Want to see reviews from other photographers? Check them out here.
Exterior Design and Construction
Vanguard didn’t give the clips, threads and front pocket zippers the company’s orange color just for branding and marketing purposes. They make it very easy to identify your Xcenior Trolley bag among many others. Vanguard also designed the front zippers as Y-shaped, allowing for a firm grip and a quick opening or closing of the front pocket. You’ll find what you need quickly and reduce the exposure of your valuable equipment inside to the elements and any would-be thieves.
Vanguard also used three grades of exterior polyester fabric for greater durability and water resistance, keeping your Xcenior Trolley Bag looking good and giving you excellent value for the price. The bottom of the three Xcenior models is a tough, molded plastic component with a large footprint for the feet and oversized, substantial wheels that roll smoothly on many types of surfaces and helps to keep the bag upright.
You’ll always be able to take a sure grip of any of the Vanguard Xcenior Trolley bags, since the exterior features four different handles. The first is a retractable pull handle, which is built for the use and abuse of long days of travel. Roll it on board the plane (or train), collapse the pull handle quickly and lift it into an overhead compartment with any of the other three handles.
Vanguard made the neoprene top handle with excellent padding, as it will undoubtedly be the handle you use most often. There is also a bottom handle in case you must quickly grab the bag from that end or carry it two-handed. The third handle is found on one side of the Xcenior bag, allowing you to carry it like a suitcase.
The opposite side will accommodate a tripod or it can be attached in the center of the front with a strap that will also hold carabiners. The Vanguard Xcenior Trolley Series bags include a tripod pouch that covers two of the legs and anchors it securely to the side of the bag. The people at Vanguard were obviously focused on security when they designed the main center clip. Its primary purpose is to attach the lid to the body, but it also covers the zipper to open the interior, making it very difficult for any “unauthorized” individual from easily finding the way inside. Equipment security is also well maintained with just one exterior pocket, which is quite large and has a surprising amount of rigidity, creating added protection for the equipment inside.
A Look Inside
The quality and value of a Vanguard Xcenior Trolley Series bag is even more evident once you look inside. Another convenience and safety feature is immediately noticeable: the dual straps that hold the lid open, but not too far open. With the padded inside pouch of the lid for a laptop, you wouldn’t want the lid to fall completely open and possibly damage your computer. The straps are detachable, so you can open the bag entirely for packing and unpacking, for instance; or you can use just one strap, which still securely holds the lid in place, so you can access the interior easily.
What grabs the attention of many professional photographers is the mesh net that covers the equipment compartment completely. Here is another safety and security feature that you’re sure to like. Think about what might happen if you stood the bag upright, but forget to zip the lid close. Without the net, your equipment would tumble from the bag onto a hard surface or maybe a wet or dirty one. When you’re ready to pack or unpack, simply unzip the net.
Again, Vanguard didn’t give the main equipment section an orange background just because it’s the company color; it helps you identify and find any equipment quickly. The interior fabric is a 150D Polyester + Velvet for durability, but with no rough surfaces rubbing against your equipment. To exceed professionals’ standards, Vanguard made sure the padding is thick, but cradles cameras and lenses gently. Many of the padding pieces are removable and can be repositioned in a myriad of configurations with the Velcro™ strips.
You receive even greater value for your money because you can remove the interior equipment compartment and any of the Xcenior Trolley bags become a general luggage carrier.
Vital Statistics
The Vanguard Xcenior Trolley Series of professional photography equipment bags come in three models/sizes that are able to hold different combinations of equipment.
Xcenior 41T
Outside Dimensions: 16 7/8 x 11 3/8 x 19 1/8 inches (430 x 290 x 485mm)
Inside Dimensions: 14 5/8 x 6 3/4 x 12 1/4 inches (370 x 170 x 310mm)
Weight: 8.71 lbs. (3.95kg)
Capacity: 1 pro DSLR with grip, 1 additional body, 4–6 lenses (as much as 300mm f/2.8), a flash unit, accessories (memory cards, cables, battery and charger), a maximum 12” laptop and tripod.
Xcenior 48T
Outside Dimensions: 15 x 11 3/8 x 19 1/8 inches (380 x 290 x 485mm)
Inside Dimensions: 12 1/4 x 6 3/4 x 16 1/8 inches (310 x 170 x 410mm)
Weight: 9.37 lbs. (4.25kg)
Capacity: 1–2 pro DSLRs with grips, 5–7 lenses (as much as 300mm f/2.8), a flash unit, accessories (memory cards, cables, battery and charger), a maximum 14” laptop and tripod.
Xcenior 62T
Outside Dimensions: 18 1/2 x 12 1/4 x 27 inches (470 x 310 x 685mm)
Inside Dimensions: 13 3/4 x 6 3/4 x 21 5/8 inches (350 x 170 x 550mm)
Weight: 11.24 lbs. (5.1kg)
Capacity: 2–3 pro DSLRs with grips, 7–11 lenses (as much as 300mm f/2.8), multiple flash units, accessories (memory cards, cables, battery and charger), a maximum 17” laptop and tripod.
All three Vanguard Xcenior Trolley Series bags can be purchased from Amazon:
Buy the Xcenior 41T for $249.99 at Amazon
Buy the Xcenior 48T for $299.99 at Amazon
Buy the Xcenior 62T for $349.99 at Amazon
Photo Copyright © 2012 VANGUARD
People who read this PhotographyTalk.com article also liked:
Your feedback is important to thousands of PhotographyTalk.com fans and us. If this article is helpful, then please click the Like and Re-Tweet buttons at the top left of this article.