Quick Takes: Leatherman Kick

Recently I was contacted by Appalachian Outdoors to conduct a product review. Appalachian Outdoors allowed me to pick any item out of their extensive catalog (up to a certain dollar amount). I actually chose two, but you'll find more out about the other one later. Lately I had been in the market for a new multi-tool. This is one of those thing that unfolds into a set of pliers with bunch of tools in the handles. I am currently carrying a Bucklite 355 Multi-Tool everyday so it sees its fair share of abuse, but they have since discontinued this tool in the past ten years I've had it. This is what lead me on my adventure to find a new one. So when Appalachian Outdoors gave me the opportunity to review a product I knew exactly what I was looking for. It only took a little while to decide on which model to choose from, I tried to stay in the same price range as I did with my Bucklite to give it the most comparable review.  I hoped that after I ordered the Multi-Tool  I'd be able to receive the product at least a few days before writing a "Quick Takes" on it. To my surprise though, Appalachian Outdoors shipping was amazingly fast! I order this product on a Sunday evening and it was in my hands by Wednesday morning. After tooling around with my new Leatherman Kick for a week or so, I have figured a few things out, but you'll have to wait for another week or so get the full review.

Quick Takes

• Why Leatherman/Warranty: This is a simple one. When you think multi-tools or you talk to someone about them, what do they refer to them as, "a Leatherman." This is often a source of confusion as some people consider multi-tool a Leatherman, but that is far from the truth. Leatherman has built a reputation since 1983 that says about there produce and dependability. Even if you don't believe in it, they do with their 25 year warranty. This is one of the main reasons I wanted one. I am hard on things, not because I'm abusive towards them, but I carry it on my belt everyday and it gets used everyday the same. 

• Tool Variety: This is something that can be changed with purchasing different tools, but as I said before I am looking to stay in the same price range as my previous one. As for the tool variety of the Kick, Leatherman states that it has 12 tools. This includes a 420HC Clip Point Knife, Needlenose Pliers, Regular Pliers, Wire Cutters, Hard-wire Cutters, Wire Stripper, Small Screwdriver, Large Screwdriver, Phillips Screwdriver, Bottle Opener, Can Opener, 8 in | 19 cm Ruler. Although this seems a little on the light side, it still covers the basics. 

• Sheath: This is something you have a choice of as well, but the only opinion I had available was a leather one. This wouldn't have been my first choice as my Bucklite had a nylon sheath that's done great and held up well. If this sheath were real leather I think I would be a bit more receptive to its longevity, but this seems like cheap fake leather. I look for this to be one of the major down falls of the tool, as I see the sheath breaking in a year or so.

• Overall Construction: The Kick seems to feel a little more flimsy to me than other tools, even other Leathermans, I have used in the past. I am not sure if it is the plastic "comfort" inlays in the handles or if it was constructed with a lighter metal, but it just doesn't have that same feel I expected. 

Overall though I am excited to be able to test this product and would like to thank Appalachian Outdoors for providing me with this opportunity.

Quick Takes: SEEMZ - T.H.E.E. KRUSH Complete Odor Elimination System

Along with any good outdoorsman, you should be preparing for the season year around, this is no different for myself. As the end of archery season came to a close I washed up all my hunting gear one last time and packed it away for a long spring and summer. This provoked a thought that I have used the majority of the major big box stores scent elimination companies in one capacity or another. Their products did fine and have produced well for me, but still left me wanting a little better quality. I went on a mission to find a new line of scent control products to use for this fall.

In the beginning of February I began to look for a new scent elimination products and companies to try out. Shortly there after I stumbled upon Seemz Technology, they tagged themselves as the New Generation of Oder Elimination. Seemz Technology was founded in 2008 and since has striven to produce not only a new scent elimination system but more so a complete odor elimination system. Promptly after reading more about Seemz Technology, I contacted them to see if they would be interested in working with Foggy Mountain Meanderings for a Product Review this upcoming deer season. A few e-mails later and about a month and a half of anticipation, my complete odor elimination system was waiting at my doorstep.

Quick Takes

• Variety: As with most scent elimination lines there are different cover scents. This is no different with Total Human Element Eliminator (T.H.E.E.) KRUSH, it is offered in Original and Earth scent. With the the test group I received the Earth Scent. I feel that this scent will work best for the type of hunting environment that I am in. 

• Scent:  Being Earth scented, it is important that it actually smells as advertised, like dirt to be exact. After a quick overview of the products, I wanted to see if the spray did smell like earth/dirt as other companies have managed to produce. Yet again, Seemz impressed me as they have accurately matched that earthy odor. A little side note on this one, at this point and time Cassie, my girlfriend, walked in asked what I was doing and wanted to see what I had received. After explaining what is was, where it came from, and how I was going to use it, she wanted to help out, so I asked her to smell if and tell me what it smelled like (without informing her if was Earth Scent), her first words after the smell test was, "It smells just like dirt!" So no matter who you ask at this point it passes the scent test, the next test may be a little harder, as a deer's sense of smell is a much better than humans. 

• Product Line / Variety: Seemz Technology has covered almost all your odor eliminating needs when they sent out the complete odor elimination system. It included: 32oz Scent Elimination Spray, 12oz Scent Elimination Spray, 64oz Scent Elimination Refill Bottle, 32oz Laundry Detergent, and 12oz Hair & Body Soap, they even threw in a Seemz Bumper sticker. The two main component that I believe would complete this total system are deodorant / antiperspirant and dryer sheets to accompany the laundry detergent ( in their defense what is missing is stuff they don't even produce at this time). Other than those two things, this kit is very well put together and makes me even more excited for hunting season. 

I am excited about the next phases of this review. I recently sprayed down my trail camera  with T.H.E.E KRUSH to help eliminate my scent. Hopefully, this will keep those pesky bears away from my new toy. The major test, and most exciting, will be using the product line this fall during archery and rifle season. Thanks again for allowing me to do this review.

It's here... Quick Takes: Moultrie M-80

Image Credit: Moultrie

Just as promised, when I got home from work yesterday my new trail camera, a Moultrie M-80 was waiting in my mailbox for me. I must admit that this is a welcomed change from the big box stores, normally your order takes a day or two to process, this wasn't the case with  Custom 1 Enterprises **. After placing my order early Monday morning, I had hoped to revieve my camera by Friday so I could put it up this weekend, I was shocked when I recieved an e-mail from Chuck at Custom 1 Enterprises ** stating that he had received my order and it will be shipped out that same day and more importantly that I should have it in two to three days! I know where I'm going next time if I need a trail camera ASAP, not to mention their accessories, custom mounts, and security boxes.

Quick Takes

M-80 vs Dollar Bill

• Size: The fist thing I noticed about this camera is the size of it. It's small! Yes, that is one reason why I wanted it, but still getting it on my hands for the first time was a little awkward (in a good way) in comparison to the more traditional size of trail cameras.

• Construction / Casing: The construction and durability of camera seems to be par with most of what Moultrie is producing at the current time. One thing I am happy to see is that the housing/case and camera and one piece (compared to my older camera where the camera latched into the case), I know I had my issues before with the case. I think that having a camera that is connected to the case, allows the camera to have more protection from the elements. Where as in the example of my older Moultrie CDC 5.0, if the seal on the case wears out or becomes damaged the case can fill with water or snow and damage the camera, that would prove more difficult to happen with the M-80.

• Mount: This was the only area I am unsure of at this point. I have used a Moultrie I-65 before with this type, it is a nylon strap with a hard plastic clasp. I know it holds it to the tree fine, but I am worried about the longevity of this clasp and strap as well as the how it will fair in the snow and cold of winter.

• Overall: I am very happy and excited to get this camera out and in action. Only time will tell how it holds up, but as you all know if there's anyone out there that can test how well this trail camera will work, it's me. In a matter of days Moultrie's M-80 will be tested against Foggy Mountain. Look for a full review in the months to follow.

** I am not associated or sponsored by  Custom 1 Enterprises, I am merely trying to inform any of my readers of a good deal and what looks to be a good company with work with thus far.