Still working on adding photos to a forum post, but you can go to the Inukshuk photo gallery and see several images of the Cubenflator - not a how to photo spread, but you get the gist of it.  See the Cubenflator album inside my portage dog main album. 

As far as the Pumphouse goes, it's pretty small and would require multiple cycles to fill an air mattress.  Compare the specs.  Being generous, it will hold 6.5-7 cubic feet of air and weighs in at 1.5 oz for a cost of $20 plus tax and shipping.  All in, probably close to $30.  I built the Cubenflator for about $45, all in.  It weighs in at 1.375 oz., and hold an amazing 35 cubic feet of air.  Subtract a few cf for the rolled top and you still can fill a big pad in a little over one bag worth of air. 

Everyone has their preferences, but I'll take 3.5 inches of Big Agnes Q-core padding for a good sleep over a few crinkles of noise any day.   up

pd

Jim J Solo wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2012 at 4:41pm:


I had a chance to visit Midwest Mountaineering to kill some time while waiting for a trip partner to arrive in Mpl/SP. So I got the chance to check out a nice selection of the sleeping pads. The REI rep I had on the phone miss led me about the pad I was intending to purchase.

It's just the ultra light models that are built like potato chip bags.

I need to get a new pad if I,m going to continue camping ! I'm loaded with arthriitus and have back abnorallities from 45 years of heavy construction work and at least one one major trauma...many small agrivations.  I hear all this praise of the Big Agnes stuff, but I have not seen any of it. Their web site does not give me much.    I'm 60 miles and a non paid off day frome a Gander Moountain or a Cabela's.     ...plus,I am scrimping on non-eential stuff    I'd really like to hear what you guys know about the varied Therm-a-Rest pads that I  find my Campmor catalogue sells.  What's the difference between a "trek and travel series" and a "fast and light series"...how about the "neoeir mattresses"?   I've got two nickels to rub together right now,...   but by X-mas,,.      well, ...

So is this" pillow' supportive? My wife got an inflatable matrice for a familly / car camping trip we took with the little kids a while back and the sag and sqishey softness of it all almost killed me.   I'm (almost) "funni'n now, ... but I still can't stand up straight.   For most of my life I've used either a folded up wool blanket or a 3 quarter length ,1(?) inch thermo rest self inflating pad I got in the early eighties. I'm always going to wake up "stiff" now but I think I should be able to not be freezing and crippled by dawn   Would the ThermoRest product (I don't know which one would be best) give me some needed "support"that the "comfy" pillow from Agnes would not?. I'd really appreciate some experienced comment on this. 100 to 150 $ plus shipping is saddly", huge!'  right now. If I have to, I'll stick withthe folded up wool blanket...   ...I'll just briing alot more 'rumatiz' meds. (12yr kentucky sippin' types_) :dankk2

After seeing most of the different models in a store. I'd lean to the Exped Syn or Downmat 7cm or 9cm if you're going to try a mostly air pad. Check out Exped website for internal pump video.

I've been on trips were people had leaks with the Big Agnes pads. Big Agnes replaced them OK, but that doesn't help when you're on your trip.

Thermarest has a 40th anniversary model pro-light that's 2" thick. They cut the mummy shape down some from the 1.5" pro-light plus to save weight. It packs smaller than the Expeds if bulk is an issue. Smaller footprint though than the Expeds, but you have the same old foam core left to sleep on if it gets a leak during a trip.

Lots of winners to choose from.