Lowepro AW waterproof????

[tchuanye]

I have a slingshot 200AW, and during the recent rainy season, had to use it very often.

Found out that the AW cover is not really waterproof. Water is able to seep through (definitely not at the edges) and the central part of the bag was getting some water. At home. I tried it again, and spray some water at the center, and true enough, bag had some moisture.

I took my older D-Res 200AW and sprayed with the AW cover, and this was worst, the camera case was completely wet!

Anyone else have the same experience or I have a defective product? OR, AW cover is not water proof at all?

[noob sniper]

did u use the rain cover ?

[nightwolf75]

the AW cover is water-resistant, not waterproof. IIRC, the only lowepro bag dat is waterproof and floats is the Dry-Zone series.

in fact, most camera bags dat are made of ballistic nylon (lowepro, tamrac, kata etc...) are water-resistant (in lowepro's case, even the bags dat are non-AW) up to a point; enuf for u to pack ur gears and get under shelter. but to subject it to abuse (like ur spraying water) and torrential downpour, of course it will get wet.

[tchuanye]

Yes I used the cover. I had the idea that AW meant that the raincover was waterproof.

Just wanted to see if others had the same experience, or I had the wrong idea of AW!

Thanks!

[nightwolf75]

Originally Posted by tchuanye Yes I used the cover. I had the idea that AW meant that the raincover was waterproof. Just wanted to see if others had the same experience, or I had the wrong idea of AW! Thanks!

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Slin...ot_200_AW.aspx

the cover is an all-weather cover, not waterproof. u can go and read the specifications: "Outer fabric: water-resistant micro fiber, ripstop nylon and 600D TXP"

[tchuanye]

Originally Posted by nightwolf75 http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Slin...ot_200_AW.aspx the cover is an all-weather cover, not waterproof. u can go and read the specifications: "Outer fabric: water-resistant micro fiber, ripstop nylon and 600D TXP"

Was trying to find the description, thanks for that.

I guess the rain cover is the ripstop nylon and definition:
"Rip-stop Nylon is a light-weight, water-repellent nylon fabric with inter-woven ripstop reinforcement threads in a crosshatch pattern, so the material resists ripping or tearing."

Water-repellent definition:
" treated with a finish that is resistant but not impervious to penetration by water"

So ok, understood!

Many thanks!

[toda_k20]

Originally Posted by tchuanye I have a slingshot 200AW, and during the recent rainy season, had to use it very often. Found out that the AW cover is not really waterproof. Water is able to seep through (definitely not at the edges) and the central part of the bag was getting some water. At home. I tried it again, and spray some water at the center, and true enough, bag had some moisture. I took my older D-Res 200AW and sprayed with the AW cover, and this was worst, the camera case was completely wet! Anyone else have the same experience or I have a defective product? OR, AW cover is not water proof at all?

The cover is intended to be an additional layer of barrier to reduce the chances of water sipping directly into the camera. I doubt they are waterproof per say. It is not for you to walk in the rain but to help in unexpected situation.

If you want more water proofing, Lowepro have another range that caters to that but they are very bulky and heavy.

What you may try is to spray some 3M scotch guard on the bag/cover.

[tchuanye]

Originally Posted by toda_k20 The cover is intended to be an additional layer of barrier to reduce the chances of water sipping directly into the camera. I doubt they are waterproof per say. It is not for you to walk in the rain but to help in unexpected situation. If you want more water proofing, Lowepro have another range that caters to that but they are very bulky and heavy. What you may try is to spray some 3M scotch guard on the bag/cover.

Thanks for the info!

[unseenshadows]

Yup. Water resistant but it's not water proof. What I do is keep a folded plastic bag in my camera bag for emergency situations, like heavy rain.

Also, pulling the AW cover out of the bag is easy, but putting it back in is a pain.

[tchuanye]

Originally Posted by unseenshadows Yup. Water resistant but it's not water proof. What I do is keep a folded plastic bag in my camera bag for emergency situations, like heavy rain. Also, pulling the AW cover out of the bag is easy, but putting it back in is a pain.

Thanks!

I expected the rain cover to be like plastic bag or raincoat material, but I guess its not. But anyway, while in the rain, and even with the water getting to the main bag, my equipment is still dry.

The inconvenient part is that I will leave it dangling for it to dry and not stuff in the hole while its wet....else sure will stink!

[tchuanye]

Ok, got the official reply from the Spore distributor CP:

__________________________________________
Dear Mr CY Tan,
Thanks for purchasing our products.

With regards to your email, there seems to be a misunderstanding about our AWC (All Weather Cover). This cover is not waterproof -- it is water resistant. Just like wearing a fabric raincoat, if the rain is heavy enough or the exposure long enough, moisture will soak through.

It is also important to note the proper application of the AWC is important. The cover needs to be pulled completely over all the seams as water will follow the stitch line and penetrate more quickly.

The AWC does protect in the case of rain and other bad weather – giving the user time to find cover – but it isn't 100% waterproof. The only bags that are waterproof are the DryZones.

Should you have any further clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards
XXXX Ang
Cathay Photo
Co Reg No 197200024H
__________________________________________

[Yatlapball]

That is why... carry the tried, tested, chiong sua proven, river-crossing operation proven.... BLACK TRASH BAGS x2

[tchuanye]

Originally Posted by Yatlapball That is why... carry the tried, tested, chiong sua proven, river-crossing operation proven.... BLACK TRASH BAGS x2

[jeanie]

i can concur that AW is NOT waterproof.
i was caught in rain a few years ago in italy.my entire bag was soaked through.(with the AW cover on).

my friend told me to get some waterproof spray which some camping shops carry.
it works...but the problem is...you'll have to spray it rather often.dont expect to spray it once and hope it will protect the bag forever.

so far, of 7 camera bags i have, billingham is the only one that can tahan water for a longer time.(note...it's also NOT 100% waterproof...but it takes longer for rain to seep through the bag).

someone mention black trash bag...
guess what?after the italy trip, i carry 2 trash bag with me everytime....in every bag.

[tchuanye]

Thanks. I may do just that and carry the trash bag too as back up.

Anyway, glad that I have cleared my doubts.

[jeanie]

Originally Posted by tchuanye Thanks. I may do just that and carry the trash bag too as back up. Anyway, glad that I have cleared my doubts.

that's why buy things must do homework.

me...seeing the AW cover...straightaway got the impression it's waterproof.must be some advertising gimmick?
lesson learned the hard way.

[ernest_ted]

Originally Posted by jeanie .................someone mention black trash bag... guess what?after the italy trip, i carry 2 trash bag with me everytime....in every bag.

this made my day......

[Yatlapball]

Heh. In addition to the trash bags... I also happen to carry a small little umbrella That works better. Keeps me dry too.

I read in a mag sometime ago about some "bag event"... where a pro user went up to a lowepro executive and thanked the company for inventing the dryzone series. Coz the dude apparently slipped through the ice and the bag was the only thing that kept him afloat! The bag floats!

[drakon09]

The Slingshot 200 worked pretty well for me while I was in Yogya.

Heavy downpour, surface of the Slingshot dampened, but inside was nice and cozy, so no complaints there.

[Yatlapball]

Heyyy... So when you coming over again?

Happy New Year to the folks in the office.