusable if the main bag is loaded up and compressed (i.e. packed properly)
- reinforcement of the bag at spots that do not need it and weak in spots that should not be (e.g. the bottom of the bag, ripped a hole in there on the first trip)
- absolutely not suitable as a day bag for multi day missions in dense bush, i.e. you will want to carry an additional smaller backpack that does not catch on everything, which just sucks, so you will just swear all day when bush hunting with it.
- Did I say it is heavy and unwieldy?

I would only recommend the Bison for open tops stuff, when carrying of heavy loads is required, because the harness is truly awesome. As a general-purpose hunting backpack for NZ conditions (bush) it is not suitable.

In the end it has been designed by Europeans for European hikers in the northern alps. Nothing about it is NZ, that is a blatant lie.

The sad thing is that most American Hunting Backpacks have been designed for Boreal Forest. I.e. relatively open stuff.

All those overseas options are a significant step up price wise aren't they? The bison is priced in the sweet spot for those with a less flexible budget.

I'm hopefully in the market for a new pack later this year, i was looking at the bison or the drover.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by STC

The harness on the Bison is truly great. I have carried 50kgs with it, apart from me nearly dying the pack handled it. That's about the only good thing about it, whoever designed the bag to go with it is a brainless moron.

- requires an extra rain cover, costing an additional 50$ which is neither suitable in wind nor when bushwhacking, this means you will need an additional drybag.
- pack is incredibly unwieldy, even when nearly empty as it can not be properly made smaller and is absolutely unsuitable for bushwhacking. the harness sticks out behind your head and will literally catch on every branch.
- pack is very heavy.
- dumb design adding additional "side" bags that are completely unusable if the main bag is loaded up and compressed (i.e. packed properly)
- reinforcement of the bag at spots that do not need it and weak in spots that should not be (e.g. the bottom of the bag, ripped a hole in there on the first trip)
- absolutely not suitable as a day bag for multi day missions in dense bush, i.e. you will want to carry an additional smaller backpack that does not catch on everything, which just sucks, so you will just swear all day when bush hunting with it.
- Did I say it is heavy and unwieldy?

I would only recommend the Bison for open tops stuff, when carrying of heavy loads is required, because the harness is truly awesome. As a general-purpose hunting backpack for NZ conditions (bush) it is not suitable.

In the end it has been designed by Europeans for European hikers in the northern alps. Nothing about it is NZ, that is a blatant lie.

The sad thing is that most American Hunting Backpacks have been designed for Boreal Forest. I.e. relatively open stuff.

To be fair, any pack that had a decent frame ie, every pack that carries weight properly has a frame that sticks up be hiding head/shoulders, and won't be great for buch bashing.

It's a tradeoff that needs to be made for carrying large loads

The vast majority of very high end packs aren't waterproof either.

Originally Posted by Rn-85

All those overseas options are a significant step up price wise aren't they? The bison is priced in the sweet spot for those with a less flexible budget.

I'm hopefully in the market for a new pack later this year, i was looking at the bison or the drover.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

I landed my kuiu for about 700 bucks. They have a couple of good sales per year.

Originally Posted by Cobb

Can someone please tell me who is selling Stone Glacier in NZ.

They only just announced on Facebook page that NZ Asia will be the wholesaler. Flick NZ Asia an email or give them a call. I couldn’t see NZ listed under their “Find a Dealer” section of the Stone Glacier website.

Originally Posted by Nick-D

To be fair, any pack that had a decent frame ie, every pack that carries weight properly has a frame that sticks up be hiding head/shoulders, and won't be great for buch bashing.

It's a tradeoff that needs to be made for carrying large loads

The vast majority of very high end packs aren't waterproof either.

Exactly, cause neither Europe (hikers) nor the us have too much dense bush.

The phrase" designed for NZ" most often is a blatant lie.

the perfect hunting pack can carry heavy loads (50kg) can be packed down to work as a daypack (versatility) is waterproof and ideally silent. Not saying such a pack exists.

Originally Posted by SPEARONZ

The harness on the Tatonka Bison is mint for carrying heavy weight. I would def buy another and not worry about the modulus.

Also with the ‘premium’ side of the market I’m not convinced that all weight savings are a good thing. If something weighs a bit more but increases comfort or reduces fatigue then it’s not a negative

It's not all about the weight savings, its more about having something purpose built for hunters needs, like carrying rifles & meat and spotters etc...

Also way better materials that has gone into "premium packs" like carbon frames & stronger fabrics, its not just built to a price point, I reckon most Tatonka users would ditch them after trying the "premium" options......

Just cause Rogee says its cool does not make it cool

Pretty cool how much gear is developing these days then. As stagstalker says I’ll have to try one to see for myself at some point.

I remember getting a macpac cascade and thinking it was amazing. When the bison came out I wondered how the hell I had ever used anything else. The likes of kuiu may well be the same revelation.

That’s rough taking the piss out of ur dad like that sika 8, to be fair there’s no doubt a bunch of subtle brand promotion going on in this forum as well.

I went from a old 60L MacPac Cascade hand me down to one of their newer ones, then got a damn good deal on a Kuiu Icon Pro 7200 and that blew my mind before deciding it had too many pockets for my liking and going with a SG 7900, once I figured out I'd screwed up and ordered the wrong size belt and sorted it I can comfortably say it is the best pack I have ever used. While I was in the states I got to try out some Kifarus, the newer Kuiu, and the only one that could maybe see me sway is the Exo K3- can get them at a sharp price second hand too

I’ve had a couple tatonka modules, the kuiu system and now a mystery ranch metcalf,
I’ve looked at those modulus in person and I wouldn’t recommend them
To anyone. Tatonka are very well marketed In New Zealand, if given the chance I highly recommend borrowing
One of the high end American packs from some one to compare it to the tatonka, it’s a huge difference in quality and performance. If anyone’s in taranaki I’m more than happy to show you what I’ve got or send videos via insta or messenger

The current Kuiu sale has 30-40% off packs.

Makes them very affordable. I have one already but just grabbed a bigger bag for $260 nz.

Tough to beat !!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by kukuwai

The current Kuiu sale has 30-40% off packs.

Makes them very affordable. I have one already but just grabbed a bigger bag for $260 nz.

Tough to beat !!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

The current price for a Kuiu 85+L is about $860 on sale. Not including shipping and a bison standard price is about $620. And you can pick one up cheaper on sale. The Tatonka and Kuiu are different tiers and not really comparable.

If you're starting out and can't put your hands on a pack, which is significantly more expensive, it's a far less realistic consideration.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

If you are just starting out and looking for a pack.....I would be looking at one of these

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app



Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Cobb

Can someone please tell me who is selling Stone Glacier in NZ.

North Canterbury rivers to ranges. Ballangers h&f and a few other h&f stores as well.
I got quoted $1350 for a SG sky 5900 xcurve frame from rivers to ranges. I ended up getting one landed out of the states for $1100 including shipping from 1 shot gear. Just wait for a sale. They sent me wrong belt size, so they let me keep the one i had and sent me a new one free of charge. Great service.
Will never look at a Tatonka ect again. Carry's a load like no other and the full horse zip access is so good. Compacts to nothing. Use it as my day pack and would get 10 days out of it easy.