ddj8052
Member
Firts off, I would like to say that both of these companies build outstanding bags. Both Helmie and Chuck are outstanding to deal with and both men are huge supporters of the shooting sports. It is hard to wirte something like this and not play favorites. Please understand before getting into the review that I think both bags fill a diffrent niche and both bags are the best thing out there in their respective price points. So if you are in the market for a range bag please consider one of these two. That said. I just recieved my new Shooters connection bag which I intend to use as a replacment for my i-shot tournament bag. Let's see how the two compare in my eyes.
Shooter Connection Tournament:
Highs-Very well built and sturdy bag, Metal parts for all the load bearing parts of the bag and bag does not collapse, Tons of pockets and dividers.
Lows-No provisions for locking pistols up(a huge oversight for those of us in states where you must lock your pistols when transporting), Water bottle holder is on the small side, Tons of storage I can see the bag getting overly heavy quickly.
i-shot Tournament:
Highs-Bag is very well built also, Water bottle holder is the perfect size for 1 litter bottles, Zippers are designed for locks.
Lows-Plastic hooks for load bearing portions (although my understanding is this has been fixed), Bag does tend to collapse on itself, No usable pocket on one side of bag.
I really like Helmies products. I have had almost all of his range bag's at one time or another. If he built a bag the exact same as the tournament bag but with some pockets on the small pocket side of the bag it would be perfect. Since he does not, I went looking for something with a little more storage. Do to the great reviews from neumerous users I decided to try the SC bag. The bag is everything everyone says it is. It is very very well built. All the connections are very solid. The bag does not colapse on itself which seems like it will be very usefull at the range. I really like all the storage and dividers built into the bag. The extra pokcets on the side of the SC bag is exactley what I need for organizing my range bag. The i-shot bag is not quite as solid but still very well built. I have no complaints with the bag, the SC bag is just a step above. The SC bag's shoulder strap is much nicer and seems to be more comfotable, we will see how it works at the range.
Where the SC bag falls short is in some key practical areas. Helmie really did a good job with real world shooters in mind. First off, the locking zippers are important. In my state (CA) it is required to lock your pistols when transporting them. Even if not required it is nice to be able to lock the bag when traveling with children. I think this is a huge oversight on the part of the SC bag. I really would like to see a change in this area. I will be the first in line to by the bag if this is changed. As of right now I may end up selling the bag because of this if I do not come up with a sesible work around. I will simply keep using the i-shot bag which has served me very well. Second, and for most it would probably not be a big deal, is the size of the drink holder. I wish it was slightly bigger. I usually take with me a Figi 1 litter bottle of water. Also Gatoraide bottle, other 1 littler bottles, etc work with the i-shot bag. It fits perfect in the i-shot drink holder. Again this probably a nit pick, but it is something I wish was diffrent on the SC bag. I think that the i-shot bag is better thought out in these two areas.
Bottom line both bags are winners. Both men are great to deal with. I highly recomend both bags. If price is a non issue, size is important, and you want the best built bag out there the SC bag can simply not be beat. If you want the most bang for your buck, do not need a giant bag, and want a perfectly thought out bag the i-shot is the way to go.
Helmie, if you are out there, please consider adding some bigger pockets to the one side of your bag. if you do this I will buy one.
Chuck if your are out there, please add some locking zippers to your bag ,I think you will have the nicest, best built bag out there. And again I would jump to buy one.
Shooter Connection Tournament:
Highs-Very well built and sturdy bag, Metal parts for all the load bearing parts of the bag and bag does not collapse, Tons of pockets and dividers.
Lows-No provisions for locking pistols up(a huge oversight for those of us in states where you must lock your pistols when transporting), Water bottle holder is on the small side, Tons of storage I can see the bag getting overly heavy quickly.
i-shot Tournament:
Highs-Bag is very well built also, Water bottle holder is the perfect size for 1 litter bottles, Zippers are designed for locks.
Lows-Plastic hooks for load bearing portions (although my understanding is this has been fixed), Bag does tend to collapse on itself, No usable pocket on one side of bag.
I really like Helmies products. I have had almost all of his range bag's at one time or another. If he built a bag the exact same as the tournament bag but with some pockets on the small pocket side of the bag it would be perfect. Since he does not, I went looking for something with a little more storage. Do to the great reviews from neumerous users I decided to try the SC bag. The bag is everything everyone says it is. It is very very well built. All the connections are very solid. The bag does not colapse on itself which seems like it will be very usefull at the range. I really like all the storage and dividers built into the bag. The extra pokcets on the side of the SC bag is exactley what I need for organizing my range bag. The i-shot bag is not quite as solid but still very well built. I have no complaints with the bag, the SC bag is just a step above. The SC bag's shoulder strap is much nicer and seems to be more comfotable, we will see how it works at the range.
Where the SC bag falls short is in some key practical areas. Helmie really did a good job with real world shooters in mind. First off, the locking zippers are important. In my state (CA) it is required to lock your pistols when transporting them. Even if not required it is nice to be able to lock the bag when traveling with children. I think this is a huge oversight on the part of the SC bag. I really would like to see a change in this area. I will be the first in line to by the bag if this is changed. As of right now I may end up selling the bag because of this if I do not come up with a sesible work around. I will simply keep using the i-shot bag which has served me very well. Second, and for most it would probably not be a big deal, is the size of the drink holder. I wish it was slightly bigger. I usually take with me a Figi 1 litter bottle of water. Also Gatoraide bottle, other 1 littler bottles, etc work with the i-shot bag. It fits perfect in the i-shot drink holder. Again this probably a nit pick, but it is something I wish was diffrent on the SC bag. I think that the i-shot bag is better thought out in these two areas.
Bottom line both bags are winners. Both men are great to deal with. I highly recomend both bags. If price is a non issue, size is important, and you want the best built bag out there the SC bag can simply not be beat. If you want the most bang for your buck, do not need a giant bag, and want a perfectly thought out bag the i-shot is the way to go.
Helmie, if you are out there, please consider adding some bigger pockets to the one side of your bag. if you do this I will buy one.
Chuck if your are out there, please add some locking zippers to your bag ,I think you will have the nicest, best built bag out there. And again I would jump to buy one.
