Best (hard) case for an HVX?

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doctabu

Member
Hey there,

I just got a new HVX today and I'm trying to figure out a case to get for it.

I'd probably rather it be a hard case as to protect it from more things, and something not TOO big and could be brought onto a plane would be excellent.

A bit of searching revealed the Pelican 1510. If you think a different case would be better, let me know! Otherwise, if you like this one/heard good things about it, tell me why!

Thanks a lot!
 
yer theres a whole thread somewhere with everyone talking about how the 1510 is a good choice. couldnt find it but...

what do you need to put in it apart from HVX
 
west_matta said:
what do you need to put in it apart from HVX
Click to expand...

Not too much... yet. While I just have the camera now, I'm hoping to get some sort of shotgun mic, lav(s), and maybe a bit of other equipment (I'm not sure if a tripod would be something to fit into this or to take separately).

So, basically something that will expand as my gear expands. As you can tell, I don't have too much at this point.
 
This is my 1510 with the hole for the hvx, not much room for anything else, definitely not a tripod.
DSC_5602.jpg
 
Nice Jeff,
I am a huge advocate for the pelican cases. they are nice.

You could also have a custom case manufacturer build one for you. Pro Cases out of Los Angeles builds really nice cases on the cheap, just draw something up and send it over to them and they will get you a quote. We have ordered numerous cases from them (they're the "anvil" style), very rugged. http://www.procases.com. Shane is the guy to talk to over there.
 
I love the pelicans too. This is my only one with foam as my camera always gets its own case and I refuse to check it. I've got a larger pelican 1650 and a storm 2975 with the padded velcro dividers that I use for lights and other things. I like the velcro since each job can require different equipment. The storm was lighter and a bit cheaper so I went with it for my biggest case. Quality and build wise they are equal to me. And wheels - whatever you get make sure it has wheels. And then buy a folding cart too. Maybe its just me but I hate carrying things.

Kit, what's an anvil case? Is that the plywood with metal edges/corners?
 
That's exactly what I ordered. Its two layers of pick and pluck foam on the bottom and then the top is 1 layer of eggcrate foam. Have fun picking and a plucking! It was my first time and I oddly enjoyed it. Made a hell of a mess too! :)
 
jdajda said:
That's exactly what I ordered. Its two layers of pick and pluck foam on the bottom and then the top is 1 layer of eggcrate foam. Have fun picking and a plucking! It was my first time and I oddly enjoyed it. Made a hell of a mess too! :)
Click to expand...

Awesome. I'm excited-- just ordered it. Thanks for your help!
 
hi jeff, just got myself a couple of pelicans and been plucking away. do you cut the foam in shape or glue layers in later cause i see that smooth picking works only vertically. Also do you think the wheels are sturdy enough to go over rough asphalt/pavements and last for a while (on the 1650)? thanks.
 
hey nudge - there are two layers of pick n pluck foam so any vertical levels are pretty much decided by those. THere is a 1" layer of foam underneather those should you go through both layers as I did with the camera body. For stuff like the p2 cards I pulled out both layers and cut 1 layer in half and stuffed it back in there to get the height right. You could glue it in, but for skinny stuff like the cards it stays in there just fine. I think I may glue my two layers together though as the top one likes to come out sometimes when I'm taking the camera out.

I wont be rolling the wheels much on asphalt. Smooth concrete, most sidewalks and such I would. I'm not sure if the wheels are waranteed or not. I think the storm case wheels are inline skate wheels arent they? Would be easier to replace and more durable. For big moving of cases I have a rock-n-roller cart on its way (should be here tomorrow).
 
jdajda said:
Kit, what's an anvil case? Is that the plywood with metal edges/corners?
Click to expand...

Yes, they are ATA shipping cases, like you see with big companies. Used for lighting, sound, video, sports, etc. They are about as durable a case as you are going to find. And you can get them in just about any color under the sun. Also, if you give him the dimensions of the camera itself, they can probably design a very nice custom fit for your camera and accessories.

Here a picture of one we had custom designed to fit our $100,000 digital mixing console from back when I was doing live sound:

Procases.jpg



Typically, these cases are a few thousand dollars. This one cost around $800 or so. They can probably build you a nice little HVX case for $100 - $200. Call em', doesn't hurt to ask.


Pelicans are great too.
 
Ok, thats what I thought they were, I'm just not familiar with the terms - thanks for clarifying. I actually used to handle luggage and moved quite a few similiar cases and I can attest to their toughness. They also slide well in aircraft underbellies which keeps them from getting thrown :) That and they weigh a bazillion pounds... Right now I fly as little as possible so the weight and convenience is nice, but if I start flying more, I'll have to keep them in mind. Prices dont sound too bad at all.
 
Check out Tenba.com for a sort of "soft case" alternative - look at the air case and car case lines. I've had an air case for 15 years; got it for medium format cameras, now it carries my DVX. They look more like a suitcase, black nylon exterior with a tough internal frame and velcro dividers. Bonus: you can stand on 'em when you need a high angle shot. Real butch, and they look a bit more "luggage" ish, which I like - seems less theft-attention getting, and flight attendants don't seem to see "equipment case" when you carry them on. Excellent gear alternative IMHO.
 
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