packsafe or not so safe

ine b.

I'm wondering whether I should buy a packsafe or not. I'll be traveling to India in december for 5 or 6 months. Normally I wouldn't bother taking a packsafe, I traveled around thailand last year for 5 months without one and didn't have anything stolen from my backpack. But this time I would like to take my laptop and as I will be staying in low budget accomodation all the time, so I wonder if it would be safer to use a packsafe cause I can't really lock my backpack completely (I have this backpack).
I have read that some people think a packsafe would just attrackt thieves, cause it looks as if there is something expensive in the pack. So I wonder who of you have used a packsafe before? Where you satisfied? Did anything from your pack get stolen, or maybe your complete pack? Is it possible to cut the wires of a packsafe (I ask that because they are quite thin, and I 've had bikes stolen with locks that were a lot thicker and they simply cut the lock) ?
And if I don't use a packsafe, what else can I do to put my laptop safe away in my room?

thnx,
Ine

xealot

Most laptops these days have a security spot on them where you can thread a cable lock through it. Perhaps you could try leaving it in a locked section of your bag with the cable hanging out attached to some peice of fairly permanent furniture. No more secure than a pacsafe but more subtle, lighter etc.

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Anders

I just used a kensington type lock on my laptop and made sure that it could not be seen from the window. You could always use the pacsafe inside the pack if you are afraid of attracting attention, but the pacsafe are darn heavy to carry around. I have been thinking about getting an aluminium case for the laptop but I have not seen anything that is small and secure enough.

Kanbe

hmm...I dont use one...but if I do start using one, its more to protect myself like from drugs being planted in my bag than for theft reasons

mira4bai4

As a suggestion you could get a canvas duffle army surplus type of bag and cut a couple of openings for you pack straps, the bag is upside down and locked from the bottom, great no entry protection, water proof and with a cable lock it can be secured through the bags eyelet's and the backpack straps to something secure.

Indianflower

Whilst travelling in Indonesia and Thailand. Found it to be a complete pain in the a*s to be quite honest. Taking it off and putting it on seemed to be so difficult and time-consuming. I ended up leaving it on my backpack (it does weigh a lot) and only used it when flying to prevent people putting stuff in my backpack. Didnt use one at all in India. I agree with the comments above, get a Kensington lock and do it that way.

andygoodyear

this sounds stupid but what is a packsafe?

xealot

mesh bag to go around your pack

for instance http://mountainwarehouse.co.uk/shop/...ts_id/614.html

Rob_The_Pom

I've used one for many of my trips as I tend to carry a fairly large amount of camera equipment. For me it was especially useful on the train.
I certainly accept that it can be awkward, but if someone wanted to steal your stuff while you were asleep they'd have a mightly job getting through it, and they would probably wake the whole sleeper carriage if the actually tried to take your bag away.

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Dr Funkenstein

I've always thought you might as well have a big sign saying 'Rob Me!' on your rucksack.

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andygoodyear

so its a mesh pack with a lock or something?

ine b.

Thank you for all your input. I think I will use a kensington lock, that seems to be perfect. The packsafe seems to be too much of a hassle and is also a lot havier. It's only to protect my laptop in my hotelroom anyway, cause on a train or bus I would keep it in my small daypack that I keep with me.

shiraz

You can also get cable locks that plug into your laptop. There is usually a small chain symbol somewhere around the hinges of the screen. You could then secure the laptop itself.