Dakine Sequence review!

Top is pic of 2008 Sequence pack, bottom is pic of 2009 pack. The proportions don't show on the pics but the 2009 pack is taller and wider. Note the 2009 pack has an additional felt-lined pocket on the front pocket but it can't hold much. Mainly stuff like sunglasses. Dakine really should add bellows to the front pocket so you can hold more stuff. The reason you can't is the back of the monoblock presses on the front pocket area limiting space:

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I use the 08 Sequence for all my stuff and it works great. If I'm traveling really light I'll take out the block so I can fit other stuff in as well. I find it works well in the bc and as my carry-on.

First post here and stoked on all the info in this thread!

Awesome review and thanks for the pictures (the three pics on the Dakine site don't really help out much!) Basically I've been looking for a inconspicuous backpack to carry my gear to asia and I've been freaking about all the international carry on regulations/limits.

Northwest Airlines has the following posted on their website:

• Cannot exceed 45 linear inches (9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches)

I'm 95% sure that i'm going to buy this backpack, but i'm just wondering if someone can recommend an almost identical backpack that's around 20% smaller. I only really need to hold a 40d body, 2 lenses (24-105 / 10-22) and a 430EX II and some accessories like batteries and cards.

This backpack just looks a bit too big and bulky for my needs.

Thanks

Its a great backpack, the only thing that I can think of that I would like is a dedicated tripod holder. I got the black version as I wasn't keen on the funky camo.

nick evans wrote in post #6459900
I'm 95% sure that i'm going to buy this backpack, but i'm just wondering if someone can recommend an almost identical backpack that's around 20% smaller. I only really need to hold a 40d body, 2 lenses (24-105 / 10-22) and a 430EX II and some accessories like batteries and cards.

This backpack just looks a bit too big and bulky for my needs.

Thanks

Check out the DaKine Mission Photo bag. I have this bag myself in addition to the Sequence and it is smaller compared to the Sequence.

rodal126 wrote in post #6460363
Check out the DaKine Mission Photo bag. I have this bag myself in addition to the Sequence and it is smaller compared to the Sequence.

+1

The Dakine Mission Photo Pack (not plain Mission pack) also opens from the back and has a smaller camera block then the Sequence. It also opens halfway from the front, so you can access the empty area on top the block from that side.

I often use the Mission Photo pack for trips when I don't need to carry all my lenses, but the caveat is it has much less bells-and-whistles. The waist belt is plain with no pockets. There is the same large water bottle pocket on one side of the bag like the Sequence, but the pocket above it is too small to store much of anything. There is a pocket on the other side of the bag but it too is limited in size.

One thing about the Mission Photo pack is it can carry a hydration bladder or laptop no problem as the front pocket (not padded) has more space than the Sequence. I can also carry a 3/4" thick map book and other flat material behind the camera block by opening the pack from the front. So this pack will carry basically all my essentials same as the Sequence.

Whenever you buy a pack with a camera block it will be bulky and stick out on your back. Pretty much no way around it.

Another advantage of the Mission Photo pack is the smaller camera block fits fine in my other 1600-1800 cu. in. backpacks. To me, there is a problem again with the 2009 version as they made the block bigger so there is less storage space above the block inside the pack. Plus 1" accessory straps on the shoulder straps were done away with.

One complaint I have about Dakine is the customer service leaves much to be desired. They rarely reply to e-mail and I had to bug them three times before they told me they don't sell dividers for any of the blocks separately. You have to make your own or buy another pack or block to scavenge the dividers.

great review,
I'm considering getting one, any online stores that you'd recommend or any canadian online stores anyone can recommend?

thanks
Raymond

What's the longest telephoto that will fit? 300 2.8?

rwong2k wrote in post #6462845
great review,
I'm considering getting one, any online stores that you'd recommend or any canadian online stores anyone can recommend?

thanks
Raymond

See DPC's post above, Backcountryoutlet.com also has the 2008 Mission Photo Pack which I am talking about. The discount coupon still holds.

I don't have a telephoto lens yet so I can't answer Vascilli's question.

Clevor wrote in post #6463079
See DPC's post above, Backcountryoutlet.com also has the 2008 Mission Photo Pack which I am talking about. The discount coupon still holds.

I don't have a telephoto lens yet so I can't answer Vascilli's question.

excellent!
missed that post!

just ordered the 2008 model off that site with 50% off!

thanks

Clevor and Rodal, thanks very much for the advice. Looks like a great pack.

Question for anyone living in Vancouver BC if i may? Are there any stores in central Vancouver that regularly stock the Dakine Camera Backpacks? Dakine customer service weren't of much assistance.

Ordered my Sequence off of backcountryoutlet.com and got 50% off also, thanks DPC for the info...

I did go to backcountry.com to try and use the code for the 2009 Dakine Sequece but it proved to be invalid. sigh.

**edit**
Went back to check to see if they still had them in stock and inventroy was zero for the plain black ones, they went from 8 last week to 0...I wonder how many members on here took advantage of the discount...

But they do have 16 of the "Black Box" patterned Sequences....Happy Shopping.

Sweet! I'm stoked to hear that few people have been able to take advantage of the 50% off deal!!! And thanks again to "Nick Pro" for posting up this thread/review!

Yeah - I also tried the coupon code on their regular (non-outlet) store too, but no go.

Ok - so I have a confession.. I'm actually using the backpack for video gear. Originally I was looking for a low-profile bag to carry my gear overseas. The Sequence fits the style that I was after, but the ICU (stealling f-stop's backpacks terminiology "internal camera unit") was not ideal for the Panasonic HVX200. Ironically I just happened to have my padded divider from my Pelican 1510 laying around, so I thought I would give it a try and here are the results.

By using the 1510 padded dividers it does take some space away from the top pocket and what used to fit a pair of goggles + small misc stuff will now only fit 2 x USB drives or a small book..

NOTE: A laptop will fit in the outside pocket as mentioned by other members, but it will *NOT* be protected since there is NO padding!

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WOW, your HVX fits perfect. Without the camera block in place do you find the bag to be sturdy enough?