New Tom Bihn bag
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: land of aahhhhs (ICT)
Programs: EXP LTPlat
Posts: 492
New Tom Bihn bag
Check out the new Tristar
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/500/TB0940
Works for me, I ordered 2, lol. No, not for myself. One's for a grad gift. Both indigo/solar. I like the Skytrain (Red Oxx)and Bihn's Aeronaut, but full, they're likely to be more than I want to tote. If I absolutely have to take more than the Tristar can hold, I'll just have to revert to wheels.
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/500/TB0940
Works for me, I ordered 2, lol. No, not for myself. One's for a grad gift. Both indigo/solar. I like the Skytrain (Red Oxx)and Bihn's Aeronaut, but full, they're likely to be more than I want to tote. If I absolutely have to take more than the Tristar can hold, I'll just have to revert to wheels.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Grazie Gold Lounge
Programs: UA-2MM; GalacticXpress-Irridium
Posts: 10,332
Interesting. Looks like they really thought this through and have everything you need in a convertible-type bag. I particularly like the middle section where the laptop goes.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
The real killer will be the MEI Convertible, The MEI EO, the Patagonia MLC and perhaps even the ebags Weekender at $55 compared to $200 or $235 once you add the organizer panel.
I am usually all for buying high quality stuff once at a high price and be done with it. But at 4x the price?
Till
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: land of aahhhhs (ICT)
Programs: EXP LTPlat
Posts: 492
Till, have you tried to buy am MEI lately? I did get an e-mail response to an inquiry from the guy running the business, but no further response when I tried to order one back in early Feb. Guess he's having some issues aside from the business.
I looked at the Patagonia, and actually did purchase an Osprey Porter instead--I just wasn't too taken with the Patagonia (and I'm a fan of the company). My granddaughter wants to claim the Osprey (nice bag).
Agree the Tristar's darned pricey. Fortunately, already own a strap, don't need a Freudian slip, so I'm good to go with the base price. Yeah, right. Bihn's got multiple little add-ons that are mighty tempting. It's like buying a pick-up--pretty soon you've got your grill gaurd, bumper hitch, goose-neck hitch, running boards, bed liner, gun rack.............
I looked at the Patagonia, and actually did purchase an Osprey Porter instead--I just wasn't too taken with the Patagonia (and I'm a fan of the company). My granddaughter wants to claim the Osprey (nice bag).
Agree the Tristar's darned pricey. Fortunately, already own a strap, don't need a Freudian slip, so I'm good to go with the base price. Yeah, right. Bihn's got multiple little add-ons that are mighty tempting. It's like buying a pick-up--pretty soon you've got your grill gaurd, bumper hitch, goose-neck hitch, running boards, bed liner, gun rack.............
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
Till, have you tried to buy am MEI lately? I did get an e-mail response to an inquiry from the guy running the business, but no further response when I tried to order one back in early Feb. Guess he's having some issues aside from the business.
I looked at the Patagonia, and actually did purchase an Osprey Porter instead--I just wasn't too taken with the Patagonia (and I'm a fan of the company). My granddaughter wants to claim the Osprey (nice bag).
Agree the Tristar's darned pricey. Fortunately, already own a strap, don't need a Freudian slip, so I'm good to go with the base price. Yeah, right. Bihn's got multiple little add-ons that are mighty tempting. It's like buying a pick-up--pretty soon you've got your grill gaurd, bumper hitch, goose-neck hitch, running boards, bed liner, gun rack.............
I looked at the Patagonia, and actually did purchase an Osprey Porter instead--I just wasn't too taken with the Patagonia (and I'm a fan of the company). My granddaughter wants to claim the Osprey (nice bag).
Agree the Tristar's darned pricey. Fortunately, already own a strap, don't need a Freudian slip, so I'm good to go with the base price. Yeah, right. Bihn's got multiple little add-ons that are mighty tempting. It's like buying a pick-up--pretty soon you've got your grill gaurd, bumper hitch, goose-neck hitch, running boards, bed liner, gun rack.............
I never saw the Osprey Porter close-up so I didn't comment on that. It might be the lightest bag in that arena, no?
I did like the MLC I saw at Wholeearth Co. My decision for one of these bags would really probably be between the cheap ebags Weekender and the expensive Tristar. Good thing I don't have to make that decision.
If you have the time, please post a little review or some impressions of the Tristar.
Till
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
I am the first to say buy the best you can afford and be done with it. But given that the Weekender has gotten literally thousands of really good reviews, that it's obviously quite well constructed and thought out, plus the fact that it's rather light, makes me wonder whether I should get one. I also like the design. Perhaps not as much as the design of the Tristar but at least it has some orange on it.
Till
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
It's too cheap. FT'ers are a bit snobby. They only want to be seen with the best money can buy.
I am the first to say buy the best you can afford and be done with it. But given that the Weekender has gotten literally thousands of really good reviews, that it's obviously quite well constructed and thought out, plus the fact that it's rather light, makes me wonder whether I should get one. I also like the design. Perhaps not as much as the design of the Tristar but at least it has some orange on it.
Till
I am the first to say buy the best you can afford and be done with it. But given that the Weekender has gotten literally thousands of really good reviews, that it's obviously quite well constructed and thought out, plus the fact that it's rather light, makes me wonder whether I should get one. I also like the design. Perhaps not as much as the design of the Tristar but at least it has some orange on it.
Till
The Tristar looks really really interesting, but I have a trip coming up and the June ship date is just waaay too late for me.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The wilds of Idaho
Programs: Elite in Every Way
Posts: 39
Check out the new Tristar
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/500/TB0940
Works for me, I ordered 2, lol. No, not for myself. One's for a grad gift. Both indigo/solar. I like the Skytrain (Red Oxx)and Bihn's Aeronaut, but full, they're likely to be more than I want to tote. If I absolutely have to take more than the Tristar can hold, I'll just have to revert to wheels.
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/500/TB0940
Works for me, I ordered 2, lol. No, not for myself. One's for a grad gift. Both indigo/solar. I like the Skytrain (Red Oxx)and Bihn's Aeronaut, but full, they're likely to be more than I want to tote. If I absolutely have to take more than the Tristar can hold, I'll just have to revert to wheels.
The Tri-Star looks like an interesting bag, but I would like to see the dimensions of each of the three compartments to see just how versatile the bag will be.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 11
Victorinox, to our knowledge, has never used 1050 denier ballistic nylon.
We've been using YKK's Uretek splash-proof zippers for over five years. Our customers (and external reviewers) have tested the water-resistance of these zippers whether on purpose (one reviewer took a shower with his Aeronaut to test the zippers) or not (customers caught in a rain storm), and the feedback has been resoundingly positive.
An unshielded standard zipper is much less water-resistant than our YKK Uretek zippers. In addition, our 1050 denier ballistic nylon fabric is waterproof - what makes our bags not completely waterproof is that the bags are sewn as opposed to RF-welded. Only bags that are RF-welded - like Ortlieb bags - can be called waterproof.
If any FlyerTalk forum members have questions about the Tri-Star, ask away.
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,048
Hello! Darcy from TOM BIHN here.
Victorinox, to our knowledge, has never used 1050 denier ballistic nylon.
We've been using YKK's Uretek splash-proof zippers for over five years. Our customers (and external reviewers) have tested the water-resistance of these zippers whether on purpose (one reviewer took a shower with his Aeronaut to test the zippers) or not (customers caught in a rain storm), and the feedback has been resoundingly positive.
An unshielded standard zipper is much less water-resistant than our YKK Uretek zippers. In addition, our 1050 denier ballistic nylon fabric is waterproof - what makes our bags not completely waterproof is that the bags are sewn as opposed to RF-welded. Only bags that are RF-welded - like Ortlieb bags - can be called waterproof.
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
Victorinox used 1050 ballistic nylon on their NXT series.
Nothing wrong with the zippers. I personally like them. But unless the bag is waterproof, it's an expensive cosmetic upgrade.
And how is the 1050 ballistic waterproof? Your website says it's treated for water resistance. With such a large weave, you'd need 120g PU or a TPU/SPU backing. I didn't see that mentioned.
Victorinox, to our knowledge, has never used 1050 denier ballistic nylon.
We've been using YKK's Uretek splash-proof zippers for over five years. Our customers (and external reviewers) have tested the water-resistance of these zippers whether on purpose (one reviewer took a shower with his Aeronaut to test the zippers) or not (customers caught in a rain storm), and the feedback has been resoundingly positive.
An unshielded standard zipper is much less water-resistant than our YKK Uretek zippers. In addition, our 1050 denier ballistic nylon fabric is waterproof - what makes our bags not completely waterproof is that the bags are sewn as opposed to RF-welded. Only bags that are RF-welded - like Ortlieb bags - can be called waterproof.
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
Victorinox used 1050 ballistic nylon on their NXT series.
Nothing wrong with the zippers. I personally like them. But unless the bag is waterproof, it's an expensive cosmetic upgrade.
And how is the 1050 ballistic waterproof? Your website says it's treated for water resistance. With such a large weave, you'd need 120g PU or a TPU/SPU backing. I didn't see that mentioned.
Last edited by SaigonCyclo; Apr 29, 2009 at 5:14 pm Reason: **