Performance
Barrow loaded and strapped down with –
Standard size bedchair with SIM, big sleeping bag and bedchair cover (already fitted)
Compact carryall (fully loaded)
Baitboat, handset, fishfinder in large carryall
Compact Food Bag (fully loaded)
Pod and alarms / sticks in bag
2x 17L buckets (fully loaded with bait / bits)
3 Rod padded sleeve with 2x Utility rods strapped to outside plus nets/handle and large bivvy mat
Pioneer 150 with skull cap (already fitted), storm poles and pegs
Pioneer 150 infill (in Metro barrow bag)
Pioneer 150 Groundsheet
Large Pillow
Levelite Transformer chair
Ridgemonkey 5L Water bottle (in Metro barrow bag)
Nylon Chestwaders (in Metro barrow bag)
Poncho & Barrow cover (in Metro barrow bag)
Waterproofs and Puffa jacket (in Metro barrow bag)
No Unhooking mat as supplied cradles have to be used on my water but the barrow could easily take a mat across the handles etc
Once loaded properly the barrow felt stable – You def need to load these differently and put the weight in the middle rather than ALL over the front wheel, don't ask me why, you just do. I did extend the front bars out further than I would do normally, again you can't load this like a porterlite. Didn't use the back wheels on the first outing as I wanted to see how it performed ‘like for like.' The handles with the spreader were a lot less unwieldy than the individual arms of the porterlite but you do need to overtighten once you get going as initially they were a little loose.
Ignition fine, push the throttle and go – that's it. After navigating the initial steep slope down from the car park without power (I also carried my rod bag for safety on this bit), the 10min walk to the first few swims was a bit weird initially but once I'd got the hang of how much and when to use the juice it was a doddle. I stored the barrow under a waterproof cover but my biggest concern was the female throttle connector as I'd accidently lobbed the white cap away that came with it (thought it was a packaging item). It did p*ss with rain over the 48hr session but the cover did its job - no water egress. I stored the handle with throttle and male connector underneath the bedchair on a groundsheet just to be sure.
The return trip was a dream, obviously carrying a little less weight in terms of consumed water, bait food and alcohol but I loaded the barrow more efficiently this time. All slightly uphill with some bumps and muddy puddles but no probs at all - at no point did I feel the barrow was underpowered. When I got to the steep slope back to the carpark I was nervous but went for it . . .Full throttle and the barrow attacked the 20 degree slope . . .only at the apex did I have to apply a minor amount of physical effort but certainly way less than with a similarly loaded porterlite. (Note - the 'popular' youtube vid that shows an unloaded Trax struggling up a vague incline is nonsense - I can personally confirm this . . .see below image - its even steeper in reality)
The only mild annoyance was when breaking the barrow down prior to putting in the car boot. . .the wheel pannier bags that I'd stuffed with clothing couldn't be removed without removing the clothing first (they were tight) - weirdly the main bag (that is a little more rigid) was fine . . .
Conclusion (based on initial use)
So far so good, albeit an expensive bit of kit that is relatively compact but still more bulky than a Porterlite. Overall pleased and glad I didn't go for the bigger Evo model, the Metro fits in my estate with bedchair and all other tackle etc no probs. May be tricky squeezing this into a small hatchback for example with the rear wheels / other gubbins etc. Assembly is simple although like all new items requires a knack and logical process, once all items have been used a little I can definitely see this becoming easier. As far as performance goes this is great for my current lake/my needs, having that little bit of power makes the journey to the swim an enjoyable stroll rather than a sweat. Haven't bothered using the rear wheel kit yet as I'm sure this will just encourage me to carry even more crap. The best bit is the usually dull drudge back to the carpark at the end of a session . . .this is far less depressing with a power barrow.
Did I actually need one? . . .NO. Am I glad now that I've actually got one after all these years? . . . Definitely, YES.
As for reliability – only time will tell. Will update report once I've used it in anger for a season . . .its got a 2 yr warranty so let's hope it doesn't need activating.
Barrow loaded and strapped down with –
Standard size bedchair with SIM, big sleeping bag and bedchair cover (already fitted)
Compact carryall (fully loaded)
Baitboat, handset, fishfinder in large carryall
Compact Food Bag (fully loaded)
Pod and alarms / sticks in bag
2x 17L buckets (fully loaded with bait / bits)
3 Rod padded sleeve with 2x Utility rods strapped to outside plus nets/handle and large bivvy mat
Pioneer 150 with skull cap (already fitted), storm poles and pegs
Pioneer 150 infill (in Metro barrow bag)
Pioneer 150 Groundsheet
Large Pillow
Levelite Transformer chair
Ridgemonkey 5L Water bottle (in Metro barrow bag)
Nylon Chestwaders (in Metro barrow bag)
Poncho & Barrow cover (in Metro barrow bag)
Waterproofs and Puffa jacket (in Metro barrow bag)
No Unhooking mat as supplied cradles have to be used on my water but the barrow could easily take a mat across the handles etc
Once loaded properly the barrow felt stable – You def need to load these differently and put the weight in the middle rather than ALL over the front wheel, don't ask me why, you just do. I did extend the front bars out further than I would do normally, again you can't load this like a porterlite. Didn't use the back wheels on the first outing as I wanted to see how it performed ‘like for like.' The handles with the spreader were a lot less unwieldy than the individual arms of the porterlite but you do need to overtighten once you get going as initially they were a little loose.
Ignition fine, push the throttle and go – that's it. After navigating the initial steep slope down from the car park without power (I also carried my rod bag for safety on this bit), the 10min walk to the first few swims was a bit weird initially but once I'd got the hang of how much and when to use the juice it was a doddle. I stored the barrow under a waterproof cover but my biggest concern was the female throttle connector as I'd accidently lobbed the white cap away that came with it (thought it was a packaging item). It did p*ss with rain over the 48hr session but the cover did its job - no water egress. I stored the handle with throttle and male connector underneath the bedchair on a groundsheet just to be sure.
The return trip was a dream, obviously carrying a little less weight in terms of consumed water, bait food and alcohol but I loaded the barrow more efficiently this time. All slightly uphill with some bumps and muddy puddles but no probs at all - at no point did I feel the barrow was underpowered. When I got to the steep slope back to the carpark I was nervous but went for it . . .Full throttle and the barrow attacked the 20 degree slope . . .only at the apex did I have to apply a minor amount of physical effort but certainly way less than with a similarly loaded porterlite. (Note - the 'popular' youtube vid that shows an unloaded Trax struggling up a vague incline is nonsense - I can personally confirm this . . .see below image - its even steeper in reality)
The only mild annoyance was when breaking the barrow down prior to putting in the car boot. . .the wheel pannier bags that I'd stuffed with clothing couldn't be removed without removing the clothing first (they were tight) - weirdly the main bag (that is a little more rigid) was fine . . .
Conclusion (based on initial use)
So far so good, albeit an expensive bit of kit that is relatively compact but still more bulky than a Porterlite. Overall pleased and glad I didn't go for the bigger Evo model, the Metro fits in my estate with bedchair and all other tackle etc no probs. May be tricky squeezing this into a small hatchback for example with the rear wheels / other gubbins etc. Assembly is simple although like all new items requires a knack and logical process, once all items have been used a little I can definitely see this becoming easier. As far as performance goes this is great for my current lake/my needs, having that little bit of power makes the journey to the swim an enjoyable stroll rather than a sweat. Haven't bothered using the rear wheel kit yet as I'm sure this will just encourage me to carry even more crap. The best bit is the usually dull drudge back to the carpark at the end of a session . . .this is far less depressing with a power barrow.
Did I actually need one? . . .NO. Am I glad now that I've actually got one after all these years? . . . Definitely, YES.
As for reliability – only time will tell. Will update report once I've used it in anger for a season . . .its got a 2 yr warranty so let's hope it doesn't need activating.
Nice one
In reply to Post #1
Good review it replicates everything I've found (especially the weight in the middle) I use the rear wheels as well which are fine, and makes my mile walk from car park to lake a doodle
Good review it replicates everything I've found (especially the weight in the middle) I use the rear wheels as well which are fine, and makes my mile walk from car park to lake a doodle
In reply to Post #3
Any good fully loaded on steep hills
Any good fully loaded on steep hills
In reply to Post #4
. . .you can ski down a 20 degree slope . . . I'm trying to post pictures of the incline but am failing at the moment . .!
. . .you can ski down a 20 degree slope . . . I'm trying to post pictures of the incline but am failing at the moment . .!
In reply to Post #1
Really helpful review mate, thanks for taking the time to put all this down in such detail.
Really helpful review mate, thanks for taking the time to put all this down in such detail.
In reply to Post #1
. . .now with pictures - to prove all you 'hill doubters' once and for all . . . .
. . .now with pictures - to prove all you 'hill doubters' once and for all . . . .
In reply to Post #7
Cracking review
Cracking review
In reply to Post #7
Great read, thanks.
Great read, thanks.
In reply to Post #1
QUICK UPDATE . . .
The battery connectors are TIGHT, both when linking each battery together and attaching to the control box. This is fine on assembly but harder to remove – I had to carefully use a pair of pliers to release them and the more hamfisted may break these. Again over time these should loosen up so not a big issue (unless you break them of course)
The inevitable has happened - was packing the car last week in readiness to leave for a session the following morning and had quickly removed the batteries for a quick top up prior to leaving . . .they had kept pretty good charge since the last use but when I reconnected them the red terminal sparked at the spade connector end. Upon closer inspection it had come loose underneath the protective sleeve, presumably a weak soldered connection. . . I turned on the power switch to test the barrow prior to loading in the car - no power.
Was pretty pissed as my windows to fish are limited so I rang Nash CS immediately who initially just redirected me to Angling Direct Birmingham who were to be fair, excellent . . .a photo of what I believed was the offending part (battery connector) plus my warranty details and they said they would sort ASAP. A confirmation email no less than an hour later from Nash confirmed they would be sending the part direct . . .
Annoying I had loaded my Porterlite to get an early start the next morning however the new part had arrived on the doorstep, first post! Top notch CS from Nash, and glad I had bought locally . . .do think however that ALL the electrical connection points on this barrow could be improved to ensure ease of removal and reassembly . . .
QUICK UPDATE . . .
The battery connectors are TIGHT, both when linking each battery together and attaching to the control box. This is fine on assembly but harder to remove – I had to carefully use a pair of pliers to release them and the more hamfisted may break these. Again over time these should loosen up so not a big issue (unless you break them of course)
The inevitable has happened - was packing the car last week in readiness to leave for a session the following morning and had quickly removed the batteries for a quick top up prior to leaving . . .they had kept pretty good charge since the last use but when I reconnected them the red terminal sparked at the spade connector end. Upon closer inspection it had come loose underneath the protective sleeve, presumably a weak soldered connection. . . I turned on the power switch to test the barrow prior to loading in the car - no power.
Was pretty pissed as my windows to fish are limited so I rang Nash CS immediately who initially just redirected me to Angling Direct Birmingham who were to be fair, excellent . . .a photo of what I believed was the offending part (battery connector) plus my warranty details and they said they would sort ASAP. A confirmation email no less than an hour later from Nash confirmed they would be sending the part direct . . .
Annoying I had loaded my Porterlite to get an early start the next morning however the new part had arrived on the doorstep, first post! Top notch CS from Nash, and glad I had bought locally . . .do think however that ALL the electrical connection points on this barrow could be improved to ensure ease of removal and reassembly . . .
In reply to Post #10
Thanks for taking the time to write all this up - really useful!
Courier is en-route with mine as I type.
Will be careful with the battery connectors!
One question:
Can you charge the batteries via the connector cable near the handle with everything in-situ?
I'm hoping mine will just wheel on/off my van and then I can park up in my garage and charge without unloading everything.
Or do you need to physically remove the batteries and charge them directly via the terminals?
Thanks again!
Thanks for taking the time to write all this up - really useful!
Courier is en-route with mine as I type.
Will be careful with the battery connectors!
One question:
Can you charge the batteries via the connector cable near the handle with everything in-situ?
I'm hoping mine will just wheel on/off my van and then I can park up in my garage and charge without unloading everything.
Or do you need to physically remove the batteries and charge them directly via the terminals?
Thanks again!
In reply to Post #11
Same for me. I've been thinking about getting one but i wheel the barrow in/out loaded and straight into the garage. Don't wanna be taking everything off just to charge.
Same for me. I've been thinking about getting one but i wheel the barrow in/out loaded and straight into the garage. Don't wanna be taking everything off just to charge.
In reply to Post #12
Of the handful of youtube videos on the barrow, not one of them covers charging. Weird.
Of the handful of youtube videos on the barrow, not one of them covers charging. Weird.
The batteries are in a self contained bag in the electric box in the frame you only have to remove 2 connectors to take the bag out remove the battery linkage and you can charge them.
In reply to Post #14
Ah, ok. So you can't charge them in-situ - you have to remove the battery bag (which means unloading top chunk of barrow to get the electrics case open).
Thanks for the clarification.
Ah, ok. So you can't charge them in-situ - you have to remove the battery bag (which means unloading top chunk of barrow to get the electrics case open).
Thanks for the clarification.