Week of 1 November, 2009 - 00:00 to 8 November, 2009 - 00:59

"Wow! 24 hour delivery, now that's service! OK, I live in Seattle but still didn't expect my new order to arrive quite so soon

I just got my Side Effect in Plum and I love it, I can put everything I need for a walk and then some inside. Also, I ordered the Ultrasuede Shoulder Strap Wrap for my Small Cafe Bag and it's really nice. No more sliding around on my rain jacket. And of course, had to get another mini Clear Organizer Wallet because I love accessories. (Did I mention the mini is perfect for our metro Orca card?)

I already have an older Buzz Bag, Small Cafe Bag, Swift In Cork (even though I don't knit), and various small accessories. I use my Swift for needlepoint and its accompanying paraphernalia.

All these bags are great; I use them all the time and for everything. Thanks again!!"

- Posted by wihlemina in the TOM BIHN Forums.

"I recently let my son borrow my Smart Alec for his 5 week trip to the Philippines. He was staying in Manila when they were hit by Typhoon Ondoy earlier this month. He and his fiancee were stuck at a Mall for a couple of hours during the worst of downpour and then they decided to try to get back to their apartment. He wrapped his laptop in a store bag inside the Smart Alec and set the bag on his head and they started walking through waist deep water. They eventually made it home although it took a couple of hours walking. He was amazed when he pulled the laptop out, that it still worked, and although the Smart Alec was soaked, the inside was only damp and the laptop unscathed. He couldn't believe it. He carried that bag every day for 5 weeks. Now I know I'll never get it back from him. That is one tough bag."

Posted by Kinsale in the TOM BIHN Forums.

Unicef continues to accept donations for victims of Ketsana/Ondoy.

"I gather that Tom Bihn designed this case to address the more restrictive carry on luggage rules that we have in Europe. So it is a quite a bit smaller (33 l.) than the Aeronaut (45l.) I reviewed previously. Fully loaded like it appears in the picture it fits perfectly into the luggage size testers at check-in desks. Being about 3″ shorter than the aeronaut it was a lot easier to fit into overhead baggage compartments, especially those on small commuter jets.

Another aspect of the Tri-Star is that it actually looks like a large pilot’s briefcase, and so does not appear out of place if you take the whole thing to a business meeting."

Read the full review by Michael Shulver at The Gadgeteer.

View bluedawg's photographs of the Synapse, respond in the forums, or see the Synapse.

The Synapse in Navy/Solar is now in-stock and ships within one business day. Other colors should be in-stock within the next two weeks.

Above: Pictures by gmich of the Ristretto for Netbooks. See larger versions of the pictures here. Or, see the Ristretto for Netbooks.