The Mindful Hunter Podcast

In this podcast, we put the latest lineup of hunting and fitness wearables through the Mindful Hunter scoring system—breaking down everything from battery life and GPS performance to real-world hunt data and sleep tracking. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense review that cuts through the marketing fluff, this one’s for you. We start with a full overview of the scoring system and testing methodology, followed by a deep dive into how each watch performed across a variety of metrics that actually matter in the field. From price and display quality to weather resistance and app integration, we leave no stone unturned. This review also includes a detailed section on performance and health tracking, as well as exclusive hunt data analysis and training metrics that show how these devices hold up under pressure.+ If you’re serious about your gear and want honest insights from someone who’s been there, this breakdown will give you the clarity you need to make the right choice.   0:00 – Intro 1:58 – Scoring System 2:28 – Mindful Hunter Outfitting 3:26 – Price 4:46 – Battery 7:23 – Bands 8:51 – Display 9:53 – Weather Resistance 10:34 – GPS 11:26 – App Integration 13:29 – Descriptive Totals 13:37 – Swarovski ATX 85 Giveaway 14:27 – Sensors 15:28 – Sensitivity 16:28 – Performance Tracking 17:41 – Health Tracking 18:42 – Sleep Tracking 19:02 – Hunt Data 24:31 – Training Data 25:38 – Tracking Totals 25:54 – Final Score 26:21 – Recommendations   Jay Nichol [email protected] https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/   Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/   Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop   Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact   IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/   Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast   Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

It’s been a while, but I am finally back with a jam-packed Q&A episode. I was only able to get through half the questions, so if you don’t see yours, it will be on the next episode.   Jay Nichol [email protected] https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/   Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/   Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop   Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact   IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/   Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast   Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

Since publishing my in-depth review of rangefinding binoculars last year, Sig Sauer has introduced a major update to their KILO10K line. In this video, I take a closer look at the changes and share insights from recent field testing to assess whether these updates represent a meaningful improvement over the first generation—or if they’re simply the result of marketing spin. 0:00 – Intro3:38 – Major Outfitting News7:38 – Upgrades to Gen 28:34 – Explanation for Blue Tint on Gen 110:57 – Pricing11:16 – Origin11:44 – Warranty12:47 – Weather Resistance13:24 – Glass Quality & Coatings14:26 – User Interface & Integration15:59 – Laser Quality18:36 – Swarovski ATX 85mm Giveaway19:32 – Conclusion Jay [email protected]://www.mindful-reviews.com/https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountryhttps://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merchhttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletterhttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IGhttps://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcasthttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guidehttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools  

Is the MSR Access 1 really a 4-season tent worthy of your late-season hunts? In this in-depth field review, I take the Access 1 into real winter conditions to see how it performs under snow, wind, and solo backcountry use. From packability and setup to structural stability and breathability, this review breaks down what works—and what doesn’t—for hunters who demand reliable gear in unforgiving terrain. Along the way, I cover the full spec sheet (weight, materials, cost), test it in true mountain conditions, and offer insight on whether this tent belongs in your winter hunting kit. Plus, I announce two gear giveaways—the Swarovski ATX 85mm and Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x binos—so stick around for details on how to enter. 🎯 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every $5 you spend on merch at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ gets you 1 entry to win a Swarovski 85mm Spotting Scope. No purchase required. Contest begins on February 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) 1 previously owned Swarovski ATX 85mm Spotting Scope (approximate retail value $5,900.00 CAD). Skill testing question required. This Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland, France and Switzerland, who are legal age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence (19 in AL and NE, 21 in MS, and 18 in all remaining U.S. states, The District of Columbia and Canada, 16 in United Kingdom, 20 in New Zealand, 16 in Finland, 15 in France, and 18 in Switzerland), who are age of majority in their province or territory of residence at time of entry.  Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received before contest closes. No entry limit. For full rules and entry details visit: https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/blogs/resources/swarovski-atx-85mm-spotting-scope-giveaway💥 Plus, I’m giving away a Swarovski TAX 85mm!  0:00 – Intro1:27 – In-Field Review8:28 – Mindful Hunter Outfitting9:03 – Price9:42 – Weight10:01 – Materials12:57 – Setup13:15 – Packability14:49 – Structural Stability16:55 – Swarovski ATX 85mm Giveaway18:06 – Breathability & Condensation20:53 – Livability23:57 – Sig Sauer Zulu 10 15x Bino Giveaway25:02 – Conclusion Jay [email protected]://www.mindful-reviews.com/https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountryhttps://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merchhttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletterhttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IGhttps://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcasthttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guidehttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools

Is it possible to get top-tier performance from a spotting scope without breaking the bank? In this video, I put an unexpected contender to the test, breaking down every detail—from glass quality to weather resistance—to see if this budget-friendly scope can hang with the big names. 0:00 – Intro3:18 – Swarovski TAX 85mm Giveaway4:11 – Price4:36 – Resale5:44 – Weight7:00 – Origin8:07 – Warranty8:44 – Weather Resistance9:25 – Mounting9:56 – Construction Totals10:08 – FOV10:57 – Magnification12:58 – Exit Pupil14:38 – Glass Quality15:42 – Optics Totals15:51 – Viewing Performance 24:35 – Mindful Hunter Outfitting26:32 – Final Scores Jay [email protected]://www.mindful-reviews.com/https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountryhttps://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merchhttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletterhttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IGhttps://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcasthttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guidehttps://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools