Compu Rover, Adventure 9 or Crumpler Karachi/Brian's Hot Tub... Help please...

[wbessada]

Hi, I'm facing the great backpack dilemna and would really appreciate some advice and your experiences.

I'm looking for a reasonably big backpack that will take a 20D with 17-85 mounted, 80-200mm 2.8, Sigma EF-500 Super flash, nifty and a few accessories. I'd also like to be able to pack my laptop, camcorder and have some space for other general stuff. I realise I need a big bag but don't want it to be enormous.

While I realise the backpack will have to come off to get to the camera gear I want a bag where access is easy - the Tamrac Adventure 9 seems good for this. While I like the styling of the crumplers the best they don't look to have easy access. The Compu Rover looks like it may be the happy median?

Unfortunately I'm having trouble finding a store that stocks any of the bags I'm interested in so I really hope you guys can help.

I've read lots and lots of reviews both here and all over the web but just can't decide which bag to go for with the right balance of size/features without it being too big or difficult to get things out of.

Any photos of these packs or any other ideas (especially on your back) and showing how you access the camera gear would be much appreciated as well as experiences with any or all of them.

Thanks in advance for your help,
WB:)

[coreypolis]

Adventure 9, compared against a Expedition 7 (5577). I use the expedition more, but if I don't need everything then the Adventure is nice, especially being able to carry a 17" laptop or a lunch or extra clothes. The straps are near as nice or padded though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/MISC/IMG_3472.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/MISC/IMG_3471.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/MISC/IMG_3470.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/MISC/IMG_3469.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/MISC/IMG_3467.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/MISC/IMG_3464.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/MISC/IMG_3463.jpg


Expedition:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/MISC/IMG_0917.jpg

[gjman]

Hi, I'm facing the great backpack dilemna and would really appreciate some advice and your experiences.......I'm looking for a reasonably big backpack that will take a 20D with 17-85 mounted, 80-200mm 2.8, Sigma EF-500 Super flash, nifty and a few accessories. I'd also like to be able to pack my laptop, camcorder and have some space for other general stuff. I realise I need a big bag but don't want it to be enormous.....The Compu Rover looks like it may be the happy median?
Any photos of these packs or any other ideas (especially on your back) and showing how you access the camera gear would be much appreciated as well as experiences with any or all of them.


Yep...the compuRover will carry everything you you have. The only problem with the CompuRover (or any bag of this calibre) is YOU. Will your back able to hold that much stuff? Dont say yes, without actually trying to load all that stuff up and then carrying it through an airport. I learnt the hard way and hence the advice.

[chromewaves]

don't have any pics handy but I was debating between the CompuRover and Adventure 9 last Fall and went with the Lowepro. I only use it for travel but have found it quite good and comfortable, considering the size and weight. I went with the Lowepro because though it was approximately the same external dimensions as the Tamrac, the carrying capacity was greater in terms of volume of the third compartment (non-camera/laptop) and I prefered the bucket-style camera compartment to the Tamrac's open-face style. Extra perk that I discovered last month is that since the camera bucket is velcroed in and removable, I could drop it into my timbuk2 messenger bag and it was a perfect fit - voila, instant second camera bag.

On the downside, the extra external pockets, like the mesh ones on the side, are so small they're pretty much useless.

[deadpass]

the karachi outpost will fit about as much as the expedition, maybe more and it's really comfortable. As for access, you have to take the bag off to get to the inside which is great, you'd have to take any backpack off to get into it properly, but somone else could get right in, except with the crumplers. I love my karachi outpost, it'll hold more than I'm typically willing to carry.

[ed.]

I'm in the same boat as you WB so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread ;)

[Xpri]

I tried the Compu Rover and did not like it, found the camera compartment awkward to close so exchanged for a Kata HB205, the jury is still out on that one to. Like many others I've become convinced that the ideal camera backpack does not exist.

[wbessada]

Thanks very much for all the responses - really appreciate your thoughts - very interesting indeed.

gjman, you've hit the nail on the head - I've been carrying this stuff through airports in a shoulder bag and it's been killing my shoulder hence my quest for a backpack. Which backpack did you try?

Do you guys think the waist belt relieves any of the weight on the compu rover?

chromewaves, interesting to hear your views on the bucket camera compartment - how is it to get gear in and out of - is it quick to open and close?

Are there any others worth considering?

Thanks,
WB

[Greg_C]

Another one that may suit your needs is the smaller brother to the Karachi Outpost, the Whickey & Cox.

I personally find the Lowepro great for capacity but nowhere near as comfortable as the Crumpler. I have a Lowepro CompuTrekker also, I suffer from photography bag acquisition syndrome (PBAS).:D

This is how my Whickey & Cox is normally loaded. Add a laptop into this and you need some serious assistance lifting the thing though. Reckon it would fail any carry on weight checks.
http://www.steadyhands.net/share/image19129.jpg
Bit of discussion about it here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=285992
And my review of it here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=250351

Also the review has a shot of a loaded Karachi Outpost.

[chromewaves]

Thanks very much for all the responses - really appreciate your thoughts - very interesting indeed.

gjman, you've hit the nail on the head - I've been carrying this stuff through airports in a shoulder bag and it's been killing my shoulder hence my quest for a backpack. Which backpack did you try?

Do you guys think the waist belt relieves any of the weight on the compu rover?

chromewaves, interesting to hear your views on the bucket camera compartment - how is it to get gear in and out of - is it quick to open and close?

Are there any others worth considering?

Thanks,
WB

I find it really easy to load and unload. you have to put the bag down, but the same goes for all the others. Even with the laptop in back, you can still tilt the bag back to expose the camera compartment easily enough. As quick as undoing the two zippers and since there's no restraining straps for everything, I'd say it's faster than the other design - just drop the gear in and go. And I usually use the sternum strap and waist strap when carrying it - they're there, after all. I find them to be quite handy at distributing the weight properly.

[wbessada]

Another one that may suit your needs is the smaller brother to the Karachi Outpost, the Whickey & Cox.

I personally find the Lowepro great for capacity but nowhere near as comfortable as the Crumpler. I have a Lowepro CompuTrekker also, I suffer from photography bag acquisition syndrome (PBAS).:D

This is how my Whickey & Cox is normally loaded. Add a laptop into this and you need some serious assistance lifting the thing though. Reckon it would fail any carry on weight checks.

Bit of discussion about it here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=285992
And my review of it here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=250351

Also the review has a shot of a loaded Karachi Outpost.

Thanks Greg, where does the laptop go on the Whickey & Cox? When you say the crumpler is more comfortable is it the straps that are better padded?

Cheers,
WB

[wbessada]

I find it really easy to load and unload. you have to put the bag down, but the same goes for all the others. Even with the laptop in back, you can still tilt the bag back to expose the camera compartment easily enough. As quick as undoing the two zippers and since there's no restraining straps for everything, I'd say it's faster than the other design - just drop the gear in and go. And I usually use the sternum strap and waist strap when carrying it - they're there, after all. I find them to be quite handy at distributing the weight properly.

Cool, thanks for that!

[rambler71]

Look into the new Lowepro Vertex series...

100 - 12.1" laptop
200 - 15.4" laptop
300 - 17" laptop

I should have my 300 in about a week...

[gjman]

I have CompuRover, like I said before it works great but its my back that is the weakest link. When fully loaded: with camera gear, , laptop (plus charger), others stuff needed for the trip (passports, ipod, change of clothes, toiletries etc) it can get pretty heavy if your back is not used to such loads. It has a waist strap and you can tighten it a bit to take some load off your back, but gravity still wants to pull you down. So I don't carry the bag "till I have to" or I try to lean against something that will bare the weight.

There is no perfect bag that will fit all your needs, even though I have a Compurover for travel I still got a mini trekker when I am doing day or less trips.

[Greg_C]

Thanks Greg, where does the laptop go on the Whickey & Cox? When you say the crumpler is more comfortable is it the straps that are better padded?

Cheers,
WB

The mesh section zips up to keep the camera gear separate from the laptop pouch (not shown). The laptop pouch Velcro fastens to the back of the bag - the open flap you can see under the mesh.

The shape of the Crumpler bags just seems to make them sit against your back better. Plus the straps are padded a little better also. Part of it is the contoured shape of the straps. The Lowepro bags have always seemed to be boxy to me. Kinda like they designed a bag to hold camera gear and then threw some straps onto it. The Crumpler are the opposite, design a bag and then fit camera gear into it.

[wbessada]

Just an update - I found a store that has both Crumpler and Lowepro, although not the Tamrac, so I had a good look yesterday.

Have to say that while I was impressed with both Compurover and the Crumplers I came away leaning towards the Crumplers.

I felt the Crumplers had the edge on comfort, I preferred the styling and I thought they were a little less identifiable as a camera bag. On the flipside I prefered the multiple compartments of the Compurover and I could probably get more non camera gear into the Compurover.

So I think I'm going to go with a Whickey & Cox or a Karachi Outpost - just need to find the right deal on them - do any of you guys have anywhere you can recommend for good prices? I'm based in the UK but travel to NY quite often so can have it shipped to friends there.

Thanks again for all the help and advice.
WB