Think Tank Airport Security vs. Storm 2600

Erik Olson said:
You'll want the im2500. That'll do the HPX170 with a few accessories. There is space for a P2Gear / P2Store / DOF Adapter in there along with five batts and a Panasonic charger.

We do DVXUser discounts if you want to order one offline: http://www.expeditionfilmpartners.com/products/p613.html

Best,

e
Click to expand...

I thought I'd seen some posts about the 2600 being the right fit. So the 2500 is small enough to carry on and still fits that much gear? Interesting...

I've always tried to carry on my camera but now and then have no choice but to check as luggage. This has been my major concern with anything but a hard case, for those times when checking is the only choice.
 
It depends on what airline you're flying. They have different standards, which is why Hardigg lists the im2500 as their largest.

They are wise (and you would be too!) to set your carry-on limits against the 45" (22"x14"x9") airline standard instead of less common (and often only in business premium or 1st Class) standard of 55".

Safe travels,

e
 
Just got my Airport Acceleration so I thought I'd try and load it up to see what I could fit in there and how much it would all weigh.

I was able to pack my HPX-170, Four extra batteries, four additional P2 cards, a P2 Store, mattebox, rails, filters and four portable USB hard drives.

Total weight including bag was 20.7 pounds.

I'm sure I'll reconfigure it but just wanted to make sure I could make my international weight limit on KLM.

1228769325.jpg
 
i think i may have found our solution for baggage issues regarding TSA. buy a STARTER PISTOL for every bag you plan on checking. an acquaintance of mine is a photographer who travels a lot, i spotted this article on his blog.

http://www.jaredsouney.com/2008/10/brilliant-travel-tip/#more-512

quoted from his posting
"A “weapon” is defined as a rifle, shotgun, pistol, airgun, and STARTER PISTOL. Yes, starter pistols - those little guns that fire blanks at track and swim meets - are considered weapons…and do NOT have to be registered in any state in the United States.

That’s the procedure. The case is extra-tracked…TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero.

I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare…I’m given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me."
 
Well, been up in the Smokies for a week without connectivity, much of the time not even cell phone reception. Kind of strange to be that unplugged.

Mangler, that's a pretty funny suggestion. Let us know how that works for you on your next flight!

Kevin, thanks for posting the photo. If you were in a situation where you had no choice but to check that Think Tank bag, do you feel it would offer enough protection? I'm just curious how sturdy the shell is.
 
I'm not going to speak for the sturdiness of that bag, as i don't have one, but i can tell you all this.

I worked at Orlando International Airport as a lost luggage delivery guy for about six months as an extra money gig. I can tell you that anything fragile in luggage without a hard shell will be broken if you fly often. I don't know how many soft bags I delivered to people with broken stuff in it. Before I moved up to Boston I used to fly up here for extended stays and I'd bring my 23" apple display inside a specially modified samsonite roller suitcase I had it strapped into the foam it originally shipped in. I would stnad at the window and watch them load the luggage onto my plane and no matter how many fragile stickers were on that suitcase. they would literally throw it half way up the conveyor into the plane. EVERY TIME.

If it's valuable don't check it in anything less than something bulletproof...
 
I always seem to get the seat by the wing where I can watch them load the luggage and it still pains me to think about it. I travel often between Toronto and Atlanta and often travel with my modified Glidecam V-8 and Altman lights in a pair of Pelican 1650. Every time they would load my cases (and they weighed exactly 50lbs) it's like they would take a personal offense to the cases and no matter how heavy they were, would throw them halfway up the conveyor belt. More often than not they would land upside down. While this isn't an issue with the Glidecam as everything was packed snugly... the Altmans were a little more fragile AND had bulbs inside (packed in a separate travel case). The first time this happened I had left one of the bulbs in one of the 300watt and when I checked it the bulb was definitely broken.

Can't trust baggage handlers: if something is there to be broken, it WILL get broken.
 
I totally agree about the need for ATA shipping cases but also a large part of the equation is understanding the principles of how to pack gear correctly. Fortunately when FedEx merged with Kinkos, I did a nice one week shoot in Chicago on training Kinkos staffers of how to pack gear correctly, hosted by experts from FedEx.

Its simple but you do need to follow certain rules. There should be a layer of protective foam, peanuts or other soft suspension materials between the item being transported and the innermost layer of the case. Nothing should be able to move or rattle around. It's simple, one you have packed, turn the case over several times and in several directions, you should not hear ANYTHING move or rattle around in the case. If you do, unpack and do it over. I use Pelicans and Storms with foam and I secure loose smaller items inside with old bathroom towels. I flew with my two Kinos Divas last week and did not have a broken tube or other issue going either way from LA to Phoenix. If you can isolate and suspend the item inside the case and make sure that it is packed firmly, you should have no issues. Will the luggage handlers toss it? Count on it, of course they will. But if you pack it right, you should come out with little to no damages.

Dan
 
While the ThinkTank is probably the most rugged soft case I have, I'd never trust it to stand up to being checked.

If I have to gate check it, I'll take the camera out first.
 
i'm not sure if i'll be packing a starter pistol with me. its a great idea for people who are checking on camera's with fragiles such as a red with accessories. but usually i'm having to sneak my bike in a bag to avoid extra fees. so having my bag opened at the check in counter isn't the best idea for me. i like avoiding that $150 extra fee for a bike...
 
I just got a 170, and about 10 hours after picking it up, it I had to leave for an international shoot with it.
I rushed to the local camera store, showcase (atlanta),
and was able to get a Pelican 1550. Perfect size for carryon and good amount of storage,
not my favorite setup, because after a few minutes of walking around the airport as a carryon, it got annoying.
The 1510 is an option im thinking about going back to switch as it will carryon, but feels a little small.
the 1610 is too big though...
im in a hard place trying to figure out my best option as well...
 
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