Anyone using the photobackpacker setup with one of the ventilated style backpacks? I'm wondering how the 23x12 backer board works in them.
Anyone using the photobackpacker setup with one of the ventilated style backpacks? I'm wondering how the 23x12 backer board works in them.
The backer board is made to fit a specific pack. Generally dimensions of packs are available on either one of the big retailers or the manufactures sites.
But that's not the real problem. There are very few panel loading backpacks currently available. I went on this scavenger hunt and found a couple but the industry, except for travel packs and some technical packs, is all about top loading. I have the same backer board but I found nothing that it "fit" into. It will sit in a larger pack and with some ingenuity can be used but again - panel loaders are rare.
So what pack did I wind up with: An Arteryx Miura. Comes in two sizes - 30 and 50 liters. Not strictly speaking a panel loader but more a "clam shell" design. Anyway, it works well and carries well. Alas, the backer board sits on a shelf. Also, since it seems a concern, these are not particularly well ventilated packs. The gear goes in f-stop gear ICU's and Gnass Gear Lens cases. There is currently a Kickstarter project that may change that arrangement: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/trekpak/trekpak
The Arcteryx pack (I went with the 50) carries much better than the RPT Kelty. Osprey travel packs, again not famous for ventilation or comfort, may also be worth a look. Good luck.
The backer board I bought has handles so you can pull it out of a top loading backpack (Bkbd23TL Top loading 23" X 12" Backerboard). I have used it in a large non ventilated top loading backpack. The Gregory Z40 seems to have a panel access and ventilation the larger Z's don't have panel access. I asked them if it would fit a 23x12x7 load and they didn't think it would work or at least it would be very tight. The curvature of the back may be more of a problem. The depth of the curve on the Z40 is 2". If anybody is using one of the ventilated packs I would think they would have to modify the backer board in some way.
I have a Deuter futura zero 40 to haul my 4X5 kit around and although I don't have one of those fancy backer boards, I don't think it would work in the pack either. At one point this pack was on clearance and I kicked myself for not buying a second one. In part because I really like the pack (better than than anything else I've found in the category) and in part because I wanted to tear up the one I've got to install a panel zipper.
I tend to agree that the bow of the pack frame would probably cause some issues with the board. But if you've got a panel zip, do you just want the backer board to organize the contents? I've never felt a desire to have everything locked together, but I have on many occasions felt that the panel zip would make it alot easier to get to the thing I wanted from the pack.
I'm also looking at a Dueter Futura Pro 42. Almost all packs are top loading. The backer board allows me to pull everything out in one shot and put it back in in one shot. So its not a great loss to have a top loading only pack. But still it's nice to have a panel. I was thinking if the curvature was a problem I might be able to replace the backer board with some kind of strapping that would stick to the Velcro.Originally Posted by mrladewig
Look at the Mystery Ranch packs (the Big Sky). They are tri zip packs which open up the entire interior. I just got one for my 4X5.
Is Bob Molen still involved with Big Sky? Unless he's sold to someone else, I won't suggest anyone to deal with them. He had a couple years there of taking people's money, but not delivering. I don't know if he ever made good on all of them, but if even one person got screwed by his "Wisner-esque" business model, I won't support him.
Big Sky is the name of the pack model. The company is Mystery Ranch, a very reputable company that sells to the military. Dana Gleason is the head of Mystery Ranch and originally made the Dana Design packs that were the best made. I have never heard of Bob Molen.
I apologize for the confusion. I misinterpreted the way you typed it.
I was not familiar with Mystery Ranch, but had 2 Dana packs years ago. I left them in the trunk of my car before I left for a 3 week trip to later find that a leak and mildew ruined them both. I could never completely get rid of the smell, so I gave them away and never got one as good. If the construction is on par with Dana's older stuff, I'll definitely look into this. Thanks for the tip!
Chris
They tell me that they are just as good as the old ones. They seem to be really well made and sturdy. After a few miles I'll know for sure
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