List Price: $179.99
Sale Price: $114.51
Today's Bonus: 36% Off
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program
I have been a Lowepro fan for decades. Although I have had one or two of their products that were just okay, almost all of their bags that I have owned were well thought out and expertly made. This case is no exception, as a matter of fact, it is one of my favorites.
I don't currently own a spotting scope but as an avid birder I do borrow them from friends or rent one when I go somewhere that a pair of binoculars just won't do it. Shore birds, wading birds, extremely shy birds, or birds in an area with limited access are all perfect subjects for a spotting scope. I love using them, especially when birding with a group as everyone can get a chance to look through it.
The biggest problem that many people have is that it can be difficult to carry the scope, tripod, binoculars and the rest of your gear. This case (and it's bigger brother, the350 AW) are perfect for holding all of your stuff. In addition, it comes with a weather proof cover built-in to it!
I thought that a video review might be a good way to show off this bag. I hope that it is helpful to you.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This pack has lot of convenient pockets accessible both inside and out. The main padded inside scope sleeve is adjustable so that it could also support a DSLR with a decent size telephoto lens attaches (such as a 70-200 or 100-400mm), and the tripod pocket and strap that slides out of top and bottom of the pack are very useful. There are pack better suited for just photography, but if you need a scope pack that can support a camera this is near perfect. My only complain is that there are no dedicated memory card pockets. Even if this is used for a large scope, they expect that the smaller pouches would be used for a compact camera, possibly for digi-scoping so a little CF/SD pockets would be most welcomed and could be used by small scope filters or parts if you didn't need memory card storage. Finally the waterproof shell that's tucked into the bottom is a nice feature, but I doubt I'll need it much since it's material and overlapping zipper flaps would keep your gear dry in all but a down pour.PROS:
+ Lots of room
+ Doubles as a telephoto SLR case
+ Lots of pockets (including a side drink pocket)
+ Great tripod holder
+ Top and side handles
+ Waterproof shell
CONS:
No dedicated CF/SD card pockets
Best Deals for Lowepro LP36359 Scope Travel 200 AW Travel and Field Photo/Optics
I was in the market for a case for my recently acquired Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope with 20-60x Magnification and based on my past experience with Lowepro camera bags (I currently own five!) I had narrowed my choice down to this bag and the larger Lowepro LP36357 Scope Porter 200 AW Spotting Scope and Tripod Backpack Dark Olive. I was leaning towards the Scope Porter when I came across a really good sale price on this bag, the Scope Travel 200 (under $100) and decided to go that route instead.I'm not disappointed I went with the Scope Travel 200, as it turns out it's just about the right size for my needs. The Vanguard HD 82A, which is about a foot long, just manages to slip into the scope compartment of the pack, even with the Vanguard's padded carry jacket attached. (For bigger scopes you'll need the larger Lowepro pack, which can handle an 18" scope.) There's plenty of room in the pack for all my nature-watching accessories, like field guides, compact binos, a water bottle, lunch, notebooks and so forth. It's a very useful size, whether you're just carrying your gear from the car to a viewing position a few yard away (there are two sewn in carrying handles) or you'll be packing in in some distance. There's a clever system for attaching a tripod, though I'm not sure it's up to the weight of the solid tripods I like to use for spotting scopes. I'd stick with carbon fiber tripods or short, lightweight tripods to avoid overloading the pack or making it clumsy to carry. Without a load-carrying and stabilizing hip belt you want to be careful how much weight to try to carry in it.
One of the nicest features of many Lowepro packs is the pull-out rain cover, and it's found on this pack. Reach underneath, pull open the velcro-sealed compartment, and out pops a flyweight cover. A nice features when you're carrying several thousand dollars worth of optics and electronics. The outer fabric is of a medium weight, and seems reasonably abrasion resistant. There's enough padding in the pack that I plan to use it to store my Vanguard spotting scope when I'm not carrying it afield. It fits me comfortably, too (I'm 6'2") and there's enough adjustability in the straps that it should work fine for someone around 5' as well.
It's not just for spotting scopes, though that's the ideal use. You could also use this for carrying a DSLR with a long zoom lens, or even a small astronomical telescope , like a Televue 60mm scope or the classic Orion Short Scope. If it had thicker padding and the exterior was made of a tougher, more abrasion resistant nylon, I'd give it the full five stars. Even so, it's a nice package with expected Lowepro quality, and a good value for your money.
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