Reviews
Want some unbiased, non-techie reviews on gear and equipment? Look no farther than Experience Arizona.
We offer our opinion of a wide range of items needed to experience Arizona's outstanding beauty, with a couple of caveats: we are not professional mountain bikers, hikers or four-wheelers. This is our hobby, what we do for fun. And although we may not be able to provide you all the technical reasons why a certain bike suspension or off-road tires didn't work well for us, we will tell you, as the end user, that it may not be what you're looking for and why. Or if they're the best thing since sliced bread.
Our policy is to provide unbiased, non-technical reviews of gear, equipment and vehicles that end users can use and understand.
Coleman 4-Person Instant Tent
By Matt Marine
Now that I'm camping more and more by myself (okay, Cat-dog's with me but she doesn't help setting up the tent) I found I needed a smaller tent that easy to set up. The Coleman 4-Person Instant Tent to the rescue!
This tent is just plain awesome. At less than five minutes to set up and take down, it makes tent camping a snap. Though it does have some faults, it's highly recommended.
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Merrell Geomorph Blaze Hiking Boots
By Matt Marine
I've always hiked in my tennis shoes. Well, they weren't really tennis shoes, they were walking or cross-training shoes. Usually bought solely on price and comfort for standing of light walking. I didn't really believe there would be much difference between hiking in them and a dedicated hiking boot. I was wrong. Very wrong.
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Toshiba P845-4200 Laptop Review
By Matt Marine
I had been a diehard Toshiba laptop fan for the past 10 years, but after buying (and now returning) this laptop, I no longer buy Toshiba. This laptop was disappointing in many ways.
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Google My Tracks
By Matt Marine
I recently upgraded my cell phone from an old Blackberry Curve (what some people my call a Crapberry) to a Motorola Photon Android based cell phone. One of my favorite features on this platform has been My Tracks from Google. And it's FREE. This app was designed for the outdoor enthusiast: hiker, biker and runner. If you routinely do these activities, My Tracks is an awesome piece of software you may want to use.
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Cactus Cymry
By Matt Marine
I just finished a new book on southern Arizona history called Cactus Cymry. This book takes an in-depth look at the Welsh who immigrated to Arizona to escape the economic and social crisis in Wales. The Arizona Territory was a wild and ruthless place in the late 1800s. It took a special kind of person to live and thrive in this harsh environment. Some of them were ranchers, farmers, miners, businessmen, thieves and sometimes murderers.
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Backcountry Adventures: Arizona
By Matt Marine
If you could only buy one 4WD adventure book for Arizona, I would have to recommend the Backcountry Adventures: Arizona. It is the best 4WD adventure book out there. It not only has detailed information on hundred of trails, but history and interesting facts about Arizona too.
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Smittybilt XRC Rock Sliders
By Matt Marine
If you're looking for a reasonably priced, solid pair of rock sliders that should get all but the hardest core wheelers through, then the Smittybilt XRC Rock Sliders may be for you.
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Mines, Camps, Ranches and Characters of the Dragoon Mountains Book Review
By Matt Marine
I found a great reference book for those interested in the Dragoon Mountains called, Mines, Camps, Ranches and Characters of the Dragoon Mountains, by Lynn R. Baily.
The people and places in the Dragoon Mountains were instrumental in shaping southeastern Arizona history. From rich mine strikes, to huge cattle ranches and battles between Americans and the Apache, the Dragoon Mountains are not only beautiful, but tell the story of the wild west.
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National Geographic Topo State Series
By Matt Marine
Need a great topographic software? National Geographic Topo State Series works great on both your computer and in the field.
Find out why I believe this is some of the best topo software available and why I use it for Experience Arizona.
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Thudbuster LT
By Matt Marine
Want a smoother ride for your mountain bike? Don't have the money for a good full suspension bike? You can always get some added suspension for your hardtail. The Thudbuster is a different kind of seat post suspension for your mountain bike. See if it's a good buy or not.
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Rugged Ridge XHD Front Bumper
By Matt Marine
I wanted a front bumper with an integrated winch mount. I found the Rugged Ridge XHD fit the bill ... except for one thing.
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2010 Jeep Rubicon
By Matt Marine
The Jeep Rubicon is touted as the most capable stock 4WD vehicle on the market. And I believe it. The Jeep Wrangler is already a capable 4WD vehicle, then you add front and rear lockers, big mud tires and better gearing and suspension, and you've got a kick-butt four-wheeler right of the showroom floor.
For most of you, this shouldn't come as a surprise. I bought the vehicle for that reason. But it was everything else the Rubicon has that truly surprised me.
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Magellan Triton GPS
By Matt Marine
I had high hopes for the Magellan Triton GPS. I already owned a Magellan Meridian and I loved it.
I researched the Triton and found many bad reviews by users, but I really wanted a GPS that used National Geographic's Topo software (the topographic software I use on my computer).
Well, the bottom line is that I probably should have listened to those reviews.
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