Tom's ultralight is nearer

From the January newsletter from Tom Bihn:

The Compass:
The Compass is a small carry-on travel bag that Tom has been working on over the course of the last year. We’ve seen the latest prototype, and it’s perfect. Well, we think so: Tom has a little bit more tweaking to do. It’s a great size (probably smaller than you’re thinking) with great organization.

More action in the lightweight, smaller-than-max carry-on segment. No luggage maker has been more responsive to changes in the travel climate in the last few years than Tom Bihn.

Update on January 8, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

More TB news from the blog: 

Field Journal Notebook:
Tom continues to refine the final details of the Field Journal Notebook as he uses the only existing prototype. By Tom’s best guesstimate, 105% of people who see it want it.

Camera Insert:

The Camera Insert is still in progress, not to worry. Tom has some exciting new leads on materials. What’s taking so long? We’re in search of the perfect fabric to laminate to the foam components that make up the Camera Insert. We’ve narrowed it down to two contenders - two high-tech fabrics. Both will need to be custom made for us, so don’t be making sandwiches and waiting by the phone.

 Two more bags debuting in February: 

 A travel bag designed by Tom in Summer ‘09 specifically for an event at the Kennedy Center. Perfect for those who don’t need or want hide-away backpack straps.

 And: something that will allow you to take your iPhone river rafting, or read your Kindle in the bathtub.

Comments

[Maria]

Looking forward to seeing pictures of the Compass. (Also, hope this doesn't become my new "suitcase" / carry on with all the new travel restrictions!)

[Alan Birnbaum]

The Bihn Western Flyer at 18 x 12 x 7 inches already would fit easily into almost any overhead compartment. My guess would be that the Compass will be only marginally smaller, perhaps 18 x 11 x 6 inches, still two compartments, but likely to forego the shoulder straps, perhaps in favor of being supplied standard with their Ultimate Strap. A 1300 cu. in. bag can only hold about 10 lbs. of stuff anyway, so the total 12 lb. weight hardly calls for shoulder straps. These dimensions would get the bag under the 36 inch limit for a "personal" item. Of course at this size, one almost might as well just acquire an expandable ballistic nylon briefcase, and fit it with a 15-inch Eagle Creek folder for the clothing items needed for an overnight to two night trip, in addition to carrying the essential business files, perhaps a netbook, toiletries, etc.