Looking at the Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW

I ripped the zipper of my smaller backpack that I brin with me on the plane.

this means i need a new bag that can be a airplane carry on and handle an SLR body, with notebook and about 3 lenses and a flash.

I'm looking for compact and stumbles accross this bag...

it looks good but does anyone own it?

Is it ok for overseas air travel?

I've got the Computrekker AW (not the plus). It's a little smaller than the plus model...but it's big enough to hold an SLR with three lenses and a flash. Even the one that I have, is too big to fit into those 'carry on bags must fit into here' stands in the airport...but I've never had a problem taking it on to any airplane...and I've taken it with me to across Canada, to Central America, Europe and Kazakhstan. The AW cover came in very handy in Costa Rica, where it rained quite a lot.

If you can fit all your stuff into the Computrekker (non plus) then it may be a better choice because it's a bit smaller and has less of a chance of causing a commotion at the airports. On the other hand, it's not huge and extra room is always welcome.

Lowepro is a great brand and I highly recommend them. The quality and design are very good. That being said, I don't like my backpack...as a backpack. Because it's designed to be quite rigid to protect your gear...it's quite a lump. When I'm wearing it...I feel like a hump back. I don't mind the weight...and it's fairly comfortable with all the straps done up...but as a backpack...it's short and stocky...and I would prefer it to be longer...like a hiking backpack.

thanks for your feedback mike

I'm now starting to think about the 200 AW

I like the fact that it's quick to get to my camera..

That's another thing about backpacks...they are a pain to get into. Not only that you have to take it off...but the way it opens...you pretty much have to lay it out and open it up. Grabbing the camera/lens from the top middle is OK...but anything else and you have to put it down and open up the flap. If you are in a wet/dirty area...then you either have to try to do it on you lap...or put the straps in the muck. In this regard, I much prefer my old shoulder bag with top flap. I can access my gear while on the go...and I can set the bag down in the dirt if I have to. It's a pain to carry for a long time/distance though...which is why I got the backpack.

Those slingshot bags seem to be a hybrid of the backpack and shoulder bag. I've never tried one...so I don't know. They idea is good...and if you can fit all your gear into one...then there you go. I always like to try a bag out before I buy...it's hard to judge size by pictures on your screen.

I've got the Computrekker AW 2 years ago. I love it as caryon. Did not have any problem to fly to Europe, Mexico, over US... But I always care Toploader 70 with 5d+1.4 f50+flash, to have it ready to use if needed during the flight.
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LowePro Computer Trek Plus is a great bag and will safely hold ALOT of gear. The quality of the construction is top notch, stitching, zippers, fabrics, buckles. Great for air travel as you can always have the gear with you in the overhead. Drag this bag all over asia, the south pacific, north america and europe, not a tear or one broken part yet.

Additionally the design is well thought out, inside thickly padded areas with adjustments, load levelers on the shoulder straps, nicely padded waste belt, many pockets for your photo support gear. A rain cover that neatly hides on the bottom. If you are familar with lowePro the have "slip lock" add on pouches, and the side of the pack have slip lock loops, so you can add on additional lens cases, phone cases, pda etc, which are very handy.

The outside layer of the back contains a special pocket and straps for your tripod. Inside that first layer is a large pocket sectioned out for you office related gear, pencil, paper, manuals, memory cards. Next Layer opens into the main padded & adjustable compartment for 5 lenses, Flash, 2 dslrs and some other accesories fit nicely. One more layer down is a side open padded pocket which the laptop will slide in. This bag is also airline carryon and will fit in the overhead fine. I was stopped once only while security measured my tripod and approved its length.

Two complaints ; with this pack loaded it is VERY heavy, something I did not think about. Also - there is no way to safely stowe the bag on top of a rolling luggage piece while walking through the airport. Even with the above complaints I could not imagine travelling with out the CompTrekPlus. Recommend checking out the "Pro Roller Series".

For walking around I also travel with the "400reporter" and the "Offtrail2". I hate to keep buying bags but you just can't have one bag. At the moment really interested in the 7million or 6million since this bag is very inconspicious (non-camera looking).

Just noticed MORE slip lock loops on the waist belt.<<<<<<

Broncobear wrote in post #2455425
I'm now starting to think about the 200 AW

I like the fact that it's quick to get to my camera..

seriously consider one of the toploaders they are the easiest to access plus you have the option of a waistbelt when your shoulders get to painful.

Big Mike wrote in post #2455856
That's another thing about backpacks...they are a pain to get into. Not only that you have to take it off...but the way it opens...you pretty much have to lay it out and open it up.

Totally agree with you on this point. The CompTrekPlus is great for transporting alot of gear from point A to point B. Always must a pack a walk around bag / toploader once unpacked.

they are a great bag
i have the computrekker plus and it easily holds
350d with grip
580ex
70-200f2.8
28-80
18-55
50 f1.8
2xTC
spare memory cards
spare batteries for flash
AA grip adapter
Cleaning gear (in large rocket blower)
Chargers for Camera and Laptop
full size mouse
Sony 15.4" laptop (it will hold laptop's up to 17" but i dont own one)
small first aid kit
spare body (400d)
film body (eos 300)
tripod collar for 70-200
Reflective vest

thats about all that i have packed in mine
be aware that it is very heavy with this much gear so i generally carry a lot less

it is also too big to fit through the "bag must fit in here" things at the airport
but i havent flown with my bag yet

hope this helps

I had that bag before I sold it. Great for lugging around lots of equipment w/ laptop but the thing is humongous! It's heavy while loaded and sticks out like a sore thumbs...basically screams "I'm carrying all my camera gear...steal me!" lol JKJK. I would recommend getting the roller version instead because it can get quite heavy carrying it on the back after a while. Yes you can take it on the plane. I had no problems doing that. Hope this helps.

I own both the Computrekker AW plus and the Slingshot 200AW. Thye serve different purposes. I am going to pick up a Crumpler 7 million dollar home to replace the 200AW. The Computrekker can fit all of my gear plus my laptop and still have room for more. It is heavy though. The 200AW fits my 20D w grip and 24-70 attached(hood reversed) plus my 10-22 and 50 1.4 and my 580EX. My 70-200 won't fit unless it is the only thing in there. But is is a cool bag to carry with easy access.

My wife just bought me this bag for Christmas. It's HUGE, enough room for my current setup and room to grow. Love it so far but the ultimate test, traveling with it, comes next week.

I have a computrekker (non plus). The only complaint Í have is that the laptop bit is placed to the rear. As previously stated this bag becomes heavy. So when you have put 3 or 4 kilos in, its all sitting on your precious delicate laptop screen. Weight like this WILL cause sunspots on the screen. Therefore when im putting it down (in the boot of the car etc) I end up leaving it face down in order to eleviate the weight off the laptop (sorry I love my camera gear buy I really love my mac) I too am considering getting a seperate bag for walking around. I am going to paris for new years and dont fancy having it on my back all day. That said it is a great bag for transport services.

One thing I noticed about my Computrekker, just last night. I wish the main compartment was just a bit deeper...so that it could hold my camera bodies turned sideways. I just bought a 2nd 20D, along with the 18-85 IS lens...so I had to rearrange my bag. I was hoping to have the 2nd body in there, with a lens attached (probably the 50mm F1.8 mk 1)...but I couldn't make it work. I had to take the lens off the 2nd body and stow it separately. If the bag was a bit deeper...I could have turned the body up 90 degrees to have the lens pointed north/south.

I'll probably find a better way to do it...when I really set my mind to it. I agree with Onbit, you really need different bags for different situations. I'm up to at lease 5 different bags now...not counting the huge suit case that I use to haul my lighting gear for on-location portraits.

I forgot to mention...I don't even have a lap top...I got the Computrekker because it was $20 less expensive than the same size bag without the lap top compartment. I use that area to hold magazines or a fold-flat flash diffuser that I made.