CocoonCPG8RD GRID-IT!® 2013 Accessory Organizer - Medium 10.5" x 7.5" (Racing Red)

[UPDATE 8-22-2016: Just a brief update to say that, after a few weeks, I stopped using this organizer. Although I stand by what I said in my original review about its convenience, I decided I don't like the added bulk/stiffness when carrying this organizer in my briefcase or messenger bag. Also, perhaps because I'm a detail-oriented person (evidently, a little obsessive-compulsive in this case), I found myself wasting time perpetually re-organizing and/or re-tidying my gear. At first, it's addictive like Tetris as you try to find the optimal layout to save room and hold all your items neatly. That much I expected. However, even after I settled on a layout that I liked, I found it just takes time to find the right loop and tuck everything in again neatly, especially with loose/sprawling items like headphones. Ultimately, I decided it was more convenient and less bulky to just use small ziplock bags to wrangle my headphones into some kind of tidy order, and then stuff them in one of the pockets of my briefcase/messenger bag. It's faster to stow/retrieve items that way, and feels like less of a hassle than using the Cocoon Grid-It. Your experience may vary, but that's my two cents based on my personality and actual usage.]The Cocoon Grid-It 10.5 x 7.5-Inch organizer is a great way to efficiently organize gear in a briefcase or messenger bag (or purse, I suppose--but as a guy, I don't have one of those). The elastic straps are considerably higher quality than I was expecting: not only stiff and ruggedly stretchy, but also lined with rubber grip bumps that help to hold equipment surprisingly securely. The grip bumps work particularly well on smooth plastic shelled equipment, such as pens, chapstick, a portable computer mouse, and other such items that would normally slip out from under a normal elastic strap. In that regard, I am very pleased.WHAT IT'S GREAT FOR: This item is ideal for someone like me who switches between a fine leather briefcase for the office and a messenger bag on weekends for carrying items like diapers, wipes, a Kindle, headphones, etc. (I am a dad of three young girls all under age 6). By placing my everyday items in this organizer, I not only can keep them securely organized in each case, but I can easily swap them back and forth between my briefcase and messenger bag without having to move the items one by one (nor "reorganize" them) each time. I just lift this insert out of my briefcase and pop it into my messenger bag, or vice versa. In short, if you're swapping between bags often, this is a phenomenal, uber-convenient solution.It also excels at holding small items secure and stable in your bag, especially if you have a structureless (floppy) style bag like a canvas satchel or messenger bag. Whereas those bags are prone to letting small items spill out when you set them down carelessly, this insert keeps them tightly in place and even lends a rectangular structure to "fill out" the bag (assuming you pick a size that matches your bag's dimensions relatively closely) so that the bag is less floppy as well. That's the purpose of this organizer, so it's good to know it works very well at its job.THE SHORTCOMINGS: I'm satisfied with this product, but a few shortcomings bear mentioning. First, it is slightly heavier than expected. In one regard, that's good because it means a more durable construction. However, if you're aiming for the lightest load possible, know that this organizer will add approximately 4 ounces to your load (i.e., a quarter of a pound). While that's not too bad, it may be important to some people. I've decided the convenience is worth the weight, but if I were considering this for ultralight backpacking, for instance, I would probably pass.Second, although the elastic straps are fairly varied in length and placement, it takes a fair bit of thought to plan out how to use the organizer most efficiently. As I began filling it with gear, I found myself having to rearrange it many times to get everything to fit in a convenient arrangement. I also found (predictably) that it is most stable when you secure the heaviest items (e.g., a full tin of Altoids mints, a portable computer mouse) along the bottom of the organizer and stow lighter items (e.g., chapstick, earbuds) higher up. That makes it less prone to flop over, as well as less likely to "teeter" back and forth inside a fairly spacious, stiff-structured bag like my leather briefcase. Once you find a configuration that works for your gear, it will be time well spent, as everything rides nicely and stays put thereafter.OTHER DETAILSUnbeknownst to me, this particular divider--possibly all of the models--has a zippered case on the backside. It's quite thin, so it won't work for stowing items much thicker than a USB/flash drive, and may be difficult to access if small items slip to the bottom; however, it would be a good place to stow some spare cash for emergencies or something like that. The small zipper also looks to be of dubious quality. It works fine, but it gives the impression that it would break easily if stressed or if not handled with care. I probably won't use this zippered area for anything except spare cash, as I mentioned, since I wouldn't care to access it very often.CONCLUSIONThis is a great way to organize a briefcase, messenger bag, or purse--especially loose/floppy style bags that don't excel at holding items securely anyway--as long as you don't mind the added quarter-pound of weight. It is ideal for someone swapping numerous items between different bags on a regular basis. In the latter instance, I would even go so far as to say this is a must-have item, as it really does add enormous convenience in that regard. If that sounds like it fits your needs, then I recommend it without reservation. As for long-term durability, only time will tell, but having seen it in person, I do trust that it is rugged enough to yield years of reliable service.

Completed my install just a few days ago. I saw this idea on another website and I love it.This is the underside of my center console in my SUV.I installed by using double-sided tape.

We've all been there: you and some colleagues are shuffling into the conference room and each person--all in their own way--pulls out of their bag a rat's nest of power cables, adapters and wires. Then, a moment of panic sets in when some critical piece of that puzzle seems to have gone missing. Oh wait, there it is, whew. After the laptop/tablet/LCD projector/whatever is set-up, back into the bag gets shoved all the unused parts like so much spaghetti poured back into the bowl for the next round of whereDidMyUSB-MicroCharging cable go? No more. As effective as it is shockingly simple, this grid of bungee-like material gently and securely keeps each of your precious cables and adapters protected and orderly. Next time you enter that conference room, slide that well organized Grid-it out of your bag, select the 2 or 3 items you need--keeping all the other unneeded items snugly in place--and you're in business and ready to go while your colleagues are still spitting with rage over bent prongs. Over the years, I've added a few extra Grid-Its to my collection--separating for example, the items I use for my iPad from those I use for a GoPro, or my laptop. Every once in a while, some colleague I haven't seen in person for a long time marvels at the efficiency of it all, and will ask some genuinely curious questions about it. For them, I have a surprise gift: I keep a few brand new, unused Grid-Its in my work bag, and several of my co-workers over the years have received one as a gift from me for no other reason than their expression of curiosity and apparent desire to get one of their own. Early Merry Christmas in [whatever month it is].

Very useful but not as simple to figure out the proper alignment of things ro store.

If you have a bunch of cords you need to keep together, this is a good way to do it.

The Grid-It is excellent. It does what it says, and gives you a grid of straps that are woven around each other to organize your belongings. It works great. But it solves a problem I didn't have in the first place.I carry in my Grid-It (it's a small one) a USB 10000mah battery, four pencils/pens, a Lightning cable and a Lighting to HDMI cable. That's it, and my Grid-It is full. It turns out that once I started to fill the Grid-It and empty my backpack's pockets that I was really carrying around a lot of stuff that I never use. Now I have a bunch of empty pockets and one filled compartment in my backpack.This leads me to the convenience of Grid-It in a backpack. It isn't as convenient as pockets. Grabbing something quick with the Grid-It is not an option. Some combination of the tension and the grip of the bands make it very difficult to take something out of it with just one hand. This is great for keeping contents secured, but makes it difficult in normal life to use it. Then, it's size. I place my frequently used stuff towards the top of the grid, but if I need something else I am forced to open the compartment nearly all the way to move the Grid-It. The grip rubber on the straps isn't just on the inside of the straps, but on the bag facing side, too. You can see where this is going. I need a desk to use this, and if I'm walking and need a headphone cord or Lightning cord, it is too much hassle to bother with.While the idea is great, I think I'll relegate my Grid-It to traveling only. My backpack has enough pockets and pen holders that I could probably find a better use for that compartment in my daily routine. I think this solves a problem that has a better solution: reduce the amount of stuff we carry. I guess Cocoon showed me the way to do that.Really though, it could definitely be quite useful. It is solidly built, holds items securely and comes in all sorts of sizes. It is a very elegant solution to cord clutter and keeping certain devices away from other ones.

Was a gift for my friend. Extremely useful and worth the price

Too heavy

Very heavy. It schieves organization but fails to save space.

The title must sound exaggerating but it is actually true. This is a super simple and yet so useful product that might help you a lot, especially if you travel and want to bring staff with you.I have a backpack that I like because it's waterproof and very spacious but it doesn't have any pocket whatsoever , so storing things for when I go abroad is a bit a messy.That where this little fella comes in play, with its stretch bands allows you to store your favourite objects with ease.Now I've got my cables, power bricks, mouse and SSDs properly organised in a very tidy way.I honestly wish I bought the bigger version just to fit more staff but in general this super useful!

I'm a really messy person and I carry loads of random junk in my handbag/rucksack etc. This now lives in my work rucksack and holds charging cables, wireless mouse, pens etc. Everything I take it out my bag I get someone ask about it and now my colleagues think I'm a really super organised person which is nice but most definitely a mistake. Really is a genius little thing though, I don't have to root around in my bag for tangled earphones or cables and I am much less likely to forget something. Would definitely recommend if like me you need to carry everything with you "just in case"