( 6 reviews )
-
Posted: Mar 3 2008
I love this backpack for my camera. I'm small at 5'0''. Most other camera backpacks are too big for me. This one fits like a glove.
-
( 4 of 4 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 28 2006
This is a nice bag, but don't buy it for a Canon S2 IS it will not fit. The product compatibility lists the S1 IS since the S2 and S1 are very similar I purchased this bag. I can't even get the thing in the bag. It is a nice bag however and have put my smaller Kodak camera in it. There is plenty of room for a typical point and shoot camera and all of it's accessories. Good quality.
-
( 5 of 5 found this review helpful ) Posted: Nov 22 2005
I purchased the Targus Pro Series Video/Photo Backpack (DPMV02) after searching for a camera case for my new digital camera. I will cover its storage ability, portability/ergonomics, quality, asthetics, and price in the review below. Storage I currently use this backpack to store my Canon Powershot A75, Creative Labs Nomad MuVo2 4GB MP3 Player with headphones, a spare disposable camera, and the battery chargers for my MuVo and NiMH AA batteries. I plan to replace the disposable camera with a digital camcorder next month. In addition to the primary devices I store my user manuals, additional rechargeable and alkaline batteries, extra compact flash cards, and a bottle of water. The central storage compartment is 10" wide, 14" tall, and 5" deep and comes with three dividers that attach via Velcro. This allows you to create the number of rectangular compartments you need, the size you need. You can divide the storage area down the middle for four equally sized areas, or custom fit it for your needs (for example, leave the left half as one compartment and divide the right into three areas.) Also within the central storage area is a mesh top that is zippered to the portion you pull back to open the backpack, this is a great place to store small light items (I use it to store all of my manuals in case I need to do maintenance when I am out in the middle of nowhere.) The outside of the backpack has three storage areas. On one side is a cup shaped mesh holder with drawstring, the perfect size for a bottle of water. On the opposite side is a pocket that is roughly 5" wide, 8" tall, and 1.5" deep which has a mesh exterior pocket attached with Velcro. Inside the pocket are mesh sides which are good at holding in smaller items which is my primary use for this pocket, holding additional batteries and camera media. I also store my flash cards in the exterior mesh pocket for easy access, but for long term storage I prefer to place it inside this pocket. On the outside of the main opening area is a larger mesh pocket that is held closed with Velcro. I have not had to use this pocket since the rest of the case holds everything I need it to, but I believe it would be a good location to store maps within reach while hiking. I will probably use it to hold extra camcorder tapes. Finally there is a removable cell phone holder that can attach to the shoulder strap. I typically carry my phone in my pants pocket; however I can see how this would be useful either for a long trip where it would be wearing to have it constantly digging into my hip or if there is a threat of damaging it if I am doing something like scrambling over rocks. Portability / Ergonomics The Targus has two means of hauling it around, wearing it on your back and carrying it around with the handle on top. The top carrying handle is surrounded by rubber which makes it easy on the hand yet very sturdy, I basically use this when moving the case a short distance (from room to room, taking it out to the car.) The way this case is best used however is with the dual shoulder straps. These straps are wide which prevents them from digging into your shoulder and they are cushioned adding additional comfort. The straps may be adjusted for length (I like them snug to hold the backpack on as firm as I can.) Since the backpack is not as wide as your normal school backpack, I have some difficulty putting this on. However I am 6' 3" with long arms and broad shoulders. My wife is 5' and petite and has no issues getting it on. Since I typically wear it for awhile once I put it on this does not prevent me from using it, and I do not think they could have designed it to easily get on a lengthy person and still have it fit well for smaller people. Once on it feels awkward to me because it rides nearly between my shoulder blades instead of down near the small of my back, which I am used to from wearing large heavy backpacks in high school and college. Since it rides higher up and has a small profile it holds tightly to your back without any rocking or swaying (not tight as in digging into your skin.) When not wearing it for adventurous activities, I still carry this around quite often. The number one time is going to family/social events where I want to have all of my gear at hand, and a place to store it when we are doing other stuff (and where all my gadgets are not just laying around for any of the kids to play with or break.) It also makes for an awesome carry on bag for air travel, you can sling it over your shoulder to help you drag your big luggage around, it has plenty of storage to add books or PDAs for the flight itself, and you don't have to let your expensive electronics out of your sight any longer than through the X-ray machine, not to mention how great it fits under the seat in front of you (leaving a lot more foot room than a briefcase for us tall folks.) Quality This is a very rugged and sturdy backpack. Targus used what they call 420D Nailhead Nylon with 420D Diamond Ripstop Nylon for this backpack. I'm not a Nylon expert, but I know quality construction when I see it, and this backpack is made to last, which is why it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The shoulder straps and carrying handle are very strong, even if you filled it with bricks they would hold. The dividers are soft and hold pretty well, they are not the stiffest they could be but by being flexible you can easily adjust the size of the compartments you are using. Even with my camera in a top compartment the divider has not slid down any or shown any sag. The Velcro is quite strong. They keep the dividers in place where a weaker version would allow your compartments to slip from gravity over time. On the side pockets it holds well enough for me to trust putting extra flash cards in, and those are not always cheap. I have not tested the drawstring on the side of the backpack. The bottles of water I use have always fit tightly, however from the appearance it seems to be as sturdy as those on my snowboarding jacket and gloves which I use often and they hold well. However this assessment is only from appearance, and not from actual use. I love the zippers they use on this backpack. They are a 3D design (as opposed to the standard flat ones) and aren't small, allowing for a good grip which is great when you are reaching over your shoulder to open a pocket. Dual zippers on the main compartment allow you to adjust which side you open it from. Aesthetics The grey on grey looks slick without being tacky or flashy, and it won't clash with what your clothes or luggage. As far as purchasing went, I didn't really care about looks when compared to functionality, but if it were bright red or orange I would have kept looking. If you're just looking for bling, this probably won't be what you're looking for. Pricing On the official website, [...], the listed price is $39.99. Amazon has a used one for $31 and there are some on [...] for $22. In December I purchased mine at [...] for $12 including shipping by spotting the deal on Passwird, CompGeeks no longer carries this backpack. Even tho I got it for a great deal, I would have been willing to pay MSRP for the functionality and quality of this backpack. Overall I highly recommend this backpack if you have multiple digital devices that you like to carry around, especially if you want all of their accessories near at hand. I give it top notches for storage, portability/ergonomics, quality, aesthetics, and pricing. It is really good for accessing your gear while wearing on your back. The only drawbacks are that it isn't as easy to put on for tall people with broad shoulders and I'm not used to a backpack in between my shoulder blades. I have been extremely pleased with this purchase and would buy it again, even at full price.
