Think Tank recently announced three new versions of its very popular Photo Logistics Manager Rolling Cases.
There are three new versions available:
- Think Tank Photo Logistics Manager 30 V2 Rolling Gear Case $499.75 USD
- Think Tank Photo Production Manager 40 V2 Rolling Gear Case $549.75 USD
- Think Tank Photo Production Manager 50 V2 Rolling Gear Case $599.75 USD
For this review, I am going to focus on the Think Tank Photo Logistics Manager 30 V2 Rolling Gear Case.
So What is new?
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The original Logistics Manager case was already a good bag, so Think Tank didn’t need to go back to the drawing board. All they did is look at the elements that needed to be improved and then make those changes.
The new case comes with the following new features and improvements:
- Improved wheels with built-in shock-absorption
- Added customizable/moveable identification panel
- Reduced weight
- Upgraded front and side panels
- Replaced stretch material on side-pockets to ballistics fabric with ladder lock tightener
- Upgraded foot style
As I already mentioned, the Think Tank Photo Logistics Manager 30 V2 Rolling Gear Case builds on the success of the previous model. It has upgraded wheels, exterior materials, front and side panels, and foot styles. The biggest benefit is that the weight has been reduced.
Size & Weight
The Logistics Manager 30 has physical dimensions of:
Exterior Dimensions
15.8” W x 30” H x 12.6” D (40.1 x 76 x 32 cm)
Interior Dimensions
14” W x 27” H x 8.3–10” D (35.5 x 68.6 x 21–25 cm)
It tips the scales at 16.8 lb / 7.6 kg. The previous generation one version of the Logistics Manager 30 weighed in at 20.0 lb / 9.1 kg.
For such a large bag, 16.8 lb / 7.6 kg is pretty lightweight. Any equivalent-sized hard case is going to weigh considerably more.
With large hard cases, the last thing you want is something that weighs 15kg. By the time you put some equipment inside, it doesn’t take long before that case becomes very heavy and hard to lift. If one person can’t comfortably carry a case it is too heavy. Carrying around bags that are too heavy is just going to mean that you are someone else is going to end up hurting their back.
The tendency with larger cases is to use up all of the available space. You can easily walk a fine line by doing this. You may think you are doing the right thing by thinking that you can just take one bag instead of two or three, but if that one bag is so heavy it will inevitably end up being a problem. Yes, you can roll it because it has wheels, but what happens once you need to lift it up. From my own personal perspective, I don’t like loading up bags to their capacity unless it is absolutely necessary.
Build Quality
Anybody who has ever owned a Think Tag bag will be well aware that they are really well made and built tough for the rigors of field use. I have several Think Tank bags that I have been using for many years and they have traveled all over the world with me.
The reason I buy Think Tank bags is that I know from experience that if you buy a cheap bag it ends up breaking and you then have to buy another bag to replace it. At the end of the day, you are not only protecting your valuable equipment, but you also want to buy a bag that is going to last.
I don’t know about you but I am not going to put my valuable equipment into a cheap bag just to save a few dollars. Good bags can last a very long time and the right bag can not only keep your equipment protected, but also easy to find.
The case is made out of reinforced ballistic nylon which is a super tough material. If you look very closely you can see that a lot of attention to detail goes into how this bag is constructed and made. I have not had a single rip, tear, or any damage done to any of my Think Tank bags that are made out of this material, even when checking them in on planes.
The zippers and zipper tracks are also the best I have come across. Again, I have never had a zip break despite sometimes overloading cases to the point where closing the bag becomes difficult. Usually, on cheaper bags, the first thing to go is the zippers. The zippers are actually made by Japanese company YKK.
The new wheels are really good. I roll my cases over all sorts of terrain and it is pointless buying a case with wheels that only works on even, flat, smooth surfaces. I have often come across rolling cases in the past where the wheels jam up easily on uneven terrain or if there are pebbles or stones on a path. Pelican and similar cases that have small plastic wheels are never great to use on anything other than smooth surfaces.
Above you can see the wheels in motion.
The range of carrying straps on the bag makes it a lot easier to lift it into vehicles or pick it up and carry it up stairs, etc.
You could easily check this bag in when traveling on an aircraft. I wouldn’t have any concerns about doing this.
The nice aspect about Think Tank bags is that a lot of the parts are user-replaceable. Items such as the trolley handle, wheels, and skid plates can be swapped over if you ever end up breaking them. This is a big advantage as it essentially can extend the life of your bag by many years.
Think Tank also has a good reputation in the industry for customer service. Often they will send you out small parts for free if you happen to lose a screw or damage a wheel.
It is nice that the bag also comes with a TSA travel padlock and a security cable. This allows you to not only lock your bag but also secure it on location so it can’t be stolen.
Who is it aimed at?
The case has been thoughtfully designed for anyone who requires a portable case to carry their gear to and from locations. This case allows you to clearly identify its contents, and quickly take items out and place them back in.
Just about anyone could use this bag and I don’t think it can be stereotyped into being a bag that is only suitable for certain applications.
What did do I try using it for?
The great aspect about cases such as the Logistics Manager 30 V2 is that it is versatile enough to be used for a wide variety of equipment. With a lot of the cases or bags I own, I can only use them with select equipment due to how they are configured. What I like about the Logistics manager is that I can tailor it to my particular needs depending on what I need to use it for.
I used the bag for lights and light stands, lenses, batteries, miscellaneous accessories, and even for cameras.
What I like to do with lenses is to use some of the dividers as top covers. You could also put some labels on
The bag is tall enough, that in a pinch, you could just place a light stand extension section into the side pouch and put a light on top of that. As the bag has so many attachment points on it you can very securely latch items down so they won’t move.
There is no reason why you couldn’t also use it as a traditional suitcase if you are going on vacation.
Key features
- Durable, Lightweight, Semi-Rigid Design
- Holds Stands, DSLRs, Lenses, Accessories
- 14 x 27 x 10″ Interior Dimensions
- Padded Liner with Reinforced Dividers
- Ballistic Nylon Armor Plating and Rails
- Telescoping Tow Handle with Large Wheels
- Large Front Zippered Pocket
- Light Stand/Tripod Holder on Side
- Interior Mesh Organizer Pockets
- Security Cable and Combination Lock
Price & Availability
The Think Tank Logistics Manager 30 V2 is now available to pre-order for $499.75 USD.
If you happen to be in Japan, Gin-Ichi has the new V2 bags available here.
The Think Tank Logistics Manager 30 V2 retails for 79,200 yen (tax included) in Japan.
Conclusion
Think Tank has always made super robust and reliable bags and the new Logistics Manager 30 V2 is no exception.
All of the new upgrades to the bag are welcome additions, especially the better wheels.
Yes, at $499.75 USD it is expensive, but you have to factor in how long the bag will last and how important it is to protect the equipment you are carrying inside. If you can get 10 years out of the bag then the initial cost can be justified.
The new Logistics Manager 30 V2 is well worth considering if you are in the market for high-quality, well-made rolling cases to transport and store equipment in.
