Membership worth it?

I was looking at becoming a forum member ($4.99) so I can hunt down a Lunar Solo (although I think Flatfishy has beaten me in our race...) and also for the general info.
I see there's a membership that allows access to the articles forum ($24.99).
Is the content worth the extra premium?

**P.s Damn you again FF - although I have a mate that's heading to Vegas tomorrow and am seeing if SMD can get one to him before he returns to avoid the shippping etc. It's not over yet.... **

I'm a member and the answer to your question is both yes and no. I get an email every Wednesday, usually it contains links to an article and a review. The articles can be a little UScentric but the reviews are very indepth and cover all kinds of stuff.

The real bonus is the archive ... there's all sorts on there. Trip reports, MYOG stuff, reviews, etc. You have to be willing to wade through a little though.

I was a little miffed just after Christmas as the site was hacked and as a result they gave all the non members who post, a free lifetime membership ... but idiots like me who'd already paid will continue having to pay each year :(

I'll sign up and have a nose then.

I bought membership for a massively in-depth review they did of the Spot Messenger. It was worth it for that alone. They really are geeks when it comes to the in-depthness of their reviews!

Finally got around to signing up. How in-depth are the articles?! And I thought this site was geeky

Dan_K wrote:Finally got around to signing up. How in-depth are the articles?! And I thought this site was geeky

I know - makes you feel perfectly fine about any geek you might have...! When they test sleeping mats I think I remember them coming up with vaguely scientific methods for calculating and comparing the noisiness and slipperiness of the pads...

InspiredRamblings wrote:

Dan_K wrote:Finally got around to signing up. How in-depth are the articles?! And I thought this site was geeky

I know - makes you feel perfectly fine about any geek you might have...! When they test sleeping mats I think I remember them coming up with vaguely scientific methods for calculating and comparing the noisiness and slipperiness of the pads...

I knew i'd made the right choice as soon as a saw a windproof shirt state of the market report where a jacket had been secured over a jam jar and then filled with water to test for leakage.

Dan_K wrote:

InspiredRamblings wrote:

Dan_K wrote:Finally got around to signing up. How in-depth are the articles?! And I thought this site was geeky

I know - makes you feel perfectly fine about any geek you might have...! When they test sleeping mats I think I remember them coming up with vaguely scientific methods for calculating and comparing the noisiness and slipperiness of the pads...

I knew i'd made the right choice as soon as a saw a windproof shirt state of the market report where a jacket had been secured over a jam jar and then filled with water to test for leakage.

Indeed! I have the Ultralite Backpackin' Tips book which I think was made by one of the guys on BPL. No bikes involved but some useful and/or humorous tips...

Tip No 16 "Never say 'Its only a couple of ounces'"
Tip No 17 "Never EVER guess the weight of something"
Tip No 116 "Liberate yourself from toilet paper"
Tip No 117 "Clean your butt!"

Its definitely worth a read