Cheap Lowepro LP36356 Field Station Beltpack - Dark Olive

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List Price: $99.99
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Incredibly well padded, inside and out, and very comfortable because of the padding on the adjustable waist straps, this "Field Station" by Lowepro is also very sturdy looking, and I would imagine very waterproof too. It will keep your binoculars/camera protected (an adjustable insert for this is inside, kept in place with Velcro and easily removable if you wish. Also room for the field guidebook, etc. There is even an insert that can be used as a "table." A zippered compartment inside for valuables (it's about the length/depth of a dollar bill, so credit card/license/cash would fit OK) and there's another zippered compartment on the outside, this one quite a bit roomier. A mesh covered pocket on one side of the bag would fit your pens, etc., and another without a cover on the other side would hold a water bottle.

It's a nice dark olive green and if I have a complaint, is that it's not as versatile as I would have hoped. It would be even nicer if somehow the waist straps were removable and a shoulder strap could be added, making this more of a multi-purpose item. But I quibble! Birders will love this bag, and by its sturdiness, it looks like it could last them a very long time.

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This is the ultimate gift for birders, whether they're just going for a hike/bird watch or participating in the Christmas bird count. Holds all of your gear without having to haul around something big & clunky.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I've been a birder since 1978. I have a Lowepro camera bag, so when I saw this on Vine I thought it would be a good thing... it is. As with my other Lowepro, the construction cannot be faulted. It's sturdy, comfortable to wear, ergonomic, and the overall space is adaptable to varying book and binocular sizes via Velcro fasteners. I easily fit my Fujinon 7x50 Polaris F-SX Marine Waterproof Binoculars w/ comfort strap, Fujinon 7x50 7107502 if I remove the Quick Shelf, but they're heavy and I use them for astronomy, and the quick odd bird I might want to see out the back door. My Nikon 7496 Eagleview Zoom 8-24 X 25mm Binoculars (Black) fit well into the binocular pouch, and I can add a book (or 2) and keep the Quick Shelf installed. I do not (yet) see the use for the quick shelf (but don't tell my wife! I'm using this as a justification for getting an iPad ;-}

Like I said, this is a Lowepro in quality and convenience, but definitely a niche product. Other Lowepro packs will do as well.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The Lowepro Field Station Beltpack is a pretty well designed belt case designed for bird watchers, hikers or travelers who want to carry small binoculars or a small camera and an iPad or field guide but don't want to carry a backpack or shoulder bag.

The Field Station Beltpack is about as large as you would want a belt pack to be; any larger and it will feel like it's going to fall or pull your pants down, but if it was smaller it wouldn't hold a small camera (point and shoot or small mirrorless camera like an Olympus E-P3 or Sony NEX-5N with pancake lens) or small binoculars and an iPad.

The ballistic nylon is thick and durable with plenty of padding material inside to keep the pack contents safe from bumps or even a fall. The "Quick Shelf" isn't a horrible idea but I didn't find it all that practical in real-world use. Yes, if you need to write something in a field journal then the Quick Shelf will come in handy. However, if you don't need a surface for writing then the Quick Shelf just takes up space in the bag.

On a brighter note, the Quick Shelf does provide a little extra protection/padding for an iPad so it's not a horrible thing ... it's just that I found myself wanting "a little" extra space inside the beltpack and I would have had the extra space without the Quick Shelf.

The breathable padding on the back side (body side) of the beltpack is VERY comfortable and the padding extends around part of the belt as well. If you're planning an all-day hike then this beltpack shouldn't cause you any trouble. That said, some serious hikers might wish this pack came with suspenders to help keep the belt from sliding down during an all-day journey.

Bottom line, it's good for its intended use but isn't the best "general use" bag for a camera and iPad.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I've used a Lowepro shoulder bag for my last few cameras. That's over 8 years. They've gotten dirty but are still functionally in great condition. This bag shows the same quality in materials and construction. If you want padded iPad and binocular carrying system, this works well. That said, I think it's a bit over-designed. For one thing, there's a padded binocular section inside the pack. That's a nice idea. However, enthusiast quality binoculars are generally very rugged and waterproof. I imagine that people willing to spend the money for this probably have binoculars as least as rugged as my Eagle Optics Ranger ED 8x42 Roof Prism Binoculars RGR-4208-ED model. Anyway, the padded compartment is attached with velcro and I removed it. That gave me enough extra room to include a lightweight poncho in the bag.

The other part I removed was the special iPad holder. It allows you to put an iPad in the pack and attach it in such a way that you can use the holder as a third hand to support the tablet at waist level, in view. The holder seems solid but the angle that it keeps the iPad is one I find awkward. It also holds the iPad just farther away than my bifocals focus well. Again, that's attached with velcro and can be removed, leaving a padded tablet compartment. If you have an Android tablet, the holder probably won't fit well anyway. Using an iPad as a field book is a great option. There are good quality bird guides especially the Peterson Guide app and the iBird app, as well as travel guides. I have several Kindle guides on my iPad. Having a whole reference library in the field is wonderful.

Bottom line is that you could get a decent fanny pack and add a padded iPad sleeve for half what this costs. It wouldn't be as elegant, but easily as functional.