Pelican case, or?

Hey, you guys are smart...

I'm in the market for a Pelican case for taking camera gear on the road a little easier. Well, actually, I'm in the market for something that does what a Pelican case does, but the only brand I'm really familiar with in that market is Pelican. Is there another brand that I should be cross shopping that serves the same market?

My other option is to stick my gear in an actual pelican, and train him to fly to where I need to go and meet me there. I have a feeling that one may come with unforeseen complications, however.

The plan is to hopefully buy used, since I have a feeling my first case will not be the final solution, but will be the tool that helps me better devise the final solution.

Anyone have a good source?

jg

http://www.nalpak.com/PelicanStormCases

also known as cases4less.. pretty well known on ADVRider as a source of DIY Pannier cases.

How nice are you looking for? What do you have now?

My camera hard case is a $25 aluminum case from the tool section at Lowes. My only gripe is the foam is a little to soft. Then again that was from my days as a broke photo student, so more than a grain of salt should be taken with this.

Go to SciFi City in Orlando and check out some of the nerd cases for transporting armies of wargaming miniatures. They come with customizable foam inserts and are actually quite cheap and durable. I don't think they have the lockability or bullet-proof-ness of the Pelican though.

neon4891 wrote: How nice are you looking for? What do you have now? My camera hard case is a $25 aluminum case from the tool section at Lowes. My only gripe is the foam is a little to soft. Then again that was from my days as a broke photo student, so more than a grain of salt should be taken with this.

I have a couple of the Harbor fright aluminum cases, which are pretty decent for the money, but I'd like a decent all-in-one solution that can carry everything when I need it to. I have a really nice LowePro Computrekker backpack that is nice for the road when I'm flying, but I have to be pretty selective about what comes with me. It would be cool to have a single case that can hold a couple cameras, some led lights, mics, shoulder rig, lenses, and maybe even some accessories or a tripod, so when I need everything on a shoot, I know I can get it all in one package and just check it as baggage or throw it in the van and not have to worry I forgot something.

jg

http://daytona.craigslist.org/pho/2168516810.html

http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/pho/2223088034.html

Maybe hit up some pawn shops?

EDIT....more:

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/pho/2213004059.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/pho/2226119179.html

after some fungus in few lenses from my time in panama/costa rica i've been thinking of something along the lines of a pelican case myself... being a budget minder person I'm not spending $150 on a plastic box... i've been thinking of an old tupperware container, cut some dense plastic type foam and cover with felt... add pocket for a bean bag filled with rice (or silica gel packets) to keep the humidity out no matter the situation...

then have some sort of bag that will hold the tupperware and is easy to tote... i'll have to hit up some yard sales and 2nd hand stores but i'm sure I can find the right bit of tupperware... you could even do multiple cases for various pieces of kit for a modular setup, one of your strobist kit, another for the long lenses and another for your standard, ALWAYS take with me kit.

When I used to shoot I tried a bunch of different cases and then finally got a Pelican with padded dividers instead of foam. There was no comparison. The Pelican was better in every single way.

The only other case I would give any other consideration to is a Calumet.

When you're schlepping around 5K+ worth of camera gear a good case is not the place cut corners.

To me the old adage of "if you have a ten dollar head then wear a ten dollar helmet" fits here.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/mud-bay-miscellaneous-items/460855-pelican-1660-big-one-socal.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/mud-bay-miscellaneous-items/459929-pelican-case.html

I used to keep my SLR in a gun case. The case was for hauling four handguns on two levels which made it perfect for a camera and lenses. If my memory serves me right they were under $30. Then again that was 25 years ago. You might try a gun shop.

Go to the pelican website and look at the specs for the various models to figure out which one you think will work. I recently picked up a used 1520 off eBay for 50 bucks shipped. Just has "porta phone" stenciled on the side is all. The 1500 and 1600 series seem to be the most common. To compare I bought a 1550 new for work for right at 120 after tax. Turned out the cheapest place was here in town so I picked it up to save the shipping.

There are alternatives but are either based on pelican (storm) or not waterproof/dustproof like the pelican (zarges).

All of my equipment goes in Pelican Storm cases. Black, nondescript, lockable, waterproof and it has wheels!

It's like buying a helmet David, what's your equipment worth?

Dan

I think that training a pelican would be very satisfying and good for your soul.

pilotbraden wrote: I think that training a pelican would be very satisfying and good for your soul.

plus, he already has a lot of the stuff needed to care for one since they already have birds...

J.G., have you been over to Skycraft in Orlando? They always have a whole big lot of used equipment cases... plus a veritable nerdling nirvana of used electronics, odd bits, and cool tubes and bulbs.

Margie

914Driver wrote: All of my equipment goes in Pelican Storm cases. Black, nondescript, lockable, waterproof and it has wheels! It's like buying a helmet David, what's your equipment worth? Dan

I don't mind spending the money for what I need, I just want to make sure it's what I need before I spend the money.

Whatever I get, I'll probably stencil "BUTT-FLAVORED CANCER SCORPIONS" on the outside, and hopefully that should keep too many sticky fingers away.

jg

Marjorie Suddard wrote: J.G., have you been over to Skycraft in Orlando? They always have a whole big lot of used equipment cases... plus a veritable nerdling nirvana of used electronics, odd bits, and cool tubes and bulbs. Margie

You know, I've noticed that since we moved north of town, Jacksonville has become out new Orlando, and stuff in Orlando has sort of fallen off the regular rotation. That's a good idea. The only problem with Skycraft is you need to take a car just big enough for what you need, or you come back with load of ridiculous crap.

jg

In reply to JG Pasterjak:

If you travel on the airlines with it and you want to check the case and lock it, put a starting pistol in the case. The TSA considers it a firearm and make you lock the case. The last time that I checked all 50 states do not consider a starting pistol a firearm and do not restrict carrying it in a case or bag. This will prevent your cameras from becoming ambulatory ,as has happened to some of my friends recently.

back in my audio/film recording days we used astro cases for equipment - skb or gator are kind of the equivalent. Pretty tough stuff.