Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this bag for the same reason that most did - for use traveling. I needed a bag I can use to take on any plane (commuter or trans-ocean), that will carry and protect my gear, and that is usable.
I chose the X100 over the X200 to make sure the bag was small enough to fit under seats and even in the smallest of overhead compartments. After 11 plane trips, I can say that the bag was easy to use in every plane. If it didn't fit in the overhead compartment of a Delta commuter 15 seat plane, it did stow underneath the seat quite easily. It was also very easy to remove from under the seat - which is not easy with larger carry on luggages.
The size of the X100 wasn't too small for my needs. I have 2 zooms (70-200, 16-35), MII body, speedlight, 50mm 1.4, 85L - they all fit in easily. The X100 does NOT fit the 70-200 end to end - I believe it will do so in the X200, which will save a LOT of room. That lens sucks up a lot of room by having to lay on its side.
One frustration is that the compartments are very tall. That means there is a LOT of wasted space above lenses or speedlights laid flat. I've seen others buying a think tank low profile set of dividers and I may want to do that. I'd prefer to have my laptop fit over the lenses rather than in the zippered compartment.
The bag comes with a LOT of accessories and extras. Too much really - and I couldn't use the tripod accessories at all, which is frustrating. I don't really see a need to have extra pieces you have to put together just to get a feature to work - as with the 'cup' and loose straps for the tripod. The cup is too bulky to store in the bag and it means I won't have the tripod available to use with the bag feature on the spur. This is one of the overengineering issues I have with the bag. It would have been better to just put velcro loops on the side to hold my tripod.
I think the biggest issue I have with the bag is weight. At 12 pounds, it is already very heavy. With a few lenses, I'm risking having the bag being forced to be checked in to meet carry on size limitations - and being charged extra because it is overweight. I know that the bag needs padding and strength to protect the lenses - but this is far more of a concern than size on the plane. I have to pray I don't get it weighed if I have my full kit in there.
In all, the handle is sturdy and durable. It is annoying to have to use two hands to telescope the handle (two buttons on either side). I wish there was one button hidden under the handle rather than at the sides. This is another of those overengineering issues I have. I rarely have two hands available just to raise or lower a handle.
The rear 'stand' is iffy. I've tried it twice but wasn't impressed - it does hold but feels like cardboard. I'd rather two small aluminum prongs came out rather than a cardboard feeling "picture stand". But the bag is VERY sturdy when upright. It is the only carry on I've owned that no matter how full, does NOT fall over. And it has never fallen over with the stand out.
My VAIO really doesn't fit into the front zipper laptop compartment. It's hard to pull out and certainly I have to ditch the sleeve. A bit frustrating for travel since I have to carry the computer separately. It may have more to do with the x100 size - a compromise I have to make to ensure it fits under seats on commuter planes.
The wheels are sturdy and I've taken the bag on rocky paths through trails as well as gravel and grass. I feel that is one of the greatest strengths of the bag - it easily goes from plane to location.
The backpack is fine for trekking but honestly, if you have the bag full of equipment, it is HEAVY. You'll only want to use the backpack for very short distances since the handles are not ergonomic or padded in anyway. Which perhaps defeats the purpose and becomes another 'gimmicky' feature.
Is it worth the money? I'm honestly not sure if I'd rather just buy a $20 carry on and buy a square foam insert that I can cut up inside for my use. I'd then have a lighter bag that wouldn't scare me won't go through check in.
In all, there are a LOT of gadgets and whistles in the description of the bag that honestly sound more appealing on paper than in actual production. I feel they are more a selling point than something you'll actually use when you get the bag. There's been nothing so far that made me think, "I'm glad I got this bag!" instead of just putting my camera bag into a carry on.
I bought the Slingshot 100 several years ago and had the same problem with that bag that I do with this bag: Lowepro seems to overengineer their bags to the point of being gimmicky to get you to buy. They sound so good on paper or in videos but when it comes to practical application, they are often very hard or frustrating to use and perhaps not worth the investment. But I have never had a thinktank version so I can't compare the two. In all honesty, I've lost faith in the Lowepro product line after two consecutive and expensive 'less than expected' equipment purchases.
I do give it 4 stars because it is well constructed, sturdy, lives up to the promise of protecting your equipment, and does fit in all airplane situations that I've been in. 1 star less for the issue of divider profile height, unusuable or annoying parts like the zipper compartments, baffling extra items, poor product guide (couldn't understand anything from the BW pictures - still not sure I'm using the bag right), really poorly thought out tripod attachment gizmo, and gimmicky feel of many aspects of the bag.
In the Amazon customer images area for this item, I've included photos of the x100 and my gear in it for reference.
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Lowepro Pro Roller x100 Camera Bag (Black)Lowepro\'s Pro Roller x100 blends the refined look of fine luggage with the hardworking functionality of a mobile studio. This is no ordinary camera roller! Airline-compatible, it delivers the ultimate in security and organization-along with a full set of inventive, appealing features. Secure contents with our exclusive Lock and Go System, a universal, retractable cable that connects to a 3-digit combination lock (accepted by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration) [TSA]. Use the retractable TelePod Handle as a makeshift working lightstand via an integrated camera mount. Premium wheels are removable and replaceable. And photographers who travel for assignments will appreciate Lowepro\'s innovative Reserve Pack as an alternative carrying option. Unzip the bottom to reveal an impromptu camera backpack-or to downsize in last-minute scenarios where a regional or smaller airline requires smaller carry-on dimensions. Refined in design, feature-rich and designed to function seamlessly, the Pro Roller x-Series is truly a new class of camera rollers.
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