The BlackRapid RS-2 is it's second R-Strap. It offers the same speed, but also adds a few storage areas for phones, memory cards, batteries, and other small objects for just another $10.
The RS-2 works exactly the same as the RS-1 Strap. It's a strap with some padding, a stopper, and a hook to attach the Fasten-R to the strap. The strap allows you to quickly raise the camera from your hip to eye level and take a picture.
The second iteration of the R-Strap comes with a few pockets. The padding is a little bit bigger to allow for storage. On the front of the strap is a cellphone holder, which is only big enough to fit a small phone or flip phone. Not big enough to carry an iPhone or a Blackberry. This is sadly, the reason I didn't get this model.
The R-Strap can be opened and unzipped. In this compartment it has space for very small objects - such as memory cards, maybe small batteries, business cards, and the like. Inside the pocket there are elastic "rings" (for lack of a better term) that will keep your items in place. The addition of the compartment makes the camera strap quite a bit bigger than the RS-1.
One thing that I'm a bit confused about is that the R-strap does have a buckle which you can open and close. At first, I thought it was so you can easily take the strap off your body without having to lift it over your head. Unfortunately I found out that that was not the case. The buckles are kind of locked in place by the way it is sewn. If you forced it a bit, they will come out, but there is really no point if it's going to be hard to put back in.
Honestly, I'd recommend staying with the RS-1 because there really isn't that much use for the compartment. The Rapid Strap is a great invention, but the addition of storage space isn't really that special. The compartment is very small, and you can probably just put this in your pocket, or bag. You can still use a backpack, and the R-Strap at the same time.
BlackRapid has released an RS-3 which will be available soon, which offers storage space, and is thinner and smaller than the RS-2.
One thing that I forgot to mention about the hook is that your camera CAN fall of, as I unfortunately had happen to me while hiking. I was in a weird situation though because I was tying my shoe and had my camera on the lock. Under normal circumstances, such as when you are just walking it shouldn't be a problem unless the hook release button gets caught or bumped, and some how opens. The hook just has to be pushed in to open, and your camera can slide out, so be careful. BlackRapid is coming out with a locking hook, but in the mean time, the Rapid Straps come with a plastic tube, which is meant to keep your hook closed.
Pros
- Same great craftsmanship and materials
- Same quick speed when you need to take pictures
Cons
- Pricy at $55
- Compartments don't really hold much. Make sure you'll use it, or save $10 and get the RS-1
- Hook doesn't have a lock...yet
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