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New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

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Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#91
post #57
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What brand of air mattress do you have, if you don't mind my asking?

I think it's this one - http://www.multimat.uk.com/store/products/superlite-compact-... Its pretty easy to get it down to about 25x10x3cm. I travelled with it for three years without any punctures. This is the tent - http://www.backcountry.com/nemo-equipment-inc.-moto-1p-super...

Totally different product really...

Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#92
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That looks much slower, more complicated, and more expensive.

It is more expensive but only because it has an R value of 8.0 (the Kickstarter one has an R value of 1.0, which means it's not going to give you any protection from the cold ground whatsoever - even a self-inflating pad gives you more protection than that). You'd be amazed how much difference higher R values make on the quality of rest you get while camping. Is it slower? Maybe, but I inflate mine in two or three in…

I'll toss out another warning to those thinking of using this for back packing. I've seen baffles come apart on MEC sleeping pads with a similar design - it's a big enough problem that they acknowledged on their website for their first gen pads. I'd be leery of trusting a brand-new product from a team with limited experience in producing camping gear. It's not as simple as finding a factory in China to produce gear.

Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#93

The Kickstarter itself says: "You're supporting an entirely new type of technology that has the potential to inspire new ideas and future innovative products." No, you are not. Exploiting the pressure difference like this for inflation is not new by a long shot. Just pop down to REI: http://www.rei.com/product/829645/exped-schnozzel-pumpbag Edit: read rest of replies below for clarification.

There are also entirely passive self-inflating mattresses out there. They're filled with (solid-gas) foam that expands when you open the valve. Close the valve and it's ready to go. You store the energy for pumping when you deflate the mattress by rolling it back up. It's much easier to provide energy by sitting on something than by blowing into it :) I don't know the brand name, only that they were old and worn by t…

You're probably thinking of Therm-a-Rest mattresses. According to Wikipedia, they've been around since the early 1970s.

Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#94
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Get a ceiling fan, they're usually a lot quieter.

That is because they are much bigger. In general, a larger fan can achieve the same CFM as a smaller fan, but at a lower RPM. Slower spin, quieter operation.

They are bigger, but most people aren't exactly using their ceiling space anyway so that isn't really the downside. The downside is the installation.

Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#95

I'm afraid there's already a matress that does this. It's from exped, I own one and it's awesome, and better implemented than this because you're only inflating a small pump sack, and can use it to build pressure in the mattress. Here's a video: http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/b43popu...

I agree that the exped is better as an insulated ultralight camping pad. The Windcatcher is better for the context of "pad I keep in my backpack around town." The inflation method is simpler and faster, though not by much. It doesn't take much to take you out of the realm of "instant" however.

This would be great for airports, conferences, and maybe even coworking. Not every work/meeting space is civilized enough to recognize the utility of siestas.

Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#96

I'm afraid there's already a matress that does this. It's from exped, I own one and it's awesome, and better implemented than this because you're only inflating a small pump sack, and can use it to build pressure in the mattress. Here's a video: http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/b43popu...

I wish you had shared this sooner before I made my purchase :) I noticed the R value of the kickstarter pad. But at 3+ inches it has to be above R:1. My guess is they haven't tested it so just to be safe they have put an R value of 1. Just look at other bags or pad at similar thickness and their R value should at least be in 3-4 range.

If you mean Kickstarter, then you didn't purchase; you simply made a pledge to back the project. You can always cancel your pledge.

Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#97
post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't have to kill for one. I've had a Lasko tower fan for about three years now. It's almost entirely silent, moves a lot of air, and comes with a remote. I did have to take it apart to regrease the bearings once, but other than that, it's been a great fan. Also comes with a remote. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3D...

Do you have any advice on regreasing the bearings? I've got one of those fans but it's starting to cease up on me.

Yeah, it's a fairly straightforward process. The top bearing isn't actually a bearing at all, but a simple piece of flat steel that basically just holds the top spindle of the blower in place. When you take the fan apart, you'll see what I mean. It's lubricated by some cotton infused with some pretty thin lubricant, and over time, that lubricant/cotton combo loses its lubricity. Mine was starting to make noise, so I took it apart and slathered wheel bearing grease on that contact point, and it's been going for six months now with no problems.

Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#98

The Kickstarter itself says: "You're supporting an entirely new type of technology that has the potential to inspire new ideas and future innovative products." No, you are not. Exploiting the pressure difference like this for inflation is not new by a long shot. Just pop down to REI: http://www.rei.com/product/829645/exped-schnozzel-pumpbag Edit: read rest of replies below for clarification.

There are also entirely passive self-inflating mattresses out there. They're filled with (solid-gas) foam that expands when you open the valve. Close the valve and it's ready to go. You store the energy for pumping when you deflate the mattress by rolling it back up. It's much easier to provide energy by sitting on something than by blowing into it :) I don't know the brand name, only that they were old and worn by t…

Just got back from camping and my friend had a Coleman version of this:

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Self-Inflating-Camp-Pad-Pillow...

The head pillow is the traditional inflatable thing, but the main pad is exactly as you described.

Re: New closure allows camping mattress to be inflated in seconds

#100
post #49

I'm afraid there's already a matress that does this. It's from exped, I own one and it's awesome, and better implemented than this because you're only inflating a small pump sack, and can use it to build pressure in the mattress. Here's a video: http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/b43popu...

That looks much slower, more complicated, and more expensive.

An additional constraint is that you don't want any moisture from your breath to get inside an exped down pad as it will reduce the insulation ... their system works really well but it is targeted at winter/high mountain use.
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