Updated Anti-Theft Camera Strap : The New PacSafe CarrySafe 100
Web: www.stevenfrischling.com — E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com
04/12/2008 – Updated Anti-Theft Camera Strap : The New PacSafe CarrySafe 100
Earlier this year I was introduced to the PacSafe CarrySafe 100 anti-theft camera strap by Dan Bannister, a travel photographer based in Calgary, Alberta. Upon first using the PacSafe CarrySafe 100 I immediately switched all my cameras to these straps. This was a significant change for me, as I had exclusively used the Domke Gripper Straps for the previous 17 years on all my camera bodies and long lenses.
You can read my extensive review of the original PacSafe CarrySafe 100 strap, and it’s fantastic anti-theft capabilities, in this post: 16/02/08 – Security Strap For Your Camera – Check Out The Slim, Comfy, Slash Proof Camera Strap!
After extensive use of this strap, it was apparent that there was one drawback, the shoulder pad.  While the shoulder pad was comfortable, it slid off my shoulder constantly. I had the opportunity to address this concern with PacSafe’s designers at their headquarters in Hong Kong earlier in the year, and just a few months later they have addressed the concerns of photographers using their outstanding strap!
The newly updated PacSafe CarrySafe 100 strap is identical to the original strap, with one major design improvement. The underside of the shoulder pad is no longer made from fabric; it now features a neoprene grip-pad. This newly integrated design eliminates the only drawback to this strap.
I have been using the updated strap for a little over a week with both Canon 5D and 1D series bodies, with lenses of varying weights, and not one camera has slid off my shoulder. I have even tested out this strap while wearing a North Face Denali jacket, with nylon shoulders that cause everything to slide, and my cameras stayed in place.
My previous straps all had the pads cut off to allow me to use just a ‘bare’ strap, which I was very happy with. My new straps all have their pads intact and I foresee the pads staying intact.
In addition to the strap’s outstanding anti-theft design features, the updated PacSafe CarrySafe 100 is light, slim, very comfortable, easy to wrap around my wrist, stays on my shoulder and is slash-proof.
After using the PacSafe CarrySafe 100 strap for the past 3/4 of a year, and traveling with these straps around the world (literally) more than once, I have no intention of switching straps. I still firmly believe that at US$20 a strap, these straps are an incredible bargain and something every photographer should consider adding to their cameras, point-and-shoot, video camera or SLR.
For more information, visit PacSafe’s web site directly at:
http://PacSafeCarrySafe100.notlong.com
Below are photos of the new strap pad, the old strap pad and two photos of the new improved strap.
Happy Flying!
–Click Images Below To Enlarge Them–
Good update, looks like this makes the pacsafe a lot more usable. And the price is definitely one of best out there for a good strap. Thanks!
Is this strap foldable if I choose to remove the pads? Can the strap itself be threaded to the camera body, omitting the swivels and clips? I have preferred a simple thin strap like the Nikon AN-4B because I can wrap the strap around my wrist three times when photographing in theft-prone areas.