Nju splashbag for cabin luggage?

Hi everyone,

I'm traveling to Palau and NZ in 2 months time and looking for a good carry-on bag for my housing body, camera, lenses, and possibly my dome. Has anyone tried this Nju systems splashbag: http://wetpixel.com/articles/nju-systems-releases-the-splashbag It seems like the perfect deal, other than I'm not entirely sure if these are on the market yet and how well it would stand up if the airlines do require me to check this thing....

Was originally thinking of checking a pelican case with just housing equip., and having my camera case separate, but we'll be on planes, trains, and automobiles in New Zealand and I'm looking for an easy-to-carry all option.

Sincerely appreciate any suggestions!

KT

Be careful! The bag is officially too big for today's carry-on restrictions. It is listed as 20” x 15” x 10”. The restrictions today are 20 by 14 x 9. I use the ThinkTank Airport International which is 21x13x8 and I'm always concerned; it is about 35 pounds loaded But no problem so far. I only didn't use in for internal Philippines flights, with a 25 lb weight limit. This year I'm going to Little Cayman, with a 15 lb carry-on limit. Not sure yet what I'm going to do!

Wow, this is extremely helpful! Thank you! I've been looking at the thinktank vs. lowepro (backpack style that converts) and the lowepro is just slightly smaller on the exterior. I went to Little Cayman a few years ago, (you'll friggin LOVE IT!!! We had stormy weather the whole time, but as soon as you turn that corner to get to the reefs, nothing but flat calm seas and 100+ viz), and they're pretty laid back. Example, I had a very short time frame to catch my puddle jumper from Grand Cayman airport, thinking I'd miss my flight, and the pilot strolled in 15 min. late, reggae blasting on his phone..I wasn't complaining! If anything, they might have to fly some of your stow away luggage separate, but I had a backpack I used as my camera bag that was at least 25 pounds and if it looks inconspicuous enough, they won't hassle you. Have an awesome time!

Hey KT

I'm guessing you've already checked out the Pelican 1510?

Fits within cabin baggage limits (other than weight of course!), roll-able, can fairly safely be checked-in should the need arise. I've been travelling with one for about 15 years and have never, touch wood, had a problem in taking it in the cabin.

Hey Tim! Actually have a pelican, but being that I booked a bunch of one way legs for this trip, I'll be flying on a total of, count em', SIX airlines, two of which (Air NZ and China Airlines), have weight limits of 15 pounds. I read a bunch of stuff on the forum on China Airlines carry-on restrictions and it seems like most people are just pretty lucky getting through. The total weight of just the items I need to pack in a backpack, (Aquatica 5DMKIII housing with viewfinder, 6 inch dome, laptop), are 13.6 pounds and the bag weight for one of those rolly style backpacks is 10 pounds extra, so hoping they'll take pity on me and I can skirt through. Have you had any experience with these guys? I didn't see much on their sites about paying an extra fee for overweight cabin baggage. Thank you for your help!

Hey Tim! Actually have a pelican, but being that I booked a bunch of one way legs for this trip, I'll be flying on a total of, count em', SIX airlines, two of which (Air NZ and China Airlines), have weight limits of 15 pounds. I read a bunch of stuff on the forum on China Airlines carry-on restrictions and it seems like most people are just pretty lucky getting through. The total weight of just the items I need to pack in a backpack, (Aquatica 5DMKIII housing with viewfinder, 6 inch dome, laptop), are 13.6 pounds and the bag weight for one of those rolly style backpacks is 10 pounds extra, so hoping they'll take pity on me and I can skirt through. Have you had any experience with these guys? I didn't see much on their sites about paying an extra fee for overweight cabin baggage. Thank you for your help!

Hey KT

Sorry, no direct experience of Air NZ or China Airlines. I did though do a major dive trip a few years ago with 22 flight journeys (!) lugging a Pelican 1510 as cabin baggage (Emirates/Malaysian/AirTahitinui/Continental). I never had a problem but maybe was just lucky! Similar experience with the charter/budget type airlines with tight cabin baggage allowances.

What I have found about the 1510 is that it looks quite neat and compact and can belie the fact that it weighs, loaded, only a little short of a Suburban. A big not-a-care-in-the-world smile as I tow it through check-in and down the cabin and, so far for me at least, all has been well. And I have always figured if I was forced to check it, it's ruggedness should allow survival. I keep a couple of tie-wraps in my pocket which I could, in extremis, use to secure the case hasps and slow down the evilly tempted.

Yeah, always a bit of a worry, but, as I said, 15 years experience with a 1510 and so far, so good.....