Lux bag for sale?

[moriond]

I'm still hoping for a lux that will fit a size 4. In the meantime, I spent the weekend at a conference and was wondering about a lux option that would work for situations like this- which I'm in a lot. I don't need a briefcase or something that carries lots of files.

It would be nice to have a compartment to hold my lunch and drink so I don't have to worry about anything getting accidentally wet. Other than that, a place for some pads and notebooks, for materials picked up at the conference or meeting, and the usual space for pens, business cards, cell phone etc.
I think basically a food compartment, a compartment designed for either files or constructed like a large file where notes can be placed, a place for notebook sized pads or books, and an organizer for cell phone, id cards etc.

Any possibility of something this? Kind of a work tote bag for those of us who don't work in an a formal office.

I've been waiting to get the laptop insert before posting back on the Lux, but that seems to be in the queue of the other new products. The Lux works really well for this kind of usage -- conferences or meetings where you might be carrying a small laptop and some notes. I was struck by mrae's post, because I was at a conference last year with an Empire Builder and for this setting it was too heavy and bulky. I switched bags after the first day to something lighter. The problem is, with airplane travel limits on the number of bags you can take, and other things to carry for friends and relatives on that trip, selecting a bigger bag (e.g. Empire Builder over ID bag) seemed preferable.

Nowadays I'd take along the Lux bag, which is light-weight, and easily packs down in other luggage (if I need to do this), but which also stands up (oval bottom panel) when you set in down. I also find that I use the Lux a lot as a general purpose bag. It has larger capacity than the large cafe bag described in tessa's post, and also works with a small laptop. (The Buzz, my favorite Bihn bag, has the carrying style and small laptop accommodation that tessa likes, but would not work for her given the amount of stuff she wants to carry around.)

I currently use the size 5 mitre laptop with the large cafe bag. Though I really love the bag, it's not really big enough for everything I carry yet, I don't want a gargantuan bag since I've actually got to carry it every where. That's why the idea of the Lux sounded intriguing, I like the idea of being able to modify bags. Though I'm not really so much into totes. I like being able to wear the bag cross body with the padded shoulder strap. Every time I've tried messenger style bags, they've not worked because they don't sit well against my small girlie frame. Same problem with backpacks.

Sometimes I need to carry a couple of text books too. And then there's the ipod with accessories, pens and other assorted cables. Plus a mouse, my phone, pens, pencils, yada yada.... I try not to do the kitchen sink thing but still end up with lots of stuff.

one problem i have with bags in general is that I have a teeny tiny laptop. Laptop bags don't work for me because there's too much space in the laptop compartment so the laptop flops around. In one backpack, it actually caused the back pad to buckle. That's why I started using the mitre/cafe bag combo.

I'm also looking forward to the pouches; compartmentalizing stuff will make it easy to toss in just what I need.

The first impressions of the Lux by the Knitty contest winner give a good summary, but miss out on a few points IMHO. Tom did a brilliant design on the handles of the Lux: they're slightly padded, and extremely comfortable in the hand -- just the right amount of padding. The same design makes it comfortable to ride on the shoulders, and not slip. I'd ask for a similar handle on the ID bag, but I don't think this design translates. For one thing, part of the reason the Lux carries easily on the shoulder is the line of the the strap (and the shape this follows as the straps connect onto the bag). Also, the padding and stitched edge is set so that the handles from either side of the bag rest easily together when held (right thickness and no sliding).

The zippered pocket in the side of the Lux is really meant to lie fairly flat, so for bulkier items, like keys or a change purse, I attach one of the small size pouches from the lanyard. This is easier to reach than unzipping the side pocket. This solution also gets around the request by the Knitty winner to have the pocket zipper run the other way, so that her keys could dangle in the pocket and not jingle. If you use a small pouch attached on the other side, you can dangle your keys inside the pouch, not have them jingle (but be easily reachable), and keep the side pocket zipped!

I'd also like to see some small "modular" accessories (smaller than the snake charmer) in addition to the pouches for general purpose use, especially with the Aeronaut. And I'd really like to see the laptop insert. I'm wondering how it will keep the flexible use of the Lux space while working as a zip-in to the base.

[Joy]

Only to people who have already posted in this thread, so that includes you! That's it though because we're going to put these pouches on the Web site in the next couple weeks. PM or email me with your address.

This is a belated thanks to Darcy and Tom Bihn for sending me the pouches! I didn't post way back when I got them because I was somewhat underwhelmed when they arrived. I don't know what I expected, but they really just reminded me of pencil cases, and I didn't see how I would use them.

But, many months later, I find that I use the small pouch every day, and am really glad to have it. It fits my Dell Axim (inside a Sena Case) + headphones perfectly. I clip it to the key hook in the top-front pocket of my Brain Bag so that even if I forget to zip the pocket shut I know the Axim is safe inside its pouch. And, best of all, the front of the pouch is sapphire, which perfectly matches my Brain Bag. And the back is Wasabi, which is a just a really cool colour.

Just one of those handy things that I love using.I wouldn't want to pay shipping just for the pockets, but I'll definitely pick up a few more when I next order a bag (hopefully an Aeronaut!!).

[mrae]

I'm still hoping for a lux that will fit a size 4. In the meantime, I spent the weekend at a conference and was wondering about a lux option that would work for situations like this- which I'm in a lot. I don't need a briefcase or something that carries lots of files.

It would be nice to have a compartment to hold my lunch and drink so I don't have to worry about anything getting accidentally wet. Other than that, a place for some pads and notebooks, for materials picked up at the conference or meeting, and the usual space for pens, business cards, cell phone etc.
I think basically a food compartment, a compartment designed for either files or constructed like a large file where notes can be placed, a place for notebook sized pads or books, and an organizer for cell phone, id cards etc.

Any possibility of something this? Kind of a work tote bag for those of us who don't work in an a formal office.

[Darcy]

Thanks for the tip about the broken link. I did put the comment from mrae up there for now because as of yet, there's no official review of the LUX and the forum thread is the best next thing.

The LUX is made out of Ballistic Nylon and we only use Plum in Cordura, so no Plum LUX. It's actually pretty hard to get cool colors in Ballistic. We do have lots of color ideas for the inserts.

Our new digital camera should be arriving soon so I'll take a couple of amateur pictures for you of my LUX with my stuff in it so you can see how the pocket inside works.

The zippered bottom is amazingly cool. The insert will actually zip together with the bottom of the bag.

FYI, the Size 5 Brain Cell will fit in the LUX - it's just not as elegant as the future laptop insert will be.

[moriond]

The LUX is now available for order with a shipping date of late September.

Great news about the availability of the LUX bag. A couple of quick questions: there's a review link that pops up for the LUX page (date: 8/3/2005 - 3:18 PM, Name: mrae) but I can't get to it. It looks as though this is the forum posting by teffie-phd -- the one that starts this thread, and which contains the links to the gearlive site with pictures. Could you fix the link by removing the extra http: in front, or maybe just edit it to label this as early pictures and discussion in the forums?

Second, any possibilities about making this available in plum? (I really like this color from my Buzz, and before this thread started on the LUX I'd been looking at the utility totes in this color). My second choice color is the crimson (matches my ID bag), but if you're going to do plum I'd be willing to wait.

I like the side view photos, and would like to see a shot of the inside. Right now I'm trying to envision how the inserts will work, because this sounds different from the way that the brain cell fits into other Bihn bags. (From your description: "Zipper inside bottom to accept optional inserts"). I'd definitely be interested in a laptop insert.

Thanks.

[Darcy]

The LUX is now available for order with a shipping date of late September.

[Darcy]

Any guess on when we'll be able to order these pouches online?

Organization Pouches available for order

Check out the new Laptop Keyboard Cover, too.

[bshort]

Any guess on when we'll be able to order these pouches online?

[tessa]

I currently use the size 5 mitre laptop with the large cafe bag. Though I really love the bag, it's not really big enough for everything I carry yet, I don't want a gargantuan bag since I've actually got to carry it every where. That's why the idea of the Lux sounded intriguing, I like the idea of being able to modify bags. Though I'm not really so much into totes. I like being able to wear the bag cross body with the padded shoulder strap. Every time I've tried messenger style bags, they've not worked because they don't sit well against my small girlie frame. Same problem with backpacks.

Sometimes I need to carry a couple of text books too. And then there's the ipod with accessories, pens and other assorted cables. Plus a mouse, my phone, pens, pencils, yada yada.... I try not to do the kitchen sink thing but still end up with lots of stuff.

one problem i have with bags in general is that I have a teeny tiny laptop. Laptop bags don't work for me because there's too much space in the laptop compartment so the laptop flops around. In one backpack, it actually caused the back pad to buckle. That's why I started using the mitre/cafe bag combo.

I'm also looking forward to the pouches; compartmentalizing stuff will make it easy to toss in just what I need.

[Darcy]

Did I miss something? I still can't find any mention of the pouches on the web site.

The pouches will be available for order on the Web site around July 16th.

[moriond]

We do have the pouches in our Seattle store so it is likely that what you have is the pouch we're talking about. Glad you like it - I love mine! Depending on what I need to carry, I can use a small or large pouch. It helps keep things organized.



It's almost certain the LUX will be available in the Seattle store by then. It is possible the LUX will sell out by then, so I'd suggest contacting us a little bit before your trip to make sure we have one in the store for you.

Did I miss something? I still can't find any mention of the pouches on the web site. And though I tried to contact you by PM to ask about these I haven't heard anything about availabilty. These items would be great for use with the Buzz, which is limited in the size and number of pockets in the front compartment because of its smaller size.

[Darcy]

I think I may have bought one of these guys at the store in Seattle, or is this a different product?

We do have the pouches in our Seattle store so it is likely that what you have is the pouch we're talking about. Glad you like it - I love mine! Depending on what I need to carry, I can use a small or large pouch. It helps keep things organized.

I'm extremely interested in the Lux... I might be traveling through Seattle by the end of October, what are the chances it'd be at the store's location by then?

It's almost certain the LUX will be available in the Seattle store by then. It is possible the LUX will sell out by then, so I'd suggest contacting us a little bit before your trip to make sure we have one in the store for you.

[l3gray]

We actually made a bunch of little pouches like you're talking about in various sizes and colors that attach to the bags via the key snap. Would you like one?

I think I may have bought one of these guys at the store in Seattle, or is this a different product?

Very useful, by the way. I'm not sure how I managed to leave it out of my little 'review'. I use it as a wallet, now. Cash, change, and card holder. Before it did that, it held my passport and Japanese currency (to keep it seperate from my USD).

I'm extremely interested in the Lux... I might be traveling through Seattle by the end of October, what are the chances it'd be at the store's location by then?

[moriond]

Only to people who have already posted in this thread, so that includes you! That's it though because we're going to put these pouches on the Web site in the next couple weeks. PM or email me with your address.

Does that mean me, too? (Hint, check your PM from a few days ago).

[moriond]

At this point we plan to make different sizes of the LUX but the first size will not really fit a Size 4 Brain Cell well. I can stuff my Brain Cell into my LUX but the way it stretches the bag it doesn't leave room for anything else. When I put my Powerbook in a Soft Cell (our new padded sleeve that will eventually replace the Mitre) and put it in vertically, it works a lot better but is still not as good a solution as just having a larger sized LUX would be. The first, standard size of the LUX will fit 12"/Size 5 laptops.



We actually made a bunch of little pouches like you're talking about in various sizes and colors that attach to the bags via the key snap. Would you like one?

Does this mean that the Size 5 Brain Cell fits in the first, standard size of the LUX? It would make a nice alternative to the Buzz, and the organizational pockets sound like a plus. I wish you would include plum in the color combination, although grape is brighter -- I'm basing this also on previous views of your utility tote.