Pacsafe backpack protectors...opinions, please?

[flygliii]

Hey all!

I have questions about these: http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...=specification

Anyone use them? Do they work? Are they worth the $85ish USD for the 55l size and for their function? Please discuss.

I am going to Peru in about 6 weeks for 2 weeks with a possible side trip to La Paz, Bolivia and northern Chile. Will definitely go to Machu Picchu and other sites in that province. Travel will be by plane, train, bus, and private car while in Lima. A very short part of the trip, maybe 2 days, will involve family business and touring medical facilities in Lima and the rest will be pleasure, sightseeing, exploring, etc. I will either bring a business suit (preferred) or buy one there. I will be staying in a secure building in Lima and in the nice hotel of family friends in Cusco and will wing it while traveling elsewhere.

I will probably start a thread about the trip, what to see & do, others' experiences, etc., but wonder about this in the meantime.

My plan is to leave as much as possible with political family (my uncle, married to my mom's sister, is from there.) in Lima, especially suit, etc., and traveling light from there. Phone, camera, toiletries, coupla changes of clothes, etc into either a Jansport Equinox or Jansport Odyssey to bring on the road. Am leaning towards the odyssey for space, souvenirs, etc.

My reason for asking about these locks is mostly for transit, specifically when I stow my bag at such times that I can't keep it on my person. I have seen them used before and thought several things: 1) OK, it's in a mesh cage, but it's still portable for a would be thief, unless you lock it to something immobile, 2)OK, it's in a mesh cage, there must be something worthwhile in there to a would be thief, 3) the openings seem small enough to prevent pulling something (camera, etc.) through them, 4) maybe heavy or awkward to manipulate?

So...any input would be appreciated with thanks in advance!

[ttvick]

I saw these in use in a few places while in Europe. They draw attention, but their main purpose is to DETER theft (as opposed to prevent it) and I feel like they probably accomplish that unless you have a very motivated thief. I would see if there are any lockers available where you will be leaving your pack before shelling out the money for one of these. It's also worth mentioning that you can accomplish the same thing with a bicycle cable lock or make your own with cable, it will just need to be wrapped fairly tightly around the pack to work.

[pwm]

Sounds like a cool trip. My wife and I were there in May and pretty much stayed at little B&Bs in every town/city we visited. I used a backpack, but it wasn't like the one you posted. I used an Osprey Kestrel 48 (phenomenal bag BTW). We went to Cusco, Lima, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Aguas Calientes (the nearest town to MP).

What my wife and I did was find a good taxi, and use them for the day. We also stayed at highly rated (yet very affordable) B&Bs. A lot of the good ones will send a driver to pick you up at a train station or airport for a small fee. We were picked up at the Cusco airport by the hotel in Ollantaytambo (over an hour away), and I think it was like $20 or $30 USD. Since the hotel was highly rated and we read reviews about using their driver service, we knew we wouldn't get scammed/robbed. It worked out really well.

I've still got the names of the places we stayed at, and can also remember a few of the particularly good restaurants we ate at. My wife also wrote a couple (more extensive) reviews on the hotels on travel sites.

PM me if you wanna know any of the particulars, recommendations, or any of the tips/insights we picked up...especially if you are planning on a visit to Ollantaytambo. It looks like you've got Cusco covered for accomodations, but we stayed at a stellar hotel and it was only like $40 or so a night...just a few minutes from the town center and right in the middle of shopping and restaurants.

[flygliii]

I saw these in use in a few places while in Europe. They draw attention, but their main purpose is to DETER theft (as opposed to prevent it) and I feel like they probably accomplish that unless you have a very motivated thief. I would see if there are any lockers available where you will be leaving your pack before shelling out the money for one of these. It's also worth mentioning that you can accomplish the same thing with a bicycle cable lock or make your own with cable, it will just need to be wrapped fairly tightly around the pack to work.

I think I'm over-worrying, especially since I can leave stuff with family/friends. My main concern is in transit, whether stowing in the belly of the plane or sleeping on the train, etc. I mean, I've dealt with thieves while traveling, but usually the ones on paper (trying to jack fees, wrong documents/ID, etc.) other than catching a would-be pick-pocket in Paris who could only use his other hand for a coupla weeks . I like your idea of the cable, and would rather not draw any attention.

[flygliii]

Sounds like a cool trip. My wife and I were there in May and pretty much stayed at little B&Bs in every town/city we visited. I used a backpack, but it wasn't like the one you posted. I used an Osprey Kestrel 48 (phenomenal bag BTW). We went to Cusco, Lima, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Aguas Calientes (the nearest town to MP).

What my wife and I did was find a good taxi, and use them for the day. We also stayed at highly rated (yet very affordable) B&Bs. A lot of the good ones will send a driver to pick you up at a train station or airport for a small fee. We were picked up at the Cusco airport by the hotel in Ollantaytambo (over an hour away), and I think it was like $20 or $30 USD. Since the hotel was highly rated and we read reviews about using their driver service, we knew we wouldn't get scammed/robbed. It worked out really well.

I've still got the names of the places we stayed at, and can also remember a few of the particularly good restaurants we ate at. My wife also wrote a couple (more extensive) reviews on the hotels on travel sites.

PM me if you wanna know any of the particulars, recommendations, or any of the tips/insights we picked up...especially if you are planning on a visit to Ollantaytambo. It looks like you've got Cusco covered for accomodations, but we stayed at a stellar hotel and it was only like $40 or so a night...just a few minutes from the town center and right in the middle of shopping and restaurants.

Hey, thanks! Please do PM me whatever you like, especially restaurants in Cusco and between there and MP. Transport in that area is pretty much taken care of since they are from the area, but food, etc., I'll make time to explore on my own. I do plan on seeing ruins between Cusco and MP as time allows. Hopefully, I will be returning with the wife and kid this summer for an extended trip and without constraints of having to return to Lima within 5 or so days, for example.

In Lima, we'll stay in Miraflores, and my uncle has already arranged for transportation by private car. Drivers are his nephews that live there and they will also be taking us to places just outside Lima.

I've found, in many countries, that great deals can be found by hoofing it once you're somewhat familiar with an area/town as compared to reserving from our of country. Similar to the B&Bs you mention, but on the spot or locally by phone.

You went in May. How was the weather?

Thanks again!

[pwm]

Hey, thanks! Please do PM me whatever you like, especially restaurants in Cusco and between there and MP. Transport in that area is pretty much taken care of since they are from the area, but food, etc., I'll make time to explore on my own. I do plan on seeing ruins between Cusco and MP as time allows. Hopefully, I will be returning with the wife and kid this summer for an extended trip and without constraints of having to return to Lima within 5 or so days, for example.

In Lima, we'll stay in Miraflores, and my uncle has already arranged for transportation by private car. Drivers are his nephews that live there and they will also be taking us to places just outside Lima.

I've found, in many countries, that great deals can be found by hoofing it once you're somewhat familiar with an area/town as compared to reserving from our of country. Similar to the B&Bs you mention, but on the spot or locally by phone.

You went in May. How was the weather?

Thanks again!

We stayed in Miraflores while in Lima (albeit, it was only 2 days). We asked the person at the front desk where to eat good seafood and they told us this place not too far from the hotel. They closed at like 3pm every day so that they were only serving the freshest seafood (caught that morning). The place was crawling with locals, and had a line up around the block. It was about an hour wait for a table. Thats what struck me most about it...it was at the end of our trip and we had yet to see a Peruvian actually waiting at ANY restaurant. It was definitely worth it too. Best ceviche (and arguably seafood) I've ever eaten...and my wife is from Maine so we eat a lot of it. I'll PM you the name when I look it up along with the hotel in Ollantaytambo and a bangin hole in the wall that serves delicious burritos right beside the Ollanta ruins.

One other thing I'd recommend is try to increase your elevation gradually. Lima is at sea level obviously. Cusco is at about 11K ft. We opted to fly to Cusco and then descend to Ollantaytambo (sits at about 8K ft). A lot of people go straight to Cusco and get sick because they didn't acclimate. One thing you can do to prevent this is get a prescription for Diamox. Its an anti altitude sickness med. The thing is, you need to start taking it for a few days prior to the elevation change. I think (but may be wrong) that it works by slightly raising your heart rate so that you get the oxygen you need. Oh, and coca tea will be your friend. Just don't try and bring any back. Because its derived from the coca leaf, its a banned substance and customs will put it on your file (ask my wife how she knows. )

[flygliii]

pwm & others-

Sorry for the late response...

I am going without the Pacsafe, not worth it for the price, minimal use, and "Hey, gypsy kid, you intrigued by the chicken wire wrap?"

pwm, if you get this in time, I'd love the names of any restaurants in Miraflores (we're also staying there, on Pardo) or in Cusco.

We leave this Tuesday night and will have a 12h layover in San Salvador, El Salvador (might start a brief thread on what to do/what to avoid there...), get to Lima Thursday morning and right away up to Cusco. Family friends have arranged some tours of many sites there and some time to explore on my own, might catch a futbol match while there (same with Lima). After my initial visit to MP, I will spend the night in Aguas Calientes in order to get to MP for sunrise the next day, should be amazing!

Thanks again to those of you that answered on here, you really did help!

Cheers! (a Cusqueña)

[flygliii]

pwm-

Forgot...yes, I got a script for Diamox. It basically creates an acidotic state in your blood, causing one to increase ventilation, which therefore increases ones oxygen level and lowering one CO2 level. I usually see it in the hospital, etc., as a mild adjunct diuretic or to lower the CO2 in certain patients. More water, more water!

Thanks again!