Camelback Ocatne 18x vs Osprey Talon 22

[Ultra Magnus]

I ended up getting the Octane 18x for Christmas for a couple of reasons..  One- it's adjusts in volume from small to big with that zipper thing in the middle.  It's kinda of cool for when you don't need a ton of volume.  And two, I got it at a really good price through a work connection.  It's a nice pack.  I like the straps, it rides nice, very comfy- but it's a bit on the small side.  It says it's 21 liters with the middle zipper open, but I think they might be padding their numbers a bit.  I have a Crumpler Mahoubar (can't spell it) that I've used in the past for bike commuting that worked well, except it's a bit heavy and not that comfortable with heavy loads, that is supposed to be 23.5 liters.  Now, I tried putting a days worth of clothes in the 18x and it barely fits with no room for a lunch.  I'm a tad bit disappointed.  I guess that is a pretty significant 2.5l of space.  I'm sure it will be fine for general mtbign and bikepacking but I was hoping it could serve double duty as a commuter pack.  I'm sure I could still manage if I brought some of the stuff I'd need for the day, the day before by car so I wouldn't need to carry as much by bike...

So, my question is- how does that Talon 22 rate as a commuter pack?  How well does a day's worth of clothing and food fit?  Has anyone done a side by side comparison between the 18x and the Talon 22?  What bugs me a bit is I could have gotten then Octane 24 for the same price...  Oh well.. 

Thanks,
BM

[raybum]

UM,
I just purchased an Osprey Tallon 22 to replace a Camelbak Hawg NV.  The Tallon 22 was 0.75 lbs lighter, more comfortable and could carry way more.  After a half dozen rides with the Tallon and my overnight trip this week, I am totally sold on it...really great pack. 
I think the camelbak stuff is OK, just don't think they engineer it with weight in mind like the Osprey folks do.  I think the Tallon would be a fantastic commuter pack too...easily carry a days clothes, lunch, and maybe the kitchen sink too!
Ray

[JReeves]

The Osprey Talon 22 is listed as 20L in volume for the size medium.  20L goes a long way!!!  I've used it for my work commute a handful of times and managed to get more than enough stuff into it.  I'd say that a change of clothes, shoes, and lunch would be no problem...
For a rough idea of the capacity, here's a picture of everything I stuffed into mine for a 4 day trip in June.

[Ultra Magnus]

I think the camelbak stuff is OK, just don't think they engineer it with weight in mind like the Osprey folks do.  I think the Tallon would be a fantastic commuter pack too...easily carry a days clothes, lunch, and maybe the kitchen sink too!

I used to feel that way too until I saw the Octane packs.  I haven't confirmed it yet, but the Octane packs (both the 18x and the 24) supposedly only weight 16oz (w/o the bladder, I assume) and the talon pack in a large is 1lb 13oz.  And the both list for the same price of about $100, but the Camelback comes with a reservoir, and I can get Camelback stuff at 1/2 off...

JReeves- that certainly is a lot of junk to fit in that pack!  I wonder, is there any simple way to measure an pack's actual volume?  All I can think is to get some kind of liner, like a trash bag, stuff it inside, zip it up leaving an opening for a hose and fill it with water- and weigh it.  But that sounds a bit impractical.

Thanks,
BM

edit- I just verified that my Octane 18x weighs in at 17.125oz empty w/o the bladder.

[12wheels]

I've used the trash bag and water method and it works well but requires two people.  One person holds the pack open while the other adds one litre of water at a time until the pack will barely close.  A friend bought a huge bag, 25lbs, of pinto beans from Costco and offered those for the next session.  The beans should be less hassle and spillage a non-issue.

[Ultra Magnus]

I've used the trash bag and water method and it works well but requires two people.  One person holds the pack open while the other adds one litre of water at a time until the pack will barely close.  A friend bought a huge bag, 25lbs, of pinto beans from Costco and offered those for the next session.  The beans should be less hassle and spillage a non-issue.

That is a fantastic suggestion.  I'll have to look around for some inexpensive bulk dry goods.  It seems that it would be easy to weigh 1l of beans, stuff the pack to it's gills, and then weight how many liters of beans that took.

I can imagine the look on my poor wife's face when  I tell her I need a giant bag of beans to measure the volume of my pack!

BM