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Review: VetoProPac LT and XLT Laptop/Tool Bag
Latest VetoProPac is a great bag for tool geeks who do both installations and on-site programming via laptop; Neoprene compartments stretch to fit.
You can tell a good CE pro by the tools they carry and how they're organized. One integrator with a particular fetish for tools and tool bags is Mac Burks, an integrator with Chicago-based Vidacom. His own blog, http://www.wiremunky.com is chock full of tool tips and reviews. Now he has reviewed for CE Pro the latest bag from VetoProPac, a popular brand of accessories for meticulous tool guys like Mac.
The new laptop bags from VetoProPac, the XL and the XLT, look great. I love the black color scheme because it matches our company uniforms and gives the bag a more "men in black" look.
The bags have been redesigned to be a third lighter than the previous version -- certainly a welcome update. Anyone carrying around a full tool bag will be able to appreciate this. My VetoProPac XL weighs in at 35 to 50 pounds depending on what I have in it.
A lightweight design isn't the product's only advancement, though.
On the outside of the bags, the biggest improvement is the clip on the shoulder strap for clipping it to the handle. In general, a shoulder strap is bulky and difficult to manage when walking through a client's home without scratching walls or getting it looped around sculptures. Having the ability to clip the shoulder strap makes it easier to walk past expensive furniture without having to worry about knocking things over.
Neoprene flexible fabric is used inside the bag's storage compartments. The material is flexible so you can put large items in small pockets. The magnetic flaps on the interior pockets are nice for keeping things in place during transit, while still providing quick access when at a job site.
I always pull everything from my pockets when I am working to avoid damaging them or something in the client's home if I were to brush up against it. These items are usually just shoved into the top of my bag. Having a designated area will make sure they don't get damaged and keep them from spilling onto the floor when I reach for another item in the bag.
Most integrators travel with 15-inch to 17-inch laptops. The LT-2 can accommodate either size and it's padded to keep them from getting damaged in transit. There are a host of other features including a car key clip, business card holder, electrical tape strap and easily accessible front pocket that is good for frequently used items, such as keys or a wallet.
The difference between the two new models is that the XLT has tool storage on one side and the LT has file storage on one side. The file storage side is perfect for notes and manuals. The XLT works great for someone who carries tools but also brings a computer for project management and light programming.
As an installer who does some light programming/configuration, the original LT-XL was appealing because I thought it would be neat to combine my computer and tool bag. Once I did the math, however, I realized there wasn't enough space for this.
The LT-XL is a better fit for service techs who are working on completed projects and don't require many hand tools. The new LT-2 will make a great replacement for my roller bag laptop case. Now I will have an equally durable case for my computer and programming accessories.
The new laptop bags from VetoProPac, the XL and the XLT, look great. I love the black color scheme because it matches our company uniforms and gives the bag a more "men in black" look.
The bags have been redesigned to be a third lighter than the previous version -- certainly a welcome update. Anyone carrying around a full tool bag will be able to appreciate this. My VetoProPac XL weighs in at 35 to 50 pounds depending on what I have in it.
A lightweight design isn't the product's only advancement, though.
On the outside of the bags, the biggest improvement is the clip on the shoulder strap for clipping it to the handle. In general, a shoulder strap is bulky and difficult to manage when walking through a client's home without scratching walls or getting it looped around sculptures. Having the ability to clip the shoulder strap makes it easier to walk past expensive furniture without having to worry about knocking things over.
Neoprene flexible fabric is used inside the bag's storage compartments. The material is flexible so you can put large items in small pockets. The magnetic flaps on the interior pockets are nice for keeping things in place during transit, while still providing quick access when at a job site.
I always pull everything from my pockets when I am working to avoid damaging them or something in the client's home if I were to brush up against it. These items are usually just shoved into the top of my bag. Having a designated area will make sure they don't get damaged and keep them from spilling onto the floor when I reach for another item in the bag.
Most integrators travel with 15-inch to 17-inch laptops. The LT-2 can accommodate either size and it's padded to keep them from getting damaged in transit. There are a host of other features including a car key clip, business card holder, electrical tape strap and easily accessible front pocket that is good for frequently used items, such as keys or a wallet.
The difference between the two new models is that the XLT has tool storage on one side and the LT has file storage on one side. The file storage side is perfect for notes and manuals. The XLT works great for someone who carries tools but also brings a computer for project management and light programming.
As an installer who does some light programming/configuration, the original LT-XL was appealing because I thought it would be neat to combine my computer and tool bag. Once I did the math, however, I realized there wasn't enough space for this.
The LT-XL is a better fit for service techs who are working on completed projects and don't require many hand tools. The new LT-2 will make a great replacement for my roller bag laptop case. Now I will have an equally durable case for my computer and programming accessories.
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About the Author
Mac Burks is an installer, GUI guy and tool-lover with Chicago-based integrator Vidacom. He is also purveyor www.wiremunky.com, an amusing and often useful site for custom integrators.
2 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
WE all do it, 39 (especially me, as commenters LOVE to point out!). Edits have been made.
Page 1 of 1 comment pages
I discovered a couple of mistakes in the article.
“LT-2” (mentioned twice) was the beta name for the new LT.
And in this parapgrah XL should be LT. “The new laptop bags from VetoProPac, the XL and the XLT”
Also… The review is about the new LT and XLT but some of the photos are comparing my old XL with my new XLT. Sorry about the confusion. After a long day of drooling over the tool bags i got some of the model numbers mixed up