Topic: bag recommendation

[weroflu]

looking for advice on a bag for travelling. i have lots of little doodads amassing now....

sony m10, a few 2.5" external drives, littlebox, mini mic cases, cellphone, full size headphones.

this looked about the right size to me...

http://www.petrolbags.com/product/1015395.1008306.0.0.0/PS607/_/Deca_Mixer_Bag_for_Sound_Devices

maybe something a little bit smaller.

but if anyone has ideas let me know. i like something with lots of little internal padded pockets.

[NOLAfishwater]

for the money you might want to look at the Lowepro series of bags http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Camera,20.htm

[StuStu]

looking for advice on a bag for travelling. i have lots of little doodads amassing now....

sony m10, a few 2.5" external drives, littlebox, mini mic cases, cellphone, full size headphones.

this looked about the right size to me...

http://www.petrolbags.com/product/1015395.1008306.0.0.0/PS607/_/Deca_Mixer_Bag_for_Sound_Devices

maybe something a little bit smaller.

but if anyone has ideas let me know. i like something with lots of little internal padded pockets.

Petrol bags are my favorite.

[OOK]

The only thing I don't like about petrols are the clear covers, they don't make a complete seal all the way around.  They only velcro at the top and bottom, otherwise they are alomst perfect for what we do.  I have a 3 shelf sonicase which to me is awesome.  I wish I would have purchased the 4 shelf, but i like how the bag seals up compared to the others on the market, its large enough for what I need and with a little organizational skill you would be amazed what I get in my 3 shelf bag.  I agree with others as well Lowpro's are nice too.  I have a buddy who uses Lowpro and loves them...

ook

[DigiGal]

PortaBrace makes some real nice bags too, although the prices have been climbing up on them the last few years and they've instilled MAP Pricing now too so deals are difficult to find.

[hi and lo]

The only thing I don't like about petrols are the clear covers, they don't make a complete seal all the way around.  They only velcro at the top and bottom, otherwise they are alomst perfect for what we do.

QFT and is why I went with the Kata Sundo-1. FWIW, I think it's hands down better for what we do than anything made by PortaBrace, Petrol, Gator, etc. Not many bags audio bags are designed like the Sundo.

[thekittycatt]

The only thing I don't like about petrols are the clear covers, they don't make a complete seal all the way around.  They only velcro at the top and bottom, otherwise they are alomst perfect for what we do.

QFT and is why I went with the Kata Sundo-1. FWIW, I think it's hands down better for what we do than anything made by PortaBrace, Petrol, Gator, etc. Not many bags audio bags are designed like the Sundo.

I, also, have the Kata Sundo-1 and would recommend it.  See through top that zips up.  I little more expensive then I remember, but I bought mine 5 years ago.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202780-REG/Kata_KT_VD_130_1_SunDo_1_Audio_Operational_Case.html

[tapernateva]

looking for advice on a bag for travelling. i have lots of little doodads amassing now....

sony m10, a few 2.5" external drives, littlebox, mini mic cases, cellphone, full size headphones.

this looked about the right size to me...

http://www.petrolbags.com/product/1015395.1008306.0.0.0/PS607/_/Deca_Mixer_Bag_for_Sound_Devices

maybe something a little bit smaller.

but if anyone has ideas let me know. i like something with lots of little internal padded pockets.

Petrol bags are my favorite.

[acidjack]

The only thing I don't like about petrols are the clear covers, they don't make a complete seal all the way around.  They only velcro at the top and bottom, otherwise they are alomst perfect for what we do.

QFT and is why I went with the Kata Sundo-1. FWIW, I think it's hands down better for what we do than anything made by PortaBrace, Petrol, Gator, etc. Not many bags audio bags are designed like the Sundo.

I, also, have the Kata Sundo-1 and would recommend it.  See through top that zips up.  I little more expensive then I remember, but I bought mine 5 years ago.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202780-REG/Kata_KT_VD_130_1_SunDo_1_Audio_Operational_Case.html

x3 on the Sundo.  The bag is not cheap, but it is fantastic for what we do.  Easy to rearrange dividers and very, very waterproof. I have used mine in a downpour with a trash bag to keep the base from getting wet and had no issues.  100% sealed top with clear panel for viewing.  I would never get rid of mine. 

[scb]

I tried portabrace, kata, petrol, and nothing worked for me with the Mytek like the LowePro magnum 200

[jlykos]

I have a Soniccase for my taping gear and love it.  I also bought a Crumpler bag for my photo kit and love that too ( it's waterproof). I think that a Crumpler may work for your application because they have lots of adjustable padded dividers for holding stuff of odd sizes.

[thunderbolt]

X2 on the Lowepro.  Get a used Nova 4 AW.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00013J8G8/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

[Fried Chicken Boy]

The only thing I don't like about petrols are the clear covers, they don't make a complete seal all the way around.  They only velcro at the top and bottom, otherwise they are alomst perfect for what we do.

QFT and is why I went with the Kata Sundo-1. FWIW, I think it's hands down better for what we do than anything made by PortaBrace, Petrol, Gator, etc. Not many bags audio bags are designed like the Sundo.

I, also, have the Kata Sundo-1 and would recommend it.  See through top that zips up.  I little more expensive then I remember, but I bought mine 5 years ago.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202780-REG/Kata_KT_VD_130_1_SunDo_1_Audio_Operational_Case.html

x3 on the Sundo.  The bag is not cheap, but it is fantastic for what we do.  Easy to rearrange dividers and very, very waterproof. I have used mine in a downpour with a trash bag to keep the base from getting wet and had no issues.  100% sealed top with clear panel for viewing.  I would never get rid of mine.

If memory serves me correct, your Kata (while full of gear) also took the full brunt of a spilled Cosmopolitan without a single leak.   Amazing bags.

That said, if Kata isn't in your budget I'd fully echo the recommendation for Lowepro bags.  Love mine and it's great for my needs.

[aaronji]

I have a Soniccase for my taping gear and love it.  I also bought a Crumpler bag for my photo kit and love that too ( it's waterproof). I think that a Crumpler may work for your application because they have lots of adjustable padded dividers for holding stuff of odd sizes.

I have three Crumpler bags and they are great.  Truly waterproof (even in the Netherlands) and really well made.  I use one, a small camera bag, for my small set-up (the other two are a laptop bag, which is excellent, and a commuter bag).  I am searching for a bigger taping bag and have kind of considered going with Crumpler again, but I like the looks and features of some of the real audio bags.  Kind of hard to get an impression of size from the web, though.  That SunDo-1, for example, looks awesome but I get the impression it is quite large?  I couldn't find exterior dimensions listed anywhere...

[stevetoney]

Are sonicases only available used nowadays?

[hi and lo]

Are sonicases only available used nowadays?

I believe they can still be ordered direct from the manufacturer. I remember seeing a thread about this a while back and believe it's a company in the NW. Montana, Oregon... somewhere in that area.

[audBall]

I love my Lowepro EX-180.  It was the very first gear bag I purchased back in 2005.  Since then, I've also owned a Sonicase but found it to be a little too bulky so I sold it and reverted back to the same EX-180.  It's been a workhorse with a ton of different configurations in it over the years (multiple mics, LDs/SDs/micros, ua5>v3>pmd661>v2>tinybox, etc...not all at once, of course).  Now, my rig is super "low-pro" (pun intended) and the bag is almost too big. 

Unfortunately, they're discontinued but there's a new one on ebay right now for $25/shipped. 

[stevetoney]

Lots of great recommendations here.  Thought I'd just summarize some thoughts I have when considering my bag choice. 

I'd say that there are two basic considerations I've made in my bag purchases.  The first is obvious...the size.  Try to match the size to the amount of gear you carry.  The second is to choose between a bag that's specially designed for audio taping and the more general purpose bags.  The difference is mainly that the specialty bags have snorkels on the side of the bag to allow for easy access to cables for pugging/unplugging, while generally keeping cables much better managed. 

The rule of thumb in my mind is that you'll pay less for the general purpose bag but your stuff will generally be less organized and cables will be a little harder to manage.

Additional considerations are:

- How well will dividers protect your gear...how many dividers
- Are there enough side pockets for your clamps, screens, etc.
- Is the strap sturdy and comfortable.  (Don't underestimate the value of comfort in this case because I carry my gear bag alot, so the strap design is kinda important because after 10 minutes or so, that thing starts to kill your shoulder.)
- Does the bag have a see-through window.
- Does it come with it's own rain fly.

All I can think of for now.

[OOK]

Are sonicases only available used nowadays?

I believe they can still be ordered direct from the manufacturer. I remember seeing a thread about this a while back and believe it's a company in the NW. Montana, Oregon... somewhere in that area.

I saved the link for the manufacturer:

http://bucksbags.com/cm_cat.asp?id=14

[aaronji]

I'd say that there are two basic considerations I've made in my bag purchases.  The first is obvious...the size.  Try to match the size to the amount of gear you carry.  The second is to choose between a bag that's specially designed for audio taping and the more general purpose bags.  The difference is mainly that the specialty bags have snorkels on the side of the bag to allow for easy access to cables for pugging/unplugging, while generally keeping cables much better managed. 

<snip>

- How well will dividers protect your gear...how many dividers
- Are there enough side pockets for your clamps, screens, etc.
- Is the strap sturdy and comfortable.  (Don't underestimate the value of comfort in this case because I carry my gear bag alot, so the strap design is kinda important because after 10 minutes or so, that thing starts to kill your shoulder.)
- Does the bag have a see-through window.
- Does it come with it's own rain fly.

It is pretty hard to get a good sense of many of these things from the web, unfortunately.  Some of the manufacturers have enough photos and details to get an idea; others are almost impossible.  It's too bad there isn't a brick and mortar shop where I could compare them (at least not where I am).  PortaBrace's site is terrible in this respect...

[DigiGal]

It is pretty hard to get a good sense of many of these things from the web, unfortunately.  Some of the manufacturers have enough photos and details to get an idea; others are almost impossible.  It's too bad there isn't a brick and mortar shop where I could compare them (at least not where I am).  PortaBrace's site is terrible in this respect...

I hear you!  Ever since they switched over to the new website the information and case details have been very lacking on useful information.  It's even hard to tell sometimes which picture even goes with which case.  Their old product information sheets were much better and the website used to include all the information and had several pictures for each case.  I recently e-mailed them pointing this out and requested measurements for their audio quick slick rain covers.  They replied with the requested information and added it to their website for all of the audio quick slicks.  They explained that they are still updating information with the new website    I have long appreciated the quality of service and of their products for many years but the company has been changing under the new owners.  One of the founders who was a key component of the the company retired last year.   

[stevetoney]

One of the founders who was a key component of the the company retired last year.

Which one, Mr/Ms. Porta or Mr/Ms. Brace? 

[DigiGal]

One of the founders who was a key component of the the company retired last year.

Which one, Mr/Ms. Porta or Mr/Ms. Brace?

"PortaBrace Inc." used to be called "PortaBrace by K&H Products Ltd.".  Mr. H a K&H founder sold the company in 2004 and the company has gone through growing pains since the change.  Their product designer Ken was certainly very influential with them and to me he was the K in K&H, Ken retired last year after 30+ years there. 

[flipp]

It is pretty hard to get a good sense of many of these things from the web, unfortunately.  Some of the manufacturers have enough photos and details to get an idea; others are almost impossible.  It's too bad there isn't a brick and mortar shop where I could compare them (at least not where I am).  PortaBrace's site is terrible in this respect...

I hear you!  Ever since they switched over to the new website the information and case details have been very lacking on useful information.  It's even hard to tell sometimes which picture even goes with which case.  Their old product information sheets were much better and the website used to include all the information and had several pictures for each case.  I recently e-mailed them pointing this out and requested measurements for their audio quick slick rain covers.  They replied with the requested information and added it to their website for all of the audio quick slicks.  They explained that they are still updating information with the new website    I have long appreciated the quality of service and of their products for many years but the company has been changing under the new owners.  One of the founders who was a key component of the the company retired last year.

That has been my experience also. I couldn't remember a model number but had jotted down the dimensions before the site change. I entered the exact dimensions they had previously published and the returns did not include the bag I was searching for. Took me about 20 minutes of trying various bag purpose searches to find it. Sent a note to PB and got a reply a day later thanking me for the note, saying the dimensional search would be updated (took less than 48 hours for the update to occur) and asking for details if I found any other bugs/glitches/less user-friendly aspects of the new site. I found one other and within two hours of me sending them a note about it the site was updated. I wasn't aware of a sale of the company at the time of either instance but the response and site updates are in-line with the service I received before the site update. One of the best companies I've dealt with as far as customer service is concerned. Only downside to new ownership I've noticed is PB no longer offers prototype bags/sewing errors/not quite able to pass quality control items for sale at a discount on ebay - only a small percentage discount on certain items from their MediBrace line. I can understand not wanting not quite able to pass quality control items in the marketplace but wish they would still offer those items without the PortaBrace company patch on them.

[aaronji]

^^^ To be honest, their site is so uninformative that I am tending towards other options, even though I have received some full-throated endorsements (including from a friend who is a sound guy for one of the major Dutch TV stations).  I hadn't seen the dimensional search option, though, which helps a bit (although there was no further info about a couple of their recommendations).  Thanks for pointing that out... 

[F.O.Bean]

Dont get me wrong, I have owned and LOVED Petrol/PortaBrace bags and they are DEF high quality as hell. BUT, since I slimmed down to running mk41>KCY>Lemosax>M10, I can fit EVERYTHING in a Lowepro Nova 2 bag. There is even a little room left over in the main compartment where my Lemosax/M10/NOLABARS are stored And my KCY/Clamp/DINa NOLABAR/Shockmount fit in the front compartment PERFECTLY. So all my stuff stays plugged in and all I have to do come showtime is put 2x9volt batteries in my Lemosax and 2xAA batteries in my M10 and BAM!!, I am ready to go

I just wish my Lowepro Nova 2 had a clear window like the PB/Petrol bags do, and I would be ECSTATIC That would truly be the "icing on the cake"

[cashandkerouac]

if i'm running a minimal open rig i can get everthing into my Nova 3.  for a relatively small bag i'm amazed how much stuff it holds.

for those situations where more gear is needed (or simply desired) i picked up one of these Lowepro Commercial AV bags (medium), and WOW what a cool bag.  it's pushing the upper limits of what i would like to be lugging around (in both size and weight), but i'm really diggin' this bag so far and can't wait to see how it works out for me in the field.   

[OOK]

http://bucksbags.com/cm_cat.asp?id=14

I contacted Bucks bags today they are going to send me a quote on a soni case style bag.  I will post it when I get it.  I Told them others may be interested as well.  The lady I spoke with sounded like the nicest grandmother you would ever meet...  she stated that the bag can be ordered one off in a variety of colors.  I am excited and will report back some.  Peace OOK