What do you use to secure or protect your gear?

[swiftparkour94]

Small locks for zippers? Zip ties? Do you carry a pocket knife or mace?

For me, I normally have my switch blade on me but only when I haul around my Lowepro Flipeside 500 AW filled with a ton of stuff because I can run into some crazy people and it's hard to run with all that weight. I feel like little mini locks would be useless on zippers because it's still easy to get around. I've seen 'what's in my bag' videos and someone carries a baton. I should get one too perhaps but I think it's illegal for me to carry here haha

 

[skieur]

A good sized, strong dog works for me.

skieur

 

[SCraig]

Small locks for zippers? Zip ties? Do you carry a pocket knife or mace?

For me, I normally have my switch blade on me but only when I haul around my Lowepro Flipeside 500 AW filled with a ton of stuff because I can run into some crazy people and it's hard to run with all that weight. I feel like little mini locks would be useless on zippers because it's still easy to get around. I've seen 'what's in my bag' videos and someone carries a baton. I should get one too perhaps but I think it's illegal for me to carry here haha

I'd recommend that you leave that knife at home before someone takes it away from you and hurts you with it. Seriously. If you don't know how to fight with a knife all you are going to do is get hurt with it.

Me? I carry a .40 Beretta pistol and have a permit for it.

 

[orb9220]

When carrying my gear use a non-descrip shoulder messenger type bag. One that doesn't scream Camera Gear!
When walking thru many locations pull cam out click and back in bag when in less than savory locations.

Also good to take along a monopod as walking stick/slash fighting stick. Also with the optional manfro 666 spring-loaded Tri-Bladed tip foot attachment for defense against multiple foes!
.

 

[480sparky40 40]

S&W 642 5-shot J-frame.

 

[unpopular]

When I was younger, my plan was to stun using my Super Pro 622 and beat my assailant over the head with my Contax.

...mace or a tazer is probably a better option.

 

[spacefuzz]

1: dont go into places you need a knife to protect your camera alone. Go in a group then you dont have to carry the knife. Avoidance is the #1 strategy for staying safe.

2. Buy insurance and give up your camera if someone wants it that badly. I have 10+ years of martial arts training, including special forces combat training and knife fighting and I would still hand over my camera to a mugger. Dont fight if you dont have to.

3. Small locks could prevent someone from sneaking someone out of a pocket in a crowded situation, but Id look into a backpack with the entry on the back if your concerned.

4. If I had to defend myself, my tripod is an excellent weapon.

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

This isn't the first time you've asked about protecting your camera gear with violence and weapons, Parkour. You got your answers in the other thread, yet you post almost the exact same question here. If someone wants to forcibly take a couple thousand dollars of camera equipment off of you, is it really worth risking your life to protect? No, but you seem to think so.

More traditional thinkers would insure their equipment against theft so they didn't have to worry about engaging in combat/knife fights/gun fights with random muggers, where you seem to have some sort of fetish that it someday happens to you.

 

[unpopular]

A knife will only make scared yuppies feel secure in moderately bad neighborhoods. They're difficult to use effectively, and it's probably the most dangerous form of self defense.

I'd only suggest a gun if you have police, military or securities training ... not just a weekend course at the NRA. Carrying a gun will make you feel like a badass, but if you're not truly prepared to use it or overly enthusiastic to use it, that gun is going to be more dangerous than the thief.

As for myself, living in a not so great neighborhood in a fairly rough town, I don't carry anything by my wits. My biggest advice is don't look like you don't belong there - leave the pressed khakis at home.

 

[usayit]

^^^ what he said ^^^

All for protecting oneself but it should be a last resort... not just to keep your camera.

 

[MLeeK]

You seem to have a fixation with violence.
How do I protect my gear? INSURANCE. It's not worth a criminal charge, injury or even death for.

 

[bhop]

I just carry my stuff around.. *shrug..

 

[swiftparkour94]

This isn't the first time you've asked about protecting your camera gear with violence and weapons, Parkour. You got your answers in the other thread, yet you post almost the exact same question here. If someone wants to forcibly take a couple thousand dollars of camera equipment off of you, is it really worth risking your life to protect? No, but you seem to think so.

More traditional thinkers would insure their equipment against theft so they didn't have to worry about engaging in combat/knife fights/gun fights with random muggers, where you seem to have some sort of fetish that it someday happens to you.

Oops, I forgot I posted something like this awhile back. That's ADD for ya

 

[swiftparkour94]

I'd recommend that you leave that knife at home before someone takes it away from you and hurts you with it. Seriously. If you don't know how to fight with a knife all you are going to do is get hurt with it.

Me? I carry a .40 Beretta pistol and have a permit for it.

I know how to fight with a knife I'm no dummy. I'm actually thinking about getting a tazer to have in my pocket. As far as guns go, it'd be a good investment but for my current standpoint now isn't a good time.

For those that are talking about insuring your equipment, I like that. But I'm one of those uptight people that don't like their things messed with so I'll fight people over it if necessary

 

[jwbryson1]

This isn't the first time you've asked about protecting your camera gear with violence and weapons, Parkour. You got your answers in the other thread, yet you post almost the exact same question here. If someone wants to forcibly take a couple thousand dollars of camera equipment off of you, is it really worth risking your life to protect? No, but you seem to think so.

More traditional thinkers would insure their equipment against theft so they didn't have to worry about engaging in combat/knife fights/gun fights with random muggers, where you seem to have some sort of fetish that it someday happens to you.

Dude, I'm going to nominate you for TPF member of the millennium! You are the BEST at calling out the duplicate posters, the "I didn't Photoshop this photo" crowds, etc. You are everywhere all the time. I feel like you have my back at all times...were you ever in the Marine Corps? :mrgreen: