Bear Vault BV500 Bear Resistant Food Canister

I really have only one good thing to say about the BV500; you can see into it. Now to the gripes: 1) It's too expensive. Funny how the material looks exactly like my Sparkletts-type 5 gallon water bottle. I paid about $10 dollars for it, and I'm sure they still made a healthy profit. 2) It's too heavy. Why? Because it's over-built. If a bear can't get into it in an hour, why would you make it so a bear can't get into it for over 24 hours? My canister weighs about 2 lbs. It is the single most heaviest item in my backpack. 3) It's too hard to open. I'm a big strong guy and I have trouble opening it. I would consider your latching system a failure. You really missed the mark on that one. What a pain when after getting your food out and closing the thing, and you forgot to get out the salt and pepper. And your hands are cold because you can't unlatch it with gloves on. 4) It isn't waterproof. Why don't you put a flat rubber gasket in the lid to make the canister water (and oder) proof? And why a screw lid? Why not a bayonet-type mount that only takes, say, a quarter turn to open and close the lid? All that turning!

Worked perfect for a recent 4-day outing in the Sierras. Serves dual purpose as as a seat, very comfortable while watching friends work out their counter-balanced bear bag setup. You will appreciate the clear material that lets you see inside. I like that you can operate the lid without needing a coin like some other types of bear cans. Just as easy to use with or without gloves. Works well at both 60-degrees and 6-degrees.

I researched this...it is approved in NYS per the DEC...check out this link

http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/19085.html

BearVaults are NOT approved for use in the NY area because there is a bear in the Marcy Dam area of the Adirondacks in upstate New York that has learned to open BearVault food containers. BearVaults are approved for use everywhere except the area encompassing the Lake Colden/Marcy Dam corridor and the Johns Brook valley in the Adirondacks.
As far as I know, the Adirondacks bears are not holding classes for bears in other areas.

Be aware these are NOT approved for use in NY high peaks area. The DEC will turn you back.

These things are one those "damned if you do, damned if you don't" deals. They are required in many places so you have to get one, but why they are $79 just baffles me. Do they work? Yes. But in reality, they are a glorified 5 gallon water jug with a lid - although not quite that large. I haven't had a problem with my BV500 but then again, I haven't been fortunate enough to experience a bear trying to open it, yet. I should mention, however, that I use mine in an area (Shenandoah NP) that doesn't require one but could and probably should. It fits perfectly into my Osprey Argon 85 but the outside grooves conveniently allow it to be strapped down as well if space is limited. Being clear is definitely a plus and as was stated earlier, it is strong enough to double as a stool. It does weight in at 2 lbs 9 oz. but I guess I'm glad it's heavier than not for smell insulation purposes. According to the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (www.sierrawildbear.gov), the BV500 is "conditionally approved" but nonetheless, approved.

It fits next to my tent and can store all food and other perishables. It makes a great seat. You can see what's inside. It keeps racoon's out! It's easy to open with a tiny bit of pressure on the very small nipple. What else is there to consider?

i am graduating from a garcia backpackers cache can. the garcia is great, but this appears to be better, though i haven't taken it out yet =)
1) lighter
2) larger
3) cylindrical, wheras the garcia can is wider at the midsection, which makes pack fit on a smaller lighter pack more awkward.
4) clear, so you can see what it inside it.
5) screw top removes the need for a tool to open it, as it is with the garcia

a great can: to do better, one must spend a lot more $

If you are looking into this canister you may be scratching your head about the different options. This is my favorite of Sierra Nevada approved canisters because it is clear and you can see where stuff is inside it. Also you don't need a coin to open it up. It makes for a handy chair to sit on, as well. The Bearikade is a little lighter, but ridiculously expensive (and a little too long to fit sideways into many packs).

With some of the older models you would have to be careful to screw it back on just right or else you could leave a small gap to let claws in to pry it open. No problems with the current version.

Research what is required for your trip. The Sierras want canisters and I used mine for the entire John Muir Trail. In 2007 Grand Teton NP didn't want canisters and requested backpackers hang their food.

I used it for my hike on the JMT leaving out of Yosemite where the bears are infamous, as well as other parts of the PCT up in Tahoe. I woke up several morning with bear prints and other curious animal scat scattered around my bin, but my food was safe every time.
While it is heavy, especially for those ultra light hikers, it is not really any heavier than bins of comparable size (and actually packs a little more internal volume due to its shape). It can be tricky and frustrating to open at times, but ultimately is the quickest to get into (once you get the hang of it) because you don't have to scrounge around the bottom of your bag in search of something like a coin or tool to open it with, as with some bins.
The best feature is that it is see through so you can quickly and easily access the food you are looking for without pulling everything out of the bin every time!
I have the older model which only had one safety tab and the company replaced the lid with the newer double tab for free.
overall, bear bins suck to carry...thus this is the best of the worst.

Online chat on Sunday morning at 8:30 EST...got all my questions about my order answered quickly. Thanks Jessica...