Large Airport Carry-On recommendation?

I need recommendations for a large carry-on, please. Need to upgrade.

1. laptop compartment
2. holds a 500 mm and lots more
3. largest possible to still carry on
4. wheels as well as backpack straps - straps negotiable
5. weight doesn't matter much - but as light as possible
6. security locks

thanks!

Sandy

Yikes! What a list.

Back to front, I get my TSA approved security locks at the local hardware store. The small ones are fine for connecting a couple of zipper pulls.

Wheels on a backpack are an issue for me, because my wheeled backpack weighs a solid 11 pounds EMPTY! Weight may not be an issue in airports, but on top of the camera gear the extra pounds really add up for hiking. My next solution will be one of the little collapsible wheeled baggage trolleys that I can use in airports, but leave behind when it's time to walk away from my vehicle. Over and above the weight issue, this strategy lets you add wheels to all sorts of packs and carry-ons that meet your criteria.

Largest acceptable size will depend on the plane. If you're flying a Boeing or Airbus jet liner to larger communities, most bag companies indicate whether their bags are "carry-on compatible" or some such verbage. But when you climb onto turboprops or any other small planes for the hop to your final destination, I can almost guarantee that the same bag will be much too large for the carry-on spaces. You can count on relegating it to the baggage compartment.

Here's what Tamrac has to say about their "Carry-on Compatible" criteria:

Tamrac designates a product as carry-on compatible if it is within the dimensions of 22" wide x 14" deep x 9" high, which is the maximum carry-on size commonly used by most USA airlines. Please note that even if baggage meets these size requirements, it is still possible that the airline will not allow it on board for a variety of reasons totally within their discretion. Additionally, not all airlines have the same carry-on restrictions and travelers should check with their particular carriers prior to travel to verify the size restrictions.

I'm currently using a Tamrac Model 697 Big Wheels Rolling Photo Backpack - LP7, but am likely to go to a version without wheels, adding the trolley for wheels when needed as I already pointed out. That extra 11 pounds is a deal breaker for me for actual field carry away from airports.

Sandy, if this one is within your budget, the Think Tank Photo Airport Security is designed for exactly what you're asking for (oh, maybe not the backpack part, need to check that). I got the slightly-smaller Airport International as my main case and couldn't be happier, but if you have a 500mm you'll want the first one I mentioned. Think Tank is one of those companies that does it right, their stuff is very good quality and the warranty is forever. The zippers are the beefiest I've seen on a case. There's a built-in lock with cable in the event you have to step away for whatever reason, you can literally lock your case to a pole, etc. There's also a built-in lock to secure the zippers to restrict access, and that lock has a TSA certified key lock on it (so if you are forced to check it which I hope never happens, you can still lock the case and if TSA wants to open it, their key will fit and your case isn't destroyed). The case also has a metal serial number with an 800 number that someone can call if your bag ever got lost, and ThinkTank would provide the info to get it back to you. For travelling they really thought out all of the scenarios. The only odd thing you may need to know is the two ways they accommodate the laptop, so read about it. One way is simply a laptop sleeve which then slides into the front pouch that you see in the pics. That does make the Security part go easy. And overall it looks like a clothes case, not photo gear.

I must sound like a salesman for them, lol! I just really like their stuff. Anyway, there's one option!

ThinkTank Airport Security, as Paul mentioned. My needs pretty much mirrored yours and this bag has worked out great. I wanted optional backpack straps, which was another reason I chose this bag, but I have yet to use them. Given the amount of gear I tote around in it, the backpack option seems like a viable but uncomfortable option. The built-in locks are a great addition.

I typically fit the following in there:

500
100-400/70-200
24-70
10-22
2 bodies w/grips, 1 20D body sans grip
Flash
Accessories

A couple notes: you probably want to make sure you get the lower profile dividers for the interior if you want to fit a laptop or potential accessories (I pack mine in the ThinkTank Cable Management 50) inside. Otherwise, a laptop can slide into the exterior pocket just fine. Also, the 500's hood takes up a lot of space. I prefer to pack mine separately in another bag or checked baggage.

Max

Another vote for ThinkTank. I don't have the Secirity version discussed, but my husband and I carry the Antidote and Acceleration models because they are sturdy, comfortable, lockable, functional and don't look like photo bags. The best made bag I have!

Thanks to all! I guess I'd better start saving.. $400? yikes..
Sandy

Sandy, you should also look at LowePro. They make a wheeled version of the Computrekker Pro AW that I've used for three years now. I'm very happy with the backpack version. I used it recently in Southern Ecuador: two camera bodies, a 300mm f2.8, a 50-200mm zoom, a 12-60mm zoom, two teleconverters, 12 batteries, a flash unit and still room for my binoculars. And a padded, concealed slip space for your laptop. Fits in airline overhead bins, extremely comfortable on your back, durable and a built-in waterproof cover field-tested in some serious tropical rainstorms.

Email me if you have questions.

LOL! Poor Sandy... regardless of which case to buy, every one of us who responded are costing her nearly $400!