Epinions Recent Reviews for stw63

Outstanding lens for a 'pro-sumer'

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 02:15:18 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - We use this lens with a Canon Digital Rebel. In fact, this lens (with its EF-S USM designation) can ONLY be used with Digital Rebel models. So, if you're using other models, look elsewhere. I believe this is a lens that Canon intends for...

Hiking-Climbing hybrid that's better for hiking

Tue, 23 May 2006 14:49:57 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - The Montrail D7 is an excellent approach shoe - Approach shoes: what are they? the shoes that you wear from your car to the cliff - and possibly also part way up it. They need to be good hikers, yet they must also perform as an entry-level climbing...

a stealthier outdoor geek watch

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 22:38:52 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - The Observer is another in the line of fine outdoorsy watches from Suunto. It is geared towards hiking, climbing, skiing, etc. It offers many of the same features as the Vector (and other justifiably popular) models. The differentiator is primarily...

Great for all but the coldest conditions

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:03:22 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - This is a very warm down jacket with many thoughtful features for serious outdoor people. Note it is a jacket - as opposed to a parka. It's cut short at the waist and has no hood. Mountain Hardwear also offers a Parka with a hood and some other features...

Worth a visit, but not one of our favorites

Mon, 7 Mar 2005 17:23:25 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - After looking into a number of ski resorts for our yearly western trip, we decided to try Telluride. In the past we have visited places like Whistler/Blackcomb, Park City, Alta/Snowbird, Big Sky, Tahoe, Aspen/Snowmass, Vail, and Banff Lake Louise. A...

Expensive, but sweet

Fri, 28 May 2004 19:27:01 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - Most of the pros and top college players seem to migrating to composite one-piece sticks. I am definitely not in either of those categories, but I found a great deal on a CCM Vector 110 in a sport store that was going out of business, so I thought - why...

Outstanding waterfall ice crampon - not for alpine ice though

Wed, 18 Feb 2004 02:25:26 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - Light, rigid, excellent point design, these crampons excel on steep waterfall ice and modern mixed routes. I use the monopoint version. Not the dual point version pictured. The mono version is just fantastic for climbing steep ice. It's especially...

'Aluminum' Powerbook 15" G4 - Object of Envy

Mon, 26 Jan 2004 11:45:55 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - I bought this computer in the summer of 2003 to support my marketing consulting business. Since I was primarily working on my own - writing, doing marketing strategy, etc., I was free to use pretty much whichever computer I wanted to. Now, I've moved...

Designed for surfers - Super useful for boaters

Fri, 19 Sep 2003 14:20:19 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - What is it? It's a nice waterproof sports watch with a built-in tide calculator display. This watch was designed for surfers and is marketed primarily to that crowd. The manual, for example, is written with surfers in mind. The assumption is that only...

Outstanding winter weather wear

Tue, 16 Sep 2003 19:23:38 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - I've had this jacket now for 3 or 4 years, and it's just the perfect jacket to grab for the colder days of the winter. What is it? It's a heavy weight fleece shelled with nylon. The fleece in the arms is a bit lighter than the fleece in the body so tha...

A great choice for everyday cooking...

Fri, 29 Aug 2003 17:59:33 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - ... but not the top of the line. So, if you're a more advanced chef, or a more demanding one, cho...

Incredibly versatile - excellent sunglass system

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 18:38:51 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - We'll probably have to come up with some new techno-jargon to refer to this new breed of eye wear. S...

A nice new entry into the climber/skier watch market

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 17:49:47 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - I've had the Nike ACG Ascent watch for about 2 years now and I've been very happy with it. Compared...

Quality of the optics is impressive

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 16:28:58 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - I've had my Maui Jim polarized sunglasses for about 5 years now and they were a great purchase. M...

nifty accessory that makes life easier

Wed, 18 Jun 2003 20:47:21 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - The Ice Clipper is a nifty little add-on that makes ice climbing just a tiny bit easier. Though desi...

Great pick shape for alpine ice

Wed, 18 Jun 2003 20:30:45 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - BD ice tools have a modular design that allow you to swap picks. There are two picks to choose fr...

There are far better choices than this helmet

Wed, 18 Jun 2003 20:07:55 GMT

rating: 1/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - When I first tried this helmet on in the shop, I thought it was going to be fine. However, when I ac...

Great features for a great price

Wed, 18 Jun 2003 19:51:08 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - I would have to say that I'm very impressed with this harness. It is very light weight and comfortab...

Ok, but I didn't fall in love with this one

Wed, 18 Jun 2003 19:33:34 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - The Alpine Attack is designed for alpine mountain climbing. It is, in essence, a basic top-loading r...

Wonderfully dextrous cold weather gloves

Sun, 8 Jun 2003 20:49:12 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - Gloves are always a compromise. Either they're thick and warm but so clumsy you have to take them off to do anything; or, they're thin and dextrous but not warm enough. These Stretch Triolet gloves are close to splitting the difference between those two...

Nice w/b ski shell

Sat, 7 Jun 2003 13:01:45 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - This is a waterproof/breathable jacket designed primarily for skiing. It has all the nice extra features that skiers need in a jacket: extra long pit zips, powder skirt, extra pockets for stashing a walkie-talkie, etc.

Two features in...

Best goggles I've found to wear with a helmet

Sat, 7 Jun 2003 12:20:57 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - In most respects, these are just your average good goggles. Smith is a high-quality vendor and I've always had good luck with their products.

The optical quality seems to be as good as any of the top brands. They provide a double lens to...

A complete seal against cold water

Sat, 7 Jun 2003 01:27:19 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - This is one serious garment for serious conditions. It is designed to be worn while white water or sea kayaking when you might be immersed in COLD water. If you get dunked, this top will keep your torso dry.

The body is constructed of 3-layer...

Good idea for a glove that comes up just a bit short

Sat, 7 Jun 2003 00:57:31 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - The Black Diamond Dry Tool Glove is a specialized set of gloves designed for extra dexterity while ice climbing. This might also make them a good choice for other outdoor activities in the winter where you'd want excellent dexterity.

They...

Jacket of choice for everything short of a rain storm

Fri, 6 Jun 2003 22:10:26 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author stw63 - The Cloudveil Serendipity Jacket is a shell jacket designed for high-exertion outdoor activities in all but the wettest weather. It is extremely well designed and executed.

The fabric is what is now popularly called a 'soft shell' nylon. It is...