Question for SG 6900 or 7900 users?

[Totoro]

Hey fellas, how big a spotter with eyepiece can the side pockets really handle in either model?

They arent bellowed so I am guessing they crowd up some main bag room.

Thx!

 

[passinggas33]

I know I got frustrated because I called SG three times before I got my bag and asked them how big the pocket was. I was told “we don’t know the exact size but it will fit any spotter that you would try and fit in there”. Long story short, I couldn’t fit my 80mm vortex in there. So I’m kind of bummed about that. Not sure if anybody has been able to cram something that big in there but I wasn’t. But I still like the bag.
Also as to your original question, it does take up some of the room of the bag as it pushes into the bag, not out from the bag.

 

[FURMAN]

My 7900 fits a Swarovski ATS 80mm no problem.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[JFKinYK]

I know I got frustrated because I called SG three times before I got my bag and asked them how big the pocket was. I was told “we don’t know the exact size but it will fit any spotter that you would try and fit in there”. Long story short, I couldn’t fit my 80mm vortex in there. So I’m kind of bummed about that. Not sure if anybody has been able to cram something that big in there but I wasn’t. But I still like the bag.
Also as to your original question, it does take up some of the room of the bag as it pushes into the bag, not out from the bag.

You must have the 6900? I wasn’t impressed with SG customer service in this issue either. I’ve helped two other members with this 6900 vs 7900 in the last little while. Why doesn’t SG put out some videos? Show some comparisons? Doesn’t make any sense to me. The 7900 seems to be the bag with the least amount of info out there on it from all the major pack companies.

I’ve owned both. The 7900 side pocket is larger. I can fit a 65 mm angled spotter AND my tripod in the 7900 side pocket together. On the 6900 it was all I could do to get it zipped shut on my 65mm angled scope alone with a neoprene case on it.

 

[passinggas33]

Yes I have the 6900. I thought it was going to be my bag that ends all other bags, but this one issue is what keeps me still exploring. Maybe I should have got the 7900 instead, but I felt like that was just too much for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still like the bag. Since the initial purchase I bought a different spotter (60mm) which makes me like it again but it was sure frustrating when I only had the 80mm.

 

[Totoro]

Thx for the replies fellas!

Unfortunately, the responses were what I didnt want to here....bugger.

Hate to spend more $$$ for a spotter just so it can fit in either bag.

The hunt for the right bag continues....

Many thanks!

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Thx for the replies fellas!

Unfortunately, the responses were what I didnt want to here....bugger.

Hate to spend more $$$ for a spotter just so it can fit in either bag.

The hunt for the right bag continues....

Many thanks!

Just get the 7900 and run the SG spotting scope pocket on the side without the exterior zip pouch and use the zip pocket for rain gear and puffy.

 

[JFKinYK]

The 7900 pocket will accommodate a huge spotter, I’d guess even a 95mm but I only have a 65 mm to try. If you get the 6900 then yes, I would suggest getting a spotter pocket if your spotter is 65mm and has a cover on it. I think you could squeeze in a bare 65mm without being frustrated every time.

Overall the 7900 is much bigger than the 6900. I feel like it’s way more than 1000 cubes bigger, which I am happy about. I too was hoping the 6900 was going to be my bag for a long time. It was hard to give my money to SG again but the 7900 is luckily just what I need for the types of hunts I do.

I can see how some people don’t want the huge volume of the 7900 just to get a bigger side pocket. The pack is a beast.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Just get the 7900 and run the SG spotting scope pocket on the side without the exterior zip pouch and use the zip pocket for rain gear and puffy.

Isn’t the 7900 specifically designed with the spotter pocket just on one side so it’s balance when you have your rifle in the other side with their rifle sling??? Not saying it wouldn’t work but wasn’t that the intent of the 7900???

 

[FURMAN]

Isn’t the 7900 specifically designed with the spotter pocket just on one side so it’s balance when you have your rifle in the other side with their rifle sling??? Not saying it wouldn’t work but wasn’t that the intent of the 7900???

This is my favorite thing about it.

 

[Totoro]

@Fins, I hear what you're saying but I want less exterior pouches/bulk but I appreciate the suggestion

@JF, I am thinking it can but cant get a yes or no from SG hence my stalling to buy one. I guess I can buy and return if it doesnt work but dislike wasting time and $$ just to test fit.

@thin, I will agree with your comment and thats how I plan to run the pack once I decide.

Thx fellas!

 

[JFKinYK]

I hope you have better luck getting the info you need out of them. It was very tough to watch about 900 (cad) of my money go out the door for the 7900 when all they would tell me, after many questions, was that the 7900 had the same side pocket as the 6900 (it doesn’t) and that it was “a lot bigger in every way” than the 6900. No measurements or specs and contradictory. I decided to roll the dice and am happy to say it worked out for me. Good luck!

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Isn’t the 7900 specifically designed with the spotter pocket just on one side so it’s balance when you have your rifle in the other side with their rifle sling??? Not saying it wouldn’t work but wasn’t that the intent of the 7900???

Yes, that is one option, but also some guys run the gun on the front of the pack same spot you would attach a bow. In this situation you could run the spotter pocket. Again, just suggestions but I'm with you I would rather not have to attach a separate outside pocket.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I don't have either one of these bags, and although I do have a spotter pocket that I used to use on my Sky7400, I don't use it anymore. I started carrying my spotter, strapped under the lid of the pack, with the tripod attached and hanging down the middle/back of the pack. Spotter is totally protected, as it's sandwiched between the top of the pack and the lid, easily accessible (just unbuckle the two buckles holding the lid down), and very quickly deployable with the tripod already attached. And, although not a huge deal, I've eliminated the extra wt. and inconvenience/bulk of a spotter pocket (just one less thing to have to mess with). If your pack already has the spotter pocket built in, and you can't fit your spotter in it, you could always just carry it under the lid and use the pocket for something else.

 

[passinggas33]

@AK Troutbum - not to highjack the thread but you could post a picture of this idea that you are explaining? I think I could visualize it but my brain isn’t fully working. It sounds like it might be the solution the to the problem that has plagued me ever since I bought the 6900. I love the bag and it is the perfect size and layout for me, but this spotter pocket issue has made me want to throw the bag away a few times. Thanks in advance!!