Kaito BT409 Anti-Shock Hiking Pole with 9-LED Flashlight
- 22 1/2″ – 48″ extendible, fits in a carry-on luggage.
- 3-section extendible
- Thermometer & compass included
- Light weight with ergonomic design
- 90-degree rotatable 9-LED flashlight
Product Description
Made of strong lightweight aluminum, the newly released Kaito hiking pole BT409 is specially spring loaded to absorb shock and reduce stress to joints, muscles, and ligaments, whether you’re strolling through the park or…
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I have been having trouble with lower back and some knee pain, especially when I have to be on my feet for a long period of time or out walking longer distances. The thought of buying a cane or a walking stick wasn’t sitting all that well with me. I heard about this particular hiking pole on “No Agenda”, the podcast featuring John C. Dvorak & Adam Curry. I was surprised at how reasonably priced it was and decided to give it a try. I have found that it has met and surpassed my expectations. It is completely adjustable, has a nice shock absorbing feature, and the built in flashlight, while a little bit geeky, has already come in handy on more than one occasion. If you are looking for a little extra help getting around that doesn’t make you look old and out of it, this is definitely worth the price. And, while I haven’t exactly been out hiking with it yet, the totally adjustable nature of this hiking pole makes it very easy to go from a walking stick to a full fledged hiking staff in just a few twists. This same feature also makes it easy to completely compact the staff for easy packing and traveling. I have two of these now, one that I keep in my car at all times, (in case I underestimate the amount of walking I am going to have to do on an outing), and one that I have at home for those “bad days”. I highly recommend this to anyone who needs a walking stick/hiking pole. I hope that you will find it as useful and as helpful as I have.
Rating: 5 / 5
Used this pole for the first time while hiking fourteeners in Colorado and found it to be extremely helpful. The handle design lets you grip it two different ways. Hold it like a ski pole on steep climbs or like a cane when descending. It made climbing easier and provided an important balance point (and shock absorber!) when descending. Proved to be durable and useful on all surfaces (hard rock, loose rock, dirt, snow). Lightweight and easy to adjust length. Never used the little gadgets on the wrist strap.
The LED light turns on or off by twisting the light — just make sure you have the battery in the right way. However, that might make the light a bit loose when turned off. To keep it secure during rough handling on day climbs, I just reversed the battery (to keep it from coming on) and then tightened the light all the way.
Rating: 5 / 5
I just got my Kaito BT-409.
Likes: Lightweight and yet seems very strong! Good telescoping feature. Very height-adjustable. The anti-shock feature might be handy.
Dislikes: My package did not contain a user’s guide or owner’s manual. Did anyone get basic owner’s manual or a simple sheet of directions??
I can’t get the flashlight to work. Maybe my little battery pack is exhausted? How do you turn the flashlight on and off? Is it permanently “on” anytime the pack of four little LR44 batteries is installed? Why isn’t there a simple on/off switch?
I can’t find the Kaito company on the web to ask some basic questions. Like, for example:
1. In which direction do you insert the battery pack?
2. Do you use all four batteries at once?
3. How do you turn the flashlight on and off?
Can anybody help me out?
Thanks in advance!
Rating: 4 / 5
All in all, a very good deal for a very practical pole. The included compass and temperature gauge were pretty cheesy, didn’t work and were soon broken in normal use but the pole works so well as a cane including the very useful led light I’m buying a second one. Huge benefit to my arthiritic hand, wrist, and shoulder with shock abosrbing tip – the first cane I could use with comfort. And the carbide tip and snow basket are useful accessoried for the rare snow falls we have here in the mountains of southern AZ. Recommended, but toss the compass and thermometer.
Rating: 4 / 5
This is an excellent product – strong, light weight, comfortable to carry. Adjusts in length – fits in my medium size suitcase. The LED flashlight is wonderful. I did file off the point on the handle, and I am not sure the thermometer is correct, but the compass is really handy.
Very reasonable price.
Rating: 5 / 5