F-Stop Tilopa Review

Has anyone had experience carrying it on a plane or will most airlines require it to be checked?

I have traveled extensively with it on planes and nobody has ever taken a second look at it.

I have recently come across the F-Stop bags, and now I think I have real gear lust for the Tilopa.

At the moment I have; Lowepro Pro Trekker, Lowepro Vertex AW200, Lowepro Flipside AW300, Tamrack Adventure 7, and have also owned a Lowepro Slingshot 200AW and Nanau Pro. All of these had their benefits but none have quite hit the mark. The Pro Trekker is probably my favourite due to its harness system but it is also very heavy and huge. My currently most used one is the Vertex 200AW. Again not a bad bag, and a better size for daytrips and trekking, but also very heavy for what it is.

So I am on the hunt for a perfect trekking daysack, and I think the Tilopa may just be what I'm after. I fly out to Canada for 3 weeks this Friday so I'm too late to order one before I fly out, but I when I come back I am very likely to order one.

A few questions first though; If I get the Tilopa, what ICU is best for me? The kit I carry 95% of the time when out and about is; Nikon (I know, I'm a darksider!) D300 (Gripped, and ungripped), Nikon 300mm f4 AF-S, 1.4X TC, Sigma 30mm f1.4, Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6, 3-4 Filters, remote shutter, memory cards, Gitzo 1541T tripod etc. During the summer months I may also carry my Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro lens. Would all this fit in the large ICU (With the 300mm f4 attached to the body)? How about even the medium ICU?

Also am I right in believing that a new Tilopa (mk3?) is due out towards the end of the year? If so, what features will have been added or changed? Is it worth the wait? Also will the Tilopa be available in the grey mist colour of the new Loka when it is released?

The Large ICU that comes with the bag should hold all of that. If you want a bit more space in the bag for other gear, then get a medium too (I think they are available shortly). I have the Large in mine and I'd also like to be able to use it with a Medium. I don't think I'd want to carry any bag that had a full XL ICU in it - just too heavy (that's a lot of glass).

The tripod will fit on the side. put the head or a leg in the side pocket, use the compression straps to hold it in place.

J.

Messiah Khan wrote in post #10276670
Also am I right in believing that a new Tilopa (mk3?) is due out towards the end of the year? If so, what features will have been added or changed? Is it worth the wait? Also will the Tilopa be available in the grey mist colour of the new Loka when it is released?

Ian said in the thread on the Loka that the new Tilopa will be available in the grey mist color. I held out on buying the last version of the Tilopa because they didn't offer it in grey.

I would be interested in hearing of the new features on the new Tilopa. I really need a new bag and am not sure if I can wait to the end of the year.

What about the Satori? Will that be redesigned and offered in Grey anytime soon?

email Ian (at) fstopgear.com. The mods don't like it when he gives us information about his company's products (for some reason).

Then when you find out, let us all know too!

J.

Thanks guys. I've emailed Ian so will post back as soon as I get a reply from him. I really think I'm leaning towards a new model Tilopa in grey with a large ICU as my next bag.

Thanks Messiah. Maybe if we show enough interest they can speed up design and shipment!

JohnJ80 wrote in post #10277786
email Ian (at) fstopgear.com. The mods don't like it when he gives us information about his company's products (for some reason).

Then when you find out, let us all know too!

J.

We have a problem with his using POTN, instead of the F-Stop site, as an advertising vehicle for unannounced products and as a primary support facility which neither he nor the company is paying for, and which puts Pekka at risk of losing what financial support he does get from Google Ads since the terms of Google Ads specify that Pekka can't host any other competitive ads. If Ian wants to play here, and he understands this, he has to play by the same rules as any other member of POTN does.

Remember - POTN is funded out of Pekka's pocket, with supplements from member contributions and Google Ads revenues. But don't go frivolously clicking on Google Ads as when they see that happening they are fully within their rights to cancel the arrangement.

Hey Guys, as Jon mentions I need to follow the rules in which I may have broken (not on purpose) but as Jon has stated, please email me for info on 'new' product.

Jon has made it clear I can only discuss current product, which I completely understand and respect.

To answer Khan's question, it sounds like a Large ICU is you best bet.

Regards

Couple of pictures from my first outing with the bag.

Very comfotable to wear, was loaded up with camera equipment, baby stuff and food for the day. Molle straps came in very handy for the monkey toy.

Wore the bag from 10 til 5, only taking it off to get things out.

Look forward to getting the smaller ICU too, will be handy for getting more stuff in.

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Haha great pics, we joked about the baby carry photo bag... maybe not such a bad idea?

Fstop-Ian wrote in post #10294198
Haha great pics, we joked about the baby carry photo bag... maybe not such a bad idea?

Are babies not Molle compatible?

I've considered this pack. First, it was described by others as being very well designed, similar to a proper climber's pack. Then because pack inserts are available from F/stop and tenba and others.

Here's a peek! My favourite is the first made--baby sherpa!

There's a large format forum And this gentleman pushed this contraption from Wisconsin to the Grand Canyon. The cart is filled with his gear--a field camera, tripod and such.