Extreme Tolerance » REI

Brunton Discontinuing The Best Compass Ever (Brunton 54LU)

Admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:06:05 +0000

While I was at the Washington Search and Rescue conference I took the map and compass class. The instructors showed us the Brunton 54LU. What makes this compass special is the ability to hold the bezel at eye level and read your bearing in a gun-sight like fashion. You look though the bezel, at a line, which you align with your landmark, below that line you can plainly read the degrees. This thing is sooo slick. Of every compass that was brought to the class, this was by far the most accurate.

Image shamelessly stolen from http://www.thecompassstore.com/54lu.html, who is selling the 54LU from $90, $20 more than REI.

Today for kicks I decided to see if it was on Brunton’s site. And to my surprise it was not! Some poking around and I found it in REI’s outlet AND buried an discontinued notice on Brunton’s site.

I am totally puzzled as to why Brunton would do this. Maybe they are coming out with something better? Or maybe the love they were getting from search and rescue was just not enough. Either way, I did not take any chances on missing this so I ordered mine from REI.

The original list price on these things was around $180, so $70 at REI is not that bad. Why such an expensive compass? Well take a range of compasses out and do some sighting, you will find that not all are created equally.

Just as a closing note for you survival/outdoorsy types. Maps and compass never run out of batteries and should be one of your core skills

REI 20% Win.

Admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 05:22:16 +0000

I have found that the cashiers at REI A) do not read the fine print on their coupons and B) do not actually scan the coupons instead opting to type in the discount directly.

Cashier: “Are you a member?”
Me: “yup” as I hand her my well abused member card
Cashier: “Would you like to use your 20% coupon?”
Me: “sure”
Cashier: types in -20%, “and your dividend”
Register Reads: “-$39.99″
Me: “yup”
Register Reads: “-$23.00″
…

The result is I was able to pick up a GPS unit using both my 20% coupon and dividend. I knew that it should not work but I was not about to volunteer that information.

My accountant wife informed me that the technical term for this is “poor internal controls”. However, I would say these little quirks, along with the great service, good sale prices and generally fun stores are the reasons why I remain a die hard REI shopper.

Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket

Admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:06:28 +0000

I have kinda been on a firearm and flashlight tangent for a while. Now its time to review a item that has been on my list for a long time. Mountain Hardwear’s Alchemy Jacket is probably the best jacket I have ever owned. Its perfect for all manor of active cold weather activities, let me tell you why:

What I Love about the Alchemy Jacket

The Alchemy Jacket is light: before settling on this jacket I tried on other soft shells. This jacket is among the lightest, to the point where I questioned its heat retention capabilities.
The Alchemy Jacket is form fitting: I have a light yet muscular and athletic frame (6′ 168lbs). This jacket feels like it was made for me. Its wide at my shoulders, hugs my lats and tapers to my waist. Why is this good? It makes me feel like I am not swimming in jacket. When I put on a backpack I don’t have to get fabric folds all sorted out. Oh and my wife thinks is sexy.
The Alchemy Jacket is Stretchy: In the old days, you needed a certain amount of extra material otherwise you would not be able to move. Now it seems that textile geniuses have been able to create fabric that says sealed while getting stretched. The Alchemy’s form fittingness would not be possible without this stretch.
The Alchemy Jacket is warm: much to my surprise it insulates but even better it completely cuts the wind, all why being completely breathable.
The Alchemy Jacket has the right pockets: What can I say? The pockets are user friendly.
The Alchemy Jacket is tight around wrists: This might be a feature/bug type scenario. At cuff, there is a 1″ section of fleece that can either sit flush against the arms or get folded out toward the arm opening. The effect of the outward fold effectively fills the gap between your wrist and the sleeve stopping all manor of cold progressing up your arms.

(FYI, This is not me)

Downsides

Its Form Fitting: Yes this is a pro and con. Its also the only downside I can think of. because it fits me so well it does not allow for a lot of room for base layers. If you are planning on sitting still in a cold environment, the Alchemy Jacket might not provide the layering capabilities you need. Or you could just buy a bigger size.

Where to by the Alchemy Jacket

If you can find a local climbing/outdoors shop do that. Having said that, I live in Portland, where those shops are abundant but I still go to REI. I bought mine near the end of last season so I got it on sale. Even if I had to buy it full price, I would still say it’s worth it. My best advice would be get a REI membership or sign-up for their email and use the 20% off coupons.

Update: During REI’s fall sale this jacket is going for $139. Which is a good price. Normally $200.

20% Coupon at REI Outlet

Admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:20:18 +0000

Just found this:

20% coupon at REI-OUTLET Valid June 5-11. To use, click the link, shop and when you check out the coupon should be applied on the last page of the checkout process.

Because its the second one I have found I am starting a deals page.

Update: This is expired. If you are really desperate you could try, but knowing that the people over at REI are sharp, the coupon is probably expired.