Show me your Versipak's!

[sardauker]

...does anybody know where tu buy a cheap, fatboy compatible, Janus knockoff?

[ba55man]

Hi sorry for the late reply, for the price it cant be beat the quality is not as good as the maxi's but saying that its not that bad, I mainly use it for carting stuff around with me at work and to that end its perfect, I hope this little review is of help to you....... 

[cerbera147]

Hi sorry for the late reply, for the price it cant be beat the quality is not as good as the maxi's but saying that its not that bad, I mainly use it for carting stuff around with me at work and to that end its perfect, I hope this little review is of help to you....... 

Thanks buddy 

While I know it's no Maxped I think as a trial run it should work. 

[glorn]

I'm sorry guys, I'm not trying to be difficult about this, but...

This is the same as buying a no-name hardware store MT to see if you think a MT is worth having.

There is no difference at all between the two scenarios. It surprises me that a group that is so quality driven does not apply the same logic to a bag. A no name MT will probably do 75% of the work you need it to do. So why bother with a Swisstool, Leatherman, SOG, or Gerber? Just buy a Chinese knock off with plastic handles from the  bargain bin at the hardware store. It looks more or less the same, and it will certainly be similar.

Is that good enough? Is "it will work" good enough?

I don't get it. If you want to know if the real thing is worth it, getting a cheap imitation is not gonna cut it.



 

[ba55man]

I suppose its horses for courses, I just wanted something for work which will get abused and kicked about but when it comes to my MT's I like the quality aspect, I do own a few cheapo MT's and they get the rough work whereas the Leathermans get a better deal.

So Im sorry if I've hurt your feelings on the bag front but thats just the way it is......... 

[cerbera147]

Hi Glorn,

I can be a real brand snob when I want to be and have a Maxped EDC Organiser so totally get their quality 

If I want to buy a Fatboy for example in the UK I would be looking at £60 - 70. As I am still unsure about carrying a bag all the time that is a steep price to pay if I feel it's not for me 

If I buy a knock off for £20 and don't like it I can still make use of it as a camera bag or similiar. If I do like the style and the concept of bag carrying then I could justify buying a quality Maxped bag

On the other hand the equivalent product in the US would be about £40 plus shipping  That is a possible road to go down.

Just a shame I can't go into a shop to try before I buy 

Thanks for your advice on this Glorn  I value your input here and my other bag thread 

[Sparky415]

It's just taken me an hour to type this so I'm going to add it

Speaking for myself,

Often I will buy a cheap tool for work just to see if it is of use to me, if its not I might think I don't need one or sometimes I think I need the expensive one
An example  of this would be I brought a plastic off set screwdriver (a bit like the top pic)
It was very use full to me about 3 times a year, it lasted a few years and as I liked it I replaced it with a good ratchet one

This pack is for me to use when my Rucksack is a bit too big but as I only use my rucksack about 4 times a year this means it will be used about twice a year so you can see where I'm going with this

 

[Zack]

Hi Glorn,

I can be a real brand snob when I want to be and have a Maxped EDC Organiser so totally get their quality 

If I want to buy a Fatboy for example in the UK I would be looking at £60 - 70. As I am still unsure about carrying a bag all the time that is a steep price to pay if I feel it's not for me 

If I buy a knock off for £20 and don't like it I can still make use of it as a camera bag or similiar. If I do like the style and the concept of bag carrying then I could justify buying a quality Maxped bag

On the other hand the equivalent product in the US would be about £40 plus shipping  That is a possible road to go down.

Just a shame I can't go into a shop to try before I buy 

Thanks for your advice on this Glorn  I value your input here and my other bag thread 

+1 on the camera bag.  My Jumbo is the best camera bag I have ever used.

[glorn]

So Im sorry if I've hurt your feelings on the bag front but thats just the way it is......... 

No worries. I was actually trying my best not to upset anyone myself.

I have skin like rawhide. No need to apologize. I'm usually the one doing that on the net. 

[glorn]

Hi Glorn,

I can be a real brand snob when I want to be and have a Maxped EDC Organiser so totally get their quality 

If I want to buy a Fatboy for example in the UK I would be looking at £60 - 70. As I am still unsure about carrying a bag all the time that is a steep price to pay if I feel it's not for me 

If I buy a knock off for £20 and don't like it I can still make use of it as a camera bag or similiar. If I do like the style and the concept of bag carrying then I could justify buying a quality Maxped bag

On the other hand the equivalent product in the US would be about £40 plus shipping  That is a possible road to go down.

Just a shame I can't go into a shop to try before I buy 

Thanks for your advice on this Glorn  I value your input here and my other bag thread 

Fair enough. I suppose for me a Maxpedition bag is a sure thing. I want all of them, just like MTs.   

But the whole price thing does suck. Is there any way to get past that? Is it just the shipping?

[batangueno]

Hi Glorn,

I can be a real brand snob when I want to be and have a Maxped EDC Organiser so totally get their quality 

If I want to buy a Fatboy for example in the UK I would be looking at £60 - 70. As I am still unsure about carrying a bag all the time that is a steep price to pay if I feel it's not for me 

If I buy a knock off for £20 and don't like it I can still make use of it as a camera bag or similiar. If I do like the style and the concept of bag carrying then I could justify buying a quality Maxped bag

On the other hand the equivalent product in the US would be about £40 plus shipping  That is a possible road to go down.

Just a shame I can't go into a shop to try before I buy 

Thanks for your advice on this Glorn  I value your input here and my other bag thread 

+1 on the camera bag.  My Jumbo is the best camera bag I have ever used.

LOL.  I use my Fatboy for a small camera and my Jumbo for my bigger camera. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Hi Glorn,

I can be a real brand snob when I want to be and have a Maxped EDC Organiser so totally get their quality 

If I want to buy a Fatboy for example in the UK I would be looking at £60 - 70. As I am still unsure about carrying a bag all the time that is a steep price to pay if I feel it's not for me 

If I buy a knock off for £20 and don't like it I can still make use of it as a camera bag or similiar. If I do like the style and the concept of bag carrying then I could justify buying a quality Maxped bag

On the other hand the equivalent product in the US would be about £40 plus shipping  That is a possible road to go down.

Just a shame I can't go into a shop to try before I buy 

Thanks for your advice on this Glorn  I value your input here and my other bag thread 

Fair enough. I suppose for me a Maxpedition bag is a sure thing. I want all of them, just like MTs.   

But the whole price thing does suck. Is there any way to get past that? Is it just the shipping?

Sadly it's not just the shipping, it's the almost inevitable custom's charges too

[Nikos]

Since I was also one of the lowlife that got this Chinese (indeed) copycat of a Fatboy, here's my $0.02...

There are times when you need to check something out for properties other than quality or use; size, form factor, ease of carry being some of them. For a mt or sak I'd make a mock-up out of cardboard or foam but for a bag that would be neither practical nor realistic. FYI I've had this Fatboy knock-off for a couple of months, carried for a couple of weeks and then delegated it to off-road activites. It turned out to be too "tacticool" and just a tad larger than what I'd like to haul around in an urban/work environment. I guess I'm not a versipack guy after all but I wouldn't have known that hadn't I bought that knock-off. The full retail price of a Fatboy is around 80 euros (or ~$110) here and that's not the kind of money I'd be willing to pay just to see if something suits my needs.

[cerbera147]

As I am soon to be the proud owner of a Maxped Fatboy  [Glorn will be glad to here  ] I was wondering what kind of accessories, if any, you have got on yours?

After seeing Glorn's recommendation I am getting the Triple Mag Holder and also a pack of Grimloc's

Anything else I should be thinking about?

[DaveK]

I bought the PDA case and attached it to the rear of mine to keep my camera handy.

I wouldn't have got this snap earlier today if I'd had to fish around for the camera:

[cerbera147]

Thanks Dave; nice pic 

So that holster would hold a point and shoot camera? Also are tac ties a must buy?

[DaveK]

Thanks Dave; nice pic  

So that holster would hold a point and shoot camera? Also are tac ties a must buy?

The Tac Ties are Maxpedition's new replacement for the old plastic Malice Clips. You use them to attach pouches to your bag that use the Molle system - so you'd need one to attach the PDA holster. (IIRC it does come with a metal clip, but it's not as secure as using a Malice clip or Tac Tie).



There are only two Molle attachment points on the Fatboy, at the bottom of the shoulder strap at the rear, and on the rear zip pocket. When you start looking at the rucksacks though, there's oodles of potential for adding stuff.

[DaveK]

That's a Falcon II in the second shot, hopefully you can see the GPS pouch on the side webbing, and of course the canteen pouch on the main back panel - both held on with Tac Ties

Yes, I'd definitely recommend that Fatboy, if your aim is to carry only the basics around with you! You won't fit much extra beyond your EDC (if it's anything like mine) in there, but it really helps to organise your stuff so you can find and use it quickly.

I'll take a contents shot in a mo.....

[Zack]

I keep a LM ALX in a MOLLE sheath on the front part where the strap meets.  I have an angle light clipped next to it.  I also have a roly poly dump pouch on the side pocket.  This is my photography bag, and the dump pouch comes in handy when shooting with my flash.  I can just dump my used rechargeables in the pouch so they don't get mixed with the fresh.

[DaveK]

OK here you go. Missing from the picture are my iPhone headset (on one of those curvyman things), and of course my camera. Oh and an Inka pen that I just noticed as I was putting everything back 



1 - Souvenir from my recent stay in hospital - lol.
2 - Charge TTi
3 - Spyderco UKPK
4 - EDC Organiser
5 - Business Cards
6 - Moleskine Notebook
7 - Leatherman Serac S2
8 - Vic Compact (for when the UKPK might be a bit much in the presence of sheeple)
9 - Fisher Bullet Pen
10 - Snot removal Kit
11 - Plasters
12 - Codeine
13 - 2 x CR123A batteries
14 - KFC wipe (cheaper than buying them)!
15 - Hand Gel
16 - Card Wallet (I carry cash in a money clip in my pocket these days)
17 - iPhone
18 - County Comm Peanut Lighter
19 - Chopsticks
20 - Iphone headphones (not pictured)
21 - Inka Pen - carried in pocket on exterior of built-in phone pouch
22 - Camera

OK - I carry a lot, but that about fills the Fatboy

[cerbera147]

Thanks Dave, good to know it takes the EDC Organiser and more  Thanks for the pics 

Where did you get the CR123A holders?

How does it cope with carrying water etc.?

One thing I don't have as yet is a folder; so I googled your Spyderco UKPK  Anyhoo, first result was this http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?13843-Arrested-with-my-Spyderco-UKPK 

Zack, is the Roly Poly Dump Pouch like an expandable pouch / bag?

[Zack]

Yeah it roll up to about the size of your fist, and expands to hold a nalgene bottle.  If you had a khaki color bag I would send you one.

[DaveK]

I got the battery holder from ebay - they were really cheap, but perfect for the job

Carrying water isn't the Fatboy's strength, but you do have the option of adding a Mini Roly-Poly or something to the rear zip pocket.

The BB thread is interesting, but I think it's significant that the guy in question appeared to have been arrested for assault (apologies if you're reading this and I got it wrong), rather than for carrying the UKPK. Personally, I would have gone to see the magistrate, as it is definitely, 100%, UK legal.

It's worth bearing in mind though, that anything you threaten somebody with could be construed as an offensive weapon, UKPK, house brick, SAK, anything really. That doesn't appear to be the case in that guy's story, but having been involved in such an incident, with it on his person, he maybe felt that it would be hard to defend himself.

[cerbera147]

I got the feeling he was a doorman, probably not the best job to carry such a thing. As somebody else said further down thread it is very much dependent on the person, situation and copper. As you say anything could be an offensive weapon. Anything but this  

Found the battery holders 

Yeah it roll up to about the size of your fist, and expands to hold a nalgene bottle.  If you had a khaki color bag I would send you one.

That's a shame  Just watched Mil-Spec Monkey's Youtube review, they look pretty handy  Definitely on the wish list.

[glorn]

As I am soon to be the proud owner of a Maxped Fatboy  [Glorn will be glad to here  ]

Indeed! Good for you!

I am certain you will love it.

I was wondering what kind of accessories, if any, you have got on yours?

After seeing Glorn's recommendation I am getting the Triple Mag Holder and also a pack of Grimloc's

Anything else I should be thinking about?

Triple Mag Holder, yes... and the PDA Holster.. I have that too, and it is great. As noted above, the Maxpedition Organizer is a perfect fit for the main compartment. Oh, and I have a single sheath attached to the molle on the side. Makes it so I can carry a MT and a light, with both of them outside accessible.

I also think a pack of these: http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Web-Dominator-35p591.htm is a smart buy. Useful for all sorts of things.



Water carry? Yeah, not so much. I carry that separately. I kind of prefer that though.

[Blackbeard]

Not sure if I want to lay out a ton of $$ for the maxped right now, but was looking at this, anybody have one:

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Multi-functional-Tactical-Messenger-Bag/dp/B002TUSSY4/ref=pd_sbs_sg_21

[Zed]

Not sure if I want to lay out a ton of $$ for the maxped right now, but was looking at this, anybody have one:

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Multi-functional-Tactical-Messenger-Bag/dp/B002TUSSY4/ref=pd_sbs_sg_21

that looks really good for the money 

[DaveK]

Not sure if I want to lay out a ton of $$ for the maxped right now, but was looking at this, anybody have one:

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Multi-functional-Tactical-Messenger-Bag/dp/B002TUSSY4/ref=pd_sbs_sg_21

It looks like a Maxpedition Jumbo knock-off to me

[cerbera147]

Not sure if I want to lay out a ton of $$ for the maxped right now, but was looking at this, anybody have one:

http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Multi-functional-Tactical-Messenger-Bag/dp/B002TUSSY4/ref=pd_sbs_sg_21

that looks really good for the money 

This Fatboy copy works out at £12 shipped; worth a look Plenty of others there too

http://airsoft-club.com/shop/tactical-gear/bag-case/shoulder-bag/military-universal-utility-shoulder-bag-black

[donvito]

Dave # 7 looks like S3 to me. S2 takes AAA batteries and is a lot thinner.