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ThePaddler 8 Testing, esting, testin Alpkit Manta Headtorch T alpkit very kindly sent me ThePaddler ezine test the manta headtorch in g october. i’m now onto my fourth set of batteries and that takes some doing as station.If they do last a long time. Quite simply they’ve been used you for everything from night time open canoeing on the Thames, 2013 astral want biking, running, dog walking and even putting the rubbish out. Greenjacket They’re comfortable and hands http://www.astraldesigns.com your free and that’s ideal by me. By Phil Carr It’s not just a one trick pony with the light either. The dimmable a personal flotation device or PFd is one of 120 lumen Cree LED delivers a those essential pieces of paddling kit that bright beam, the width of which is has to work effectively each and every time product reviewed and it will be of interest adjustable using the front you need it. it needs to have a combination I always feel that it is important that a rescue PFD re-orientated to help prevent them opening by focussing ring. The main high of robustness, offer good protection yet looks tough and it built strong. The Greenjacket just accident. They are perfect for the storage of a river output Cree LED can be dimmed allow you move around easily without feeling feels super tough, the body is constructed from 500- knife or other parts of your pin kit. ® to any level between 10 and 100 restrictive. denier Cordura nylon. Gaia™ and PE foam flotation A storage space behind the front panel gives you percent as well as a strobe setting It’s been a long time since I have had a new Astral provide buoyancy. Gaia™ foam is softer than foams room to carry a small throw bag. This would have to to for attracting attention. The head PFD. There was something that I really didn’t like found in most entry price point PFDs for better be a bag like Astral’s own, as it would need to be flat unit is pivotable on a 30 mm about the previous version. For me the fit was just flexibility, fit, and superior comfort. Gaia™ foam is rather than a cylindrical like most other bag systems. adjustable headband. not quite right, I know that lots of people really liked based on an organic compound, is non-toxic and is Underneath the storage system is a fleeced lined Underneath the main beam are them but the design was not right for me. Roll on a free of CFC ozone depleting materials. All in all this hand warmer pouch, it’s a nice touch but I often paddlers - email us:reviews@thepaddlerezine.com makes the Greenjacket bombproof as well as being four low-power LEDs: green for few years and we have the 2013 Greenjacket. an environmentally friendly life jacket. forget it is even there. As the year draws on and the map reading without affecting The 2013 Astral Greenjacket retains many of the water gets colder I envisage using this feature a fair bit. night vision; double red gives great features found in the original. This includes a enough light to see features when 1200 lb. tensile strength rescue harness with a quick clamshell front pocket Front lash tab walking but doesn’t affect your release buckle and a Spectra® safety loop for One of the biggest and most obvious changes in the The front lash tab is a convenient place to hook night vision; and blue, which gives emergency extractions. The movable front panel aka design is the large zippered clamshell front pocket and your rescue knife but to be honest I don’t like a wider, less focussed beam than ‘Freestyle Tectonics’ allow the outer front panel to to be honest it’s hard to miss. Inside of the clamshell wearing a knife in that position. But I know some the main bulb (just 5 lumen) but move freely with your upper body, as the inner panel are five compartments for stowing and organizing all people do. Having been a raft guide for a number of with a longer burn time. stays anchored in place. This is a great idea that your rescue gear. This is just simply amazing. years I prefer to keep the front of my PFD clean so Solid, good construction and neat works well. There is a zipped mesh pocket on the clamshell so I that if I do need to climb back into a raft from the can zip my car keys out of the way and know that they water I can do so without anything snagging. Old styling all adds up to one quality Eight adjustment points on the Greenjacket ensure a and highly useful product. custom fit. The points on the right hand side of the are secure. Little pouches on the body side (with clip in habits die hard. https://www.alpkit.com wearer are all QR which allows the Greenjacket to points in some cases) are ideal for bits and bobs. The I have been using the Greenjacket for all sorts of one on my right (whilst wearing the PFD) is ideal for a be put on or taken off via the side entry or via paddling including playboating duties and despite it waterproof compact camera. You do need to be an over the head move. This seems to really being a full on big water rescue PFD its uber slim careful when opening the clamshell fully in order to help the Greenjacket fit a wide range of profile and design has never made me feel restricted. prevent kit being dropped into the water. Summary paddlers. I find it easier to put on over the head Looking at all of the features and the fit of the as reaching around to get to the fastek buckles One of the changes from the older model is that the Greenjacket a very capable all-rounder. It is very can be a little tricky. zips on the two zippered side cargo pockets have been light; it stays put and is unrestrictive. so after all of that what do i not like? well actually not that much. it would be great if the ‘Flotection’ shoulders were padded a little more and a little A PFD not only gives you that extra buoyancy wider apart so they sat square on my shoulders you might need during it swim, it can also give (hope that makes sense). a few different colour some additional protection from rocks, paddles options would also be nice. the new limited or boats. Astral have incorporated what they edition (le7: Hawkeye) designed by Pat Keller call ‘Flotection’ armour plating along the sides looks superb! of the vest protect your ribs and vitals from sizing is accurate. at 15st with a 42in chest i impact. wear the m/l. the l/Xl simply swamps me. ThePaddler 9
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