Anyone using a Think Tank Airport Accelerator?

menthel

menthel

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I need a nice big bag for full kit storage and carrying it all (if necessary!) around. I want to take my 120-300 to the Sundarbans on our India trip this year as well.

So, does anyone have experience with this bag? It looks big enough for all my stuff, hopefully!
 
I've used the airport roller bags for a good couple of years, not used the one you are asking about, but if you want a bag that will last for years then buy one.
My roller bag has been everywhere with me, used and abused and it still works and looks like new.

Used to use a Lowepro roller, no comparison.

Give Helen a ring at Snapperstuff, she is really friendly and will look after you I'm sure..
 
can back up that opinion or the Think Tank gear - had a few items myself - very thoughtfully designed - lot's of sensible touches - and built to last
 
Thanks all. I know that they say that this is carry on compatable, does anyone have direct experience with this? It will be carried on Emirates so hopefully will be OK (they are generally very good with regards this, espeically when you are travelling on to India- the land of the giant carry on!).
 
Best to check with Emirates and Snapperstuff.

I've just had a job in Belfast, all the info I required was on the airlines webpage.
 
I regularly travelled with an Airport International, it's just about the maximum airport carry on size you can get away with. Mine was pretty bombproof (although I've had a wheel fall off a couple of times so always travel with an Allen key in the rear cable lock pouch), has loads a configurations (I mainly travelled with a 5D a couple of lenses and accessories plus clothes, and office gear) and looks inconspicuous.

I usually pair it with an Urban Disguise 60 that accommodates most of my additional kit and allows me to move around without drawing too much attention to my kit (at least in the bag)
 
menthel said:
Thanks, I will look at the measurements of your bag and see how it compares.
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If you're concerned about the size of your bag, check the weight too. There are innumerable combinations of size and weight, and whether or not you are allowed a second item of carry-on (and, if you are, its size and what it is).

We've travelled to all seven continents without any issues until we took a Flybe flight out of Southampton. Our carry-ons wouldn't fit the gauge by the amount the wheels stuck out below them. Flybe wanted £360 to put the two of them in the hold! The alternative was to empty them into plastic bags and pockets, to wear multiple layers and have Flybe throw the luggage away. Ulimately, it was our fault, but £360 when the aircraft would be carrying no additional weight with the carry-ons in the hold as opposed to the cabin? We'll not be flying with Flybe again.
 
The whole baggage weight/size/number-of-pieces-allowed is incredibly inconsistent across the different airlines and you need to be very careful. Some airlines are even paying their staff a bonus if they find and charge for any over-the-limit pieces.

We're travelling to India later this year. Our UK - India - UK flights have a 23kg checked-in allowance but the internal Indian flights only allow 20kg which means the whole trip is reduced to 20kg. Miss that in the small print and you've got a potentially expensive problem to solve at check-in.
 
digital said:
The whole baggage weight/size/number-of-pieces-allowed is incredibly inconsistent across the different airlines and you need to be very careful. Some airlines are even paying their staff a bonus if they find and charge for any over-the-limit pieces.

We're travelling to India later this year. Our UK - India - UK flights have a 23kg checked-in allowance but the internal Indian flights only allow 20kg which means the whole trip is reduced to 20kg. Miss that in the small print and you've got a potentially expensive problem to solve at check-in.
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I know all about flying to India, we do it every year! If you have to get internal connecting flights things can get rather complicated. Luckily we don't need to this year!
 
digital said:
If you're concerned about the size of your bag, check the weight too. There are innumerable combinations of size and weight, and whether or not you are allowed a second item of carry-on (and, if you are, its size and what it is).

We've travelled to all seven continents without any issues until we took a Flybe flight out of Southampton. Our carry-ons wouldn't fit the gauge by the amount the wheels stuck out below them. Flybe wanted £360 to put the two of them in the hold! The alternative was to empty them into plastic bags and pockets, to wear multiple layers and have Flybe throw the luggage away. Ulimately, it was our fault, but £360 when the aircraft would be carrying no additional weight with the carry-ons in the hold as opposed to the cabin? We'll not be flying with Flybe again.
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The same happened when I flew Flybe last week to a shouty man in front of me, can't really see how it's the airlines fault when all the info is available before you fly?
 
Edtog said:
The same happened when I flew Flybe last week to a shouty man in front of me, can't really see how it's the airlines fault when all the info is available before you fly?
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I didn't say it was the airline's fault. Did you not notice the 'Ulimately, it was our fault'?

The problem was their 'pay £360 or throw the bags away' response which was totally OTT.
 
The smaller commuter model also looks like it would fit my gear. Have tried to contact snapperstuff but no luck yet.

It looks like Greys of Westminster are a dealer- anyone know what their bag stock is like?
 
We're off to NYC in early Dec. I've been looking up the restrictions for Aer Lingus for international flights. 50cmx40cmx24cm is what I'm allowed carry on, plus a smaller item, like a laptop bag.

Looking up the so-called Airport friendly bags, a lot of the bigger models are beyond these dimensions. Some of them not by much, but enough to not fit in the check baskets.

I'm restricted then to something like the Think tank airport take off:

http://www.connscameras.ie/think-tank-airport-takeoff-rolling-camera-bag/874530004988pd.html
 
I use a Think Tank Airport Airstream - can't fault it. Really well constructed and takes the knocks with ease, barely a mark on it. Loads of great touches and holds a fair amount of kit considering its size.
 
Just an update- got the commuter and it all fits very nicely. Fantastically well built bag with so many compartments etc as well as a number of different was of configuring. All done!
 
I bought the think tank accelerator for my trip to SA, the reason's why, although it was well within the restrictions for BA, it also fit the local flights restrictions as well. The bag very good, enough space for all I needed, including a 300mm f2.8 and weight wise it was very light weight. Reason, Virgin or SAA were quoting 6-8kg carry on weight, thats why I when with BA, and as my lowepro weighs over 3kgs empty, the think tank was less than 1/2 that. Remember its not only the size restrictions, but weight restrictions as well, Virgin were no help at all, 6kg max not budging probably unless you were flying 1st class. You might be lucky and not be checked, but I rather not have to pay for that, so thats why I bought the accelerator
 
Emirates is something like 15kg carry on from the UK and 23kg from India. I loaded up the bag yesterday and it came in at 12kg, well under weight for the flights. It also is well within their dimensions limits. I will report back once I have actually flown!
 
From Ireland to NY it's 10kg carry on only. I got the Airport take off, lovely bag, fits most of my gear - any spill over goes into my old shoulder bag - using the Think tank as a feeder.

The bag itself is 3.5kg so i will have to be careful how I load it for the actual trip. Stick a D800, 70-200 and 24-70 in and you're at the limit already. I think the 24-70 may have to stay home and take the wee 50mm instead.
 
Just a bit of feedback on ThinkTank and another possibility...

I recently bought a 4-Sight. It's cabin legal (in fact really small) and has 4 wheels. First time I used it I walked about 6 - 7 miles with it and it was an absolute joy to use.

However, it's really small and I had trouble fitting kit in. So much that I actually sent an email to TT to complain. So far I've had half a dozen emails from one of their CS team who actually got hold of all the gear I was trying to fit, figured out how to fit it in and then sent me photos and clear instructions of how to do it.

That's what I mean by excellent customer service :)

For the record, the tiny 4-Sight will take D3S with 24-70, D3, 70 - 200, 14 - 24, two flash guns, 105 macro and a little bit of room (rather more room if you have the MkII 70-200). And it wheels very very well.
 
It is good to hear they have good CS. I now have my bag but my choice was made easier by getting in touch with Helen at snapperstuff as recommended by Ed. They didn't have the commuter in stock but as they are also the supplier of UK stock (from what I worked out!) I happily purchased from Premier Ink.

The buying experience was good overall, as is the bag and the truthful description. The lowepro description of their flipside 400AW left something to be desired as it is actually very shallow at it shallowest point and didn't allow for standing even some relatively small lenses end on.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Just a bit of feedback on ThinkTank and another possibility...

I recently bought a 4-Sight. It's cabin legal (in fact really small) and has 4 wheels. First time I used it I walked about 6 - 7 miles with it and it was an absolute joy to use.

However, it's really small and I had trouble fitting kit in. So much that I actually sent an email to TT to complain. So far I've had half a dozen emails from one of their CS team who actually got hold of all the gear I was trying to fit, figured out how to fit it in and then sent me photos and clear instructions of how to do it.

That's what I mean by excellent customer service :)

For the record, the tiny 4-Sight will take D3S with 24-70, D3, 70 - 200, 14 - 24, two flash guns, 105 macro and a little bit of room (rather more room if you have the MkII 70-200). And it wheels very very well.
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That must be at least 10KG of gear though? No good if the restriction is 10, and you have to add on the weight of the bag. A lot of airlines are strict on that 10kg carry on.
 
Cagey75 said:
That must be at least 10KG of gear though? No good if the restriction is 10, and you have to add on the weight of the bag. A lot of airlines are strict on that 10kg carry on.
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If the airline said I could only take 10 kilos then I would take less kit.

No bag is going to make more than 10kg of kit weigh less than 10 kilos.

BA allow 23 kilos or however much I can shoulder press - whichever is lower. Trains don't weigh luggage yet.
 
That is generous. It's been 10kg any flight I've been on. Are you sure that's not 23KG total allowance? Just sounds a hell of a lot for carry on.
 
That is excellent.

[edit] Aerlingus non-business restrictions are: 2x 23KG + 1x 10KG carry on. I can stick my flash units into the main baggage, I'll take the risk. Never had anything go missing on me ... yet!

Just checked and their business class is the same as you've stated above. They must all be about the same. Most of them still 10kg carry on. I prefer to have my main gear with me, don't fancy baggage handlers firing them on top of all other bags and then into the butt of the plane.
 
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Just to update, took bag on Emirates and size was fine but weight may have been a little over. Their carry on weight was 8kg. I took the 120-300 out and the lady gave me an emirates branded hessian bag to stick it in! I then stuck it back in the bag once on board. I am not predicting and any hassle going home from India.
 
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