by Mythinglink » Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:40 pm
I think the new day talon is one step closer to what I would like to see. The following are just opinions, and you know what they say about those...
*Get rid of the velcro. I don't see why someone needs it when it's a rolltop. It's extra material, higher cost, loud, and not needed.
*Keep the compression cord but add either 2 mesh pockets on the side, or one large wrap around mesh pocket. I prefer the stretch mesh, it doesn't snag. I contacted Granite Gear to find out which mesh they use, this was their response:
"We buy our stretch mesh from : Gehring Textiles, Inc. 1225 Franklin Ave. Suite 300 Garden City NY, 11530 (516) 747-4555 Ext. 0000 and it is a standard stretch mesh."
You don't want to know what came up when I tried searching for it on the internet before contacting them....
I use the outside mesh pockets on all my regular bags and day packs for my water, fishing rod, extra layer/rain layer, and a great place to dry layers while hiking.
*Can't speak for anyone else but smaller hipbelt pockets than the Gateway. (for the main pack frame, not the day pack) 5"x5"x1.25" is a perfect size to put a camera, lip balm, sunscreen and bug spray into.
*I wouldn't use the lid on the new day pack. For half the material and a lighter option, having that same space sewn to the inside would be perfect. If the lid has to stay can there be an option not to purchase it making the current day pack a tad cheaper?
*The store site has made a few improvements but like many others have said here and on other sites, you really do need more pictures. Pics with the bag out in the wild are nice but as a potential customer I want to see your product and how it relates in size. It's almost or is a standard practice to take pics next to say a 32oz Nalgene bottle. Just about everyone has one or something about the same size. Stick them in the side pockets of the main rolltop. Stick them next to your new day pack. Put one inside of your Gateway. The pics with the sleeping pad on the outside of the new day pack are close but I don't know if that's a 20" pad or a 25" pad. Take pics of the inside of your packs with and without common items. I would have to look back to recall the members name but he made some great mods and posted close up pics. When he did that I was like, 'oh so that's what that looks like'. I can't go to the store to get my hands on your product like I can with others so pics are the next best thing.
Maybe adding a way customers can submit their own pics, after you preview them, would be a great and cheap way to go. Your customers speak highly about your products, no reason not to let new customers see and hear that.
With all that said though, from what I can see, the new day pack is a huge improvement over the old one. I like things simple. I pack the same way and in the same order every time so the rolltop or cinch cord type bags are my thing.