Has anyone here had any experience with AMPEX? I’m considering purchasing some of their camping gear.
AMPEX used to be known for their high-quality magnetic tape and were pioneers in the recording industry. However, this company seems to be different, perhaps a Chinese brand without any historical ties to the original.
I’ve seen AMPEX getting some positive mentions on YouTube, especially their lightweight tents designed for backpackers. They’re on my wishlist now due to their quality and affordability.
I own an AMPEX reel-to-reel deck from the late '70s. It needs a lot of work to function properly again as the heads are worn out. Their magnetic tapes were decent but could be abrasive, much like BASF’s chromium cassette stocks.
@Kim
It seems this might not be the same AMPEX I’m looking at. The one I’m considering seems to be a newer, possibly lower-quality Chinese manufacturer.
I found a sleeping bag and a camping pad by AMPEX at Dick’s Sporting Goods. They’re surprisingly affordable, with the pad having an R-value of 5.5 for just $50. I’m a bit skeptical about the quality because of the price.
@Cody
I have the Reland pad from them, and it’s decent. It’s thick enough for side sleepers like me, although I sometimes feel the ground. It includes a pump sack, is easy to pack, and isn’t noisy. It performed well in temperatures down to the upper 30s.
I just ordered their 25-inch pad but it hasn’t arrived yet. There’s very little information available online about AMPEX, which is frustrating because their one-person tent looked promising as a budget option.
I recently bought an AMPEX sleeping pad (the wide ultralight model) and it seems well-made. I haven’t tested it in cold weather yet to verify the R-value, but so far, the build quality seems solid for the price.
I haven’t heard much about AMPEX, but the reviews on Amazon look okay. Here’s a link to check it out: Amazon.com : AMPEX Sleeping Bag | Down Sleeping Bag for Cold Weather Camping, Backpacking, Hiking - Lightweight Compact Sleeping Bags for Adults(20° Mummy XL) : Sports & Outdoors
Arlo said:
I haven’t heard much about AMPEX, but the reviews on Amazon look okay. Here’s a link to check it out: Amazon.com : AMPEX Sleeping Bag | Down Sleeping Bag for Cold Weather Camping, Backpacking, Hiking - Lightweight Compact Sleeping Bags for Adults(20° Mummy XL) : Sports & Outdoors
Be cautious with those Amazon reviews. I ran a Fakespot analysis on that page and the results were a grade of F, indicating a high likelihood of fake reviews.
@Hart
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll be more careful and use Fakespot in the future.
@Hart
Could you explain what Fakespot is and how to use it?
Arlo said:
I haven’t heard much about AMPEX, but the reviews on Amazon look okay. Here’s a link to check it out: Amazon.com : AMPEX Sleeping Bag | Down Sleeping Bag for Cold Weather Camping, Backpacking, Hiking - Lightweight Compact Sleeping Bags for Adults(20° Mummy XL) : Sports & Outdoors
Amazon reviews can be unreliable. I tend to sort by one-star reviews to see the most common issues, which can provide insight into the real quality of a product.
@Noah
Sorting by recent reviews is also useful, especially to check if the product quality has changed over time. Often, products start with high-quality versions and then switch to cheaper materials later.
@Nile
That’s a great strategy. It helps uncover if the product’s quality has declined recently, which is a common issue on platforms like Amazon.
@Nile
Thanks for the tip. It’s always good to be thorough, especially with something as important as camping gear.
@Noah
Definitely, but it’s still one of the easiest places to get a quick sense of user feedback, as long as you can identify which reviews are genuine.