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When not functioning as a traveling safe, the bag is also a good choice for day-to-day use, with plenty of space to accommodate everything from passports to liter-sized bottles of water. Two mesh side pockets are large enough to hold large beverage bottles (drinking while shooting is not recommended), medicine, power adapters, and even a pair of flip-flops, all at the same time. A front zippered pocket includes a clip to secure the zippers when not in use, making it difficult for a thief to reach into your bag while on the move. Inside the pocket you'll find padded pouches for your iPod and cell phone, and storage for pens, pencils and notepads as well.
It goes without saying that a secure backpack needs to be well-made. PacSafe sure doesn't skimp here. Every last zipper and strap feels sturdy, and it's obvious that comfort was considered as well, with thick padding included on the rear of the bag and shoulder straps. A rubberized handle allows for a firm grip while carrying or lifting the bag. Available now, the PacSafe DaySafe 200 can be purchased online for about $190.
Backpacks aren't for everyone though. If you're the type who prefers storage with wheels, Think Tank Photo has some great options for the security obsessed photographer. The company has three rolling options, all with a built-in cable to secure the bags to fixed objects. Designed with professionals in mind, these bags include removable dividers to keep all your gear organized.
The largest of the bunch, the Airport Security 2.0, is small enough to fit in domestic (U.S.) overhead bins and can hold up to a 600mm lens and plenty of other gear. It even includes "emergency" shoulder straps, should you want to submit your back to dozens of pounds of gear. The Airport Security 2.0 retails for $369.
Slightly smaller, the Airport International 2.0 can accommodate up to a 500mm lens with room to spare. All three bags, including the Airport International 2.0, come with TSA-approved combination locks for securing individual compartments. The Airport International 2.0 is small enough to meet international carry on size requirements and will run you about $329.
New to Think Tank's rolling security line, the Airport AirStream is the smallest of the bunch. The bag is able to hold a 400mm lens or several smaller lenses and DSLR camera bodies as well as a 15-inch laptop in the main compartment or in the front compartment with the optional laptop case. The AirStream retails for $289. All three bags are available now on Think Tank Photo's website.
Notebook with Integrated Wireless Broadband
Imagine your ideal vacation. Chances are your Blackberry, colleagues, and laptop computer don't come to mind, but in the 21st century it's difficult to escape from life back home. Wireless broadband service allows you to share your vacation photos and keep in touch with family and friends just as easily from onboard a train as you would from your own home. A lightweight laptop with integrated wireless broadband makes pay-by-day Internet, hotel business centers, and Internet cafes a thing of the past.
While certainly not the only good choice, Dell's XPS M1330 is a good fit. The computer we tested came equipped with integrated wireless broadband, an Intel Core2Duo 2.2Ghz processor with 2GB of RAM, a 13.3-inch LCD, and enough storage for oodles of photos, music and applications. And weighing in at around 4 lbs., this compact notebook won't break your back.
Perhaps its most appealing feature, the M1330's integrated wireless broadband card allows you to check your e-mail, surf the web and send pictures home from just about anywhere in the world. While Dell includes options for integrated broadband cards from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, we chose AT&T for our international test, because of its ability to provide service in over 130 countries, and our travels brought us outside the service area of rival networks.
AT&T offers a monthly international data plan for $139.99 with a one-year commitment, which includes 100MB of access in 29 countries and unlimited access in the United States. Avoid underestimating your international data usage needs. With image sizes often topping 3MB, transmitting full size images can run you over the limit faster than you think. Be sure to size images down in Photoshop before posting them to web galleries or e-mailing friends. For trips longer than three or four days you may want to consider using WiFi whenever possible to avoid coming home to thousands of dollars in overage charges. With that disclaimer out of the way, integrated broadband is very convenient.
For domestic use only, AT&T offers an unlimited data plan for $59.99 with a two-year contract. Verizon and Sprint both offer unlimited monthly access for $59.99 as well. Last year, I tested domestic wireless broadband services from all three providers, and speeds in Europe were comparable to those experienced in the States.
The M1330 worked seamlessly with AT&T's integrated broadband service. While surfing speeds varied depending on location, connecting was seldom an issue. Connection speeds in the Italian cities of Rome and Florence were superior to those at our hotel only a few blocks away from Paris's Eiffel Tower. Service was very fast and consistent while using public transportation in Italy, including trains from Rome to Florence and on to Venice. While the signal was lost when passing through long tunnels, the computer reconnected automatically only seconds after leaving a tunnel. Web pages continued loading where they left off and image transfers were never aborted.
As a photographer addicted to Apple, it wasn't easy for me to leave my MacBook Pro back in the States, but admittedly, I didn't miss it nearly as much as I had expected. The M1330 was fast, and the 2GB of RAM included with my demo unit seemed to be more than enough. I was able to surf the web, download and organize photos with Adobe Lightroom, and correct images using Photoshop CS3, all at one time without a single hiccup.
Other photocentric features of the M1330 include a built-in SD slot and an HDMI port, allowing you to show off your vacation photos on an HDTV once you return home. Two USB 2.0 ports are also included, allowing you to connect digital cameras and external storage devices. Pricing for the XPS M1330 begins at $999 ($1799 as configured). Add a 9-cell battery for $30 and have enough power to watch two full DVD movies on a single charge.
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