Posts Tagged D550 AW
Laptop, DSLR and Room for More: Lowepro Stealth Reporter D550 AW
Finding a bag that will carry a laptop computer, digital SLR, lenses and other gear—and fit under the seat on many different kinds of planes—is no easy task. But my road testing finds the Lowepro Stealth Reporter D550 AW an excellent choice.
Last week, I reviewed an eBags tote that is perfect for carrying clothes and office gear on short trips.
The Stealth Reporter has a different purpose—carrying a full-size DSLR (or two) with room for a flash, lenses, laptop, chargers and MP3 player.
There’s also enough space for a travel router, portable hard drive, GPS and other gadgets you may need to carry. It protects and organizes the gear well.
This is not the kind of equipment you would ever put in checked luggage—it would have a tendency to disappear. Even though mine is insured (and be careful—many airlines exempt electronic gear from their own coverage), I need to make sure the tools I need arrive when I do.
The Stealth Reporter gets its name from its stealthy appearance–plain, in a way, and that’s actually a plus. The bag doesn’t attract attention and scream, “Laptop and digital camera inside!” when you’re in crowds of people at the airport.
My Dell XPS M1210 laptop with a 12″ screen fits perfectly inside the Lowepro bag in a padded pocket. Smaller netbooks would also fit nicely. But it will not hold a large laptop, such as one with a 17-inch screen. (Think smaller and lighter when traveling.)
The bag is tough, made of ballistic nylon. I’ve carried mine more than 100,000 miles on several different continents and it looks almost as good as the day I bought it—no rips or tears.
Also, picking a color is not a hard decision—it only comes in black.
The AW stands for all weather. The bag’s outer fabric is water resistant. It includes a shoulder strap and a top zipper allows easy access.
Lowepro also makes a slightly larger bag, the Stealth Reporter D650 AW. But in my experience, a larger bag than the D550 AW would not fit under the seat on some planes.
Before deciding on this bag, I spent over an hour in the aisles of a camera store that carried many different brands and more hours searching the Internet. The Stealth Reporter does everything I need it to–hold a laptop, digital camera and lots of accessories and fit under the seat on an airplane, even on a smaller regional jet or turboprop.
The list price is $174.99. It’s a wise investment for carrying gear safely.
Posted by JohnG in Business Gear, Travel Light on June 1st, 2009
