Thread: What should I buy?!

The husbands birthday is coming up in a few months and I want to buy him some good hunting gear for our trips away.
He needs a good hunting pack, a gps and or plb and I want to get some long range walkies and I’m putting together a nice new first aid kit.
I want to try and spend no more than $1500 all up. If I can get most on clearance I’ll be stoked.
I was looking at a rhino but I’m thinking would it be best to buy a plb and gps instead? If I buy a rhino will I still need a plb or is it all in one? The rhino is pricey but I’ll finance it if I really have to.
What size bag do you find best for taking on day a 3 day hunt?
What are your must haves?
We have some pretty big trips coming up later this year and I’d love to make sure he has all that he needs as well as score some pretty good brownie points.
We haven’t done any really big trips yet so have just made so with taking basics.

What an amazing wife!
Have a look on trade me and see if you can pick up a couple of the older 650 rhino's off a group that is upgrading then you can do away with the plans to buy some walkies down the track-they can be picked up for bloody good $$$ at times , myself and a couple of mates run them and find them pretty good!
i see good deals on PLB's at times and no doubt someone will be along soon and let you know where to buy one.
Good luck

Originally Posted by madmaori

What an amazing wife!
Have a look on trade me and see if you can pick up a couple of the older 650 rhino's off a group that is upgrading then you can do away with the plans to buy some walkies down the track-they can be picked up for bloody good $$$ at times , myself and a couple of mates run them and find them pretty good!
i see good deals on PLB's at times and no doubt someone will be along soon and let you know where to buy one.
Good luck

Thanks! Do you know if the Rino 650 can be updated? Just for maps etc? I haven’t actually looked at them yet to see what the go is. I presume maps and a walkie. I seen a pretty good deal on a plb today but someone told me they can only be used once and are then rubbish. Is that true?

My 10c
Grab a kti plb for around $300 nz
Get the topo ap for his cell phone $10?
Find a pack he likes, needs to try it on $4-600 would be top of the line
$500 change to you for being such a good mrs

Yep +1 on the amazing wife thing.
PLB has to be top of your list $400ish
Pack second as you need to be able to carry 3 days worth of gear and all that lovely venison comfortably. Go 75 litre. Macpac has a sale on $500ish.
GPS is $500 - $1000 new depending on features but topomaps on your phone is pretty good except in really shit weather cos of touch screen.
Walkies are a bit of luxury but heard the rhinos are pretty good.

Originally Posted by Gibo

My 10c
Grab a kti plb for around $300 nz
Get the topo ap for his cell phone $10?
Find a pack he likes, needs to try it on $4-600 would be top of the line
$500 change to you for being such a good mrs

Haha!
Will Topo app work if the phones out of range?
I really want to buy a bag without him knowing. Iv seen some good deals on torpedo7 with good reviews for comfort etc, I’m just not sure how many litres I should get.

i would suggest keeping the plb and gps in separate units. also invest in a cheap waterproof cellphone. a decent pack liner to fit the pack is great in case of heavy rain and river crossings.
packs are an individual choice. you need to get one that fits.
also get a decent torch! and a smaller backup one too. and first aid kits are a must though.
also silly as it sounds things like survival bags, waterproof matches/lighter and fire starting materials (i like the gel ones) are inexpensive but a necessity.
good luck ! nice to see someone treating her husband to hunting gear, for me its the other way around as i just had to blow 1200+ on a new rifle for my wife as her 5 shot sks is too evil and scary

Originally Posted by Chelsea

Haha!
Will Topo app work if the phones out of range?
I really want to buy a bag without him knowing. Iv seen some good deals on torpedo7 with good reviews for comfort etc, I’m just not sure how many litres I should get.

I have a flash harry gps, havnt used it in ages. Topo maps work in flight mode so go for ages

I applaude your efforts, packs though can be a bit personal, he may smile and grin at the surprise purchase but grit his teeth underneath. My advice would be, if you really want to surprise him with a pack go cheaper or second hand. Most of us have been through several ... as your hunting / tramping evolves you come up with different / other needs.
Mostly they dont wear out but get replaced, with one that has "improvements".

A rhino isnt a PLB so you need both, if thats the road you follow, there are other options too that allow texting but usually include a monthly subscription / fee.

Great to see a couple enjoying the sport together.

Have you been able to get any idea on what sort of pack he likes initially?

Have a look at the Osprey packs. Unfortunately probably mostly found at H&F (depending on view about them).

I have an Atmos 65l that is perfect for the short (2-3 or 4 day) trips I kinda have to do. Is by FAR the most comfortable pack I have ever used. Hasn't felt too small but depending on what sort of kit he carries may need a bigger model. Highly rate my one and was around the $350-400 mark.

Don't feel you need a "hunting brand" pack as most of the dedicated brand name ones are crap and have next to no real world warranty. Tatonka seem to have the buzz but cannot personally vouch for them.

Definitely separate plb and gps as others have said. Plb battery is like 10 year standby time but most modern gps won't make more than a week.

There was a real good phone app up until recently when the latest update removed the DOC overlay and apparently they are not going to renew it. Still functional as gps though. Some others may be able to chime in with suggestions?

Sorry for the novel, but on another note, he is a lucky man. I buy a couple of boxes of ammo a month and get the stink eye for a few days...

@Chelsea , do you know what kind of pack he has at the moment, whether it holds enough, and if he likes/dislikes anything about it?

Knowing that may help somebody here to make a good guess as to what mightwork.

Originally Posted by Chelsea

The husbands birthday is coming up in a few months and I want to buy him some good hunting gear for our trips away.
He needs a good hunting pack, a gps and or plb and I want to get some long range walkies and I’m putting together a nice new first aid kit.
I want to try and spend no more than $1500 all up. If I can get most on clearance I’ll be stoked.
I was looking at a rhino but I’m thinking would it be best to buy a plb and gps instead? If I buy a rhino will I still need a plb or is it all in one? The rhino is pricey but I’ll finance it if I really have to.
What size bag do you find best for taking on day a 3 day hunt?
What are your must haves?
We have some pretty big trips coming up later this year and I’d love to make sure he has all that he needs as well as score some pretty good brownie points.
We haven’t done any really big trips yet so have just made so with taking basics.

Have you got a sister?

Originally Posted by nevereadyfreddy

Have you got a sister?

I use and love my K2 HUNTER 90ltr pack....I really like 85-90ltrs so I can fit all my stuff in and have room for venison on way out...epirp /plb $3-400 and really it doesnt matter if its a once used thing....your life or someone elses are worth more than that...and it will be life threatening or very serious if you decide to push button.
plenty of good gps units around....I use a really basic old one and more than happy....maps would be nice but as has been said can do that on smart phone in flight mode.

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

@Chelsea , do you know what kind of pack he has at the moment, whether it holds enough, and if he likes/dislikes anything about it?

Knowing that may help somebody here to make a good guess as to what mightwork.

At the moment we only do short hunts so I have a sports backpack and we also have a hunting and fishing basic backpack.