Mystery Ranch
Big Dana's Special Blend - BDSB / G 7000
2004
....
Please Note Page Under Construction
....
Nomenclature
BDSB Big Dana's Special Blend 7000 Cu In
Navy SEAL Pack Bag
Navy SEAL Pack Bag
History
From Mystery Ranch Website 2004
This year we have been building BDSB packs to equip the U.S. Navy SEALs teams with the best heavy lift packs in existence. Now that we have fulfilled initial production requirements, we can offer these packs for sale to those who need a pack that would be overkill for normal use.
The unrivaled stability, comfort, and load control of the Outamatic X Frame made this the overwhelming choice for the SEAL's new pack. SEALs have used every type of pack over the last few years, looking for the one that could make a clear difference. We are proud that the G-7000 was selected as the commercial prototype of that pack. Using the same Outamatic X frame as the G6 and G7 packs, the BDSB is built to withstand a SEAL's level of (ab)use.
The (500d/210d) Xply Cordura main bag will withstand extreme cramming, and transfer that load to the MainFrame evenly. Twin #10 side zips let you access your gear easily, and with a low profile.
The BDSB's Color was chosen for overall low observability in desert, mountain, and shoreline environments. The light grey buckles require a special molding run, but are worth it, reducing the contrast seen by both IR and starlight imaging.
The BDSB fabrics are all DuPont cordura's of either 500d, (500d/210d) Xply, or 1000D. They all have a serious polyurethane layer of waterproofing inside, and a outer layer of Teflon HT to make sure your load stays as dry as possible.
The BDSB comes equipped with a 117 sized radio pocket that has many other uses, located next to your upper back. A removable divider helps section and shape the load, keeping the BDSB's shape as flat to your back as possible - as well as letting you shrink the packbag by 1500ci by locking up the bottom.
Two sets of lower straps and two sets of side straps let you easily deal with all the crap you have to strap on, no matter how awkward.
Down at the molded hipbelt Dana added a couple of sets of MOLLE compatible loops, for pockets you can reach one handed.
This year we have been building BDSB packs to equip the U.S. Navy SEALs teams with the best heavy lift packs in existence. Now that we have fulfilled initial production requirements, we can offer these packs for sale to those who need a pack that would be overkill for normal use.
The unrivaled stability, comfort, and load control of the Outamatic X Frame made this the overwhelming choice for the SEAL's new pack. SEALs have used every type of pack over the last few years, looking for the one that could make a clear difference. We are proud that the G-7000 was selected as the commercial prototype of that pack. Using the same Outamatic X frame as the G6 and G7 packs, the BDSB is built to withstand a SEAL's level of (ab)use.
The (500d/210d) Xply Cordura main bag will withstand extreme cramming, and transfer that load to the MainFrame evenly. Twin #10 side zips let you access your gear easily, and with a low profile.
The BDSB's Color was chosen for overall low observability in desert, mountain, and shoreline environments. The light grey buckles require a special molding run, but are worth it, reducing the contrast seen by both IR and starlight imaging.
The BDSB fabrics are all DuPont cordura's of either 500d, (500d/210d) Xply, or 1000D. They all have a serious polyurethane layer of waterproofing inside, and a outer layer of Teflon HT to make sure your load stays as dry as possible.
The BDSB comes equipped with a 117 sized radio pocket that has many other uses, located next to your upper back. A removable divider helps section and shape the load, keeping the BDSB's shape as flat to your back as possible - as well as letting you shrink the packbag by 1500ci by locking up the bottom.
Two sets of lower straps and two sets of side straps let you easily deal with all the crap you have to strap on, no matter how awkward.
Down at the molded hipbelt Dana added a couple of sets of MOLLE compatible loops, for pockets you can reach one handed.
Components
About the Product
Day Pack Lid
Classic top loading design
Made entirely in the U.S.A.
Speed-Zip sleeping bag compartment
Capacity : 7400 ci (120 l)
Color : Titanium/castor grey
Day Pack Lid
Classic top loading design
Made entirely in the U.S.A.
Speed-Zip sleeping bag compartment
Capacity : 7400 ci (120 l)
Color : Titanium/castor grey
Specification
Item Description:
This early US Navy SEAL issued Mystery Ranch BDSB assault pack complete with removable lid that can be used as a small day pack by itself, a separate roll top daypack, and two external pouches that can be attached to the sides. This is one of the Big D's Special Blend packs that went to the Navy SEALs for the Kodiak Alaska training phase. The pack is titanium/castor grey, a color the SEALs selected to reduce contrast and visibility.
This early US Navy SEAL issued Mystery Ranch BDSB assault pack complete with removable lid that can be used as a small day pack by itself, a separate roll top daypack, and two external pouches that can be attached to the sides. This is one of the Big D's Special Blend packs that went to the Navy SEALs for the Kodiak Alaska training phase. The pack is titanium/castor grey, a color the SEALs selected to reduce contrast and visibility.
Nomenclature
Logistics
Production
SELECTED ARTWORKS IN THE COLLECTION
....
Product Description
The BDSB is a top-loading, internal frame expedition backpack
designed for use by U.S. Navy SEALs.
Dana Gleason of Bozeman, Montana founded and gave his name to Dana Design (DD), which he sold some years ago to Kelty. His noncompetition clause has expired and he's back in business at Mystery Ranch (MR). As at DD, he offers a full line of packs, from computer carriers to mountaineering monsters. When my DD Terraplane finally earned honorable retirement after 16 years of service, it was to Mystery Ranch (MR) I went for a replacement. After one summer with an earlier model MR expedition pack (the Alpacka, now discontinued), Dana talked me into the BDSB. MR does a substantial defense business (there's a separate section of its website devoted to military products), and the BDSB is its largest pack, the G-7000, modified for the SEALs. (For those not from the U.S., SEAL is an acronym for "sea, air, land" used by our Navy for its demolition experts and other special forces. For us civilians it's a synonym for "tough customers.") The BDSB is now regularly available for commercial sale.
The design of this pack is similar to DD's "ArcFlex" models. Its main compartment is loaded from the top and has an apron that is cinched at the top with a toggle. This can either be one very large compartment or separated into two by use of a detachable divider about three-quarters of the way down. There is a zipper at the bottom for separately loading a sleeping bag or other gear into the lower section. Compression straps can be used easily to flatten the lower section when it's not needed, to reduce things moving.
On the back are two large vertical pockets with side zippers running from the top of the pack bag to the top of the lower compartment, for stuff needed in a hurry. I use these for rain gear, first aid kit, sunscreen, and fishing box. A top section with two zippered compartments (900 ci, 15 l total storage space) serves as the "lid." As discussed in my review, this can be detached for use as a day pack.
Just in case 7400 ci isn't enough space, the BDSB has straps on the each side and at the bottom for attaching extra gear outside the pack. MR sells accessory pockets that are easily attached to the
sides, and DD pockets (still have some from my Terraplane days) work too. There are five daisy chain loops between the vertical pockets in the back (handy for bear bells), and two larger loops just below the pockets (holding the sleeping pad in the photo). My usual approach, though, is if I can't fit it inside this pack, I probably shouldn't take it. The compression straps allow cinching up loads in the main and sleeping bag compartments for stability.
The BDSB has several features not found on DD packs. The most useful is the addition of one stretch pocket (made of spandura, a spandex-cordura cross) on each side of the pack. I've used these for skis and regularly for small items needed close to hand. A radio pocket on the frame inside the main compartment provides a perfect fit for a 100 oz (3 l) Camelbak bladder.
But it is in the pack structure that Mystery Ranch has made the most functional improvements. The pack has a plastic frame supported by two fiberglass rods for shape and rigidity, and a connected but separately adjustable shoulder yoke. The yoke can be easily raised or lowered for a personal fit without simultaneously moving the pack frame. MR includes a plastic sheet with printed directions on how to do this (discussed below) with each of its expedition packs. The hip belt "wrap" (said to be patented) that connects the yoke and frame extends across the back to distribute the pressure of the load across the waist and thus avoid undue pressure at any one point.
The BDSB is listed only in one frame size. (Its civilian counterpart, the G-7000, may be purchased with a man's or woman's frame, and MR says it could attach a BDSB bag to the smaller women's frame on request.) The adjustable yoke makes further frame sizigi used by most manufacturers (including DD) unnecessary. So says Dana and so I discovered. Three different hip belt sizes are available.
The pack bag is made of 500d/1000d cordura, in a special manufacturing run that includes waterproofing inside and out (according to MR's website, a "polyurethane layer of waterproofing inside, and a outer layer of Teflon HT").
Bag, buckles and straps are all titanium/castor grey, a color the SEALs selected to reduce contrast and visibility. Other colors (forest camo is one) are occasionally available. The G-7000 comes in red or black.
No comments:
Post a Comment