Lowepro CompuTrekker AW Review
- Product:
- CompuTrekker AW (company site)
- What’s Good:
- Carries lots, Handles weight well
- What’s Bad:
- Laptop Sleeve, It's not for me
This was the first camera bag I purchased and came as a package deal with the camera. It was bought online and I did not have a chance to try it in advance. I was hoping to get something that I could carry a laptop and camera together on a regular basis. This is part 2 in the search of a perfect camera bag. Read part 1: Lowepro Slingshot 100 AW.
The companies product description:
A perfect combination for photo gear and notebook computer, the CompuTrekker AW was designed specifically for digital photographers. Photojournalists and location photographers will find it a great travel companion. The backpack's reinforced construction, shock-absorbing closed-cell foam padding and tough, water-resistant outer fabric protects contents from moisture and sudden impacts. The patented All Weather Cover™ offers maximum protection from extreme weather conditions, dust and sand. A padded notebook compartment is secured with both zipper and quick-release buckle, while the main camera compartment is fully customizable with adjustable padded dividers. A quick-access hide-away Tripod Mount™, SlipLock™ attachment loops and a number of laminated and zippered organizer pockets provide photographers with fast, easy access to equipment.
It's Big
A bit too big and bulky for me. This bag is more ideal of a photographic hiking trip where you need absolutely everything. It's designed to support weight for long periods of time. For anything else, I find the shoulder harness has too many support straps to be useful for daily activities.
Shoulder Straps/Harness
Despite it being bigger then what I wanted, it does do a good job of supporting the weight. I think I could carry this for hours fully loaded and not have any issues with it. It does feel like you are being strapped into a race car though with the giant shoulder pads and various waist and chest buckles.
Laptop
The biggest selling point for me on this was the laptop compartment but unfortunately I think it is too tight to trust. Both a Thinkpad or Macbook would fit but I fear that there would be way too much pressure on the screen. In my opinion, this feature becomes only good to carry papers, maps or magazines.
Tripod
It is fairly simple to attach a full size tripod to the front with the fold out tripod pocket. This works fairly well.
Weather Cover
I have taken this bag twice to the beach and one of those times ended up in a heavy thunderstorm. The bag itself got a little muddy and very wet on the outside but nothing inside showed a trace of water or sand.
Organizational Dividers
Plenty of movable dividers to custom fit any variety of lenses and accessories. It also has 3 zippered pockets inside for batteries, memory cards and cables.
Front Zipper
There is a front pocket that is basically just a giant hole to dump things in. There are no additional pockets there and just adds extra bulk when there is anything in it.
Overall
It is pretty good but it's not for me. I could imagine using this if I was going on a photo workshop for a day and wanted to carry everything but I still wouldn't take a laptop. This bag would be better (for me) if it did not have a laptop sleeve or the front compartment making it much thinner.
Do I Use it?
As mentioned, I have used it a few times but not very often. It's primary source has been a nice way to organize everything in a single place that can be stored away.
