Copilot VS cadet

OK TB aficionados, I am looking for advice...again.

This time I am Christmas shopping (yes, in June) for a friend who loves luggage/bags but has not experienced Tom Bihn. I am debating between a copilot and a cadet. This individual is retired, travels frequently but does not seem to fly which is a good thing because they are a multi-multi-bag traveler. Yes, they have computer(s) with their own bags already. I am considering the copilot or cadet as an EDC to carry all those little widgets that need a home while travelling and to introduce TB.

Anyone have an opinion on which may be a better bag? A different bag I should consider?

Thanks in advance.

What kind of computer? What kind of travel? What sorts of widgets?

I ask because to my mind, the C-P and Cadet are fairly dissimilar, and it depends what kind of travel your friend is doing. The Cadet is also very much a laptop bag (and it looks like one), if that makes a difference.

You're a pretty great friend, I must say. Do you need any more friends?

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Originally Posted by Badger

You're a pretty great friend, I must say. Do you need any more friends?

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Well, Badger; are you a Bucky Badger, If so we are already generally friends. The particular friend I am shopping for has *earned* a TB from me. I will say more in 2013 :-)

To answer your questions, assume car / bus travel. Computers are multiple and each have their own computer bag.

Widgets: name it, dream it, they have it. Very tough to shop for, but I am thinking an array of organizer pouches will provide flexibility.

(Katy, if you are monitoring, get ready ;-) )

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Originally Posted by lonestar6

I will say more in 2013 :-)

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Whoa, that's cryptic. And yeah, I was at UW for 8 (lengthy) years. Technically, I'm still there, in fact. Ahem. Anyway, long enough to own a Sconnie T-shirt and feel scorn towards Iowa, which is unfortunate.

Since the compys all have their own bags, I'd go Co-Pilot. It's such a great little bag. Your friend will love it. If you think s/he might need a little more room, an Imago might be worth a look, too.

Class of '95, Dairy Sci PhD. I landed in Indiana which is less contentious.

Dairy science, nice. My father was in Poultry Science at Oregon State. The dairy people were where it's at.

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Originally Posted by Badger

Since the compys all have their own bags, I'd go Co-Pilot. It's such a great little bag. Your friend will love it. If you think s/he might need a little more room, an Imago might be worth a look, too.

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Agreed! The Co-Pilot would make a great first Tom Bihn Bag!!!

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Originally Posted by lonestar6

Well, Badger; are you a Bucky Badger, If so we are already generally friends. The particular friend I am shopping for has *earned* a TB from me. I will say more in 2013 :-)

To answer your questions, assume car / bus travel. Computers are multiple and each have their own computer bag.

Widgets: name it, dream it, they have it. Very tough to shop for, but I am thinking an array of organizer pouches will provide flexibility.

(Katy, if you are monitoring, get ready ;-) )

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I can be reached at 1 (800) 729-9607 :cool:
Please ignore my scratchy voice.

I also would weigh in on the Co-Pilot side...it is a bit more flexible for widget segmentation, but makes a nice place to stuff an iPad and such.

...and it is just so darn CUTE! The struggle then is Dyneema or Cordura...hmm.

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Originally Posted by jeffmac

...and it is just so darn CUTE! The struggle then is Dyneema or Cordura...hmm.

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That was going to be my follow on question. I like the Dyneema and I imagine it lightens the pack an ounce or two, but how durable is it as a shell and does the bag maintain its shape well with the dyneema?

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Originally Posted by lonestar6

That was going to be my follow on question. I like the Dyneema and I imagine it lightens the pack an ounce or two, but how durable is it as a shell and does the bag maintain its shape well with the dyneema?

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I have a Dyneema Synapse, and I have no doubts about its strength and durability. I do think that it is not as stiff as Ballistic Cordura, but (at least with the Synapse) it doesn't flop all over the place, either. And according to the C-P page, the Dyneema version is six ounces lighter. Not insignificant. However, I'd go with the color combination your friend would like the most, the thing that is most him/her.

Grey for sure. But dyneema comes in grey still. Although the white stripes may be too wild for the individual in mind. I on the other hand ...

If they're more formal and tend to carry files with them on their travels, a Cadet might be nice. If they're more casual, the Co-Pilot might be a better choice. I "borrowed" my Mom's Co-Pilot and used it as my everyday work bag for a few weeks a few month ago to see if I could make do carrying a smaller bag and less stuff. I was surprised with how versatile it was and how much I could actually carry in it. I also liked that I got to the point that I knew what gear was in which pockets. The fact it could early carry a water bottle was a plus, although my larger 24-oz Kleen Kanteen and 24-oz Lifefactory bottles couldn't be fully zipped into the pocket. Since Mom's is the Black/Steel, it wasn't too out of place in my work settings - I'm an architect, so that included the office, client meetings, and job sites (plus we're "expected" to be a bit odd and have unusual gear). I ultimately decided the Co-Pilot wasn't the everyday bag for me - it just wasn't quite large enough - I really need to be able to carry a portfolio and/or binder with letter-size paper.

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Originally Posted by lonestar6

Grey for sure. But dyneema comes in grey still. Although the white stripes may be too wild for the individual in mind. I on the other hand ...

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If it helps, Steel (in ballistic or denier) is a true grey. Steel Dyneema is much closer to black, IMO.

I have a steel dyneema backpack packing cube which I absolutely adore. I am looking at the pcsb in Iberian. When I get a smaller computer a Synapse will join the family unless I fall in love with the copilot... oh my, is there s TB 12 step program?

Anyway I was wondering about the dyneema to round out my understanding should I be in the market for personal use. So thanks much to everyone for your input!