Thank you! I just now received my UDAP Bear vault - couldn't get it open. I watched your video and successfully opened it. YAY! I did see complaints online about opening it, but they must have given up before they had success. Was a challenge, but when I got the hang of it (thanks to you) it's no problem at all! Thanks again.
Strongly advise not getting the bear vault. It's very difficult to spin the lid off just right to free it and access food, and in cold temps with cold hands it's almost impossible. I had this issue on a back country camp out in high altitude where it was 20 degrees Fahrenheit and it took 3 guys, all capable and in good shape, to finally get it loose after 15 minutes of trying. Won't ever bring one again... could easily see someone being "locked out" of their own food supply with one of these.
They say the bears in Yosemite are opening them now. I really would have liked to see you packing them with as much as possible. Thanks for the upload.
This is really great bear canister review video! Very informative. Looks like REI only has BV and Garcia. I think I will go with Garcia as heard BV is not recommended in Adirondack mountain area. Thanks, Raymond! :)
I am in the NorCal area, so I purchased my UDAP from a local company in the San Rafael area. (I like to patronize local vendors, even if it costs a bit more). My Baltoro backpack...methinks...was purchased through one of my all-time favorite stores, BACKCOUNTRY EDGE. (Love their RUclips equipment review videos as well)
The US system is not the metric system, where everything matches is 1/10 and 1/100. 2.4 pounds is not the same as 2 lbs 4 oz. 2.4 pounds equals 2 lb 7 oz, because a pound is 16 oz. It's 7/16 oz which equals .4375 lbs.
Follow up after reading comments...they are expensive but at the same time I sleep better at night knowing my food will be intact next morning, that my pack will not be chewed through by at best varmints and at worst by a bear and finally, keep my pack organized and cleaner given that my stove and cooking utensils are also stored inside. A pack having carried food without protection like a cannister in your vestibule or tent is a dinner invitation.
@@RaymondMillbrae They are bullet-proof sacks made with a sort of kevlar fabric - they are sacks not canisters. Bears can't get into them if tied correctly. You tie them to a tree. I wouldn't want to buy 2 hardshell canisters for a long trip but I'd need to be able to accommodate 11 days worth of food somehow.
Derek, the canisters ARE NOT smell-proof. They are made of a dimension that bears cannot bite and take away. (Never attach rope or any "dangling" things to them). A bear will swat it around a bit...then get tired and walk away from it. This is why I place reflective tape on mine - to help me find it if they messed with it. Bears are (should) be familiar with these canisters. So they should just walk away from them. And, "Yes" no more hanging stuff from trees. This is much better. It also acts like a garbage can for your trash...or a hard case for items that can be damaged. (Camera, electrical stuff, fishing reels, etc). No...not water-proof.
Umm...it is like I said. They are NOT water-proof. The canister tops are NOT sealed. How do they work? They prevent the bears from accessing your food. (They can still smell it. But they cannot access it). This is why you do not keep food, or anything tasty-smelling in your tent. Keep the canisters away from your tent. Let the bears TRY to access the food, or even sway the canister around. But do not draw them to your tent! (Which is why you do not keep it in your tent).
+Raymond Moreno The Bear Vault is intact waterproof "Large rainproof lid features a snapping bump/tab locking mechanism and screws on and off easily without the use of tools" www.rei.com/product/768902/bearvault-bv500-food-container
I've never used one of these before and I have a really good question. How do you know when it is safe to get your food out of the canister when you get hungry and what do you do to get bears away from it if you see one so you can eat ?
You can always take your food out of the canisters. Just make sure there is no wildlife around, to the best of your knowledge. Always carry bear spray when in bear country. And lastly, you cannot keep the bears away from your canisters. They will be attracted to your canisters by the smell of the food. But they will not be able to access the food within the canisters. So bears will learn that even though they can smell the food in the canisters, they cannot access the food...and hopefully they will leave the canisters alone next time.
Gary Bowen - Dang...sorry for the super late reply. I cannot remember where I purchased my Gregory backpack. I like purchasing stuff from REI (which I am a member of), and also "Backcountry Edge".
I just bring a lot of beans, rice, and doe to make bread. I also fish. A canister that size I can fit a couple weeks food easy. It all depends on the individual of course. I'm not really picky.
You do NOT hang them from trees. Actually, you do not attach ANYTHING to them. Keep them about 75 yards away from where you sleep. The bears should know what they are, and that they cannot access what is within them. If they don't know, they will swat it around and learn that they cannot get into them. Keep it away from water, just in case they swat it off a hill and into water.
Cool, thanks. We used Bear vaults in 2009. I wasn't strong enough to get one open, but the guys could do it. I heard not only are they good for the things you mentioned, but also for doing laundry if you're out a really long time, and where we went we were in a place for a bit where solid waste had to be carried out, not buried. Too much of a high traffic area I guess. I planned ahead and took chewable Pepto Bismal so I did not have to do that. I carried it in my body. My son almost made it. The rest of our group had to carry it in the cannisters, next to the food at times. Gross. Hopefully we had enough garbage by then that all of that went into the garbage buckets. It could be a problem if you are hiking alone or a small group and that requirement is there by the park district.
Great information. Thanks. Bears are rarely a problem where I spend most of my time, but smaller critters, especially fire ants are. It's amazing how fast hundreds of those little devils can find even the smallest scrap of food. Any information on ant resistance?
When you weigh in tenths of a pound its not a direct ratio to ounces. For example you said the Garcia was advertised as 2.7 lbs and you weighed 2 lbs 12 ounces . Well there are 16 ounces in a pound and 12 divided by 16 is roughly 0.7. So the product is actually 2.7lbs. You're welcome.www.rei.com/product/624081/garcia-bear-resistant-container#tab-specs
The bear vault lid can easily get stuck if you don’t align the lid and the threads properly. It is then impossible to open. You will have to smash it open with a big rock to break the glass.
What's up with the finger man. You never straighten it out. I can't stop watching and wanting to straighten my own finger. Lol. I am assuming a past tendon injury is to blame.
The other bear proof containers on the market don't even appear to have clever locking mechanisms and just work under the assumption that a bear won't figure out how to unscrew the lid....and they aren't smell proof. So instead of dropping 80 bucks ona plastic container, im going to use my empty protein powder container and make my own lock mechanism, slide it into a stuff sack, and hoist it into a tree.
Project Bakery Funny. The bear canisters are NOT meant to be smell-proof. They are made and designed to keep bears out of your food/smelly items. If they cannot access them, and learn that they cannot bypass the containers, then they will leave them alone. But if they can get to the food, they will ALWAYS KNOW the canisters are a food source, and will endanger campers/backpackers lives...as well as their own. (If they become a danger to humans, they will be put down). Hence the saying, "Feed a bear, kill a bear". If you want to place food in a plastic canister, go for it. But if that is the case, just carry and hang a good Kevlar bear-proof bag instead. Why carry the bulk if it is not bear-proof?
Project Bakery Look up this video on RUclips. Tell me your "protein powder container" will do the same. Ha ha ha. "Bear Proof Canister attacked - UDAP NO-FED-BEAR"
Project Bakery If you are hiking anywhere in the 90%+ areas of the US you may get along just fine and have it be somewhat small critter and rodent resistant. However these are MUCH sturdier than a protein powder container.If you are hiking in an area with bears you may lose your food. If you are hiking in an area with Bear Permit Restrictions such as Yosemite and the Rangers catch you without an approved bear cannister they will write you a citation, revoke your hiking permit and escort you out of the restricted area.Look for a used bear cannister and enjoy nature the safe way.
I'm sorry- I ain't paying $50+ for a retro-fitted office style water jug. I got a Coleman 2 gallon cooler wrapped in electrical tape and one in camouflage- which is the same shape and size...for only 15 bucks..it fools people all the time!
No problem, James. Do what your wallet can afford. These canisters are bear-tested...so no "I sure HOPE they work" statements. If a bear can bite into the Coleman plastic, stand-on and crush the Coleman plastic, and get into your Coleman plastic to the food...the bears become a threat to other campers/backpackers, and will probably need to be relocated or put down. You know the old saying, "Feed a bear, kill a bear". Looks are not what you are paying for. It is the materials, the design, the testing, and the park certifications. Coleman has neither. Just food for thought. ;)
Thank you! I just now received my UDAP Bear vault - couldn't get it open. I watched your video and successfully opened it. YAY! I did see complaints online about opening it, but they must have given up before they had success. Was a challenge, but when I got the hang of it (thanks to you) it's no problem at all! Thanks again.
Strongly advise not getting the bear vault. It's very difficult to spin the lid off just right to free it and access food, and in cold temps with cold hands it's almost impossible. I had this issue on a back country camp out in high altitude where it was 20 degrees Fahrenheit and it took 3 guys, all capable and in good shape, to finally get it loose after 15 minutes of trying. Won't ever bring one again... could easily see someone being "locked out" of their own food supply with one of these.
They say the bears in Yosemite are opening them now. I really would have liked to see you packing them with as much as possible. Thanks for the upload.
It's also nice that the canister is clear - just makes it easier to see what you're looking for.
This is really great bear canister review video! Very informative. Looks like REI only has BV and Garcia. I think I will go with Garcia as heard BV is not recommended in Adirondack mountain area. Thanks, Raymond! :)
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Very helpful and well done.
I am in the NorCal area, so I purchased my UDAP from a local company in the San Rafael area. (I like to patronize local vendors, even if it costs a bit more). My Baltoro backpack...methinks...was purchased through one of my all-time favorite stores, BACKCOUNTRY EDGE. (Love their RUclips equipment review videos as well)
Even though this video is older, it's still a great video. Thanks for sharing!
super helpful sir! Especially for me, who's never held one in person
The US system is not the metric system, where everything matches is 1/10 and 1/100. 2.4 pounds is not the same as 2 lbs 4 oz. 2.4 pounds equals 2 lb 7 oz, because a pound is 16 oz. It's 7/16 oz which equals .4375 lbs.
Super-informative! Thanks for taking the time to do such a great job!
Thanks.
Nice review Raymond! Just bought the Bear Vault 450. Thanks for the helpful information and food advice.
Cool.
THANK YOU! FOR THE REVIEWS HELPS A LOT! GOD BLESS! BE SAFE! HAVE FUN!
Good reviews, but you still seem confused about weights. An ounce is 1/16th of a pound, not 1/10th of a pound.
Follow up after reading comments...they are expensive but at the same time I sleep better at night knowing my food will be intact next morning, that my pack will not be chewed through by at best varmints and at worst by a bear and finally, keep my pack organized and cleaner given that my stove and cooking utensils are also stored inside. A pack having carried food without protection like a cannister in your vestibule or tent is a dinner invitation.
I'm trying to figure out what i would need for a 10 or 11 day trip...maybe 2 canisters, or a canister AND an Ursack.
Not familiar with an Ursack.
@@RaymondMillbrae They are bullet-proof sacks made with a sort of kevlar fabric - they are sacks not canisters. Bears can't get into them if tied correctly. You tie them to a tree. I wouldn't want to buy 2 hardshell canisters for a long trip but I'd need to be able to accommodate 11 days worth of food somehow.
Derek, the canisters ARE NOT smell-proof. They are made of a dimension that bears cannot bite and take away. (Never attach rope or any "dangling" things to them). A bear will swat it around a bit...then get tired and walk away from it. This is why I place reflective tape on mine - to help me find it if they messed with it. Bears are (should) be familiar with these canisters. So they should just walk away from them. And, "Yes" no more hanging stuff from trees. This is much better. It also acts like a garbage can for your trash...or a hard case for items that can be damaged. (Camera, electrical stuff, fishing reels, etc). No...not water-proof.
Umm...it is like I said. They are NOT water-proof. The canister tops are NOT sealed.
How do they work?
They prevent the bears from accessing your food. (They can still smell it. But they cannot access it).
This is why you do not keep food, or anything tasty-smelling in your tent.
Keep the canisters away from your tent. Let the bears TRY to access the food, or even sway the canister around. But do not draw them to your tent! (Which is why you do not keep it in your tent).
+Raymond Moreno The Bear Vault is intact waterproof "Large rainproof lid features a snapping bump/tab locking mechanism and screws on and off easily without the use of tools"
www.rei.com/product/768902/bearvault-bv500-food-container
Great video. I'm doing the JMT next year so I'm starting to look for one.
good review thank you very much.
Do you use anti smell/vapor bags with your bear canisters?
No. Just regular ziplock bags.
I've never used one of these before and I have a really good question. How do you know when it is safe to get your food out of the canister when you get hungry and what do you do to get bears away from it if you see one so you can eat ?
You can always take your food out of the canisters. Just make sure there is no wildlife around, to the best of your knowledge. Always carry bear spray when in bear country. And lastly, you cannot keep the bears away from your canisters. They will be attracted to your canisters by the smell of the food. But they will not be able to access the food within the canisters. So bears will learn that even though they can smell the food in the canisters, they cannot access the food...and hopefully they will leave the canisters alone next time.
Thanks for posting!! Very informative.
Cool.
Nice review! thanks. I have the Baltoro 65 as well. Where did you buy yours, online from UDAP? or REI or EMS in VT or NY?
Gary Bowen - Dang...sorry for the super late reply. I cannot remember where I purchased my Gregory backpack. I like purchasing stuff from REI (which I am a member of), and also "Backcountry Edge".
I'm a member of MEC (Mtn Equipment COOP) here in Canada. Since '75. REI and MEC have almost identical web sites. Bizarre.
My guy has a whole toothbrush AND the carrying case
I just bring a lot of beans, rice, and doe to make bread.
I also fish. A canister that size I can fit a couple weeks food easy.
It all depends on the individual of course. I'm not really picky.
Excellent video. Thank you for all the info. Helps me decide on my purchase. ;)
Thanks for the demonstration. I just bought the canister from amazon.com for an upcoming trip in the Sierra's.
Kewl. Good investment.
If I have a bear canister is it necessary to hang it from a tree to keep myself safe or am I good to go if I don't?
You do NOT hang them from trees. Actually, you do not attach ANYTHING to them. Keep them about 75 yards away from where you sleep. The bears should know what they are, and that they cannot access what is within them. If they don't know, they will swat it around and learn that they cannot get into them. Keep it away from water, just in case they swat it off a hill and into water.
Raymond Moreno @ thank you man. I was just concerned.
Raymond Moreno @ have you ever encountered one while on the trail?
Nope.
No problemo.
I was the 420th upvote. Nice. :D
Right-On!
Good review! Thanks for posting.
Great job!
Cool, thanks. We used Bear vaults in 2009. I wasn't strong enough to get one open, but the guys could do it. I heard not only are they good for the things you mentioned, but also for doing laundry if you're out a really long time, and where we went we were in a place for a bit where solid waste had to be carried out, not buried. Too much of a high traffic area I guess. I planned ahead and took chewable Pepto Bismal so I did not have to do that. I carried it in my body. My son almost made it. The rest of our group had to carry it in the cannisters, next to the food at times. Gross. Hopefully we had enough garbage by then that all of that went into the garbage buckets. It could be a problem if you are hiking alone or a small group and that requirement is there by the park district.
Excelent review and tips
Great information. Thanks. Bears are rarely a problem where I spend most of my time, but smaller critters, especially fire ants are. It's amazing how fast hundreds of those little devils can find even the smallest scrap of food. Any information on ant resistance?
Zip-Lock bags.
I use them to haul away my trach. I might bring one or three bags, to stash items in...but ONE will usually be my trash bag.
That's what I use now, but it's not fool-proof. If there is even a small pin prick, they can find a way in.
When you weigh in tenths of a pound its not a direct ratio to ounces. For example you said the Garcia was advertised as 2.7 lbs and you weighed 2 lbs 12 ounces . Well there are 16 ounces in a pound and 12 divided by 16 is roughly 0.7. So the product is actually 2.7lbs. You're welcome.www.rei.com/product/624081/garcia-bear-resistant-container#tab-specs
Correct. I believe I made that correction on my footnotes...or maybe on another viewers reply.
I plan to use the canister in the high peaks region in the adirondaks. I will not buy the BV. Thanks
Glad it was helpful.
The bear vault lid can easily get stuck if you don’t align the lid and the threads properly. It is then impossible to open. You will have to smash it open with a big rock to break the glass.
What's up with the finger man. You never straighten it out. I can't stop watching and wanting to straighten my own finger. Lol. I am assuming a past tendon injury is to blame.
Funny. I am actually holding a coin in the finger of my left hand. Fast forward the video, and you will see me using this coin to open the canisters.
need to put a tracking device inside
Bill Nolan - You have more money to spend than I do. Ha ha
Like an apple tracker.
The Bear Vault is intact waterproof
Yours is 2.7oz?!?! You sure? Sounds way too light? Are you sure you didn't mean 2 pounds 7 ounces?
My mistake. I meant 2.7 grams. Ha ha. Just joking. Yea...it is 2.7 pounds. It comes out to something like 2-pounds 15-ounces.
13:39
Cool vid
Thanks.
The other bear proof containers on the market don't even appear to have clever locking mechanisms and just work under the assumption that a bear won't figure out how to unscrew the lid....and they aren't smell proof. So instead of dropping 80 bucks ona plastic container, im going to use my empty protein powder container and make my own lock mechanism, slide it into a stuff sack, and hoist it into a tree.
Project Bakery Funny. The bear canisters are NOT meant to be smell-proof. They are made and designed to keep bears out of your food/smelly items. If they cannot access them, and learn that they cannot bypass the containers, then they will leave them alone. But if they can get to the food, they will ALWAYS KNOW the canisters are a food source, and will endanger campers/backpackers lives...as well as their own. (If they become a danger to humans, they will be put down). Hence the saying, "Feed a bear, kill a bear".
If you want to place food in a plastic canister, go for it. But if that is the case, just carry and hang a good Kevlar bear-proof bag instead. Why carry the bulk if it is not bear-proof?
Project Bakery Look up this video on RUclips. Tell me your "protein powder container" will do the same. Ha ha ha.
"Bear Proof Canister attacked - UDAP NO-FED-BEAR"
Project Bakery If you are hiking anywhere in the 90%+ areas of the US you may get along just fine and have it be somewhat small critter and rodent resistant. However these are MUCH sturdier than a protein powder container.If you are hiking in an area with bears you may lose your food. If you are hiking in an area with Bear Permit Restrictions such as Yosemite and the Rangers catch you without an approved bear cannister they will write you a citation, revoke your hiking permit and escort you out of the restricted area.Look for a used bear cannister and enjoy nature the safe way.
Del Scrivner Thanks for the feedback :)
Bear cans what a racket, whens the last time you spent that much money on a hunk of plastic with no electronics in it...
You obviously don't backpack in bear country.
Yeah or you can buy a new tent, cooler, or interior for your car because you didn’t spend 75$ on a bear canister. Oh and it’s cheaper than a funeral
I'm sorry- I ain't paying $50+ for a retro-fitted office style water jug. I got a Coleman 2 gallon cooler wrapped in electrical tape and one in camouflage- which is the same shape and size...for only 15 bucks..it fools people all the time!
No problem, James. Do what your wallet can afford. These canisters are bear-tested...so no "I sure HOPE they work" statements. If a bear can bite into the Coleman plastic, stand-on and crush the Coleman plastic, and get into your Coleman plastic to the food...the bears become a threat to other campers/backpackers, and will probably need to be relocated or put down. You know the old saying, "Feed a bear, kill a bear". Looks are not what you are paying for. It is the materials, the design, the testing, and the park certifications. Coleman has neither. Just food for thought. ;)