I know, I know, I shouldn't feed all these raccoons, but I'm just so hooked on them! Sorry!
I looked at the backpacks, but you're right - very pricey! $195 for the Eclectus size! OUCH! I think we should really get serious and train him on the harness and leash we already bought him a few years back!
My Quaker has been outside before, but HATES it!!! I'd never put her/him through the stress of going out again (unless to vet or something). I was surprised how badly she took to it! She doesn't like any change in her environment, not even going to a different room in the house. The Eclectus loves getting out though. His cage is always open, except at night when we're sleeping. It's funny sometimes when I hear his nails clattering on the floor. He doesn't come out on his own very often, but when he does, he usually likes to go up the stairs and then to either the table with the steel legs that he can see himself in, or to the mirrored closet where he regurgitates to his heart's content for that "other" bird he sees there! I know he'd enjoy going outside with us. He loves looking out the window and watching the other birds.