The Gator Small mixer bag came in today. It is very nice for the $25 I paid for it, but it doesn't have all the features that the $40 Gig Skinz small mixer bag has.
The Gator bag is padded about the same as the Gig Skinz, but isn't as rigid as the Gig Skinz. Where the Gig Skinz bag maintains its shape even when the LMII isn't in it, the Gator sags a bit. The LMII is a perfect fit in the Gig Skinz bag as that bag fits about 11"x12", whereas there is about an inch of play front to back in the Gator due to it being 12"x12". I also like the velcro strap in the Gig Skinz bag that holds the LMII in there. The Gator doesn't have this, but it's clam shell design doesn't really call for it. The top pocket on the Gig Skinz small mixer case is a little bigger than that on the Gator bag. I also like how the Gig Skinz bag has a sort of rubberized non-slip bottom for when you have to put the bag down. The gator doesn't have this, but shouldn't be a big problem. The Outer 600-denier nylon of the Gator bag looks more resistant to rips and tears than the Gig Skinz, and I prefer its all black apprearance with simple gator logo compared to the Gig Skinz silver color and dragon logo's. I also prefer the inside material of the Gator to that of the Gig Skinz, as I feel the fur lining of the Gig Skinz would wear out quicker than the soft tricot lining of the Gator. Also, upon inspection I believe the zippers on the the Gator bag are more heavy duty than that on the Gig Skinz bag. Also, unlike the Gig Skinz bag, the zippers don't stick right away. Yes after about 10-20 times of opening and closing the Gig Skinz, the zipper loosened up. But right away, brand new from the box, the zipper on the Gator is smoother with bigger teeth and clasp.
Over all, I prefer the look and materials of the Gator, and for $25 you can't go wrong. It fits it reasonably well even though there is a little play front to back as I mentioned. But for those who want a perfect fit, and aren't too concerned about looks (or maybe even like the way it looks) the Gig Skinz small mixer bag is a great option at only $40.
The Gator bag is padded about the same as the Gig Skinz, but isn't as rigid as the Gig Skinz. Where the Gig Skinz bag maintains its shape even when the LMII isn't in it, the Gator sags a bit. The LMII is a perfect fit in the Gig Skinz bag as that bag fits about 11"x12", whereas there is about an inch of play front to back in the Gator due to it being 12"x12". I also like the velcro strap in the Gig Skinz bag that holds the LMII in there. The Gator doesn't have this, but it's clam shell design doesn't really call for it. The top pocket on the Gig Skinz small mixer case is a little bigger than that on the Gator bag. I also like how the Gig Skinz bag has a sort of rubberized non-slip bottom for when you have to put the bag down. The gator doesn't have this, but shouldn't be a big problem. The Outer 600-denier nylon of the Gator bag looks more resistant to rips and tears than the Gig Skinz, and I prefer its all black apprearance with simple gator logo compared to the Gig Skinz silver color and dragon logo's. I also prefer the inside material of the Gator to that of the Gig Skinz, as I feel the fur lining of the Gig Skinz would wear out quicker than the soft tricot lining of the Gator. Also, upon inspection I believe the zippers on the the Gator bag are more heavy duty than that on the Gig Skinz bag. Also, unlike the Gig Skinz bag, the zippers don't stick right away. Yes after about 10-20 times of opening and closing the Gig Skinz, the zipper loosened up. But right away, brand new from the box, the zipper on the Gator is smoother with bigger teeth and clasp.
Over all, I prefer the look and materials of the Gator, and for $25 you can't go wrong. It fits it reasonably well even though there is a little play front to back as I mentioned. But for those who want a perfect fit, and aren't too concerned about looks (or maybe even like the way it looks) the Gig Skinz small mixer bag is a great option at only $40.
