Let's be honest for a second, shall we? Since you are reading this right now, you are most likely one of three people: a gamer (either RPG, miniature or both), an interested non-gamer, or Brother Sandy, the self-appointed net nerd for a pacifistic ultra-right wing religous sect whose job is searching evil websites such as this one for proof to your theory that Gygax is actually "Satan" spelled backwards in Farsi or looking for subliminal e-messages from gamers luring innocent readers into the depths of damnation that is the D20 system. An interesting side note is that the "Brother Sandys" of the world typically make the most interesting gamers to be around....! However, no matter which person you are (gamer, explorer, or cyber-zealot), you will find something really cool about the Battlepack from Charon Productions. This baby is hip, sleek, professional looking, and has the added bonus that it comfortably sits aroun 200 figures easily (think of it as "Gamer Samsonite").
At first glance, the Battlepack is a pretty good sized piece of luggage. It is black and is made of strong backpack-like fabric (the website mentions other colors, but why WOULDN'T you want black? Black is menacing, goth and cool. Just like gamers...or not). There is a carrying strap as well as a handle, and it's pretty nice to have, 'cause this baby is HUGE (roughly 36" X 18"). The case has a nice outside full-length zippered pocket on the back. One of the first things to notice here is that, as the website professes, the fittings are made of very durable heavy plastic, and the stitching is heavy duty as well. Very nicely done. Two zippers open the Battlepack to reveal an additional mesh pocket inside that runs the entire length of the inside cover. This is a really nice touch having the pockets on opposite sides of the case to distribute the bulkiness of manuals and books, and is a testament to the quality of workmanship and thought put into the design.
Inside the case is a sturdy divider attached to the long walls of the case by velcro. This separates the case in half, but can also be folded down to allow larger single foam pieces to be used. The foam that comes with the case is pretty durable egg-crate style foam. One side of the divider has two thicker pieces of foam (according to the instructions, these make up the "Vehicle Clamp". The other four pieces of egg-crate foam are the "Figurine Clamp". Must be a Canadian thing, 'cause here in Florida we call these items "foam"...but I digress). Did I mention that the Battlepack comes with INSTRUCTIONS? Two sheets, thank you very much. And yet, as funny as this sounds, the two pages actually do a fairly good job of detailing the suggested and various methods of using the "Vehicle and Figurine Clamps" (foam) to carry your figures.
Using the instructions and the aforementioned "clamps", the Battlepack can be used to carry up to 184 figures and 6 vehicles or larger models and various other combinations down to 12 vehicles or larger miniatures. The website shows pictures of "other" company foam inserts being used in the Battlepack just as easily, and most any existing case foam could most likely be used in the Battlepack with little problem. The foam..oops, I mean "clamps" included do a very good job of keeping figures and vehicles from moving around. To test this further, I decided to give it the "Drunk Luggage Handler Test"...I loaded about 18 Warhammer IG tanks into the sucker, zipped it up and tossed it around and upside down around the living room for 5 minutes (let there be no mistake; when it comes to reviews, there are no limits to the dedication I place on my journalist integrity.....whatever THAT is). Upon opening the Battlepack back up, I found that apart from one shifted Chimera, nothing had moved. All vehicles clamped and accounted for.
In short, I must say that I am impressed with the Battlepack. I have (and do) own quite a few different cases to transport my pewter addiction around the country with, and the Battlepack is the most versitile and best of them all. It is also the most expensive of them all as well, weighing in at around $60 (and buy it local if you can 'cause shipping is a bear!). However, it has to be said that the Battlepack takes the place of three or four of the plastic GW figure cases rather nicely, while being the price of less than two of them. The case is sturdy, versatile, and carries a LARGE number of figures all in one. If there are any downsides to the Battlepack (and I have to think about it a bit), it would be the price. $60 is a bit steep for some pockets, but given the amount of time, energy and money most armies require, this is a fitting and excellent way to store such an investment and is really well worth the cost (in a response to this, there is a smaller version called the Skirmishpack which is due out later this year. If it is the same quality as its larger cousin, this should be a MUST for gamers). I am already looking to pick up a second full sized Battlepack to carry the remainer of my 8000 point IG army and tanks. That's right; by my calculations 2 cases will carry my 400 odd figures, 17 tanks, and all of my books, ruler, dice, templates and army list. It'll be nice to go to Dragoncon and only making ONE trip to the game room from the car. If you have a large army or odd sized figures, the Battlepack is simply a must.
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