Pelican Cases

[Doc]

And this, then, is the question.

Should you use a Pelican for camera carry-on only for the reason that you might have to check it before boarding? That might kinda' make sense. Maybe not.

A good backpack with cameras nicely padded... why would that personal item be taken away?

Pelicans are great for going into battle. They suck if you are in the midst of battle. They might be great for use on a day-boat where the boat is not set up with a "safe place" for cameras, but still present a storage issue. If you can find a safe place to open it to keep from getting wave splash inside, likely you now have found a safe zone for your camera gear if it were in a backpack.

Pelicans, for their exterior size, have very little internal room. This can be enhanced by not using the pluck-fit foam and just reverting to wrapping the gear inside with small bubble wrap. Understand the distinction between external compression damage versus vibration/impact damage. I would be a lot more concerned about vibration in the long view.

Why does the TSA focus on such cases? Pelicans, and similar atmospheric resistant cases, are now considered by airline security (per-se) as a suspicious object. They are an immediate RED FLAG. Why? They are well known to provide absolute resistance to sniffer devices allowing the clandestine importation of prohibited explosives.

They do look cool and you can decorate them with SCUBA stickers, so there is that.

 

[craracer]

Do not, and I repeat, do not leave your wet gear inside the case for an extended period of time. It will stank to high heaven. Just ask me how I know

If storing your gear within the case (when at home) I would also suggest periodically cracking the case open for a quick moisture check. I put my computers in one, which I thought were dry, and popped the case open about a month later. The screens on both computers had moisture on them.

 

[kanonfodr]

Pelican cases are a PITA to travel with. I used one for my Alienware computer, it would hold everything and was freakin' bomb-proof but heavy and bulky as heck. It also got LOTS of attention in it's Biohazard Yellow color.

It's hard to say if your equipment requires that kind of protection, only you can judge that. But be prepared to pay for that protection in up-front costs, dirty looks, a bad back, and the occasional luggage fee.

Peace,
Greg

 

[Doc]

....this better or should i just get a back pack for everything? what i have in mind is the kata hb-207

Kata HB-207 . Backpacks Rolling bags (Kata Bags)

For the $300 they get for that... just buy insurance and toss your gear in a plastic bag

Seriously- buy a simple but good backpack, wrap your cameras and strobes in small style bubble wrap.

Look at Blackhawk! http://www.blackhawk.com/catalog/Packs,28.htm or Maxpedition http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Backpacks-c12.htm for the high-end, last forever stuff.

Here's one that is tailored to airline max sizes: http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/FLIEGERDUFFEL-Adventure-Bag-12p920.htm and it retails for $156, find it cheaper.


Get the bubble wrap from the dumpster~
I've even seen it being thrown away in the Philippines.

 

[Jasoncassanova]

Kata HB-207 . Backpacks Rolling bags (Kata Bags)

For the $300 they get for that... just buy insurance and toss your gear in a plastic bag

Seriously- buy a simple but good backpack, wrap your cameras and strobes in small style bubble wrap.

Look at Blackhawk! Tactical Backpacks & Hydration Packs | Military, ACU, & Patrol Backpack - BLACKHAWK! or Maxpedition Tactical Nylon Gear Backpacks, Military Assault Packs for Bug Out, Survival, Outdoor for the high-end, last forever stuff.

Here's one that is tailored to airline max sizes: Fliegerduffel Adventure Bag Travel Convertible Backpack Duffle - MAXPEDITION HARD-USE GEAR Tactical Nylon Gear for Military, Law Enforcement, Tactical Concealed Carry; Tailored to Perform Tactical and it retails for $156, find it cheaper.


Get the bubble wrap from the dumpster~
I've even seen it being thrown away in the Philippines.

these are really nice bags and i'm sure that what they are used for would make them good quality bags but doesn't wrapping all your camera equipments with bubble wrap and placing them on top of each other pose a threat to your equipments as there is a possibility of them moving around the bag? looking at the kata bag, it has movable padded dividers to secure the equipments inside.

besides, the bag is on sale here and its 50% off

 

[vladimir]

They do look cool and you can decorate them with SCUBA stickers, so there is that.

My solution to the camera problem has evolved in the past year or so in the ongoing effort to streamline. The camera, housing, lenses, and two ports go in a Cosmolite carry-on (4.3 pounds empty). The strobes, in cushioned bags, and the dome port, wrapped in neoprene, go in checked baggage along with my dive gear and clothing. It all fits in one 25kg bag (7.3 pounds empty), and the checked gear, including the $1,000 glass dome port, always arrives unscathed. Add a white Brooks Brothers oxford for the flight and you'll be stylin'.

 

[ozziworld]

Check out AO coolers. They make several lines of very rugged softs sided coolers. They will hold water and can serve as a rinse bucket as well. You can just add padding as you deem necessary.

AO Coolers:

 

[fjpatrum]

I'm with Vladamir on this one. Don't buy special bags, and certainly don't spend more than about $40 on a backpack of any kind unless you're using it to live out of while camping for extended periods of time.

I haven't bought the expensive camera housings yet for my DSLR, but I never carry it in anything but the "case" it came with that is just a wraparound for the camera body. That goes inside a backpack when I travel. I've been carrying cameras this way for 25 years. My lenses all have their own bags, but those are usually just a simple cloth string tie bag with a semi-rigid bottom.

This stuff is expensive but it's also designed for normal use, which includes travel. If you must check your camera equipment, wrap it inside some of your clothing and put it in the center of your bag. It will be protected as well as most custom cases can protect it anyway.