Pelican case question.

[Mike Anderson]

I was wondering what you guys thought about this case for storing a camera and a few lenses in a boating environment.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/pelican-1430-protector-medium-waterproof-top-loader-case.html

Or do I need to go with this larger one?
http://www.opticsplanet.net/pelican-protector-top-loader-medium-watertight-case-1440.html

[matt boutet]

Mike,

Any reason you’re looking at the toploader style rather than the more conventionally shaped Pelican cases?

[Ian Crabtree]

That is one sweet pelican case…

Along the same lines as Matt, I’ve been using a (small) Simms Dry Creek Duffel Bag in Alaska to carry my camera and additional lens. I don’t like the Great Divider because of the zippers. I can’t think of a single product that I’ve owned with “water-resistant” zippers that didn’t leak like a sieve after a month or two on the water. This is what I’m using:

I put the camera in a padded lowepro top-loading case and the extra lens in a Simms waterproof camera bag (designed for P&S cameras). It’s padded to offer protection, as well as waterproof. My kit lens barely fits in here, but the 50mm fits just fine.

Everything is protected from the elements and most drops and bumps. I like the fact that the dry bag doesn’t have a rigid shape, so I can stuff it in corners where it’s out of the way, and unlikely to catch fly lines or get trampled.

I’d be interested in hearing why you’d like to get a pelican case, I guess you’re looking for a hard case mostly for the extreme protection it offers. If so, then that’s the best game in town.

[Mike Anderson]

Matt
Any reason you’re looking at the toploader style rather than the more conventionally shaped Pelican cases?

Smaller foot print in the ready to open position and should I have it open and there’s water in the floor it’ll be better protected with the top loader.

Ian
This is mainly for boating and sometimes it gets rough, so yea I’m thinking the hard case is better protection.

[Steve K.]

Mike,

I like the Pelican cases as well. I have the 1400 and the 1450. I like them because I don’t have to worry about how hard they get knocked around. Great protection and I can carry them on the airplane. I use mine all the time in the driftboat with no problems. It looks like the toploader would tip over easy if not loaded properly.

Here’s my setup:

http://i.pbase.com/g6/84/653284/3/75438911.Tj4OnRvG.jpg

[Buzz Bryson]

I’ve had several Pelican cases over the years, and with the exception of one sprung hinge, all have served me well.  They have some strong competition (e.g., Storm cases), but I’ve stuck with the Pelican.

I use mine in boats all the time.  One thing I’ve done is to put two strips of “industrial strength” Velcro (the “pile” side) on the bottom, and aligning strips (the “hook” side) on a section of closed-cell foam.  When the water is really rough, I slap the foam on the bottom.  Might not help, but makes me feel better, as I think it further protects against both hull slamming and vibration.  This particular case is the 1510, the max carry-on roller size.

I’d also suggest getting the padded dividers instead of the foam.  The padded dividers don’t “shed” like foam eventually starts doing.  Plus, as you change gear (don’t we all continually buy/sell lenses and accessories?), you can change the dividers around.  Once you pluck the foam, it’s tough to change.

If you’re out in the tropical sun a lot, I’d opt for the lighter colored models, paint the top, or remember to throw a white towel over it.  The black models can soak up a lot of heat.

I don’t use the Pelican much on streams; they’re just not easy to carry, even the small ones.  Yes, there are “backpack” harnesses made for them.  No thanks:  uncomfortable and heavy.  I use a Watershed shoulder bag or a LowePro Dry Zone on streams.  Hate them both, because of slowness of access, but they work to keep gear dry.

That’s another reason I like the Pelican in the boat.  They open/close quickly, so it’s easy to grab a shot.  If you’ve ever thought, “I’d take a picture but it’s so much trouble to open/close that zipper [roll top/etc]”, maybe you should consider a quicker-opening system.

Lot of positives, few negatives, at least for me.

Buzz

[Mike Anderson]

Ahh man that’s a nice setup. Tipping is something I hadn’t considered good point! I wonder if a SS 357 mag would be enough ballast? 😕

[Steve K.]

Hmmmm….Buzz brings up some valid points I had not thought about. I can see where the foam will break down in the sun. And yes…..you could probably bake a cake in that thing in mid-july. I guess if I had it to do over, I would have gotten the gray color.

The case on the right in my photo (model 1450) has dividers I made out of some leftover foam from a sleeping pad. A little duct tape and I’ve got my dividers 🙂

[Carter Simcoe]

I have one with foam thats been going strong something like 4 years now.

[Author]

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