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Best of the Best Awards: Best New Hunting Gear 2009
Best of the Best Awards: Best New Hunting Gear 2009
I’m told that Optifade, Gore’s new digital concealment pattern, was developed by computer algorithms based on the unique biology of deer vision. All I know for sure is that it fooled turkeys, which have eyesight far more acute than ungulates, and that the Sitka outerwear in which Optifade has been introduced, including the Coldfront Softshell pants and jacket, is among the very best for hunting in cold, wet weather. --Keith McCafferty
Contact: 877-748-5264, sitkagear.com
Photo by Dan Saelinger
Additional Info
This year, 27 experienced testers took more than 500 pieces of gear and put them to extreme, exhausting, and real-life use. Some things broke. Others didn’t work as claimed. Many didn’t live up to expectations. What remained is equipment that met our rigorous standards and then some: the Best of the Best Hunting Gear for 2009.
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83% of6 votesThe spec sheet says the Raptor has a 6,000-pound towing capacity, which makes it a serious truck. Yet with a great sound system and GPS unit on board, leather seats, and smooth ride, you ride in style, whether in the woods or in New York City.
$45000 -
50% of2 votesThe Winchester Model 21 was the last of the great American doubles, surviving into the ’80s long after WWII killed off its peers.
$15000 -
75% of4 votesThere were other bolt-action slug guns before the 220F. The Browning A-Bolt was the right gun at the wrong time
$505 -
100% of8 votesIt is an inexpensive gun, and there is not an original idea in it, but oh boy is it a good gun. If the Marlin designers are not original thinkers, they are definitely sound thinkers.
$341 -
100% of2 votesForget the eye-popping accuracy and strange-looking spiral-flute barrels. What gets the Mark VII on this list is the fact that it represents the way rifles will be made in the future.
$675 -1000
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Reviews (8)
As good as they are the price is a show stopper for me. Also is doesn't state if these are available in 4xt.
Like you stated "Turkeys eyesite is far more acute than ungulates". Unless it's the camo from the movie predator it ain't worth $500.00.
Aint worth the $400-$550. I would just get the cheap stuff and dress in layers......
I think back about my Granddaddy who was too broke to buy camo. He used to take a pair of green coveralls and then using laundry dye proceeded to make his own. Using homemade camo and a war surplus k98 Mauser he killed more deer than anyone I have ever seen since. He's probably already rolling over in his grave over some of the crap that I've already bought. He would be ashamed of me buying something like this.
I think we would all agree that the camo doesnt make the hunter. That being said if the camo gives the hunter an advantage to make a better shot on an animal and kill it instead of wounding it doesn't that make it worth it? I recently purchased three different layers of sitka because of its outstanding comfort, wicking ability, and warmth to weight ratio. Not one of these pieces i purchased were the coldfront, and you may be relieved to know that the bulk of the sitka garmets are much more affordable.
I'M not paying that much for somthing i can get under 100
first of all, you cant get this kind of quality for under $100. Second of all, get less than a foot from a deer with your realtree or mossy oak and tell me how much you can move around. I was within a foot of 5-6 deer this year and i could freely move without them knowing what i was with the new Optifade camo that sika uses. It blends in with everything and even when the deer detect movement they have no idea what you are. try that with your 100 dollar jumpsuit.
Ouch! Camo like that is for the most hard core DEER hunter and/or someone with a ton of money to blow
Post a Review
As good as they are the price is a show stopper for me. Also is doesn't state if these are available in 4xt.
Like you stated "Turkeys eyesite is far more acute than ungulates". Unless it's the camo from the movie predator it ain't worth $500.00.
Aint worth the $400-$550. I would just get the cheap stuff and dress in layers......
I think back about my Granddaddy who was too broke to buy camo. He used to take a pair of green coveralls and then using laundry dye proceeded to make his own. Using homemade camo and a war surplus k98 Mauser he killed more deer than anyone I have ever seen since. He's probably already rolling over in his grave over some of the crap that I've already bought. He would be ashamed of me buying something like this.
I think we would all agree that the camo doesnt make the hunter. That being said if the camo gives the hunter an advantage to make a better shot on an animal and kill it instead of wounding it doesn't that make it worth it? I recently purchased three different layers of sitka because of its outstanding comfort, wicking ability, and warmth to weight ratio. Not one of these pieces i purchased were the coldfront, and you may be relieved to know that the bulk of the sitka garmets are much more affordable.
I'M not paying that much for somthing i can get under 100
first of all, you cant get this kind of quality for under $100. Second of all, get less than a foot from a deer with your realtree or mossy oak and tell me how much you can move around. I was within a foot of 5-6 deer this year and i could freely move without them knowing what i was with the new Optifade camo that sika uses. It blends in with everything and even when the deer detect movement they have no idea what you are. try that with your 100 dollar jumpsuit.
Ouch! Camo like that is for the most hard core DEER hunter and/or someone with a ton of money to blow
Post a Review