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Reviews


 Books
   Archaeology
   History
   Language
   Travel
 Gear
   Orienteering
   Range Finding, Measuring Tools
   Optics
   Digital Cameras and Accessories
   Film Cameras and Accessories
   Power Systems
   TimeKeeping
   Clothing
   Luggage
 Miscellaneous Equipment
 Foods

Books:

Archaeology:

  • Field Guide to Archaeology
History:

  • The Histories
Language:

  • Russian in 30 minutes per day
Travel:

  • Ukraine guide
Gear

Orienteering:

  • Garmin eTrex (TM) Vista GPS
    Information from Amazon
    2001 Nov -- Fantastic hand-held GPS receiver. If you require accurate positioning from within a WAAS area or require e-maps, then this is the unit for you. The Vista internal menu system is fairly well organized and presented, but with some many features and options, this unit is difficult to operate for the uninformed. The quick use card is a must to pick up the basics of operating this unit. Overall, I recommend this unit to the tech-savy or those needing the rich features.
    BTW, do not forget to set the base location before using ;)
    Archaeology Adventures (ArchAd) donated one of these to the Odessa Archaeology Museum.
    Read additional reviews here

  • Garmin eTrex (TM) GPS
    Information from Amazon
    2002 Jan -- Very easy to use. Fantastic hand-held GPS receiver. Very easy on batteries, especially in saver mode.
    This unit worked well in cities as well as outdoors. The derived speedometer and compass performed superbly. This is a great GPS, especially if you do not need all the frills of e-maps or WAAS support. The accuracy is more than acceptable for most land naviagation purposes. This unit is very easy to operate, no instuctions necessary, although it does come with a reference card and detailed instuction manual.
    Read additional reviews here

Range Finding, Measuring Tools:

Optics:

  • Minolta Binoculars
Digital Cameras and Acessories:
  • Kodak DC215 Digital Camera
    Information from Amazon
    This was my first digital camera. It is now a bit dated in terms of features in relation to price. The picture quality is good for a 1 megapixel camera. The camera is easy to learn to use. It is a true point and shoot in the sense of ease of use.
    I used a DC215 as my main camera while on the trip to Ukraine in November 2001. (You can see these links to thees images here: Ukraine_Nov2001.html There is a legend at the end of each travel journal page.
    I found the solid body desgin favorable to other lighter digital cameras, but the consturction does not make it resitant to occasional bumps. After taking this camera in my carry-on luggage on a flight, I found that the camera rattled. In addition the preview window turns off intermitently during use and sometimes will not come on until I power the camera down and then back up again. I would only recommend this camera in ideal conditions and would advis anyone purchasing this camera to protect it from even the slightest physical damage.
  • Kodak DX3500 Digital Camera
    Information from Amazon

  • Kodak Dock for Digital Cameras
  • SanDisk SDDR-31-01 USB Imagemate CompactFlash Card Reader

    Information from Amazon
    If you do not have a dock for your digital camera, or at the very least, a power adapter for the camera, you should get one of these. This reader will pay for itself quickly from all the batteries saved. The transer speeds are fantastic. The images are saved out in the original format of the picutres, so there is no need to convert them from TIFF back to JPEG (if using Kodak imaging). The SanDisk drive appears as a removable device within the file system.


  • Viking CF128M 128 MB CompactFlash Card
    Information from Amazon
    Fantastic memory at a low price. I have two of these 128 MB modules. No problems even in damp and cold weather. No difference between these Viking brand and the higher-priced brand meemory cards.

  • PNY 256 MB CompactFlash(TM) memory module
Film Cameras and Acessories:

Power Systems:

  • EverReady(TM) Nickel Metal Hydride Rechargeable batteries (AA Size / F)
  • Energizer(TM) Nickel Metal Hydride Rechargeable batteries (AA Size / F)
  • Kodak Nickel Metal Hydride Rechargeable batteries (AA size / F)
  • EverReady(TM) One-Hour Battery Recharger
  • Energizer(TM) Battery Recharger (15 hour cycle)
  • Kodak Rapid Battery Recharger
    Information from Amazon
  • ... Travel Power Convertor / Adaptor Set
  • Recoton ADF1650 50/1600W Dual Wattage Travel Converter
    Information from Amazon
Timekeeping:

  • Casio Pathfinder Triple Sensor
Clothing:

  • Helley Hansen Howle Jacket (insulated Parka)
    2001 Nov -- This waterproof/breathable hooded parka is very comfortable (soft fleece lining), but when I used this in Ukraine in early November 2001, it was a bit too much. I had to wear it unzipped. The lack of vents makes this parka a better choice for colder weather (I would assume below freezing).
    2002 Feb -- I wore this jacket in Moldova and Romania in early January 2002. The temperatures ranged from -10 C to 10 C during my stay, with several hours of light hiking and walking per day in the snow. This jacket was more than adequete for these conditions.
    Helley Hanson has apparently discounted this model, but its replacement is a non-insulated shell with zippered ventalation flaps.

  • Timberland GoreTex waterproof medium-weight hiking boots
    2001 Nov -- These are some the most comfortable light duty hiking boots, I have tried. These boots feel 'broken-in' when you first put them on! The soles are soft, so they will wear quickly when worn on pavment. Also, even though I like these boots very much. The sole does not grip well on wet surfaces. I would have expected that it would not have this problem in that the boots are waterproof. When it rained in Odessa (november 2001), I wanted to wear a pair of waterproof shoes for traversing the city, but the lack grip on the wet cobblestones, had me trade them in for the trusty Doc Martens (TM) during the wet days within the cities. 2002 Jan --

  • Medalist synthetic Under shirts
    Information from REI-Outlet

  • Hiking socks
  • REI Fleece Hiker light Jacket

    2002 Feb -- This is a great light jacket good for layering. I wore one of these several times during the trip to Moldova. When we travled by car or entered indoors, to warm up ;), I removed my parka. In some of the places we entered in Soroca, for example, were not heated, so this jacket was useful.

  • Campmor WindStopper fleece gloves (wind resistant and breathable)
    2001 Nov -- Very comfortable and warm. Great against wind. I used a pair of these when in Ukraine in November 2001. These were sufficient for Kiev and Odessa, at least at this time of the year (autumn).
    2002 Jan -- Good gloves for short periods in weather below 10 C, but not for long periods or in windy conditions. These gloves pack into a small space for easy carry. I like these gloves but for temperatures above freezing. ;) I will need to order another pair of these gloves, as I misplaced them while on my trip to Moldova.

  • Red Ledge Thunderlight Pants (waterproof and breathable)
    2002 Jan -- These pants come rolled into the included carry case. Very light weight and will fit into most jacket pockets. These pants are not only ideal for mild winter/ snow conditions, but I bet come in handy in rainy weather, as well.
    I could not believe how inexpensive these pants were. I will be looking for more fine Red Ledge products for my next trip.

  • Grandoe Horizon Gloves (Waterproof / Breathable)
    2002 Jan -- These gloves were more than sufficeint for the trip to Moldova and Romania. (-10 C to 10 C, several hours in light winds and light snow) Very light weight and comfortable. These gloves kept me very warm yet dry.
    The only complaints I have about these gloves is that they do not pack tightly, thus requiring much needed easy access pocket space. And the second complaint is that the clasp for hanging the gloves is poorly constructed.
    Overall, these are fantasitic gloves for mild winters. Great value for the money.

Luggage, Container Equipment:

  • Garmont Expedition System Pack
    Information from REI-Outlet
    2001 Nov -- Very light weight and durable travel set. The day pack attaches to the expedition pack and both the packs can be packed into the over-sized duffel. Attachments for luggage locks are on the duffel, making it as claimed, "a great system for concealing your valuable climbing / hiking gear ".

  • Sport Rolling Luggage 2001 Nov & 2002 Jan -- Very nice low cost duffel bag with wheels and retractable rolling handle. Very comparable in quality to higher priced luggage costing much more.

  • JanSport Traditional Gear Bag - 22-Inch
    Information from REI-Outlet
    2001 Nov --

  • Nevin wet/ dry daypack
    2002 Jan --

  • Eagle Creek wallet
    2001 Nov & 2002 Jan --
Miscellaneous Equipment:

  • Mag-Lite(TM) mini-mag flashlight

  • YakTrax(TM) traction for traversing snow and ice
    Information from REI

  • Threshold Combo Gaitors

Foods:

  • Clif Bars
    Favorites: Orange Chocolate Chill(TM), Cool Mint Chocolate(TM), Chocolate Chip


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