SafariSack™ 7.3

NEW in November 2021!! Introducing a new lightweight filler, called Git-Lite. See Filler Notes below.

This U-shaped bean bag is for supporting a DSLR, mirrorless or video camera on a vehicle, car window, chair, table, tree limb, fence post or on the ground. It is quicker to use than a tripod. Because it is often used on top of a Land Rover on the African safari, where using a tripod is too dangerous, we named it the“SafariSack™.”

The original SafariSack™ has been in production for over 15 years. It has been duplicated by others, but as they say, “copying is the best form of flattery.” The 7.3 is our largest model.

Features

• One zippered compartment — the filler can be dumped directly inside without the need for a liner. See “Filler Notes” paragraph below.
• The inside has a rubberized-style fabric that keeps the sack in place when placed on a vehicle or other slick surface.
• The round top lends itself to placing a flat plate and ball head.
  
• The side of the legs have MOLLE-style webbing slots for attaching accessory pouches for stashing a teleconverter or small lens.
• Shooters traveling abroad take the empty version and fill it locally with rice, beans or bird seed. Then, upon completion of the shoot, dump the contents, returning home with a empty, compact bag.
• It is constructed of a combination of 400-denier and 420-denier Diamond Ripstop nylon fabrics. These tough fabrics are supplemented by SlipNot, a rubber-like fabric.
• The top of the sack has a pair of sewn-in carry straps with a quick-release buckle. They are very short (so they don’t get in the way). Consequently, we recommend the optional Y208 Quick-release “extender” strap, which can clip to the roof rack on the top of a vehicle. It also doubles as a shoulder strap.
• On the bottom or ends of the “feet” is a pair hand-grab straps for use when you want to quickly pick up the sack when it is in the upside-down, feet up mode.

This SafariSack™ can be used in the following modes:

• Feet down. The feet can rest on a horizontal surface or you can drape it over the edge of a partially raised vehicle window.
  
• Feet down with ball head support. The top surface of the sack is round and lends itself to placing an aftermarket alloy support product like the Kirk Low Angle Pod. You can then mount a ball head to it. A pair of Y208 straps is required—they wrap around the ball head and securing hold it in place. The NatureScapes Skimmer Ground Pod is similar to the Kirk pod.
• Other products that may work include the Lowel V-Pod, Lowel Big Foot, Playtpod Ultra Plate & the Kessler Multi-Angle Cheese Plate. Some of them have a ¼-20 thread and may require a ⅜-16 adapter.
• Feet up (upside-down) with the camera in-between the legs. The camera is snugly cradled with the flat part of the sack down. 
• Feet up (upside-down) with the camera on top of the bottoms of the feet. 
  

Filler Notes

• The poly beads are the most dense filler and provide the best support, but they are also heavier than other fills.
• In November 2021, we introduced a new filler called Git-Lite Premium Bag Fill. It is an incredible product, providing better support than buckwheat hulls yet half the weight of poly. It was originally designed for field tactical (rifle) shooting use; we are first photo bag company to integrate this product. The field reports from Git-Lite indicate that this fill is nearly comparable to poly, at a fraction of the weight.  Check out their video.
• Note: we are not authorized to sell Git-Lite filler without a bag. Visit their site for such a purchase.
• If you want to purchase your own poly beads, they can be obtained at a hobby or craft store (i.e. Walmart, Hobby Lobby or Michaels). Poly beads are often used as doll filler or in making stuffed animals. Retail cost at Walmart is about $10 to $13 for 6 lbs. Rice, beans, bird seed, millet and cat litter are alternative fillers. Buckwheat hulls are also sold as "organic mulch" from garden suppliers.
• Lately (starting in 2019), the buckwheat hulls we have been receiving from our supplier, have been very dusty, which seeps through the seams and zipper. Consequently, we have been using a plastic liner on the smaller SafariSacks, but the shape of this sack does not work with a liner, so we are not supplying this size with the buckwheat filler option.
• The poly filler will make the inside of the bag dirty. It can be inverted and hand washed if desired. Drip dry.
• The price shown on our site includes additional shipping fees for filled sacks; will-call orders or Amazon prime orders will not have this extra expense.

Specifications (filled)

U.S./Imperial
Flat dimensions:  x 15.75h x 8.7d" 
Empty weight: 7 oz.
Poly filled weight (including the sack): 9 lbs. 3 oz.
Git-Lite filled weight (including the sack): 4 lbs. 7 oz.
Buckwheat filled weight (including the sack): not available
Recommended fill volume: 440 cu in or 7.7 qts

Metric
Dimensions: 20w x 40h x 22d cm 
Empty weight: 206 g
Poly filled weight (including the sack): 4.24 kg
Git-Lite filled weight (including the sack): 2.029 kg
Buckwheat filled weight (including the sack): not available
Recommended fill volume: 7.3 liters