XBags CTSS and
MTSS Review
Date : Wednesday, 28 August 2002
Author : Ript
Provided by : Trendetronics
Introduction
The one bad thing about LANs, that I'm sure all of us can agree on, is getting your PC and monitor there and back. It's usually a huge unorganized pain. Once you get there and setup, following many hours of fragging, the one thing left to do is pack up and come back home. After a few times doing this, unless there was some awesome fragging, it's almost not worth going through having to get up there and get back. Some companies have started to recognize this and are coming out with solutions. One being a small PC, something light you can carry in with one hand, or even put in a bag. Another solution, from XBags are the CTSS and MTSS, which are the Case Transport Strapping System and Monitor Transport Strapping System. The concept is to have a harness, which straps on to your monitor and case to make them much easier to transport. Lets see what these bad boys can do...
The CTSS
The Package
 Out of the box |
 The pockets |
A basic description of what you get from the CTSS product page:
"... the CTSS was overbuilt to keep your PC secure and safe. It boasts 2 large pockets, one can easily handle practically all keyboard sizes, in addition to cables, your mouse, mousepad with ease. Both pockets are padded so that you not need worry about more parts coming out than originally went in. It also boasts front and rear compression straps so you won't need to worry about your PC case sliding out in transport.
Included with the CTSS, is a padded shoulder strap, with half inch padding just where you need it, and spring loaded cast aircraft aluminum carabiners which fasten to the CTSS in 2 of 4 points, so no matter what side you'll be carrying it on, you'll be doing so with comfort and ease. The compression straps and carrying handle all fasten with industrial strength Velcro© which is sure to keep things in place under the most stressful of times."
Setup
 Put case in center of harness |
 Connect top and tighten side straps |
When taking it out of the box, it looked as if getting this thing setup would be complicated. However, at further inspection it became quite clear, as you can see in the pictures above.
 All saddled up |
 Fits snug |
 VH Case Badge :p |
It fits in there quite nice and securely. Very good and effective design.
Usage
 With strap |
 Another angle |
It also comes with a shoulder strap, connect that and you're ready to LAN. The shoulder strap makes it so that unless the case is too heavy for your shoulder you can use only your shoulder to carry it. This allows your hands to be free to carry other things, or just so that your arm isn't strained after carrying it for a while. You need to save that energy for the fragging!
The Bottom
The bottom features a padded area with some rubber feet. Why this is here I don't know.
 Nice fit |
 Lots of room |
As for the pockets, they do support a full sized keyboard and the smaller one even has enough room for the new Ratpadz. Enough room for a big LAN? No, but if there was it would start weighing the whole thing down. For small LANs, there will most likely be enough room for the necessities, depending on exactly what yours are.
So far perfect, too good to be true eh? Yeah, it is. The one major problem I had with the CTSS is the fact it was too small for my case. The case in the pictures isn't my PC (thank god :p). The case I use is the mid-sized Cheiftech/Chenming/Antec, possibly the most popular case for us DIYers. The fact that the regular sized CTSS didn't fit my Antec SX-800 was a big disappointment, and surprise as well. There is a CTSSL for larger cases, but I consider that case to be a mid sized. This problem is more of a confusion, not a real problem, though I do think that it should be able to support cases even bigger than mine. If you decide to order, measure your case first and make sure that it's less than approximately 52 1/2" around to avoid any confusion, if you have the same case as me, better go with the CTSSL.
The MTSS
The Package
 The MTSS |
 The small "utility pocket" |
 Screen Protector |
Another description of the product from the MTSS product page:
"When it comes to your monitor, it's a must to have piece-of-mind in knowing that your monitor is safely restrained and out of harm's way. This is where the MTSS shines.
It's important to point out at this point that the MTSS is meant to carry the monitor as a "Frontpack" not a "Backpack" as it may look. By carrying the MTSS on the front, you can better navigate corners, loading and unloading, and know that your screen is protected in every way. Speaking of the screen, the MTSS boasts an 1/8" flexable board with half inch padding to absorb any knocks and bangs that may come its way, and is designed to handle 15", 17" and most 19" monitors. There's a removable utility pocket that can be placed atop the MTSS which you can place any tools, cables, or extras you feel you'll need to carry.
The MTSS is made of the same durable materials as the CTSS, however, the MTSS has 2 padded shoulder straps instead of just 1, and they fasten with the same carabiner to cast aluminum fasteners as the CTSS has. There's also a carrying handle which does up with Velcro© for those who wish to carry their monitor by hand rather than wear it."
Setup
 Front View |
 Back View |
 Side View |
Like the CTSS, at first glance setup seemed confusing, but unlike the CTSS, setup was quite confusing and difficult. The instructions are very clear, but there are just so many things to deal with that at times it gets very confusing of what goes where. I would explain how to set it up, but this isn't a guide. Besides, explaining how could make a guide alone. If you can't figure it out, read the instructions. With the difficulty involved here, it almost gets to the point where if you have a smaller monitor, carrying it in is less of a hassle. But with a bigger monitor, it's definitely worth taking the time to get it setup.
Usage
 Ready to go |
 Some detail |
Ahh... the fun part. Taking my 19" monitor to Quakecon this year was a breeze compared to past events. Using the shoulder straps were virtually useless when moving my monitor while standing in line, it was basically stop and go traffic. This made the handle on top very useful. But carrying it from the car about 100 yards to the line made the shoulder straps very useful as well. When it was over, it ended up holding its own, I brought it back without it showing any signs of stress.
While there are many different monitor designs, with the 3 I tested in different shapes and sizes, it seemed to work perfectly. I don't expect it to fit all CRT's, but the design is very well thought out and should fit most monitors.
Conclusion
These two products definitely do what they were deigned for, not only that but they do it well. The only problem was the CTSS case size support, with it being the regular model, it should be able to handle mid sized cases and even a little bit more. With the odd shape of monitors, I didn't expect for the MTSS to be a walk in the park to get on, especially after I got tangled up in the mess of straps after taking it out of the box. After the first time you get it setup though, it's much easier each time after. The engineering in both of these products is nearly flawless. The materials are strong and very durable, as they should be. I would recommend these to any person who goes to more than a couple of LANs each year and hasn't already spent a bundle on a LCD monitor and a miniature sized barebones setup. For those of you who don't LAN but hate moving your computer around the house, get some case handles. But this product is definitely worth every cent you pay for it, I can't wait to see what XBags comes out with next!
I'd really like to thank Trendetronics for providing these items for us, click here to purchase the CTSS, and here to purchase the MTSS or get more information on the XBags products.