Mystery ranch CC or Eberlestock Dragon Fly?

muleyczy · Aug 4, 2011

Im in the market for a new pack and am torn between a Mystery Ranch Crew Cab or a Eberlestock Drangon Fly. The most common method of hunting I do is 5-7 day very remote back country type trips. My current pack is an Eberlstock J107 that Ive had for allot of years (its been referbished already) and it has served me well, very well so my gut says go with what you know, but Ive heard great things about the Mystery ranch CC, versatility, load capacity ect..

Im looking for personal experience as to one or the other and why you have chosen that pack over the other. Packs are allot like Ford Vs. Chevy (personal preference) But i was looking for facts as why you have like one over the other.

Thanks for your help.

dryflyelk · Aug 4, 2011

I've had both and I currently use the eberlestock blue widow. The CC is a great pack, but it's not really intended for the type of outings you describe. There's not a whole lot of room for stuff. It's great at packing a quarter of an elk, but if you're trying to take all of your gear, it's trickier. If you don't need the rifle scabbard, I'd steer you towards the blue widow.

WapitiBob · Aug 4, 2011

For a 7 day hunt, neither.

Kifaru Timberline

Bman9900 · Aug 4, 2011

I'm the flipside of dryflyelk - I went from the EBW to a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and two diferent bags (the CC and Cerberus) which covers daypack or extended trip scenarios. I really love the fit and feel of the MR's with a heavy load. What I disliked about the EBW was that the shoulder straps seemed skimpy and the load rode too far back for my tastes. However, with that said, packs are very personal and if you can, try each before you buy (which I know is hard to do with the MR). Good luck.

marley · Aug 4, 2011

Neither for you are describing. Get the MR 6500. It will be the best pack you will ever have.

muleyczy · Aug 5, 2011

I was pondering whether to go a MR 6500 however decided against it. I can pack in for 5-6 days (35-38 lbs average) with enough room left over in a Eberlestock J107 to pack out half a deer (elk not so much). I like the fact that after I drop camp, I can colapse my pack into a day pack and not be burdened with a large oversized day pack. Not to mention that if I have the available room I tend to overpack with unnecessary gear. I pack for efficency, mobility and surviability not comfort. A smaller 4500 pack keeps me in check knowing that I need room for meat. (hopefully)

Thanks

marley · Aug 5, 2011

Hear is a pic of my 6500 collapsed down for the day hunt after dropping off camp.

And here it is on the way back to camp. There is 95 lbs. on my back right there and feels 10X better than any other pack I've owned and I've had just about every one of them. NO lie, I'm a pack junkie.

marley · Aug 5, 2011

Another pic with the Kifaru gunslinger attached for the rifle.

muleyczy · Aug 5, 2011

Marley,
You may have changed my mind. That looks good compressed, not to big at all and I would have room to spare..........to pack heavy stuff out.

Thanks

marley · Aug 5, 2011

IMO, for a multiple day hunt where you will be setting up a spike camp you can't beat the versatility of the 6500. I know packs fit everyone differently but I have yet to find a pack that rides as comfortable as the 6500 with big loads. I had the J107, I have the CC, I had a Sacrifice and an Ox.

For a day pack I just recently fell in love with the MR Dragonslayer but it won't pack much after a kill. For a day hunt the Dragonslayer goes in with a quarter in it coming out and then I grab my 6500 for the rest of it.

utahbigbull · Aug 7, 2011

Here is my dragon fly with an Elk hind quarter, a bag with the cape and rack. Figure it had to be around 120+ pounds on the pack out and did very well!!