I've been using hydration packs since the day they came out. Back in the day it was just a couple of thin, padded straps with a black sack that held the bladder. The hose came out the top of the bag. Velcro held the top closed. The label said CamelBak. People looked at you like you were from a different planet. We have come a long way in all those years without coming very far at all. Does this mean to say that the Geigerrig is just a slight step ahead of the old chew and suck bladder systems? No. It is not to mean that at all. It is a giant leap ahead. We still run water through a hose and compressing a bladder is nothing new when it comes to ideas regarding getting the water out, but Geigerrig makes it a simple science that I suppose they call: "The Engine".
Mine had a leaky valve from the get go. It wouldn't hold air. It was awkward filling the bladder all the time. Hehe... sort of embarrassing. But I knew it was just something simple. It ended up being the valve at the bulb. Without talking to anyone at Geiger, I filled out the warranty from on the website, stated I bought it from Amazon etc etc, and I had a new bulb, valve and hose on my doorstep a few days later. Never spoke to anyone. Could there be better customer service? I got an email telling me the warranty was filled and bulb hose assembly was shipped. The level of customer service negated the need for me to talk to ANYONE!!! Think about that for a second...
The valve has been upgraded. The "faucet" style twist-on twist-off is much better than the older, push button design. It holds air now. I popped the bladder into a Wingnut Adventure bag and wondered if I would have enough pressure on the bladder for the air pressure to do it's job. It ended up, even with the pack off my back and slung low like Wingnuts hang, it worked great. I added pumps of the bladder only a few times as the water level went down to about 30 out of the 100 ounces. That is about 30 ounces more water than I would usually intake on that ride. Hmm... maybe they are on to something as far as hydration goes.
Having the spray at hand seems a bit off kilter at first. I was saying, "Big deal.. I just push on my current bladder with my hand or arm when I want it to squirt". But big deal it is. It's squirt ready, you squirt. If you are tendriled on a steak and eggs climb, you can suck as it squirts. It is a double water wham. That is good sometimes when the heart is at 200bpm. You can breath through the drink... slobber... drip... shoot it at your face at the same time. Clean that crystallized sweat from the brow... wash a pig I suppose.
People say the hose(s) is too short. My Wingnut hangs super low. The drink hose is fine for me, and I am used to super long hoses. I just routed it a bit differently than I am used to. The bulb hose is short, but I just ran it under my arm right up to the front strap. It doesn't get in the way at all. If you are super fat, you might need to lengthen hoses... It also doesn't get in the way of my pack coming off and on. It is always coming off to get to the often Katana Boy saw. Putting it back on isn't a problem.
I love the way it opens. I dig the fold and slide. It works seamlessly on my dry bags, why not this application? It isn't going to leak. The closure is a proven design. No more threaded cap. No more difficult cleaning. No more difficult drying. Just good thinking.
I'm happy with the engine. I'm happy with Geigerrig customer service. I am happy that the weekend is coming, and I can use my Geigerrig in the back country some more. I am looking forward to getting more used to it. Get one and get used to it yourself!
I will update this review if anything super good or super bad comes up!
Proxy
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 8.8 x 6.2 x 3.2 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.7 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.25 x 7 x 3 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
| Brand Name | Geigerrig |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Color | -- |
| Manufacturer | Geigerrig |
| Part Number | 855363004048 |
| Size | 1.5 L/50 oz. |
