Storing and locking camera in dorm room?

S

skee

Member
I will be moving off to college in about a month, and am bringing all my gear with me, since I will have a ton of stuff to shoot while I'm at school.

I am really worried, though, about getting my stuff stolen while I'm not in my room. I will most likely be living with 2 good friends of mine, so I can trust them, but if someone breaks into our dorm, I want to make sure that they can't steal any of my gear.

I am hoping you guys have some pointers on how to lock up my camera gear, so that I won't lose all the equipment that I have invested every paycheck into, and become even more broke than I am already.

Any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

-Skee
 
Another vote for insurance. Yeah, lock and secure everything, but the insurance is how you get to sleep at night.
 
Jordan_S said:
Purchase insurance.
Click to expand...
Absolutely.

Insurance is your best bet... along with figuring a way to lock it up (obviously).
But don't go without insurance - you should have it regardless of camera gear anyhow.
It shouldn't be very expensive, given that you're only insuring your belongings (not the building itself, like with home owner's insurance).
 
Awesome, thanks for the suggestions, guys! What insurance plans are the best and most reliable if I were to happen to get my gear stolen at some point? :crybaby: which would suck big time......
I really don't know much about insurance, and would want to purchase the best plan for the money since I don't have much right now.

Thanks again
-Skee
 
Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to lock my gear while it's in the room? I am buying insurance, but obviously I also want to lock it up well. I have a Kata backpack that I use for my camera; should I just get some mini padlocks for locking the zippers shut, and then use a bike lock to lock it to my bed?
 
Get a trunk and lock it or get a locking storage cabinet from home depot. I use a large one for my office.
 
super glue to floor. im just joking. It may be safer in your trunk if you have a car. But if your carless than thats a no go. There's almost no where in a small dorm room to hide it.

If your room has a drop ceiling, you could rig something by lifting a ceiling tile and put a board as a shelf up there to hold you camera. you dont want to put to much weight, but spread even you should be fine. You can also look for duct work. Large vent to slide it in.
 
Three to a dorm room . . . sucks. (don't mind me - I'm anti-social)

Pelican cases bolted to the floor aren't going to cut it. They offer great damage protection but are absolutely worthless against a serious thief. I assume you can't afford a good gun safe.

The advice about insurance is right on - but I wouldn't keep my gear there. Most colleges have numerous storage facilities nearby - many with very small units (I've seen 4'X4' cubes) that rent cheaply and offer decent security and 24 hour access. A little inconvenience is worth a missing camera anyday. Gated entry and video surveillance should be minimum acceptable. Some also offer content coverage against loss.

You'll still want a renter's insurance policy - laptop, cellphone, media player, tv etc etc etc. Be sure to query the agent about riders - generally any "high value" items have to be covered by a separate rider to avoid a dollar value cap. These policies are generally very cheap.

Take pics and record serial #'s - helps if you ever have a claim. Get one of those cheap engravers and put your drivers license # on all high value items. Helps your stuff find it's way home if ever recovered by law enforcement.

Best wishes and good luck !
 
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* Keep your stuff under a pile of disgusting dirty laundry in the closet.
* Do not show off your gear needlessly. Especially in common areas near your room.
* If you use a good gear bag then try disguising that bag in something else that does not scream "expensive video gear inside" when you go in and out of your room. Like a dirty gym bag?
* Talk to your roommates about security concerns for all three of you.
** But get the insurance...
 
I was going to suggst a gun safe too, but they are rather pricey. And I 22nd the Insurance.
 
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