Owner contribution
I have purchased the Rover Plus about 2 weeks ago and I am trying to give the reader of this review a clue about the three important points space, comfort and the special features, that lowepro tries to implement. Space: The lower compartment has the formal measurements of 34 x 17 x 24 cm. In this review I equipped the Rover Plus AW with my Nikon D80 with portrait grip (the Nikon D200 also fit's - I tested both) and 4 lenses (one attached) and an on-camera-strobe (flash SB-600). Which lenses did I put in the bag? - Nikkor 80-200mm F/2,8 (with tripod collar) - Nikkor 85mm F/1,8 (with large hood on) - Tamron 28-75mm F/2,8 (attached with the hood on) - Tokina 12-24mm F/4 and the - SB-600 flash. On the upper compartment I put 5 bottles of Coke (each 1,25l bottles) and a 1l milk carton into the Rover Plus and there was still space! --- For those folks out there who are thinking about selling your Slingshot 200 AW (which is a very popular and convenient bag) I shot two photos that will show you how the sizes of those two compare to each other. In this picture you can see that the Slingshot 200 almost fits into the upper part of the Rover Plus. So you can imagine, that the space you have is sufficient for a middle short hiking trip. --- On this picture you can see the size in absolute terms. I usually put my described gear in the lower part and have my knee caps (for field sport photography), something to drink a small jacket and a second pair of trousers and maybe a lunchbox. This all fits in the upper part easily. --- Comfort: After explaining how much you can fit into this bag you might wonder how it feels to carry it around in the field, how it is to put it off in the train and how heavy it feels on your shoulders. Due to its very versatile shoulder straps, which can be adjusted in many ways. You can choose a high and a low position of shoulder straps and also adjust, if they should be tight connected with your bags backside or if they should be loose to give you more flexibility. This way you also can prevent the pulling-backwards-feeling when you have a tripod pulled tight on the top of the Rover Plus. You can also adjust your belly belt. You can define how broad your side cushions should be attached on the bag and certainly also how tight they are on your belly... All together I have never had such a versatile multi-adjustable-backpack in my life! On the other hand: You will not be able to reach for your gear without putting the full bag to the ground. I tried getting the Nikon D200 with 12-24 out while standing in ankle-high mud. It was no problem with the belly-belt tightened up and the left shoulder strap around my right shoulder, but I would not recommend this act with a full bag. Mine was half empty at the time. Special features: Being used to the Slingshot 200 AW I was curious if there was a clever solution for memory cards and cables. And in fact there is! Not only in front of the bag have you got two zipper-pockets for small stuff. You also have a division for your magazine our newspaper and two large meshed pockets in your upper compartment. Furthermore you have two meshed pockets at the sides for a bottle or your mobile phone. Last but not least you have the tripod area, which is also very clever designed. You can draw the tripod holder out (in case you have a long tripod) and have perfect tight position.. You will also have an additional storage place under the tripod area Finally you will find an all weather (AW) cover that protects the bag not only in case of rain but also against the burning sun in the desert. Summing up: The Rover Plus is a fine bag that can carry complex photographic equipment and lots of additional stuff for one or two days of hiking or professional outdoor shooting equipment. The quality is very good and the small features like the tripod holder, the inside pockets and the adjustable shoulder straps are for me reason enough to purchase this fine product if you are planning to spend more than only a few hours outdoor even if it means spending a little bit more than you usually pay for a backpack.
What works
very roomy; good quality; nice design; highly adjustable; comfortably
Room for improvement
very expensive; inconvenient to reach for the camera
