My Gear List - Page 2

Surgicalcric · 11-28-2004, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Personally, I prefer the Ingenius and find that the FR's pill up and lose a lot of their material pretty quickly.

TR

Have not noticed my pilling up 'yet.' I will definately keep an eye on it though. Another fine example of YGWYPF.

Crip

**Razor** · 11-29-2004, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommoGeek

I skipped a month, sue me.

Have you forgotten about the lawyers here? Saying that is like throwing chum into the Rio Chargres.

CommoGeek · 11-29-2004, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Have you forgotten about the lawyers here? Saying that is like throwing chum into the Rio Chargres.

They are much smarter than I so I didn't chum as much as state the obvious.

lrd · 04-08-2005, 06:50

CG~

Have you had any problems with your laptop?

CommoGeek · 04-08-2005, 09:19

My laptop has done very well. The Dell has held up, but I also don't take it to the FOB's. It has made it back and forth across the pond and through Germany several times.

For use at the FOBs we use Panasonic Toughbooks. I can get a model # if you'd like. They take a beating and perform without many issues.

Surgicalcric · 04-08-2005, 09:59

I will second CG on the Toughbooks.

We use them at EMS and the FD back home. If I cant break it you should do fine with it.

My father used to tell me I could "break an iron anvil with a rubber hammer."

ZoneOne · 04-08-2005, 12:55

On the notes of laptops...

I strongly suggest IBM's thinkpads. (many models available)
I have had one for about a little more then a year and it has survived a lot in a college enviroment. and always runs like a dream.

lrd · 04-09-2005, 09:16

Have you all had any trouble reading the screen on the Toughbook?

CG -- since you use both -- how does battery life compare between the Dell and Panasonic?

**Razor** · 04-09-2005, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoneOne

On the notes of laptops...

I strongly suggest IBM's thinkpads. (many models available)
I have had one for about a little more then a year and it has survived a lot in a college enviroment. and always runs like a dream.

ZoneOne, thanks for your post, but please take notice that the environment in which CommoGeek and Crip are using their equipment is significantly more abusive and harsh than one commonly finds on an academic campus. Therefore, in the future you may want to caveat your recommendations with a note that your operational environment is very different from the one currently being discussed. For example, "I have had very good success with the IBM Thinkpad used in a relative benign college environment. It has survived an accidental drop from X feet, having X fluid spilled into its keyboard, having my drunk roommate stuff the CD drive with balogna, etc".

CommoGeek · 04-09-2005, 19:52

Razor, good points.

I'm not the be-all and end-all on laptops, but having worked with a number of brands and models in a corporate environment before coming here I can say this and Kyo is welcome to correct me as needed.

IBM=Good kit, GREAT in the office, expensive, can be a bit heavy.
Dell=Less cost than IBM (especially the models from their Outlet), just as many features, the case seems to be a little less durable than an IBM.
Toguhbook=Drop it, kick it, cover it in dust, pop keys off and reattach, jump it, fly with it... you will not kill it. Bigger in size and a bit heavier than the previous two and less features.

If durability is your sole concern, go Toughbook.
If cost and features are your concerns, go Dell.
Travel a lot in a corporate environment, go IBM.

Note: Dell and IBM can be practically interchanged.

As for batteries, that's a hard call. New models are available with different materials. So the same size battery may be good for an hour, it may be good for 2 1/2 hours. Manufacturers should have a battery life listed for the model you are looking at.

1 last thing: my only knock against the Toughbooks are their lack of ports on the back compared to other models. If you are attaching a lot of peripherals you are probably in an environment where a Toughbook's virtues are wasted.

CommoGeek · 04-22-2005, 22:32

Couple of additions:
Danner Agitator 45 hiking boots. Took longer to break in than the Wellcos but they are cooler as summer approaches.

Ingenious Rebel crew socks. Light, thin, wicking. LEOs needing something that is cool on your feet may want to try a pair of these out. They are a bit thin, but thicker than gore-tex sock liners. If you are looking for an in between sock that isn't too heavy these or the Ingenious everyday socks may be what you need.

I also learned how to tell the difference between their hiking socks and boot socks. Different colored thread for the logo. I can retrieve a pair from my hooch and post that guide if anyone needs it.

Hats: I don't normally wear a hat, I hate the things, but I have found one that I like for hot weather. An Adidas running hat. Lightweight with a mesh top to it, it allows body heat to escape. The reflective logo isn't that noticeable during daylight hours and I don't wear the hat after dark.

Cabela's trailhiker (I think that's the name) pants. As good as 5.11 pants, slightly cheaper. I'll see how they hold up this summer. The 5.11 stuff is bulletproof, the Old Navy pants look like a bum wouldn't wear them. Great for the winter since they are thicker but they fray easily.

Hope this helps someone out there.

Smokin Joe · 04-24-2005, 06:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommoGeek

Ingenious Rebel crew socks. Light, thin, wicking. LEOs needing something that is cool on your feet may want to try a pair of these out. They are a bit thin, but thicker than gore-tex sock liners. If you are looking for an in between sock that isn't too heavy these or the Ingenious everyday socks may be what you need.

CG,

Sorry my google skills suck today, you gotta link on the Rebel Crew Socks?

Thanks much

lksteve · 04-24-2005, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

ZoneOne, thanks for your post, but please take notice that the environment in which CommoGeek and Crip are using their equipment is significantly more abusive and harsh than one commonly finds on an academic campus.

Razor, i had a Thinkpad i took out surveying in the oil field of SE Utah...canyons, arroyos, rough, rocky roads...it worked out fine...a couple of times, it rode in a helicopter while we were setting control...it was dropped a time or two, got real dusty, dirty and was rained and snowed on...never a hiccup...but the truth be known, i think the Toughbooks might be the way to go...the Thinkpads are somewhat heavy and cumbersome (at least the model i was using) and it is best to use something designed to be abused...the IBM was chosen because at the time, its proprietary PCMCIA card interfaced well with a Trimble TSC1 data collector, whereas other cards gave us problems...

CommoGeek · 04-24-2005, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin Joe

CG,

Sorry my google skills suck today, you gotta link on the Rebel Crew Socks?

Thanks much

Joe, here's a start:
http://www.amazingsocks.com/web/pid/F1415/item.asp

I've ordered online from these folks and they've shipped to an APO with no issues, no problems.

Smokin Joe · 04-25-2005, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommoGeek

Joe, here's a start:
http://www.amazingsocks.com/web/pid/F1415/item.asp

I've ordered online from these folks and they've shipped to an APO with no issues, no problems.

Thanks much