Crumpler Mochila Whickey and Cox (Marrom)

Comments about Crumpler Whickey and Cox Backpack - SLR Camera Outfit, Medium DV Camcorder Kit and 15" Laptop Computer with Accessories (Dark Brown with Oatmeal and Light Oatmeal Accents):

This is a very well constructed bag... however: the area at the bottom of the bag is a little difficult to get things in and out of because of the back entry design. That is my only problem with the interior. Minor detail, wouldn't make or break my purchase. The exterior side pockets are where I really have a problem. The pockets have tiny openings that are hard to get in and out of when the bag is full. Crumpler bags always have deep pockets with small openings. I don't understand that reasoning. Maybe it was designed that way as a security measure, but it is annoying. Those side pockets are pretty useless for me. If I was going touring and didn't want to carry a personal bag as well, this would not be the photo backpack I would chose. I definitely would want an accessible side pocket for personal items, more options to add accessories, and a place for a water bottle. I use this bag strictly to carry gear to and fro. It is great for airplanes. Perfect size. Other than transporting my full system, I don't really use it.

Comments about Crumpler Whickey and Cox Backpack - SLR Camera Outfit, Medium DV Camcorder Kit and 15" Laptop Computer with Accessories (Dark Brown with Oatmeal and Light Oatmeal Accents):

I like this sac. I bought it in advance of a trip to Europe to carry my gear (D80, 4 lenses, flash, Gary Fong and charging equip). It all fits very nicely and is pretty stylish to boot! The only drawback is the ease of access which is no where near Lowepro. However, for security which is more important for me, it will be the best pack I have owned.

Comments about Crumpler Whickey and Cox Backpack - SLR Camera Outfit, Medium DV Camcorder Kit and 15" Laptop Computer with Accessories (Dark Brown with Oatmeal and Light Oatmeal Accents):

Very nicely made but has some flaws. One of them is that it's made for a 6-footer. At 5'6. the straps don't fall in the right places.The hip belt falls somewhere in the middle of my somach, while the sternum strap (upper strap) is so high that it practically chokes me. All straps could have the option of being lowered by one-half to one inch.

The bag construction excellent (the best I would say) but the straps are definitely not planned by a fellow who backpacks a lot. All of the straps are definitely too long and they flap around al lot while walking, if one is to backpack a great deal. The shoulder straps interfere with the hip belt straps and those plastic "retainers" that are part of the setup don't work at all. All the straps could be shortened by at least 3-6 inches. The sternum strap on the other hand is much too short and at my small size, I find that there is not enough left over strap to tuckthings snugly if I want to adjust things.

The bag is very stiff and I thought of softening it up by soaking it for a night or so, to remove a lot of the sizing. I would have waterproofed it afterwards with an approved compound. As it was, we had a period of about a week's rain and it softened it enough that the bag is now fairly comfortable on the shoulders.

There is no instructions with the bag; I wish that there had been a couple of diagrams showing how one could set it up for a camera; at least a diagram of the basic design as it left the factory. Having been a professional photographer for several years, I fully realise that the interior can, of course, be customized as required.

The velcro holding the camera shell portion is exceptionally hard to remove without brute force, in order to install the laptop porion. The laptop holder is exceptionally easy to fit in and everything is truly well-made. When the laptop portion and the camera shell are together in the bag, it takes a bit of effort to close the bag, as the laptop holder is square and the top portion of the camera bag tapered. The zippers are strong and very easy to close.

All in all, not a bad bag at all. I picked it over several others, mostly for the construction. It would be nice if the company could supply a padded hip belt and I will have one fitted on by a firm that manufactures camping equipment. There could have been come extra rings fitted to the botton, in case one wants to clip some things there.

I also found that, if the portion on the back of the bag is designed to carry a tripod, it does a lousy job. While I put a very light trripod inside one of the bag's portions, I found that a very medium-size Manfrotto tripod kept slipping and always had to check to find out if it was still there.

A good investment that will last a long time but the bag needs improvements.