The RoadWired Podzilla: Big and Beautiful

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.roadwired.com/index.cfm?aid=7' target='_blank'>http://www.roadwired.com/index.cfm?aid=7</a><br /><br /></div>If there's one thing I have a weakness for, it's bags and cases (ok, I might have a few other weaknesses too :lol:). Laptop bags, camera bags, Pocket PC cases, you name it. It's it something meant to hold something else, I probably have more of them than I should. I draw the line at purses though - that's what my wife collects. :wink: With such a fetish, it's only natural that one of my favourite companies would be <a href="http://www.roadwired.com/index.cfm?aid=7">RoadWired</a>, the maker of some of the most amazing bags and cases on the market.<br /><br />A few months back, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,12847">I reviewed The Pod</a>, a clever little bag that holds an impressive amount of equipment. One of my criticisms was that it wasn't big enough to hold both my Canon G2 digital camera and my external flash. Well, it turns out that I was just reviewing the wrong product from RoadWired. :wink: Enter <b>Podzilla</b>!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/podzilla_lg.jpg" /><br /><br />Since Podzilla is simply a bigger version of The Pod, <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,12847">go read my original review</a> and think "bigger". The main pouch is capable of holding an item up to 8 inches long, 8 inches high, and 4 inches deep. I was able to easily fit both my G2 and my external Flash easily, and I was still able to keep the internal protection padding in place (I just shifted it). I didn't have an SLR camera handy, but an average-sized SLR and lens should fit in this central zone. Beyond that, Podzilla is exactly like The Pod. Over 20 pockets in total, all of them cleverly designed (now that I can pack my Flash, I even use the AA battery loops!). Colours available include Black, Titanium/Black, Navy/Black, Yellow/Black, Red/Black, and Olive/Black (which we happen to be giving away - <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?topic_id=17476">full details here</a>).<br /><br />The Podzilla bag is a tough but attractive bag that's perfect for my needs - it's big enough to replace an old Lowepro camera bag that I've had for years, but ends up being smaller overall and easier to carry - not to mention much cooler looking. 8) If you need something bigger, <a href="http://www.roadwired.com/index.cfm?aid=7">check out their line of Photo/Video system bags</a>. [Affiliate]

[Brad Adrian]

Is this a shoulder bag or does it also have a belt for carrying on the waist?

[Jason Dunn]

Is this a shoulder bag or does it also have a belt for carrying on the waist?

Good question Brad! It's either, just like The Pod. It comes with a shoulder strap, and you can put your belt through loops on the back. But, given the size, it would look more than a little dorky to wear this on your belt. Then again, you're already married, so it doesn't really matter right? :lol:

[Brad Adrian]

But, given the size, it would look more than a little dorky to wear this on your belt.
Good point. Sometimes when I'm shooting, though, I like belt packs because I can keep them open and right in front of me. Plus, I wouldn't want the shoulder strap to interfere with access to my eVest pockets...

[makic]

Over 20 pockets in total, all of them cleverly designed (except for those film and battery loops that I have no use for).

I ,personally, would use them to carry miniature snickers bars and tootsie rolls, respectively.

[Jason Dunn]

I ,personally, would use them to carry miniature snickers bars and tootsie rolls, respectively.

Hah! Brilliant! :way to go:

[Pat Logsdon]

I have one of these, and it really can fit A LOT of stuff. I'll be using it for geocaching when I go on vacation in two weeks, so I'm starting to think about what I'll put in it. I think I'll end up using the battery loops for a mini mag light and extra batteries for it.

The only complaint I have is that the included strap should be wider and longer - it's too thin to be really comfortable for long periods of time and too short to use strapped diagonally across the chest.

[piperpilot]

I have one of these too and love it. A couple of weeks ago, I posted a message about all the gear that I was able to fit in it, but in case you missed it, here's the list:

- Sony personal DVD player (with AC adapter, DC power cord, connection cables for TV and remote)

- Sony travel speakers (with AC adapter)

- iPAQ 5455 (with AC adapter, sync cable and spare battery)

- headphones

- stowaway keyboard

- iPAQ micro keyboard

- iPAQ spare battery charger (with AC adapter)

- SonyEricsson t68i cell phone (with AC adapter)


That's a lot of gear and I have to say that I probably couldn't fit a single other item in there, but that's all I would want to take with me so I don't really need to fit anything more in it. I highly recommend the Podzilla and the folks at RoadWired are great to deal with.

[SassKwatch]

...one of my favourite companies would be RoadWired (http://www.roadwired.com/index.cfm?aid=7), the maker of some of the most amazing bags and cases on the market.

Enter Podzilla!

I'd heard so many good things about RoadWired equipt, that when I went looking for a bag for a new digicam some months back, the first thing I looked at was the Pod series. But I just couldn't get used to the shape....square and taller than it was wide just struck me as too wierd. I''m used to camera bags that are fairly shallow in depth, but also fairly wide. I dunno if that makes me 'Old School' or just 'Old Fashioned', but it still seems most natural to me. Heck, maybe it's just a sign of me being an old fart. :lol:

Though I couldn't bring myself to go with The Pod series, I did wind up purchasing the RoadWired Photo/Video Convertible Bag (http://www.roadwired.com/store/Product.cfm?Productid=58)......and love it!

Used to think LowePro or Domke was the *only* way to go in camera bags, but if the construction of the P/V Convertible is typical of RoadWired products, then there's definitely a new kid in town.

[maximus]

Good point. Sometimes when I'm shooting, though, I like belt packs because I can keep them open and right in front of me. Plus, I wouldn't want the shoulder strap to interfere with access to my eVest pockets...

You mean, after the 20+pockets in e-vest, you still need extra space ? 8O

[Newsboy]

Hey Jason (et. al.), got any recommendations for a DURABLE carry-on bag? I've flown over 30 times in the past year, and my luggage looks like I left it on a freeway for a couple of days.

Debating between a Samsonite Silhouette 8 series hardside carry-on...
(ABS, magnesium frame, inline skate wheels, 10 year warranty)

http://www.1800luggage.com/samsonite/images/380ccc401be01.jpg

...or the Zero Halliburton Zeroller carry-on.
(aluminum hard case *duh!*, lifetime (!) warranty)

http://www.1800luggage.com/zero/images/ZR21.jpg

[RoadWired]

Sass (and all), thanks so much for your kind comments on Podzilla. We are very proud of the Pod "family" design and the response to all of the Pod products has been gratifying. It means even more when people take the time to write about it.

On a personal note, I also got a real kick out of your Domke comment... you see, Domke used to be "my baby," and it is how I got into the bag business. My family used to own the Saunders group, which owned and manufactured (among other things) Domke camera bags. We sold the company in 1998, and I spun the bag experience off into RoadWired in 2000. Little bit of small-world bag trivia there ;-)

Thanks again, and thanks to Jason for always thinking of us.

[Jason Dunn]

Hey Jason (et. al.), got any recommendations for a DURABLE carry-on bag?

Hmm. No, I'm afraid I don't - I only have soft-sided bags & luggage, and tend to baby my carry on luggage. It stays under my seat, etc.

[RoadWired]

Hi, Newsboy...

I can definitely help you with your luggage search, but it's probably better to do so "offline"... if you'd like, feel free to e-mail or call me and I will be happy to help.

[email protected]
585-334-6960 x100

[Jason Dunn]

Over 20 pockets in total, all of them cleverly designed (except for those film and battery loops that I have no use for).

I ,personally, would use them to carry miniature snickers bars and tootsie rolls, respectively.

Actually, I had to go back and edit that line - I had a big "duh" moment when re-packing the case: now that I can fit my SpeedLite flash, guess what I need? AA batteries! :mrgreen: So now suddenly those loops are useful to me. :wink:

[SassKwatch]

On a personal note, I also got a real kick out of your Domke comment... you see, Domke used to be "my baby," and it is how I got into the bag business. My family used to own the Saunders group, which owned and manufactured (among other things) Domke camera bags.
Ahhh...., so you're a life long 'Bag Man'. Well, best not let *that* get around. :mrgreen: