Laptop Bags

[Trung Si Ma]

Uber-bump.

I need something else ...

http://www.brightlinebags.com/  Bought one for a friend for his birthday and then had to get one for myself.  One of our wing check pilots had one at the last SAREX and we spend most of the morning comparing where we hid the goodies in the bag.

[Dracosbane]

That Oakley bag and vest combo reminds me of the tac vest and attachments that I see used on Stargate Atlantis.  Y'know, the ones where they have the tablet computer in a case that velcroes to the back of the vest and stays attached during a firefight.  Or the tac vest with the three day pack that attaches with those squeeze clip things and not with shoulder straps.

Of course I also want one of those comm earpieces that you can just activate by tapping the thing.  And an F302.

[Eclipse]

The one NIN spoke of is disco'ed, so I shopped around and found the 2.0 version (also disco'ed), which is either going to be
perfect or not big enough.  I forgot about the InStand.

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Oakley-AP-Sandbag-20-Computer-Bag/OAK1373M.html


Its a 3-way option on the strap, handle, sling back, or unzip the sling and becomes a backpack.  On paper it meets the spec, so it will be either a cup of awesome or the worst idea ever.

[NIN]

Eclipse,

The 2.0 version, IMHO (without the opportunity to FB it a little) looks ... weird.

I have the 1.0 version, and I still love it 2 years on even though it doesn't fit my M4300 all that well (widescreen..)  The "sling" process has totally become 2nd nature, and it fits "closely" to my back when in that mode, such that I feel a lot better about schlepping things around across, say, an airport, etc, than I did with a backpack.  (although when I go to KY next month, I'm probably gonna schlep my laptop in my Camelbak BFM, since its Sage Green and thus is the appropriate color when traveling in uniform..)

Here are some pics I just snapped







Mine was disco'd, too, but Mustang found it in an Oakley Outlet store in Camarillo, CA.

Like I said, the 2.0 to me just looks weird.  maybe its awesome, maybe its not.

EDIT: And yes, that's an orange "Light My Fire" spork in my admin pouch. Its right next to my passport.

[Eclipse]

Looks like yours has definitely BTDT - I'll know in  a few days as the 2.0 shipped today.

I found some reviews that said the sling mode was the least favorite on the 2.0 because of some issue with the attachment point,
so time will tell.

Anything smaller that can fit my "stuff" and be a backpack in a pinch is an improvement.

That Spork would go nicely with the Sierra XM collapsable mug I just got for my caffeine hype travel coffee kit,

[NIN]

I scooted the two main pouches "outboard" to make room for my el-cheaop admin pouch (pens, screwdrivers, passport, spork.. guy's gotta travel prepared), but everything else is stock.

I need to clean it out. I wind up with a ton of junk flying around in there (extra USB cables, etc) that I don't necessarily need, but still wind up jammed in there.

(A quick inventory: Computer, power brick, miniUSB cable x 2, split USB cable for hard disk, microUSB cable, card reader, snap case with flash/SD cards, zipper case with memory sticks, gum, USB wireless projector remote, external hard disk, pens, highlighters, Moleskine notebook, spork, passport, mini-screwdriver, gum, business card holders, Afghanistan IED language translator,  USB 2.0 hub, office keys, more memory sticks... Yeah, too much junk..)

[Eclipse]

Nothing more frustrating than a UPS tracker that is "in transit"...

[Strick]

I just bougha large bailout bag from LAPOLICE GEAR, FOR ABOUT 36.00, very tactical and doubles as my mission flight bag.  Good quality and LA POLICE GEAR has some awsome deals........

[Eclipse]

Nothing more frustrating than a UPS tracker that is "in transit"...

UPS says its in the truck for delivery...

[NIN]

Nothing more frustrating than a UPS tracker that is "in transit"...

UPS says its in the truck for delivery...

Oh, I _hate_ that...

I sent my digital altimeter back to the manufacturer about 2 weeks ago. They're in _Denmark_.  Tracking that package as it got to the overseas facility in Jersey, then went to Denmark, cleared customs, went out for delivery, etc, was _maddening_. 

I hope when they send it back it just shows up in my mailbox unannounced.  Far less anticipation!

[Eclipse]

Nothing like a visit from the UPS lady!

First impression?  Perfect.

Everything I had in the old bag fits fine and the Sandbag is much more compact. 100% my new "Tactical Purse",
and I will be recommending it to anyone who will listen despite it being discontinued.  I wanted something
rugged, but that would not look too out of place in a meeting room setting.  If color is not an issue, I found
sources that had the same bag in a silver-camo pattern for about $30 less than the $80(ish) I paid for this one.

First a comparison of the two:

The main problem with the old one was that while it was bigger, it wasn't bigger in a useful way.
It would probably fit a 17" desktop replacement machine, but I don't need that, and the larger pouches
just wind up making it harder to pass through doors, etc. This and not having a backpack capability
were the issue.
On a very rare occasion I hooked a Blackhawk tube-style stuff bag with clothes off the back, which was handy but made it
even harder to carry, and I never did find anything to hook on those front top loops.

This is everything going in, and exactly what was in the old one:


Dell D630 Notebook and power supply.
InStand with shelf
Clearspot mobile access point with accessories & power supply
Notebook presenter mouse in case
Caffeine Hype kit including a  Sea To Summit X-Mug collapsible mug and Spork (thanks NIN!)
Targus wireless presenter (new version)
LED flashlight
Leatherman PST in concealment holster
Travel and car power adapters for USB & cables
Ethernet cable
Various Mapping tools
Fisher Bullet-style Space Pen
Business card holders (2)
Mini first aid kit
Mini stapler & staples
Chunk of CAP keys
USB flash key
Page flags
Mints

This is the new one fully packed.  A place for everything and everything in its place. Exactly what I was looking for.


The bag comes with three strap options - handle, messenger strap, and backpack - no more swapping bags for the
train or plane, and has optional hooks for a shoulder strap - considering the number of "Tactical Purses" I have in the
basement, I may throw a shoulder strap in the bag as well - there is a zipped pouch on the bag to hold the straps
when not being used.
Check here for pics of the messenger and backpack strap modes:  http://www.ebags.com/oakley/ap_sandbag_2_0/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=116924

My two whines - the side left/right pockets are not quite big enough for the Dell power brick, so they don't close as securely
as the old bag.  Decision time on a bigger pocket or a smaller power supply.  There also is no hook inside for that chunk of keys -
that's fairly easily remedied.  The stand fits very nicely in the bottom of the main stuff pocket, like it was made for it.

There's been some gnashing of teeth in various review sites about the bag unhooking when used in messenger mode
and falling off the shoulders.  I won't know if that is a design issue or user error until I have tried it for a while, but
to be safe I might change the attachments from the included sliders to some positive hooks.

All in all, big win and glad I asked the question again here...

[jimmydeanno]

It looks like a great bag with plenty of space.  Just to satisfy my own curiosity, what is it weighing in at?  Any more stuff in there and I might consider finding a spot to store the dolly... 

[Dracosbane]

Eclipse, where'd you get that mug?

[Eclipse]

I got them locally from an REI, however here's one of several sources:
http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Sea-To-Summit-X-Mug-Collapsible-Mug/STS0070M.html
(Backcountry was where I got the Sandbag from as well).



Mine is blue, they work great and are very stable.

[Dracosbane]

Surprisingly, after a little google-fu, I happened to find that exact page before you linked it.  I was holding on to it as a "this looks cool if it's not what he's got" link.

Thanks!  I'll add it to my want list.

[tdepp]

I love the fancy schmancy bags I've seen here.  I even have a $90 digital camo tactical computer bag with an nice inner liner for the laptop.

But what do I actually use on missions?  The $15 CAP padded backpack sold by that evil company, Vanguard.  Inexpensive, well made, padded, nice pockets, can carry on my back or like a briefcase.   Oh, and did I mention it is currently $15 and looks good?  (Ok, $23 with shipping.)

http://www.vanguardmil.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_1973&products_id=13603

Used it Sunday as a MS.  Sits nicely on the back right seat or stows easily in the wayback of the 172 or 182.  Would I take it through the mud and water and thorns of a jungle?  No.  But for reasonable use by reasonable people in reasonable conditions, it works great and doesn't break the bank.  If I expect water, I'll put my stuff in sealable plastic bags I can get at Walmart or Hyvee for $5 for 12 or so. 

Sure, go ahead and laugh.  But it works and it looks good and I can buy four or five or six of these for the cost of one of the Terminator bags here.  Not that I wouldn't gladly like one as an Xmas or birthday present. 

[MSgt Van]

Anybody tried the SI computer bag from Oakley Government Sales?
https://secure.usstandardissue.com/Product_Detail.cfm?id=160

[NIN]

Anybody tried the SI computer bag from Oakley Government Sales?
https://secure.usstandardissue.com/Product_Detail.cfm?id=160

If I don't miss my guess, thats the bag that Eclipse was trading away from..

EDIT: Nevermind me. Its similar, but not the same bag. The Oakley bag, like my Sandbag v1.0, has parachute-style hardware, whereas the one that Eclipse had was equipped mostly with Fastex buckles and such.

[Pumbaa]

I am a bag whore.. I buy a bag and then find a use...  I love this one!

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FATBOY-VERSIPACK-4p31.htm



I like that I can pack my 45 in it...

[MSgt Van]

I can hear it now:

Cadet "Sir, I can't get this ELT to shut off"
Pumbaa "Stand back..."