Intex Excursion Pro versus NRS Pike Inflatable Kayak | $200 vs $1000 Inflatable Kayak!
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- The Intex Excursion Pro Inflatable Kayak sells for less than $200 on Amazon. The NRS Pike Inflatable Kayak sells for $1000. What's the big difference, and is the Pike worth the extra cost??
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Despite some negative comments, This is a great video for a beginner like me who wants to try out Kayaking and don't want to spend $1000 right away.
Im a fisherman who has an old town sportsman pdl 120 which I love, but I also own the intex excursion k2 which is a gen 1 I've had for years now. I've fished out of it and yes the seat is a little wonky but not the worst inflatable seats I've sat on. And with all the D-rings you could always get a better non-inflatable classic kayak seat. Also on the k2 me being 5'11" 230lbs I could use the booster with no stability problems and felt no sag in the boat. Its made of much thicker materials than the pool toy boats. In fact I even felt tempted to try standing but had gear and electronics in the boat so I didn't test fate. With foot rest and an accessory bar for sonar or rod holders its a cheap good boat and the longer k2 dosen't paddle too bad either. Now the rear rod holders are useless and the rods cross which makes no sense so use a crate with rod holders. Its comfortable to fish out of and as long as your not musky fishing with giant hooks you should be fine. Just use common sense and be careful. Now if you put it away wet, and dont wipe it down with some sort of protectant like armorall the pvc is susceptible to dry rot cracks that are easily patched but its best to avoid them in the first place. Dry it and wipe it down with protectant especially before winter storage. The biggest problem with leaks though are the seats. On hot days definitely leave them under inflated the air will expand and you will spring leaks and since its vinyl covered pvc its a bit tougher to repair. You can do it it just takes more than one application of adhesive before patching.
All in all its not a thousand dollar impervious boat but its still fun solid and stable for the kids or if you have a friend who wants to join you on the water for the day.
Great advice
Great, balanced points comparing what some people seem to call apples and pears; one only has to listen closely to actually get them!
The Intex will be bought by people who do not have a lot of money or do not go out on the water much. Such people can appreciate a better/faster/slicker boat, but they do not actually need one. Like the cohorts who buy Dacias or Opels while there are Bugattis out there as well.
An Intex, or comparable, boat can be exactly what most people need; only, they would have to learn how to use and maintain it to get the most out of it.
The Excursion Pro itself can most definitely be used to cover long distances on multi-day trips. While that might take longer than on a kayak a number of times more expensive (translating, generally, into thicker material, different shape, higher maneuverability), the journey would by no means be less pleasant.
The Excursion Pro and the Pike can both be adapted for wilder rivers (by simply adding a couple of plugs for self-bailing).
P.S. "Pro" only means the next level in Intex boats (seeing how the company manufactures Excursion rafts as well).
You have done an excellent review. Very helpful and balanced.
Great comparison Ken. I'm looking for an inflatable fishing kayak. I'd love to hear your comparison between the NRS Pike and the Sea Eagle 385 Fishing or even the Wilderness ATAK 110.
I bought Intex from Amazon and within a few hours later I canceled my order. I saw that Bote was the best run for my money. I also got a military discount. 12.6” zeppelin with the whole packages was $1365. I didn’t want a cheapo kayak that might bust within a few outings.
I have the intex one and it’s pump is awesome . It’s not that cheap one it takes very few pumps to fill and the pressures release valve makes it simple to inflate pump till it realeases and your done, also I’ve put more then 220 pounds in it and it worked good. I do wish it was made with stronger materials
Awesome detailed video! 👍
Great info again Ken,
I think you did a review of the Challenger K1 which is also a good gateway Yak. Just to see if you enjoy the water.
Yup. I still have one more 'Gateway' kayak from Intex to test - the Explorer. Hopefully I'll get a chance to do that soon, as a lot of people are buying it... but should they be?
Pike is on sale on NRS for $796 until July 4th
Thank you for the video/review, excellent as always. A small request, any chance you could perform a similar review on the inflatable fishing kayaks by NRS vs Aquaglide? I don't believe you've performed a review of similar fishing kayaks in the past. I think there is interest from a large majority of your subscribers, but specifically me (LOL).
Good suggestion. I'll have to get my hands on a Blackfoot Angler!
What is better, aqua marine caliber or nrc pike pro? Can you tell us something about that?
Great video. Good info. Thank you
I put a cheap folding seat in my excursion and it made a huge difference.
I'm new to inflatable kayaking and am not sure I am getting to the appropriate PSI (I'm worried about overinflating). I have a similar inflatable kayak to the Pike: it's the Star Outlaw II and I think it has the same dimensions and 3 psi tubes/8 psi dropstitch floor. I also have the same Super 2 pump. When inflating, I have not seen the pressure gauge needle budge--should it? Also I'm not sure that I am using the right adapter that comes with it as I have to hold the one with the red o-ring firmly in contact with the Leerfield Valves while pumping. Any suggestions/advice is much appreciated - thanks @PaddleTV
You should see the needle move as you pump... It must be a faulty gauge. I would reach out to NRS about it. As for the adaptor... either you're using the wrong adaptor, you're not twisting the adaptor to lock it into the valve, or both. These valves are designed for the adaptor with the cut-outs on them. You insert the adaptor into the valve, press down and twist the adaptor to lock onto the valve. Make sense?
@@PaddleTV Thanks for the quick response!!! I'll tinker with the adaptors and make sure to twist and connect it properly--it's most likely user error 😅
I didn't need to use the adaptors that came with the pump... just screwed the end valve if the super 2 hose directly into the Learfield valves and viola needle moved and everything inflated nicely! Next I'm going to glue on mighty mount switch pads ao I can swap out yakattack accessories like on the Pike
the weight limit on the excursion pro k1 is lower than you'd expect, are they low balling it and by how much?
No it’s not. It’s rated at 225lb capacity. I’m 200 I put a wooden floor in mine and a stadium seat. A battery for my fish finder and carry about 12lb of fishing gear. So it’s actually capable of holding more than it’s rated
What's your opinion on the NRS pike for river kayaking (big rivers with waves etc), I don't see any self bailing valves on it).
That's the limiting factor for the Pike. It isn't self-draining, and so it will swamp. If you want to handle significant waves, I would go with a self-bailing boat. The NRS/Star Rival could work, depending on how big the water is. The trade-off with it is that you're in a slightly higher sitting position, and so it won't be quite as stable... The Star Raven (or Raven II) is a much better option for whitewater/waves, but the trade-off is it doesn't have a framed seat or elevated sitting position, and it's slower in flatwater.
@@PaddleTV thanks for your input ! What about Aqua Marina inflatable kayaks (memba, steam or the paddleboard hybrid) ? I saw you reviewed the tomohawk a while ago and it's readily available in Canada unlike most of the others brands (even NRS I would have to import it) ?
Not much of a comparison really, they are not the same size so everything else is not comparable. It would have been useful to at least have the same size kayak since they do make a bigger size index excursion pro. A better comparison of $1,000 kayaks would have been with an Aqua Glide of Sea Eagle kayak.
True... the K2 would have been a closer 'actual' test... but that would be comparing a kayak designed as a tandem, with a kayak designed as a single - even though the Intex Excursion K2 should probably be considered a single kayak that can be used as a tandem. My point is that people who are shopping for single inflatable kayaks would likely compare the K1 with the Pike, even though the decision they should be making is between the K2 and the Pike. I definitely could have made that more clear... Thanks for sharing!
I agree with you I wouldn't compare my advanced elements expedition Elite with one of these toys or the triple action Jobe pump with either of these pumps it's not something you can compare lol
I saw so many kayaks out on the reservoir this weekend. The popularity of yakking is growing so fast, I can't believe it. (Pandemic helped on that count)
I've just the intext 2 seater. I refer to it and my retirement yacht even though I'm nowhere near retirement 😂. Am I ask about the durability of the bottom of the intex? I live in an area that often runs into a shallow rocky spots. Would I survive?
If the rocks aren't sharp, it should survive just fine.
How far back can the Pike's seat go and how does that effect overall balance?
You could move the seat almost anywhere. It just won't be as easy to tie it down in some spots. It will impact the 'trim' of the kayak. If you move it back to much, your kayak with sit low in the star and high in the bow. This will reduce its efficiency going forward, and will make the bow 'slap' the oncoming waves more. If you had something (or someone) in front to balance the load, that wouldn't be a problem.
@@PaddleTV excellent thank you for the response
Maybe you mentioned it already and i missed it but, for reference, how tall are you?
I'm 6'2" (188cm) and have an inseam of 34".
They look more like a Canoe. Is there inflatable ones that have the shape of a solo kayak?
have a look at the (ITIWIT X 500)
Yup. The Decathlon Itiwit X500, the Advanced Elements Expedition Elite or Advanced Frame are all sit-inside kayaks. The Intex Challenger K1 Is also a sit-inside.
When people say "my thing is just as good at a fraction of the cost" 😏
TheSea Eagle series are all great kayaks also
RNLI love these.
Those Intex seats are the worst! That alone keeps me from buying them. I have a Liquid Logic SOT with a nice adjustable frame seat. Can spend all day in it. Really want the NRS because I'm over carrying are a 75lb rigid boat.
I have an old Sevylor. I put a cheap beach chair in the kayak before the tubes get full. Makes a big difference in comfort.
4-5 years ago, I got the fast track angler. I like the rotating seat, self drain, crocodile-ish skin floor and sides. Comparing the NRS just by what your review is saying, I'd still say I got the better one.
I actually just tested the 385 Fast Track Angler this spring. Stay tuned for that review! It's a much more similar kayak to the NRS Pike, and very similar prices too. Both great kayaks!
Might have been more useful if they were the same size, and maybe a $500 kayak compared to the Pike. I will say that you tried hard to make the Excursion a good boat, but it really isn’t, is it. Compared to the Pike, it is a crap boat.
Simply upgrade the seat on the K1. Easy pesy.
It solves one of the issues for sure...
While I agree that a pack bag should be roomy, the presenter is probably unfamiliar with how a well-used kayak folds much more compactly with time.
Ok I have heard so many negative comments about the excursion pump I just have to speak up.
Im a girl short and not athletic….
I just sit down and use the pump with no problem at all its super easy to pump and no Ken its not difficult or takes all day. Stop telling people they need an electric pump its not true.
Folks, just have a seat on the ground and use your hands and arms and pump it up and then check pressure with the handy gauge and be done with it!
Use the pump to deflate, again sitting down . Why stand and blow out your back???! Deflate using pump and it folds up so small I have room in the bag for a10 liter dry bag my pfd and and extra towel or three!
You dont need an electric pump with the Excursion because its not taking that much air pressure.
This kayak works well for me and I dont fish!
You're right... it does the job, and that's the most important thing. But it wouldn't be an accurate review if I said the pump was great, when I know there's MUCH better pumps on the market that make it easier and faster. That's all. :)
I have used Intex pumps for decades; no problems at all.
I've also inflated rafts by mouth. Using an electric pump would be like going to the gym by car.
@@PaddleTV , that is one of the things what we appreciate in your reviews.
Intex themselves make at least four pumps. The largest one will, of course, inflate the boat much faster.
While there is room for improvement (add a gauge, perhaps?), you get so much - you get enough - for $5 to $10.
I sometimes think buying a really cheap kayak like that K1 is just about the worst thing someone can do to to work out if they like kayaking or not. It will be tricky even in the slightest of winds, has a very cheap paddle, doesn't really go in a straight line, the seat is terrible, and overall does not offer the actual experience of kayaking. I'm not saying that everyone should go out and spend a load of cash on an expensive kayak just to find out whether they like it, but there are much better ways. Borrow one from a friend if possible, or spend a bit of money on a rental. There are lots of places that will do a river trip or such, with proper equipment. They shouldn't be allowed to write "Pro" on it either !
Ha! You're right, "Pro" is definitely not an appropriate name for the kayak.
I love this boat I use the booster seat and Ive had this two years its an awesome lil boat Ive done 7 miles in it comfortably!
It was not my first kayak, the Challenger was and guess what no troubles with that one either! I dont use it any more but I keep it and air it up once a year to make sure its all good and yes its all good!
I can paddle next to a person in a $2000 boat and guess what, we both did the same mileage and huh Im fine no sinking or bobbing or other nonsense❤
I enjoy my cheap lil boat because it works so well!!!
Oh, it does”go straight” 😂😂😂
Thats what the SGEG is for….
What a great comment and so true. Ideally, you try out several kayaks to see if the differences make a difference to you. I think Ken did a good job explaining many of the differences, but it isn't until you paddle in several kayaks that you truly understand. I have a Intex K2 that I bought in 2020 ($100). I had a good time with it (not paddling far). The seats were uncomfortable and the paddles were crap, but I still had fun. I later in 2020 bought a Sea Eagle 370 Pro ($350) which I enjoyed a lot more because it was larger, faster, way better seats, and better paddles. Several months later I bought the Sea Eagle 380x Pro ($1200) Ken reviewed the kayak, which is similar to the Pike with the construction, but is different in that it can be used for whitewater, however it is slower (doesn't cut through the water). SE380x pro has amazing seats that you dont have to inflate and the ability to do both calm water and whitewater is just great. I can tell you that I have had fun with all three, but the Sea Eagle 380x is just so much better in every way (comfort, versatility, stability, durability, kids love being able to jump off it). Do yourself a favor and try out several kayaks if possible so you dont overspend with kayaks you no longer want to use :)
First thing is the packability of the Pike really SUXs. I have one and I just put it in the included pack. You can also not put the seat in the pack, mor the pump. It is a great pump. But buy an electric pump. Best thing now is the price has dropped to 995$.Unfortunately Ken is just a salesman.
Yes, the seat and pump don't fit in the pack... because they're not crappy! If maximum portability is your primary concern, then the Pike isn''t for you. If comfort, stability and performance are more important than the size of the package, then the Pike is solid portable kayak. I'm not sure how this makes me a salesman...