Posted by Les Barstow on November 19, 2006 at 4:39 AM
I went out photo backpack shopping back in August and decided I wanted a bit of everything in my backpack: a good support system; space for my camera, my lunch and some warm clothes... And waterproof protection.
Unless you want to pack your camera equipment in dry bags, there is only one solution available to that last desire: the Lowepro DryZone daypacks. Lowepro makes three models of the DryZone - the 100, the 200, and the Rover. If you like (or need) the traditional full-pack photo equipment layout, then the 100 or the 200 are for you. But if you're content to carry a more limited equipment load, then the Rover offers exciting possibilities.
Like the regular Rover daypack, the DryZone Rover is divided into two sections. The bottom section is a fully padded photo pack the size of a large hip pack; it comfortably fits my Nikon D2X with attached 28-105mm lens, my Nikon 80-400mm VR lens (barely), and a SB-600 flash - with room for another small lens and space for several filters. The lid of the bottom section has two flap-close expanding pockets for storing digital media (each can hold at least two cards).
But the best part about the bottom part of the pack is that it's fully waterproof! Lowepro's T-Zip system locks your camera equipment away from all moisture including full immersion. (Though you probably won't need that - the pack is also bouyant to 35 lbs.) The T-Zip is a bit difficult to operate on the fly, and Lowepro recognized this when they built the pack; if you aren't going to need the waterproofing protection, the padded inner lining can be zippered shut with a traditional zipper and a snap buckle will hold the bottom and top parts of the pack together in the proper shape.
The top section of the pack is good for holding your lunch, some additional clothing layers, or other goodies. It's not a huge space - not big enough for a regular laptop, or even an 8.5x11 clipboard - but it's more than adequate for most dayhiking needs. A net pouch and hanger inside are supposed to support the included 1.5 liter hydration bag, but I (and most other reviewers) don't like the included bag; it can be replaced with a Platypus bag, or you can just carry your water on the outside with Lowepro's SlipLock attachments. I just took mine out, and the net pouch now holds my LumiQuest flash bounce system.
On the outside of the pack, Lowepro's tripod holder keeps your tripod secure and stable while you're hiking, and two small zipped net pouches provide space to hold small objects for easy access.
The pack's support system is quite extensive and adjustable. The hip support is solid, the shoulder straps are collar-cut for better adjustment and they can be adjusted in several locations. If I have one complaint about the pack it is that, like most inner frame packs, there isn't enough breathability against your back.
I puchased this pack with the idea that I would be out on the water with a camera body I couldn't afford to replace. As it turns out, I like it so much it has replaced my previous daypack for good! This isn't the pack for everyone; if you have lots of lenses, or larger lenses, the Rover won't fit all of your gear in the padded compartment. But if you travel relatively light, like to have some space for non-photo gear that isn't shaped like a lens, and think the added protection of waterproofing is good, then I can't recommend the DryZone Rover enough.
This is an excellent review Les! It provides just the right mix of feature description and practical experience.
I spent most of the period from 1975 to the present working with maritime cold water safety equipment, especially immersion suits or "survival suits" with waterproof zippers. Technology and especially price for the zippers has improved dramatically over that span, to the point that it can now appear in products such as this. While photographers lives are not on the line with this product, our gear is. The bottom line for long and reliable service is zipper maintenance. Pay special attention to the manufacturer's recommendations and treat them like the holy word.
The floating feature is almost as important as the waterproof side for anyone traveling to coastal Alaska. You WILL be transfering camera bags onto and off boats and float planes. It's great for a pack to survive a dunking, but it can really mess up your plans if you have to wait hours and hire a diver to recover it from the bottom of a bay or river.
I'm not using this product (yet), but agree with the utility of daypacks in lieu of conventional camera bags. I have not specified the brand I use in this thread over at TPN because my points support the practical applications of daypacks and accessories in regular daily use, which I offer as further support of your review.
Discussion
1 repliesUnless you want to pack your camera equipment in dry bags, there is only one solution available to that last desire: the Lowepro DryZone daypacks. Lowepro makes three models of the DryZone - the 100, the 200, and the Rover. If you like (or need) the traditional full-pack photo equipment layout, then the 100 or the 200 are for you. But if you're content to carry a more limited equipment load, then the Rover offers exciting possibilities.
Like the regular Rover daypack, the DryZone Rover is divided into two sections. The bottom section is a fully padded photo pack the size of a large hip pack; it comfortably fits my Nikon D2X with attached 28-105mm lens, my Nikon 80-400mm VR lens (barely), and a SB-600 flash - with room for another small lens and space for several filters. The lid of the bottom section has two flap-close expanding pockets for storing digital media (each can hold at least two cards).
But the best part about the bottom part of the pack is that it's fully waterproof! Lowepro's T-Zip system locks your camera equipment away from all moisture including full immersion. (Though you probably won't need that - the pack is also bouyant to 35 lbs.) The T-Zip is a bit difficult to operate on the fly, and Lowepro recognized this when they built the pack; if you aren't going to need the waterproofing protection, the padded inner lining can be zippered shut with a traditional zipper and a snap buckle will hold the bottom and top parts of the pack together in the proper shape.
The top section of the pack is good for holding your lunch, some additional clothing layers, or other goodies. It's not a huge space - not big enough for a regular laptop, or even an 8.5x11 clipboard - but it's more than adequate for most dayhiking needs. A net pouch and hanger inside are supposed to support the included 1.5 liter hydration bag, but I (and most other reviewers) don't like the included bag; it can be replaced with a Platypus bag, or you can just carry your water on the outside with Lowepro's SlipLock attachments. I just took mine out, and the net pouch now holds my LumiQuest flash bounce system.
On the outside of the pack, Lowepro's tripod holder keeps your tripod secure and stable while you're hiking, and two small zipped net pouches provide space to hold small objects for easy access.
The pack's support system is quite extensive and adjustable. The hip support is solid, the shoulder straps are collar-cut for better adjustment and they can be adjusted in several locations. If I have one complaint about the pack it is that, like most inner frame packs, there isn't enough breathability against your back.
I puchased this pack with the idea that I would be out on the water with a camera body I couldn't afford to replace. As it turns out, I like it so much it has replaced my previous daypack for good! This isn't the pack for everyone; if you have lots of lenses, or larger lenses, the Rover won't fit all of your gear in the padded compartment. But if you travel relatively light, like to have some space for non-photo gear that isn't shaped like a lens, and think the added protection of waterproofing is good, then I can't recommend the DryZone Rover enough.
I spent most of the period from 1975 to the present working with maritime cold water safety equipment, especially immersion suits or "survival suits" with waterproof zippers. Technology and especially price for the zippers has improved dramatically over that span, to the point that it can now appear in products such as this. While photographers lives are not on the line with this product, our gear is. The bottom line for long and reliable service is zipper maintenance. Pay special attention to the manufacturer's recommendations and treat them like the holy word.
The floating feature is almost as important as the waterproof side for anyone traveling to coastal Alaska. You WILL be transfering camera bags onto and off boats and float planes. It's great for a pack to survive a dunking, but it can really mess up your plans if you have to wait hours and hire a diver to recover it from the bottom of a bay or river.
I'm not using this product (yet), but agree with the utility of daypacks in lieu of conventional camera bags. I have not specified the brand I use in this thread over at TPN because my points support the practical applications of daypacks and accessories in regular daily use, which I offer as further support of your review.