I have a new TT Security. My question is about the zipper lock. It seems when I play with the lock dials I can hear an obvious sound difference when it clicks to the correct number. I guess what I am saying is it seems easy to be picked.
As a trial I told my son (8 years old) that I thought the sound was unique when it gets to the correct number, I set it for a lock combination he did not know and he listened and had it opened in about a minute.
i don't even need to go through the combination to open one of these type of locks these are for keeping out someone who is trying a quicky. if they have more then 2 minutes you can take a pen tip and blow right through the coil zipper and rezip it w/o anyone knowing its been touched. reality is that there is little a determined and knowledgeable thief can be held back from with a little bit of time and privacy. you just need to deprive him/her from that.
Zipper locks are useless, because zippers are not designed to be secure against theft.
Get a PacSafe wire mesh. It's a PITA, but it is MUCH harder for someone to get into it if you use a secure lock. The mesh can be cut but this requires the appropriate cutting tool--in which case they would just cut open the bag. Even if a thief can open the bag's zipper or flap, they can't remove anything larger than the mesh spacing.
Are you thinking transit or location. I agree and disagree with Wicker. I use the packsafe with I am on site and cant keep a 100% watch on it (say at my feet or on my back). If I go shoot a basketball or volleyball game, I will get out my lenses and camera and cards and secure the bag in a Pacsafe to the stands/gate/fence and fell much better. What it will do is slow someone down, if you have good wire cutters it will cut it but a thief of opportunity will pass it up. I have 3 sizes one for my TT Acceleration, TT Airport Security and one for my AW600 with multiple side attachments.
Well, the mesh alone is rather cumbersome to lock up and use each time you want to switch out stuff--that's what I meant by "not for location use." If you're storing something on site for a brief period of time, then sure, I don't see why you can't use something like the PacSafe. Just don't expect to be switching out lenses regularly unless you keep it unlocked....
BTW, I have a PacSafe 85 for my (non-photographic) duffel bag, which is why I know how much of a pain it is to put on and take off.
But all those issues are much better resolved with the dedicated bag, in the second link. That's much faster and convenient to use, because you don't have to pull the mesh on and off--it's integrated into the bag. One of the things you need to do with a separate mesh is that you need to make sure you put it on with the opening at the bottom of the bag, otherwise it's possible to sneak in. You don't have that problem with the integrated bag.
Yeah I have the 55/85 and 120. Even getting in and out of it is fast on my to TT as they are square and smooth. Takes maybe 20 sec to get on or off. The AW600 because of all the extra pouches takes a wee bit more but that is really a get there and lock up once I have my gear out. If you go to the Pacsafe site they show how to line up the little purple turtle on the mesh to slide it on right first time so you dont have to adjust or monkey with it. Usually when I get to my sport I have two bodies with the two lenses I want or maybe the 3rd in a vest pocket. I usually don't have to get in and out of them that much. The pacsafe bag you linked to is just to "generic" for my taste as I really like the TT products.
I am mainly wondering for on location. In the past I have kept everything in a locked down Pelican case for the times I have to secure it and can not be there to watch. When those situations come up I will just put the bag inside my pelican and lock it as usual.
Most of the time I am able to keep the bag within sight and for those times the simple zipper lock will be enough to prevent a quick exit.
