LAST EDITED ON Mar-17-13 AT 07:21PM (MST)[p]I just spent an afternoon fondling all of the above. : )
I was thinking of leaving Bozeman with a Metcalf but I ended up going home with a NICE frame with the belt pockets, a longbow, a water bottle holder and a boxed lid thing for my rangefinder. I like the stoutness of the MR as I'm not too much of an ounce counter. I pack too much "stuff" anyway. I went with the longbow because what I really use 99% of the time is a daypack.
All I really want is a system that organizes my gear (which the longbow does way better than the metcalf) with the ability to get the head, cape, and quarter of a deer back to the truck. I always go back with a pack frame for the rest of the animal anyway. I rarely spend more than one night away from the truck and if I ever go on that 5-7 day adventure then I'll get the 6500 for sure. I think the metcalf is too big and open (with lack of internal organization) for a day pack and too small for the big Alaskan adventure. I have two little kids and a 3-5 day hunt is just not going to happen for years so the longbow was my ticket. To each thier own but I think the NICE frame with anybag on it is the best way to start. Glad my Kelty and Ebberlestock days are behind me. Anyone who says an eberle carries meat well has no clue what they are talking about.
"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"