Think Tank Airport Security vs. Storm 2600

MisterCat

MisterCat

Well-known member
Now that I have the 170 I need a new case for transport. I have to travel by plane fairly often, having used a Pelican case in the past. I was looking at the new Storm2620, the one with wheels, to save my arms from carrying a heavy case through airports. I also saw the ThinkTank Airport Security case in a store and it looks tempting as it is carry-on size, which the Storm is not. Anyone ever use a ThinkTank case? These are marketed at SLR cameras and use dividers instead of molded foam. These are supposed to be ok if checked, but I'm just freaked out a little because I'm used to molded plastic like the Pelican and Storm. What's tempting though is being able to easily change the dividers around, whereas the foam has to be replaced and recut to make changes. The thing with the 2620 is it is too big to carry-on, so will always have to be checked as baggage. Also, anyone using TSA locks on their cases? Are these acceptable at all airports? They always ask if your bags are locked and I wonder if all security people know about these locks...

thanks
Steven
 
Have you lookded at the Pelican 1510? Wheels, carry-on size, big enough for the HVX so it will fit the 170. However, foam instead of moveable dividers.
 
If I were going for a "case" - I'd strongly recommend Pelican or Storm, however I have a 16x9 (Petrol) camera bag that has travelled many, many times with me as carry on. Much more room then the Pelican too. Never had a problem getting it on board loaded to the hilt.

cheno
 
I flew this week with my Storm case with two Kinos in it. The case did great, but the schmucks at Phoenix Sky Harbor lost one of the TSA locks. I believe you are fine with the TSA locks in the U.S., not sure about international flights. Honestly, the TSA locks are more symbolic than actual locks, any of them would be super easy to get around with just a pair of dykes/wire cutters, I have not seen a "real" quality TSA lock yet, they are all pretty cheap and junky.

I can't see the point of lugging your 170 in a hard case when flying. Why not just get a backpack? You aren't going to ever check it unless you are crazy, you will be carrying it. The CineBags are really great. I have the Ogio Ty, it holds a ton and is very uncomfortable, I can't wait to get rid of it and get the CineBags CB-22. I had the CB-20 but it had no slot for your laptop, the CB-22 does.

Dan
 
I just received a Think Tank Airport Acceleration backpack. Plan/hope to use with an EX-1, but for the time being it will hold my HV20, sound gear, editing stuff and DSLR. I just got it yesterday so I haven't completely given it a once-over but it looks very well made. I have a photo from another member here of it with a EX-1 sitting upright so I imagine it will accomoate a Panny.

Read through the Think Tank site. They pretty honestly say that you lose some interior space and gain weight by adding wheels; they seem to come down on the side of backpacks. But I've heard good things about their rollers too. Very highly reccomended by sports photogs.

In the end it comes down to whether you're comfortable with a soft bag or prefer the security of a hard case and, I guess, what environment you'll be in. For hopping in and out of my car, I opted for the bag. It's also nice to be able to reconfigure the bag as my gear list changes mission-to-mission.

I have TSA locks. Come to think of it, I've never used them on my checked luggage (clothes) but they function fine. My understanding is that they are good anywhere in the US (can't speak for Europe) and that's why they have the TSA monniker.
 
I just ordered a Airport Acceleration as well. Should be here next week.

I was seriously looking at one of their rollers but for international weight limits, the roller could almost be half of your alloted carry-on depending on airline.

The one thing I liked about the Think Tank was that it just looks like another piece of luggage. It doesn't scream photo or video gear which in some parts of the world is important.

I'll see if I can't get some pics once I have it configured.
 
ive traveled all over the world (and into some pretty shady places) with betacams, xl2s, dv500, dvx, hvx, etc.. ive ALWAYS checked them in hard wheeled cases - be that pelican or whatever. and ive not had a single issue - ever.

ok, i did have one firewire cable crimped in a hinge once leaving caracas or maybe naples...

here is my philospohy - take it for what you will (and feel free to call me a loon): i make a practice of trusting people to do their job and i dont worry. i dont know if there is some kind of "cosmic weight" attched to stress and worry. but in my experience the less of it you let effect you - the less you ultimately attract. i have no other proof than my experience...
 
i carry on my camera, and i check my bike(taken apart in a bag to dodge costs). and my bike gets absolutely wrecked. i've had hubs get blown out, spokes broken, axles bent, and my paint is shot(not like that matters...). but i wouldn't trust my camera gear down there at all. and plus, you never know when a candid moment may happen on the plane...
 
The TSA locks have a special key access that the TSA holds. Every agent will have a key that will be able to access a TSA lock. Which is why they are allowed on your baggage. So, in theory, no one else can get into your bag - or it won't open accidently when on the belts, but the TSA can open it to check the contents of the bag.
 
manglerBMX said:
i carry on my camera, and i check my bike(taken apart in a bag to dodge costs). and my bike gets absolutely wrecked. quote]

Is your bike in a bag as rigid as a ThinkTank case though? Certainly not as tough as a Storm case. Just wondering how close we are to apples and apples?
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no, its def not in a bag as tough as the thinktank, i have started using a golf bag tho, which is a lot better. i was just using that as a reference for how rough those guys are with luggage. and not to mention i have a fairly tough bike/components.
 
wgzn said:
here is my philospohy - take it for what you will (and feel free to call me a loon): i make a practice of trusting people to do their job and i dont worry. i dont know if there is some kind of "cosmic weight" attched to stress and worry. but in my experience the less of it you let effect you - the less you ultimately attract. i have no other proof than my experience...
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I too have travelled all over the world.


Inside the continental US, I've never seen a bigger bunch of thieves than the luggage handlers at U.S. Airports.

My camera goes on the plane with me.

Always.
 
mcgeedigital said:
I too have travelled all over the world.


Inside the continental US, I've never seen a bigger bunch of thieves than the luggage handlers at U.S. Airports.

My camera goes on the plane with me.

Always.
Click to expand...

Totally agree Matt. Certain airports like Miami, in particular, have an international reputation for ripping off people's stuff out of their checked baggage. Unless you ship FedEx or UPS insured, I always would just carry cameras and expensive recorders and mixers. Never check anything you can't afford to lose.

Dan
 
Just returned from a week in Puerto Rico and carried both my HPX and HVX on to the plane. I checked my bag (a bat bag from Under Armour - update on that soon) that carried my main tripod, a second lighter tripod, two K-Tek mic poles, shoes, coat, and other stuff. I shipped 5 boxes USPS and four showed up on time for the 3 day shoot. My Carrion monitor, cables, and RedRock FF didn't show up. Fortunately, mics and matte box made it so we got thru the shoot. My wife travelled with me so I was able to have her carry my laptop.

I talked to a couple of the local video folks I was working with and we talked about the whole carry on / shipping thing at length. They emphatically said from their experience to never check anything except as the comment above "what you can afford to lose." In the end, insure, insure, insure....
 
Ducatimark said:
They emphatically said from their experience to never check anything except as the comment above "what you can afford to lose." In the end, insure, insure, insure....
Click to expand...

Thats why I travel with my Bogen 501 and the Sachtler stays at home. When I came into Burbank from Phoenix on Wednesday this week, I almost panicked because my duffle bag carrying the Bogen, lightstands, wireless mic systems, etc. wasn't on the baggage carousel with the Storm case with my Kinos. After I pulled off the Storm case, I stood around until they turned off the carousel. I was thinking, "Crap, how much is this going to cost me, Southwest lost my bag". A women from the luggage office was walking around moving bags and I asked her if my bag could be somehwere else. I told her my name and she said, "oh, it's sitting in my office, it came in on an earlier flight". Whew! Even with the Bogen, the light stands and the wireless mic systems, I was still looking at the potential loss of thousands of dollars of gear.

I wish there was a better way. I use UPS and FedEx but to ship even my small amount of gear for just interviews, it costs about $700.00 ea. way. Some clients will pay but with the Depression 2.0, some of my clients are balking at those charges.

Gotta get stuff smaller and lighter. I am so encouraged that VidLED is supposedly going to be back with some new products. I won't be happy until I can pack everything needed for a one week shoot of location interviews into a carry on sized bag.

Dan
 
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We do sell padded dividers for almost every case in the Hardigg Storm line. As does Pelican.

e
 
I just spent 300 € special camera equipment insurance for my 4 week trip to India and I carry all valuables on board. I agree about the principal of attraction of wgzn but I dont want to gamble too high. I am packing now and tripod and lights cant come with me so I hope my guys in India hook me up with some quality stuff.
 
unless something has changed in the last two weeks at storm, their largest wheeled carry-on case should fit my HPX, and Letus...(not assembled obviously). I plan on going that route...I wear a photog's vest to carry me lenses and some allowable acccesories, plus a back pack with laptop and a few changes of clothing. I carry a 501 tripod in a light tripod bag and shove that into the curved area of the overhead rack.

It's a bit of a hassle to get all that through the security scanning area quickly, but i've done this a lot and only once had to gate check my tripod. Just make sure you loosen the arms and head a little so that they don't get snapped off...
 
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