And finally, a memory card storage pouch capable of holding eight CompactFlash cards, shown in Figure D, is sewn to the inside of the compartment.

FIGURE D

Memory card storage built right in. Click picture for a larger image.

The interesting thing about these compartments is that either, or both, can be completely removed from the shell of the backpack, creating one large compartment, allowing you to customize it for any situation, making the CompuRover useable for much more than just transporting photography and mobile computing equipment. It could easily become an overnight bag, book bag, or the typical outdoor sportsman backpack.

The final compartment of the CompuRover, seen in Figure E, is the padded laptop storage area, capable of accepting most 17-inch laptops.

FIGURE E

Safe storage for your laptop. Click picture for a larger image.

A water-resistant zipper runs down the side of the backpack, securing your laptop between your back and the other two sections.

The outside
The water-resistant ripstop ballistic nylon shell of the CompuRover deceptively conceals the vast amount of storage space hidden inside. Flaps cover the zippers of the upper and lower compartments to protect them from moisture. Central on the outside of the pack is the tripod storage system shown in Figure F.

FIGURE F

Take your tripod, no matter where you go. Click picture for a larger image.

Without the tripod, this system folds up to create yet another pouch. On either side of the tripod system are angled, zippered pouches for storing maps, directions, tickets, or whatever else you might choose stash away. Under these, and on the sides of the backpack, are short mesh pouches in the shape of an inverted triangle.

Somewhat hidden on the bottom of the pack is a pocket containing the All Weather Cover. By pulling the attached cover over the pack, securing it with a slip-lock cord, your gear is protected from the angriest of Old Man Weather's tantrums. Since I forgot to shoot a picture of the cover, I grabbed one from Lowepro, shown in Figure G.

FIGURE G

The CompuRover features a built-in All Weather Cover. Click picture for a larger image.

For carrying the pack, Lowepro has included a handle on the top in addition to the adjustable, padded shoulder straps, each with its own attached D-ring. The thing that differentiates the CompuRover from most other backpacks is the included, and removable, waist belt, as well as a sternum strap that connects the shoulder straps across the wearer's chest, all shown in Figure H.

FIGURE H

The ComuRover's amazing support system. Click picture for a larger image.

Not only does the easy-adjust waist belt help distribute the pack's weight, it also has two loops stitched into each side that could be used to hold energy bars or some other such item.

The conclusion
The Lowepro CompuRover AW is without doubt THE best backpack I have ever seen or used. The weight distribution of the harness system is simply supernatural. I can only assume that Lowepro has used wormhole physics to store the contents in an alternate plane of existence, because even with ten pounds of gear in it, the CompuRover was no heavier over a ten-mile bike ride than when it was empty. And when it's empty, you can't even tell it's there. I wish my dive pack had been as comfortable to wear as the CompuRover AW.

No matter where your shooting location is, whether you have to hike, cycle, rock climb, or rappel to get there, or even if you're driving, across town or across the country, the CompuRover AW will take the gear you need anywhere you need to go. I could find absolutely nothing wrong with the CompuRover, nor could I find any way to improve on its design. Because it can serve as so much more than just a camera/laptop backpack, even with a retail price of roughly $170, I'm happy to give the Lowepro CompuRover AW our highest rating, 5 out of 5.

OUR RATING: 5 of 5

For more than 20 years, David Gewirtz, the author of Where Have All The Emails Gone? and The Flexible Enterprise, has analyzed current, historical, and emerging issues relating to technology, competitiveness, and policy. David is the Editor-in-Chief of the ZATZ magazines, is the Cyberterrorism Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, and is a member of the instructional faculty at the University of California, Berkeley extension. He can be reached at david@zatz.com.