Guest - Not logged in | ||||||||||||||||||
Reviews > Base Camp Gear > Misc Tools and Toys > Pocket Shot Pocket Hammer > Test Report by Brian HartmanTHE POCKET SHOT
INITIAL REPORT: October 20, 2017 LONG TERM REPORT: February 24, 2018
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been backpacking for over 20 years throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and most recently in Western USA. In addition to backpacking I enjoy family camping with my wife and kids and being outdoors in general. I would describe myself as a mid weight backpacker. I use fairly light weight equipment and gear but still like to bring more than the bare essentials with me while on the trail. INITIAL REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS I was very impressed upon first
seeing the Pocket Shot. I had no idea this product was on the market until I
looked into it. The Pocket Shot puts a new twist on traditional slingshots,
which date back to the late 1800's after the invention of vulcanized rubber. Of
course, instead of using a forked tree branch and inner tube tire for
construction, the Pocket Shot uses a high impact polycarbonate base, locking
ring and latex pouch. The inventive design results in a 'slingshot' that shoots
faster, and is smaller and lighter than anything else I've seen on the market
today. In addition, the Pocket Shot stores its ammo right inside the pouch,
with a cap threading over the locking ring to keep it secure. What more to
like! SUMMARY The Pocket Shot is one cool slingshot. It is small, lightweight and has built-in storage for ammunition and extra pouches. LONG TERM REPORT
LONG TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS I took the Pocket Shot on two overnight backpacking trips to Northern Wisconsin (WI) and Northern Ohio (OH) and two day-trips to Southern Indiana (IN). Temperatures during testing ranged from -9 to 38 F (-23 to 3 C) and skies varied from sunny to overcast with significant snow accumulation while I was out-of-state. During Long Term Testing I hiked a total of 18 mi (29 km).My first trip of this test period was to Southern Indiana where skies were partly sunny and temperatures were in the upper 30s F (3 C). During this trip I mainly focused on testing the Pocket Shot. Location: Southern Indiana Type of trip: Day trip Distance: 0.5 mi (0.8 km) Length of trip: One day Backpack weight: 12 lb (5.4 kg) Conditions: Partly sunny Precipitation: None Temperature range: 38 F (3 C) My second trip of this test period was to Southern Indiana where skies were overcast with temperatures in the mid 30s F (1 C). During this trip I hiked 2.5 mi (4 km). Location: Southern Indiana Type of trip: Day trip Distance: 6 mi (10 km) Length of trip: One day Backpack weight: 9 lb (4 kg) Conditions: Overcast Precipitation: None Temperature range: 34 F (1 C) My third trip was to Northern Wisconsin where I stayed for four nights but only camped outside for one, due to frigid conditions. While there I hiked the Devil's River Trail in Manitowoc County, which is a scenic trail that was built on an old railroad bed that runs parallel to highway I43 through farmlands and wetlands. Location: Northern Wisconsin Type of trip: On-trail hiking Distance: 8 mi (13 km) Length of trip: One night Backpack weight: 38 lb (17 kg) Conditions: Clear, cold and windy while camping; other days were overcast and saw snowfall Precipitation: 7 in (18 cm) Temperature range: -9 to 17 F (-23 to -8 C) My last trip of this test period was to Northeastern Ohio where I camped for two nights and visited several state and local parks. While there I also went cross-country skiing at Chapin Forest, which was one of the highlights of the trip. Location: Northeastern Ohio Type of trip: On-trail hiking and cross-country skiing Distance: 9 mi (14.5 km) Length of trip: Two nights Backpack weight: 39 lb (18 kg) Conditions: Partly sunny and warm Precipitation: Brief mist on the second morning Temperature range: 2 F to 19 F (-17 to -7 C) PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD The Pocket Shot performed well during Long Term Testing. It was a blast to test and I'm probably going to keep it in my pack for future hikes just because it takes up so little space. The criteria that I used to evaluate the Pocket Shot during Long Term Testing included the following: accuracy, penetration, comfort, ease of loading, portability, and durability. For testing purposes, the target size was 8 x 18 in (20 x 46 cm) and the shooting distances were 10 ft (3 m) for short range, 20 ft (6 m) for medium range, and 35 ft (10.6 m) for long range. Accuracy: I wasn't expecting to have problems hitting the target with the Pocket Shot because I was used to shooting a sling shot. What I found out though was that I couldn't aim the Pocket Shot the same way that I aimed a sling shot, simply because it didn't have a handle and the pouch didn't stretch back nearly as far as the bands on a sling shot. At first I found it difficult to get on target, but after a while I got the hang of it. During my first two days of testing I hit the target eight out of ten times at short range but only 5 out of 10 times at medium range. Over a several hour period I tried different techniques to improve my accuracy but it wasn't until my third time out with the Pocket Shot that I really felt dialed in. When shooting from long range at a distance of 35 ft (10.6 m) I only managed to hit the target one time out of ten. I eventually gave up because it was too difficult to see whether my shots were going left or right, or high or low. I suspect it'd be more accurate with the handle and wrist brace, which are sold separately. Regardless, the Pocket Shot was fun for plinking. Penetration: During testing, I used the black pouch and both 1/4 in (0.6 cm) and 5/8 in (1.6 cm) steel balls for ammunition. The target was made of 1 in (2.5 cm) thick, 3 lb (1.4 kg) density packaging foam and my shots were from short range. The 1/4 in (0.6 cm) steel balls penetrated all the way thru the foam while the 5/8 in (1.6 cm) ammo only went in a short distance, approximately 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Based on what I predicted the draw force to be as well as the distance that I was away from the target and how far the ammo penetrated, I estimated that the steel balls were traveling at 205 ft/s (62 m/s). The Pocket Shot might have enough stopping power to get a squirrel or rabbit, if using 5/8 in (1.6 cm) ammo at close range. Ease of loading ammo: The Pocket Shot was by far the quickest loading slingshot I've ever used. I could load ammo into the pouch in a matter of seconds. From there, I simply gripped the ammo/pouch with my thumb and forefinger and pulled back on the pouch to aim and fire. Reloading was almost as quick, depending whether the pouch turned inside out after being shot. I found that I typically drew the pouch back approximately 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm). I estimate the draw back force was 25 lbf (111 N) based on my experience with other slingshots and bow and arrows. Portability: Measuring 2.3 x 1.3 in (5.8 x 3.3 cm), the Pocket Shot easily fit in my pant pocket while hiking, although I often kept it in my coat pocket or backpack. Getting it ready to shoot was extremely easy, as all I had to do was remove the screw-on lid then load it. I also loved the fact that extra pouches and ammo could be stored inside the base and the lid screwed on securely so nothing could fall out. Durability: The Pocket Shot has held up to several months of testing with no issues other than normal wear to the latex pouch. The polycarbonate base and ring appear to be high quality and extremely strong. I don't foresee any issues with them so the only item I'll need to replace is the pouch, which according to the manufacturer, should last 200 to 400 shots. Pros: - Easy to load. Can be loaded, drawn back and aimed in a few seconds - Reasonable accuracy at short distances - Compact and easy to carry in one's pocket. Ammo can be carried in pouch. - Lightweight. The Pocket Shot weighs a mere one ounce - Well made - durable - Modular - easy to replace pouches when they break. Cons: - Difficult to pull back and aim blue pouch - Not as accurate or powerful as I hoped at long distances. SUMMARY This concludes my Long Term Report of the Pocket Shot slingshot. Thanks to Pocket Shot LLC for providing this item for testing and to BackpackGearTest.org for allowing me to participate in this test. This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.Read more reviews of The Pocket Shot gear Read more gear reviews by Brian Hartman Reviews > Base Camp Gear > Misc Tools and Toys > Pocket Shot Pocket Hammer > Test Report by Brian Hartman |