Bihn vs Booq

The Bihn Vertical Brain Cell is about as perfect a 15" 4:3 fit as possible:
Compartment dimensions- 13.15" x 10.75" x 1.75"
My notebook's dimensions- 13" x 10.6" x 1.2-1.4"

But WOW is this Booq PowerSleeve exactly what I seek in terms of construction. Dimensions are just a bit off, at 14.1" x 10.5" x 2".

Anyone who's handled both of these comment on how the Brain Cell measures up? I just love the Booq's 1680d ballistic nylon (vs 500d cordura), big buckle (vs velcro), that "seatbelt" strap, and five year warranty.


Bihn $50



Booq $86*


*used to sell for about $50, but now only NOS available since discontinued (ebay).

 

There's also the Spire Dart to check out. I've been very happy with my Spire VoltXL backpack.

 

checkout booq's closeouts:

http://booqbags.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.1090/.f

 

Spire Dart's size offerings don't match my notebook, but their Boot is as good a fit as the Brain Cell, and only $30.

And no XM or L Powersleeves left on closeout jujube, but dang- blowing out Vypers for $5?!



Well, on Bihn vs Booq, according to this guy's review (who apparently got his hands on both):

Would hate to pay more for one that isn't as good. I might just be falling for nicer photos, and if Bihn had an array of high res detail photos like booq, I'd probably see the quality there too. Wish these were in B&M, I'd be able to tell immediately.

 

Brain Cell cross section



Nice.

Really, the only thing holding me back from the bihn is velcro. Buckle is just so much better. Doesn't deteriorate and get fuzzy, doesn't make noise, more secure. Just don't understand velcro.

 

Well, the Brain Cell's also made to fit into any of Tom Bihn's bags via a strap/clasp suspension system. A strap probably is more stylish when you're carrying the Cell by itself, but velcro probably is more convenient for people to open and close the Cell inside a bag (as opposed to a strap, where you'd have to dig inside and have a hard time reaching it).

On the other hand, I'd hesitate to buy the Brain Cell as a sleeve without one of the matching Tom Bihn bags - they don't look quite as nice as booq or brenthaven or waterfield sleeves when carried alone.

 

Yeah that must be it. Most other high end sleeves use it too, I've just never seen a velcro closure with any mileage on it that wasn't frazzled.

Agreed. Booq leads in construction and materials, Bihn might be more protective. I just have to let looks take a backseat to function- to an extent...


Thirty minutes or less, or it's free!


(Maybe I'll skip the red)

 

Printed on the label in French:

W O W.

 

Bihn looks high quality, just has kind of a homemade feel to it. Booq seems like more professional gear.

 

I can't speak for the Booq stuff, but I do have the Vertical Brain Cell, and it is just incredibly well built (I have it paired also with a Smart Alec backpack). Moreover, the protection is incredible - its well protected on all sides, and feels incredibly strong.

Frankly, I don't think you could necessarily go wrong with either of them.

 

Hey, how old is your brain cell, and how hairy is the velcro now?

What notebook and what size brain cell?

Thanks for the input.

 

I've had my Brain Cell since November, although it hasn't been in active use for a while, so I can't comment on the hairiness of the velcro. I had bought it for a C2D MBP when they first came out, but returned the MBP (due to screen issues); but I've kept it and the Smart Alec around in anticipation of getting one of the new SR MBP's (which address my main issue, since I like the new LED-backlit screens much more).

 

Also, just generally, I wouldn't have any concerns about the quality of the Tom Bihn stuff. I know they might not look as sexy as the Booqs (and I love the look of the Booq stuff), but the material and construction feels incredibly solid.

As I said, i think you'll be fine either way. They are both excellent and well regarded. But I do think the Brain Cells are probably better suited to being combined with another bag or backpack (I personally love the combination of the Vertical Brain Cell and the Smart Alec).

 

Sort of comparing apples and oranges: the Booq case looks like it was designed for stand-alone use, while our Brain Cell was designed as a protective insert to be used with our briefcases, messenger-style bags and backpacks. We added handles, shoulder strap attachment points and a stretch mesh pocket so that it's more useful when used on its own, but really it's built to be carried inside another bag (preferably a TOM BIHN - ha ha).
Regarding the quality of construction: I work regularly in my Seattle factory along side my seamstresses, and their work is top-shelf, IMHO: they've been building bags for long time!
About Velcro vs. buckle - I recently responded to a post on the TB forum about that - read my pontification here
I must say: those Booq cases photograph well.

 

Wow, very cool getting Tom Bihn himself to show up in a thread...... I'd like to see Mr. Booq do that....

Anyway though, this is correct, I have found that in a pinch, the Vertical Brain Cell can work well when used by itself (the only thing awkward about it I guess is the vertical orientation, but I don't mind, since that makes it really convenient when used with the Smart Alec backpack, as I can take the laptop out of it without taking the Brain Cell out of the backpack).

But yeah, in a pinch, when I don't need to carry the Smart Alec backpack around, it is nice to be able to just use the Brain Cell by itself. The mesh outer pocket is large enough for me to fit the MBP power adapter, which is nice (usually my biggest problem with plain "sleeves" is deciding what to do with the power adapter).

And yeah, seriously, even though Tom Bihn is going to have some natural bias talking about his own company's cases, he isn't kidding here - the second my Brain Cell and Smart Alec backpacks arrived, any concerns I had about whether the price was worth it disappeared - these cases are just incredibly well built and feel very solid.

-Zadillo

 

wow, a post from Tom Bihn himself, that's awsome...as soon as I buy my laptop I get one of those braincell . Do you know a way to get them in Canada without all the custom and duty things?

 

Hey Zadillo,
Are the measurements given on the Tom Binh site accurate on the size of the MBP Brain Cell? Could you measure it and give me an idea of how big it is. :X Thanks a lot!

 

don't have a tape ruler handy, but the one designated for the MBP (the 4X one) fits my MBP perfectly. Snug enough so it won't move, but not so tight it's going to compress the lid onto the keyboard.

 

Thanks . But my question was more wondering if the darned case will fit in my North Face Heckler backpack (I love this backpack)

 

lol I feel kind of exposed now for some reason.

Yeah, unfortunately some of us are suckers for pretty pictures. Photos won't be protecting my notebook though.

Thread: Concluded.




Edit- hybridz, the 4x bc would be 15" x 12" (x 2"), and your heckler is 21" x 14" (x 10"). Those measurements would have to be very inaccurate for it not to fit your backpack!

 

I don't have a tape measure handy either, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the measurements on the Tom Bihn site are probably pretty much accurate.

 

Okay not fit fit, more like fit with enough room to still put books and stuff haha

 

This is a review of the empire builder, but there is a nice pic of the brain cell in there I've not seen the likes of before showing the padded suspension pulled out.

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/tom_bihn_empire_builder_bag_review

 

I wouldn't worry about the velcro in the brain cell. I've had mine since last september and my brother has had one since about the same time and they are both in fine shape (I'll post pics of mine if you want). I use mine almost every day in class, and my brother took his on study abroad to Australia and lugged it around numerous airports on its own and his laptop didn't even get dinged. The Tom Bihn stuff is just top notch in quality and durability.

 

Yeah, as they mention, its not even Velcro, but Aplix, which supposedly is some of the best type of that material.

 

Yea, most reviews I've read about Tom Bihn bags simply say that if you want your bag to outlast your laptop, get one of them...

of course, seeing as how the 4X cell only fits the MBP, this means that when I go replace my laptop, i'll have to buy another MBP

 

That is something I like about the Brain Cell being designed to fit into other bags.

At least the Brain Cell itself is only $50, so if I ever did need to replace it, it would only mean getting another Brain Cell, and being able to continue using it in my Smart Alec backpack, for example.

 

Yeah, at $50 the brain cell is a great deal, I had a sumdex sleave before the brain cell, and it just wasn't as nice, and it cost nearly as much.

 

I'm gonna put my two cents in here. My Booq Mamba is AWESOME in build quality, function and style. Through my recommendation, my friend purchased a powersleeve. I was thoroughly disappointed in its build quality. It actually felt kinda cheap and thin. I've never seen a Tom Bihn in person.