Gear Articles

Satellite Antenna Bag Review

Fri Nov 7 2008

We bought a Sat Com Bag (Satellite Communication Bag) from an online supplier. It is a mid-quality bag. Made overseas, with mid-quality materials. It is designed to hold a fold up satellite antenna and a length of cable. So the shape and function of the bag are designed around that piece of gear. This bag is 20 inches long and 6 inches tall and 6 inches wide. This one has one large compartment, and zippered side compartments. There is also a non zippered inside pocket that was used for the length of wire cable. This bag has one wide, padded shoulder strap and carry handles at each end of the bag for ease in carrying and grabbing the bag. There is plenty of PALS webbing around the sides, back and even on the carry strap, so many smaller pouches can be easily and securely mounted to this bag. There are plastic (glass filled nylon?) clasps on the carry strap and strap adjustment. These parts are also mid-quality. We have only just received this bag, so we have not had time to use and abuse it, but looking at the quality of materials and construction, it seems this bag will last through typical use for quite a while, however it would fail quickly with heavy use or abuse

	We ordered a bunch of gear at the same time as this bag so shipping was not much, the bag alone cost under $30. It was made overseas and was packaged in this clear plastic and shipped flat
	It stunk like chemicals as most imported gear does, once that went away the bag impressed us with it's potential. The size and dimensions of this bag seem to lend it's self to many uses such as between the seats in a vehicle, or just on the ground next to a seated person.
	The fully opening top flap offers access to the full contents of the bag. There are two zippers connected by a light nylon strap, this way both zippers can be easily opened at the same time. The bag opens quickly and effortlessly with both hands and fairly easy with just one hand. There is a velcro at the edge of the top flap to keep the bag closed, and this also allows quick access to the end of the bag without opening the zippers
The bag is 20 inches long
	The bag is 6 inches tall and 6 inches wide
The clone of the SatCom Bag
	The OD green bag is an almost identical coy of the SatCom bag (although it was bought quite a bit sooner.. so maybe the Sat Com Bag is a clone of it..
	The major difference is the addition of three small pockets with zippers on the bottom / back of the green bag. The tan Sat Com Bag has two rows of PALS style webbing ont he back and an area of velcro loop for patches or ID. The green bag has three pockets instead
	The ends of the bag are very similar, only minor differences in manufacture and assembly are different, for example; The way the shoulder clasp is attached to the bag, the way the adjustment straps are sewn and the size of the velcro tab between the zippers on the main compartment flap
	Here are closer looks at some of the minor differences between these two almost identical bags; The way the shoulder clasp is attached to the bag, the way the adjustment straps are sewn and the size of the velcro tab between the zippers on the main compartment flap