My tech bag with cables and electrical components galore goes through TSA just fine every time. The only time I've been searched was because of a screw driver that the TSA agent in Phoenix said was too long and confiscated it (my expensive Snap-On ratchet at that!). They don't seem to care how many wires or gadgets you have.
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Targus Debuts Backpack With Find My Integration
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In your experience, how about a bag to carry a laptop to the office and a good-sized lunch bag?
I'm think the same thing. For $120 (150-Airtag) there are a lot of choices out there, and for 150-200 you can get a Tom Bihn or Waterfield bag that'll last for years. Mine have survived years of airline flights all around the globe and are no worse for wear. Only thing that came close was my original Lands End bag, back when they were a small mail order company way before Sears, and it last for rears until I had worn holes in the bottom.
It's probably AirTag tech, simply because it'd likely be easier to incorporate.
Roger.
Huh
Roger, Over...
What?
Just dump the bag after you grab the valuables.
No Waterfield or Tom Binh?
Ouch.
And for the hundredth time, AirTags are not anti-theft devices. And neither is building it into the backpack. The thief can just take whatever is valuable out of the backpack, and leave the backpack.
The potential for abuse is troubling. This backpack could be easily hung on a side view mirror to track a vehicle.
You think someone is going to drive off without noticing a backpack hanging from their mirror?
Without knowing much about your specific requirements, here are two ideas for backpacks:
- Cool-looking: Côte & Ciel Isar (for extra security, see if they still make a version with the laptop compartment behind the shoulder straps)
- Functional yet professional: Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe (I have a Command that has been great for years and years. But it seems to be discontinued. The Authority looks like the closest current offering.)
I've looked closely at Tom Bihn a couple of times: when I was looking for a non-wheeled, carry-on legal bag (I ended up with a Patagonia MLC because I wanted a more cleanly designed exterior) and when I needed a "personal item" to carry on planes (I currently switch between a Marmot Urban Hauler and a Red Oxx MUTT; I didn't find anything as well suited for my needs at Bihn). But I'll probably end up buying a Bihn bag–people in the UK, laugh now–eventually because of their reputation for high quality and extensive configuration options.
B&R has excellent quality. My spouse has a B&R 2-wheel rolling carry-on suitcase (closest current equivalent is the Baseline) that hasn't ever had anything go wrong in thirty years of heavy use, including constant business travel. The best feature of B&R rollers is that the telescoping handle mechanism is entirely on the outside of the bag. So you don't lose any main compartment capacity to the handle and its works, unlike pretty much every other make of suitcase.
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My go to non-wheeled is my Bihn's Western Flyer or Aeronaut, for wheeled it's my StrongBag.
Depends on how it is used? Someone just wants one to sling on their shoulder on teh way to school, a 15 - 40 one is fine.
Traveling 50 weeks out of the year, hauling you bag on multiple flights across several continents, yo want one the won't fall apart in a few weeks.
My Vortex roll on was over $300 but is many years old and is still in great shape. It's also designed for repair, so i the nylon cover gets torn, a wheel or handle breaks, they're easily replaceable.
Until you need to find something. Someone had grabbed my bag, and it wasn't one of those "looks like everyone's black bag", by accident at checked baggage, and I was able to find it and retrieve it. Saved a lot of hassle.
The way people drive where I live, I doubt they even know they have mirrors on their car.
Find My trackers, including AirTags, are not anti-theft devices. I wish people would stop talking about how easily thieves could still steal xyz product. Yeah, we know. We also know Find My explicitly says it’s not for anti-theft purposes. This backpack, like AirTags, is only designed to make it easier to find if lost. That’s it.
Yep, but huge numbers don't or can't afford to. In addition premium brands are often made in the same factories as budget brands. Sometimes they are exactly the same item, (less a few badges) or are made a similar combination of ingredients, like zippers.
Often times people buy premium simply due to a badge.
We all have our reasons. I tend to toward premium but know people that don't. Lots of people that don't.
Consolidation of brand ownership, as you point out, result in cost cutting in materials and manufacturing.
Samsonite, for example, owns the Tumi, American Tourister, Gregory, High Sierra, Kamiliant, ebags, Lipault and Hartmann brand names.
Badge engineering, i.e. slapping a name on a generic bag is not uncommon either and teh bags may sell at different price points.
Which is why it is important to know what to look for in zippers, material etc. if you are buying a premium brands.
How true, for many things beyond luggage.
All depends on needs and budget.
In my case, my carryon and computer bag are all high quality from small manufacturers; since they get used a lot.
Since I rarely check a bag, on sale, preferably in a butt ugly color so no one thinks it's their's, is my go to. Limited use means they last 10+ years before they are done.
Including a certain brand of computers, tablets, watches, phones, and, now, VR goggles...
Yes, I'm guilty of that at times but I won't be buying those extarordinarily ugly goggles. I don't yet own the watch either.
Yep. It's a gamble.
It's how you precieve risk versus cost/reputation.
Just bought a Peli for some gear I have. Was way expensive but for cheaper things I'll take the opportunity to buy an alternative brand and if it's good and support is good, then bye bye Peli.