Why did MSR move from metal pump to plastic?

Good Morning, All,

A rainy and foggy day up here on the mountain, which we really enjoy. Great hiking weather, IF I had time!

Regarding REI, LL Bean, The North Face, and MSR: EVERYTHING has to be made to a "price point" these days. In the old days, we had US Army surplus gear, and I have very fond memories of the smells and feels of using that old stuff. Tents, sleeping bags, mess kits, utensils, clothing, ponchos, and everything else, could be had a next to nothing at Army/Navy Surplus stores. Most of us were Boy Scouts, and had family that camped, hiked, hunted, fished, and just basically enjoyed the outdoors.

When great lightweight gear came on the scene, in the 1970's, or shortly before, we all LUSTED for it, dreaming of using top of the line equipments, and being more hardcore in our camping tastes. Few of us could afford to buy much of it, however, and so we saved our coin, dreamed of the days when we would own and use "the best", and eventually made it happen!

Fast forward to today: far fewer young men are in the Boy Scouts, and that organization, by and large, has been emasculated of it's original intent, and has become something of a "baby-sitting" service. Our kids are not taught to be self-sufficient, nor basic woodscraft skills, like most of us Old Timers enjoyed. Many parents and relatives no longer enjoy the outdoors like ours used to, and are more content to sit on their duffs, watching TV programs, and movies, about someone ELSE who gets out and enjoys such things!!! I still have my original Boy Scout knife, purchased with my own money (paper route), in 1958-1959, and find it more than a little sad that kids these days are not even ALLOWED to carry such a knife, even if their parents purchase it for them, as many of the kids don't even have jobs!! Parents are more worried that their kids will be molested by a Troop Leader, than concerned with teaching those kids the good things that the Boy Scouts, and other once-fine organizations, were expected to impart to them!

Also, over the years, we have become a nation of "Cheapies", IMHO. It used to be that we took pride in saving our money, and buying the absolute best things we could afford. Now, it seems many folks want instant gratification, super-cheap prices, and goods made off-shore to keep those prices down in the basement.

I believe that, just in order to survive, REI, and the others, have had to economize where ever they could, and that this will probably get worse before it gets better..... if it EVER gets better in that regard. Only a few folks are willing to spend substantial coin to own the best of the best, and this includes some of us Stovies, I'm proud to say! And, there ARE still deals to be had, even at the seemingly dreaded REI! Recently, Sweet Bride and I cashed-in our yearly REI dividend, and along with the 20% off coupon for one full priced item, got a fine MSR cookset, with all the bells and whistles, brand new, for only $20!!! 8) A few years ago, at one of the REI used gear sales, I bought a new pair of Keen shoes for $10, a Coleman lantern for $8, and a brand new The North Face fly for their outstanding Mountain 25 tent, for just $20!! Lots of great deals to be had, IF you get out and look for them. TNF still make great tents, and other goodies, MSR is still made in the USA, at least stove-wise, and their imported items are first rate, period! I would trust the X-GK EX, and hopefully the new Whisperlite Universal, with my life, and that's not something I'd do if I were worried about their quality and reliability.

It's true that most folks who sell such gear at REI, and all other such places, really know very little about it, and few of them really get out on more than store "junket camping trips", and explore on their own. Over the years, I have sold myriad stoves at REI, just talking to fellow customers who seemed perplexed in the stove aisle!!

As for me, whilst I do miss the Old Days of wooden floors, wooden bins crammed with outstanding gear of the "Backpacking Revolution Days", and knowledgeable sales folks, we just appreciate that REI and the other places are still in business, and try to support them as best we can, whenever they have something we want. Let's see.... in the last few years, I've bought my Soto Muka stove (a hit!), MSR X-GK EX (a massive hit!), MSR Hubba Hubba tent (looks like another hit!), my fantastic Photon Micro Lite (huge hit!), MSR Quick 2 cookset (outstanding design, super inexpensive!), as well as tons of needed clothing, boots, two MSR Dragonfly stoves, two Optimus Nova stoves, and tons of other great items (all of which have been hits)!!!

Others can choose to moan about the negatives of shopping in such places, whilst Sweet Bride and I work it to our definite advantage!! And, IF you are willing to work at it a bit, fantastic price deals are definitely still to be had, as evidenced by just a few of the top-shelf items I mentioned, and tons more!!

Do I think that our old TNF VE25, or Westwind mountain tents are better-made than what TNF is offering today? Yes..... and no! I definitely believe our older TNF tents are more rugged and built of stronger fabrics; But, I also believe that the newer TNF tents are still very reliable and strong, and they are also a bit lighter, from using the lighter materials, as well as having benefited from the newer flysheets which much better resist UV degradation. So, as mentioned, Sweet Bride and I love our TNF tents, both old and new, and trust them completely. Also, as proved, good deals can still be enjoyed, if one spends the time to seek them out, at REI, and most other places, too.

Just my two cents, but as for me, I think the MSR pump naysayers are missing the boat in not giving the newest pump a chance, and also in understanding why things are the way they are. Please check my separate thread on "why" MSR continues to make plastic pumps. This thread has morphed into something else, so I will post my thoughts elsewhere. Thanks, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

P.S. I note, with barely concealable mirth, that some of the folks who are bitching about such things, were either not even ALIVE during the "Good Old Days at REI", or were too young to be taking advantage of them!!!!

 

Nice post Doc. Thanks

 

Thanks Doc enjoyed reading that.

 

Brilliant post there Doc as usual a very intersesting and enjoyable read

 

Hey, Rick and Tim,

Thanks, very much. Just the way I see it, of course, and I'm sure others will not see things in the same way, which is their right. I'd rather enjoy the positives, and work to change the negatives, than moan about it, anyway. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

The wisdom of the Ancients is still the best! 8)