Reasons for Lowepro CompuTrecker Plus AW or Vertex 200/300 AW?

Are there any significant differences between the CompuTrekker and the Vertex backpacks that I should take into account before buying one?

From the Lowepro site, I can't really get a feeling for the difference between them. I have also looked at http://cambags.com/cam​era_bag_mainpage.htm without being able to which one to choose.

The automatic product selector recommends Vertex for adventure/nature and CompuTrekker for photojournalist, but I fail to see the reason for the distinction.

I'm not a journalist, and just want a backpack that fits my 15" widescreen HP NC8430 together with a reasonable set of lenses and extras.

I don't need the backpack to be watertight since I don't plan on conoeing, but I want my equipment to survive a day in heavy rain.

Another question - will the stability of the backpack be affected if I use it without a laptop?

The laptop would go on the outside section of the bag, so you will not be effected if you don't have a laptop.

I have the Photo Treker II, which I like, but I believe the Vertex 200 is lighter. The nice thing with the Vertex is it has pockets on the back of the bag where you can store filters, batteries and such. The Photo Treker II doesn't have those pockets.

I still haven't seen any good reviews though.

Damn you for posting this message. I just went to Penn Camera and picked up the Vertex 100. I wanted a bag that was smaller than my Photo Trekker II. I will let you know how the Vertex feels. Hopefully I will be able to do a little walking with it this weekend.

just got my vertex 200 today. will hopefully put up some photos tomorrow for you after golf

Thanks. I have seen a bag or two that have the computer compartment closest to the body and totally looses their stability if used with heavy load but without a computer. Obviously not good for user nor computer...

It seems like the filter pockets on the back are a bit too small for use with the filter cases - at least the cases for B+W 77mm-filters. Would you dare placing expensive filters in the pockets without the protective filter cases?

After looking at the Vertex 100, I probably wouldn't put filters there either. However the bag is really stable when on the ground and probably wouldn't roll/fall down on the filter compartment. I just tried to put a 77mm filter case in the filter compartment and it didn't fit. I have the smallest bag, so it may fit in the 200 or 300.

I will take some pictures sometime this weekend, however I will not be able to post them, since my wife has all my usb cables. She is out of town for the weekend taking pictures.

I went to my local camera store the other day and tested both the Vertex 100 and 200.
The 100 is just too small. I tried fitting my 5D + 100-400 in there and God the space that was left was just enought to fit in a small packet of sweets. I've no idea what Lowepro was thinking, it's not very spacious inside if you have reasonably large gear.
The Computrekker is a perfect fit... but I ended up getting the 200, because of the feature-set (love those weather-sealed zips!! - perfect for hiking)

the vertex 200 filter holder does hold my 77 mm B+W cases with no problem, holds my 77 mm promaster filter case too (same as Hoya). the weather sealed zippers are a nice touch, and there are plenty of pockets for accessories.

Well, I went ahead and bought the Vertex 300.

It takes a lot of force to push a B+W 77mm filter case into a filter slot. And because the filter case is too large, it will block part of the filter slot above. They are clearly meant for smaller filter boxes. I would not feel comfortable placing naked filters in them, since I feel that the weight of a loaded bag would be able to crack them if the bag falls. Especially since the memory cards are stored outside the filters. Besides, the filter slots don't have the soft liner for use without filter boxes.

I'm look for a new backpack, for a mix of motorsport and hiking.

At the moment either the Vertex 100 or 200 look favourite, but those crazy small filter slots are really bugging me, what were LowePro thinking putting those tiny pockets in? I don't need the laptop pocket but I can live with it. I like the zips and the padding on both the pack and the various straps is great, much better than other LowePro packs.

I have posted a bit of comments and some pictures of the Vertex 300 AW in this thread:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=351222