New expedition overland vid
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jacksparrow
New member
Amazing! Wish I was on that adventure.
Haha this is amazing! Well... time to kill more time on the internet watching their other vids...
adaml
New member
What's "cringe" about it?
wfo9
New member
Mostly everything. The intro itself is the most cringe worthy part for me. The rest of it was just boring. But I'll have to admit that I'm a bit hypocritical, in that I did finish the episode. So there is something I must like about it... just can't describe it in a positive light. It's like watching curb your enthusiasm. Lots of cringe but still entertaining and well done.
samwhich
New member
The part where they decide 2 weeks in advanced they should learn self-defense tactics before driving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gear and vehicles though a third world country did it for me
LawnDart
Senior Member
I wouldn't call anything cringe worthy outside of the VO. The biggest issue is that they take things so seriously that I wonder if anyone involved has any fun at all.
I'd still contend that no one has made ANYTHING rivaling Long Way Down / Long Way Round, which actually felt like a legitimate journey filled with struggle. Everything else, all these other youtube shows, feel like expensive vacation home movies.
Don't get me wrong, I wish I had a giant hanger filled with multiple vehicles, tactical ops room, training montages, etc etc, but once you get beyond the gear porn I don't really see much story being told.
There's this weird trend right now, where taking things too seriously in the overland world has created two distinct and self-loathing camps:
1. Hardcore Overlanders - who take things so seriously that I don't think they have fun at all, nor can they realize some of the stuff they do is goofy.
2. Absolute Haters - People who aren't overlanders, identify as rock crawlers, who hate the overland trend and go out of their way to shit on those that don't do what they do.
And then there's normal people in the middle who enjoy camping for being relaxing and not a competition via social media means.
I don't dislike XO at all, I am just impartial the more I watch, as I feel their first season, the shorter vignettes and trips they did, were much more honest and more inspirational.
I'd still contend that no one has made ANYTHING rivaling Long Way Down / Long Way Round, which actually felt like a legitimate journey filled with struggle. Everything else, all these other youtube shows, feel like expensive vacation home movies.
Don't get me wrong, I wish I had a giant hanger filled with multiple vehicles, tactical ops room, training montages, etc etc, but once you get beyond the gear porn I don't really see much story being told.
There's this weird trend right now, where taking things too seriously in the overland world has created two distinct and self-loathing camps:
1. Hardcore Overlanders - who take things so seriously that I don't think they have fun at all, nor can they realize some of the stuff they do is goofy.
2. Absolute Haters - People who aren't overlanders, identify as rock crawlers, who hate the overland trend and go out of their way to shit on those that don't do what they do.
And then there's normal people in the middle who enjoy camping for being relaxing and not a competition via social media means.
I don't dislike XO at all, I am just impartial the more I watch, as I feel their first season, the shorter vignettes and trips they did, were much more honest and more inspirational.
e60ral
Banned
they seem to have toned down the tacticool nonsense (other than the training), but with the magpul sponser i'm worried that won't last
The Road Chose Me (guy drives wrangler around africa):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkyky5zC8R1Gi6YeeCR6BDg/featured
KombiLife (hippies exploring in a kombi):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV7BvFPyD5Lixoo8yMRiLA
Ride Must Go On (adventure motorcycle traveling):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCng3qXs4HnzFw147ahDGnBA
The Travelling Together Journal (down to earth overlanding):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1lbODyUJlK0Ll7xJZ7ggSg
And then there are a bunch of sailing channels I follow because even though the mode of travel is different, it seems to share a lot of the same interests as overlanding. Some of the sailing channels have blown up in popularity and are now all sponsered like XO, but WhiteSpotPirates is authentic and down to earth and shows all the setbacks
WhiteSpotPirates:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkYfFeySHGN4DPrOc9So7PA
Checkout c90adventures on youtube (guy drives honda c90 all over the world. weird sense of humor but entertaining, canada and USA videos with the girl are good): https://www.youtube.com/user/c90adventures
The Road Chose Me (guy drives wrangler around africa):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkyky5zC8R1Gi6YeeCR6BDg/featured
KombiLife (hippies exploring in a kombi):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV7BvFPyD5Lixoo8yMRiLA
Ride Must Go On (adventure motorcycle traveling):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCng3qXs4HnzFw147ahDGnBA
The Travelling Together Journal (down to earth overlanding):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1lbODyUJlK0Ll7xJZ7ggSg
And then there are a bunch of sailing channels I follow because even though the mode of travel is different, it seems to share a lot of the same interests as overlanding. Some of the sailing channels have blown up in popularity and are now all sponsered like XO, but WhiteSpotPirates is authentic and down to earth and shows all the setbacks
WhiteSpotPirates:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkYfFeySHGN4DPrOc9So7PA
AdmiralAugbar
New member
I watched it and enjoyed it mostly. That self-defense training montage though... oh lawd. Also like others have stated it just seems wayyyyyyyy too serious. Like every decision they make is life or death.
lukeskywalker
New member
I agree wholeheartedly.
While the production quality is nice, there's something a bit cringey about the whole thing. It's like the guys who have all the top gear, boots to satellite GPS, just to do a 2 mile hike up a hill.
I don't know... to me, over preparedness defeats a bit of the wonder and awe in traveling. Anyone who has backpacked around the world knows this. It's like opposite of the truths one finds after taking risks to see the far corners of the world. Like mommy who packs in excess to ensure little Billy gets all his needs, inhaler and all. It's kind of an overcompensation of one's dull life, trying to re-achieve the feats of Magellan in our modern age.
Reminds me of the time in the Amazon when a group of Americans came out of their tourist van with full on mesh gear to combat the insects (no joke). Everyone was laughing quietly and rolling eyes. That day I was Tahitian.
I love the US, but damn, sometime Americans can be so cringe-worthy.
Maybe it's the VO, and the author trying to be 'this great explorer'. I imagine him one knee posing, after conquering a rock he climbed with his 4runner, a shot he posts on facebook. I mean...all you really do is put your foot on a pedal...
lukeskywalker
New member
The part where they decide 2 weeks in advanced they should learn self-defense tactics before driving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gear and vehicles though a third world country did it for me
I totally agree. It's kind of a relief that there are 'normal' people on here who can call a spade a spade. We have too much feel-good overcompensating vanity in this country. People need to get off their TV, phones, laptops and experience life and the world in person.
It's quite condescending for people from other countries. What's next, gas masks and haz-mat suits to enter the 3rd world?
I remember when I was in S Korea, a US CNN correspondent wore a flak jacket walking around Seoul, claiming artillery shells were going off 'just miles away". People were like ... "What the ... hell" as they walked leisurely in high heels shopping.
We have a very strange culture of hyberbolized everything. Which is why I bought a 4runner...so that I can escape the BS anytime I want.
samster747
New member
Yes, this exactly! As former law enforcement, I was like, really?! Is this all necessary? Hand to hand, driving tactics, etc... when did overlanding become so tactical? Good grief, they don’t even need half the stuff they’re carrying. To me it’s just overkill. Although I’ll admit, I watch to see the background, scenery and just the filming/videography. All the other stuff is unnecessary. And finally, just enough with border crossing paperwork red tape.
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LawnDart
Senior Member
So as some know I'm a tv/commercial editor and senior motion graphics guy, I've worked on shows a lot of you have seen, etc, so I come at this from that perspective.
But I still think I'd rather see a show where XO is given a month to prepare, and like old school top gear, they'd ship whatever gear could be put in a single shipping container, then they'd procure whatever vehicles within a budget they could onsite, and they'd have a week to outfit them.
Meaning you go to South America and you have to buy whatever fits within a limited budget, not all of your upgrades work, not all of your shit fits, and you have no tuned and prepped vehicles.
I also think that self documentation leads to boring presentation. The problem with documenting your own trips, is that you're inclined to ONLY roll camera on the moments where you look good, or things are going super well.
I keep bringing up Ewan McGregor's series, because they we're done objectively by a film crew that didn't step in to help. As a result we got a pretty unvarnished take on their trips, which lead to some great moments. Whereas with XO, and let me be clear I think it's awesome they found a way to make these trips pay for themselves, but they come off as too staged and as a result they're boring.
Trail of Missions was unique and weird for me because as an editor it was weird seeing a film crew work, and not capturing some of the stuff I thought would make for good TV, but because I was purely a driver, I could just have fun. The minute you mix those two jobs (production and talent) into one role, fun does not really occur.
But I still think I'd rather see a show where XO is given a month to prepare, and like old school top gear, they'd ship whatever gear could be put in a single shipping container, then they'd procure whatever vehicles within a budget they could onsite, and they'd have a week to outfit them.
Meaning you go to South America and you have to buy whatever fits within a limited budget, not all of your upgrades work, not all of your shit fits, and you have no tuned and prepped vehicles.
I also think that self documentation leads to boring presentation. The problem with documenting your own trips, is that you're inclined to ONLY roll camera on the moments where you look good, or things are going super well.
I keep bringing up Ewan McGregor's series, because they we're done objectively by a film crew that didn't step in to help. As a result we got a pretty unvarnished take on their trips, which lead to some great moments. Whereas with XO, and let me be clear I think it's awesome they found a way to make these trips pay for themselves, but they come off as too staged and as a result they're boring.
Trail of Missions was unique and weird for me because as an editor it was weird seeing a film crew work, and not capturing some of the stuff I thought would make for good TV, but because I was purely a driver, I could just have fun. The minute you mix those two jobs (production and talent) into one role, fun does not really occur.
GottaSkiBC
Junior Member
Re: XO
the North America series was the most watchable and interesting, then they seem to be getting progressively more polished/planned and unfortunately boring. Maybe McKenzie Trail would be the exception - I liked that one.
They definitely have great camera-work / editing. Their stuff looks great.
the North America series was the most watchable and interesting, then they seem to be getting progressively more polished/planned and unfortunately boring. Maybe McKenzie Trail would be the exception - I liked that one.
They definitely have great camera-work / editing. Their stuff looks great.
shrub1
Member
Couple of those dudes need to take their health more seriously.
So many young folks are obese these days. They can start be being more disciplined with their diet and exercise rather than taking self defense knife fighting training. In a real street fight they'd be so winded it wouldn't amount to hill of beans.
I think the show is entertaining and they seem like nice people.
So many young folks are obese these days. They can start be being more disciplined with their diet and exercise rather than taking self defense knife fighting training. In a real street fight they'd be so winded it wouldn't amount to hill of beans.
I think the show is entertaining and they seem like nice people.
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shrub1
Member
talks.
