justin Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 (edited) just checked, the TB Smart Alec holds 26 liters, compared to the Synapse 25 (25 liters) and Synapse 19. The Synapse 19 doesnt fit a 15" MBP properly - it can get in there, but the corners of the MBP press against the zippers. is it in the flat dimensions that the Synapse 25 appears later than a Smart Alec? from TB: Synapse 25: Dimensions: 20" x 13.4" x 9", holds 25 liters Smart Alec: Dimensions: 18.5" x 11.75" x 7.75", holds 26 liters Edited April 27, 2014 by justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellylh Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 Those numbers seem a bit strange. I should clarify that I have never owned the Synapse 25. I was thinking that the Synapse 25 (from the specs and what I read) was bigger than the Smart Alec but then I started looking at pictures and they don't seem that different. In fact, here the Smart Alec seems a bit taller (not even counting the extra bag on top of the SA). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvlgato Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 (edited) I've had a very good experience using this as my daily work bag. I ride to work sometimes, hopefully will ride to work more often. Pockets for a laptop and iPad, the laptop space is well isolated and suspended, lots of other pockets. My last ogio lasted many years of riding to work 3-4 days per week, and daily work use.http://ogio.com/backpacks/renegade-rss Ogio Renegade RSS 17 Laptop Backpack Edited April 27, 2014 by jvlgato Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Empire Builder to replace my stolen Tumi briefcase. Needed to switch it up to break the bad karma. Oh, and I am going to have Jeff wire it with a self-destruct mechanism to fuck up anybody who takes takes this one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPI Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I can't imagine anyone bothering stealing a freakin Tom Bihn bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 (edited) Ouch. What nylon bag -- not interested in leather bags -- should I have gotten that would be worthy of theft and explosive deterrents? Edited May 12, 2014 by Voltron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPI Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I am just picking on Tom Bihn users, it is a Red Oxx thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agile_one Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 (edited) Ouch. What nylon bag -- not interested in leather bags -- should I have gotten that would be worthy of theft and explosive deterrents? Red Oxx Metro If Metro not big enough, get the CPA PLus, Red Oxx has HC Travel Team logo on file, so you can get that patch. I am just picking on Tom Bihn users, it is a Red Oxx thing. Nice to see the Oxx cop on the job. Edited May 12, 2014 by agile_one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPI Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I do have the Red Oxx laptop bag but I never actually used it. I tend to want briefcases to be a bit better looking than the utilitarian Red Oxx variant. I do really like all of my Filson bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I have lots of Red Oxx HC Travel Team gear for traveling but their briefcases are too rugged and unsophisticated looking for my business. Plus, those outside pockets are a joke for a briefcase: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 If I were going to Sundance or Cannes, I wouldn't mind a Filson, but I just go to courts and clients and such. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agile_one Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 (edited) Just funnin' with you, Al. Soon enough, Shelly, Mike, and Dinny will be here telling you how great the Bihn choice was. It's all just a matter of choice, taste, and what works best for the person using. <edit> You'd look stylin' in Cannes, Park City, or even Monte Carlo. </edit> Edited May 12, 2014 by agile_one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Bhin is clearly > Red Oxx but would not buy either. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 because . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 ...Red Oct... DYAC! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellylh Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I still really love the Bihn stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swt61 Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Red Oxx, Tom Bihn, pftttt! My bags are made from Rwandan, barrel dyed, preteen scrotum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipsupt Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 My Empire Builder continues to serve me well, thanks again for all the recommendations. I wanted to throw something up quick on a new camera bag I'm using, the ThinkTank Retrospective 50. I wanted something that would let me carry a DSLR and my work stuff on a daily basis. It's probably a little larger than what I needed. A "30" would probably have been big enough, but I also wanted it to double up when I wanted to grab a few pro zooms, a flash, and maybe a second body. It'll swallow that gear and more. For now I keep a body with a lens and a second lens in the center, my portable music stuff, cables, and chargers in the outside pouches. There's a spot for a laptop and/or iPad in the back. The front has some easy to get to organized pockets for cards, pens, batteries, etc... Basically I carry everything I want for work + camera and still have a ton of room left over. The velcro closures are well thought out and have a "quiet" mode. It's not a super flashy "I'm a camera" bag, but it's not stealth either. The shoulder strap is wide and comfortable. I can wear it over a single shoulder or across the body. It's even got a rain cover, which is pretty darned handy here in the UK. I think it's a great bag and certainly has me convinced ThinkTank makes good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Hi all. The wife needs a computer backpack for her new train commute -- to hold a laptop, iPad, phone and sundry PP decks. Any particular recs from the experts? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Tom Binh makes a few good computer backpacks. Beyond that, almost any bag with a laptop sleeve can work and not scream valuable contents inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Tom Bihn is probably more suitable for a man. Perhaps Red Oxx? Heh. Just kidding, lots of fun places to shop for bags... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellylh Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 I would just get a regular backpack and use a laptop sleeve (like Dan said). I would wholeheartedly recommend the Tom Bihn backpacks. I have been carrying the Tom Bihn Smart Alec nearly everyday for 3 years and it is still in nearly perfect condition. I tried out a Synapse 19 and it was a little too small for my needs but depending on what she is carrying, that or the larger synapse may work well. Both Synapse and Smart Alec are very light to start with and have very comfortable straps. The zippers are also really great and the backpacks are very water resistant. The synapse has more organization whereas the Smart Alec basically has one large compartment. I tried the Red Oxx backpack and found it (mostly the straps) to be extremely uncomfortable and very heavy even empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Stretch, How big a laptop? I have a Bihn Brain Bag but that may be overkill/too large. If we end up being able to meet up next week I can bring it along and you can take a look/see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellylh Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 The Brain Bag was far too large/heavy when I tried it but it was really built well. I am not sure how tall your wife is but I am only 5'2" (for reference). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted July 28, 2014 Report Share Posted July 28, 2014 Synapse 25 with a Cache might be a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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