Lowepro Dryzone Rover?

Is anyone using the Lowepro Dryzone Rover? I'm looking at one for my topside gear on the dive boat. I have various other Lowepro bags and have always been happy with them. Any personal experience with this bag? Thanks.

Hi Andy

I cant speak for the Dryzone Rover, but I have been using the Dryzone 200 for about 2 years now and really enjoy it for scuba trips. I also have several other Lowepro bags which I use for other occasions. Just recently, I took the Dryzone 200 to Truk with no complications. I had the thing stuffed with almost 50lbs of camera equipment and it worked like a charm. Good Luck with the Rover.

Luigi

Hi Andy.

I use the non dryzone rover, but Lowepro's pic of it looks about the same. If you can, check it in a store first - my Rover AW II isn't sturdy enough for our local dive boats - some schmo is always knocking people's bags off the bench or putting something heavy on top of them, or the swells bash them around. I stick with one non-padded backpack for my non-photo stuff (beanie, divelog, nudi book, etc), and my camera stuff in a hard sided case.

The Rover AW II is very light, however, for the amount of protection it affords, making it good for international travel, because you don't waste 5-6 lbs of your 7kg carryon limit on the weight of the bag. I got my dSLR, Ike housing, 2 ports, 2 lenses, 2 P*S housings and 3 P&S cameras (don't ask) within a smile's distance of 7kg a couple of weeks ago in this bag. So it's good for that.

I use the Rover AW II alot for domestic travel and topside photography - it's great for the airplane, since it is soooo compact compared to other bags (like the trekker series). But I have to tell you the clamshell design is a total PITA. There is a new Rover design that has a zipper on the front for the camera compartment - you might consider that instead? Just depends how you plan to work with it and all that.

Just curious, why do you want the DryZone version? Adds a lot of weight, unless you really need alot of waterproofing. The AW has a rain cover that folds out and covers the bag nicely if you're carrying it in the rain.

HTH.

Taxgeek/Susan

I just bought a DryZone Rover. it looks well made and is hopefully waterproof. The question was raised why anyone would buy one. My reasons are, it is waterproof, it is a backpack (helps with back pain) and it means I cannot take my 600mm lens along but it does allow me to take my Olympus Sp350 and housing.

I plan to use it kayaking (it will fit in the cockpit more easily than a bigger pack) and for a very soon trip to the Galapagos. Somehow the fear of saltwater on my shiny electronic cameras doesn't make me comfortable.

It has a built in water bottle for those long dry days and also room for my lunch, towel, and a D200, 70-200 2.8, 18-70, 10.5, TC200, SB800, memory cards etc. Enough stuff for touring.

Roger

Hi Andy.

I use the non dryzone rover, but Lowepro's pic of it looks about the same. If you can, check it in a store first - my Rover AW II isn't sturdy enough for our local dive boats - some schmo is always knocking people's bags off the bench or putting something heavy on top of them, or the swells bash them around. I stick with one non-padded backpack for my non-photo stuff (beanie, divelog, nudi book, etc), and my camera stuff in a hard sided case.

 

The Rover AW II is very light, however, for the amount of protection it affords, making it good for international travel, because you don't waste 5-6 lbs of your 7kg carryon limit on the weight of the bag. I got my dSLR, Ike housing, 2 ports, 2 lenses, 2 P*S housings and 3 P&S cameras (don't ask) within a smile's distance of 7kg a couple of weeks ago in this bag. So it's good for that.

 

I use the Rover AW II alot for domestic travel and topside photography - it's great for the airplane, since it is soooo compact compared to other bags (like the trekker series). But I have to tell you the clamshell design is a total PITA. There is a new Rover design that has a zipper on the front for the camera compartment - you might consider that instead? Just depends how you plan to work with it and all that.

 

Just curious, why do you want the DryZone version? Adds a lot of weight, unless you really need alot of waterproofing. The AW has a rain cover that folds out and covers the bag nicely if you're carrying it in the rain.

 

HTH.

Taxgeek/Susan

Why would I want it, because I have so many Lowepro bags already I thought I'd add this one to the collection. Seriously, I sometimes dive from small boats on a river and thought it might come in handy. I have a pelican case for my topside gear on bigger boats, as well as a big Storm case for my UW setup. This all tends to take up quite a bit of room, and even though it hasn't been an issue yet, I'm always thinking of different options. The Pelican would just be too much from the smaller boat, yet I need to take this stuff.

We have a couple of Lowepro dealers in the area but none have the Dryzone Rover in stock for me to look at. I have looked at the regular versions though and I'm undecided. I'll probably just keep using my Pelican and a smaller Lowepro inside a dry bag the next time I'm on the river.

Thanks for the replies.

Small boats on a river . . . makes sense. :-)

More bags is always better!

....More bags is always better!

That's right, you can never have enough bags.

I have order a dry zone rover as part of a recent prize...a couple of thousand dollars worth of lowe pro bags...what a treat.

I have a lowepro cordura belt pack that is still going strong after about 20 years, and have only ever used Lowepro, so am looking forward to having some new digi-freindly bags for my kit.

I'll report on the dz rover, and I am getting the DZ 200 as well.

darren

I have a Dryzone 200 available if anyone's interested!

I never take it with me on trips, due to the airline regs in teh uk (1 bag, and i need my laptop too).

Would make a great buy for someone in the Uk who shoots locally.

Simon

I'm a big fan of the DZ 200 as well. I've not seen the Rover up close and personal yet, but I do like the concept of the built in hydration system.

Having said that, I tend to carry a metric crapload of photographic gear with me, particularly when traveling. From the look of the DZ Rover I would be severely space constrained on an overseas trip. For a local jaunt where I wanted a daypack with hydration reservoir, just a couple of lenses and some lunch, the Rover looks like a good choice. The shot of the Rover on Lowepro's website that shows it carrying a tripod, for instance, makes the bag look pretty small.

I've swum across rivers with my DZ 200 (sealed up of course ).