Ah Keong's new business venture

All good things goes to he who waits.. 

I met Ah Keong at an outdoor gear product expo some years back.
He struck me as a minimalist person who knows the jungle at the back of his palm.
As the years progressed, I learned more about this guy and his capabilities and began to appreciate his skillset as a nature expert and jungle trekker.
Sometime back, he told me about his dreams of setting up an outfitter's store.
A few guys including myself who were supportive of him had encouraged him to do so.
I also told him: "Dude, how long are you going to be employed and be unhappy?".
Guess that every man has his breaking point and when you deal with a boss that would even pimp his mother to get some attention, your days are counting.

The man: Keong with his ware...

A big move

Speaking from personal experience, most outfitters in the Klang Valley are 'hit and run' business. 
You pay through your nose, get ripped off and are left to bleed dry.
And also, sadly, people don't know what the sell and often look down on buyers who are not well-dressed. That is the situation that we are facing. Most retailers are retards.
But, having said that, there are those who made a difference.
Keong's new set-up may be a game-changer.
I love his honesty and down-to-earth approach when it comes to dealing with people.
This man has a lot of patience.
Outdoor Gear Malaysia or OGM is not new.
Keong started his business in a small-scale and progressed to a brick-and-mortar outlet.
He plans to do a grand opening in early January and I am counting the days.

Some photos of the new shop..

I believe that what Keong has to offer would bring our Malaysian standards at par with the stores in Singapore and Bangkok.
As a matter of fact, they have some 'firsts' in the trade.
Best of all, Keong is an experienced person who can lend his expertise on the tools of the trade. You can bet on it!
On the retail side, it takes all sorts.
You meet good people and also some idiots who knows everything. Patience is a virtue and I guess with Keong's good attitude, things are gonna be smooth..
On that note, I wish him the best in his future endeavours..

Camelbak HAWG 500

Breaking-in the Camelbak HAWG 500

I picked up a Camelbak HAWG 500 from Keong of Outdoor Gear Malaysia last week and have been breaking-in the pack ever since.
This is a 'nice-sized' pack with 20 cubic litres of real estate space to store all my junk. In short, its a tactical school bag.
There were a few factors on why I wanted another hydration pack. 
First, its rotation carry.
My experience with the Camelbak Octane 24 pack convinced me about Camelbak's quality.
Their tactical hydration bladder: called the waterbeast, is second-to-none.
As a matter of fact, I've been eyeing this for a long time, just never got around getting it.
The bladder was actually for my Kifaru Scout.
So, quality-wise, how did the HAWG 500 fare? 

Overall built and construction
To sell this pack for active servicemen in the US, all suppliers are required to produce them in the USA. 
So, are we assured of the top-notched Uncle SAM's quality? 
I used my Kifaru Scout as a benchmark and compared side-by-side, the HAWG is nowhere near. Not even close to my S.O.Tech mission Go-Bag.
But, for the price-point, one cannot fault Camelbak's effort in making it affordable by 'assembling' it in the US with parts made in foreign countries.
The cargo space is adequate to pack some of my daily-carry stuff.
What I totally dislike: is the zip pulls.
Instead of the high-quality 550 paracord, Camelbak uses some cheap foliage green nylon cord. This can be easily rectified.
I find that the 'Hydrate or Die' slogan printed on the pack's padded back a bit cheesy.


Conclusion
The HAWG would make a good daypack if you are a light traveler.
Its actual purpose is to house small arms munition and light ordnance like a fragmentation grenade or smoke bomb.
Some of the compartments like a stationary field organizer is way below par compared to established tactical nylon makers in the US.
I have no grouse with the bladder as it is top-notched in terms of quality.
And this is certainly not my first tactical hydration bladder since I have owned and evaluated the MULE back in the years..