Traveling with Kino Flos

B

ben1000

Active member
Howdy...

I'm about to invest in a Kino Flo Gaffer 4bank 4' kit. It comes with 2 of the fixtures and a nice, large shipping case. The case has wheels, and the package weighs about 70lbs....

Here's a link, if you're so inclined...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...kit_2gf_120u_gaffer_4_4_bank_2_light_kit.html

I have 2 questions:

1) Can you fly with this case? I realize it's heavy, but I'd still rather fly and pay an overage fee than ship.... Has anyone done this?

2) When you fly or ship with Kinos, can you leave the bulbs in the fixtures? Or do you need to remove them to stop them breaking?

Thanks! Appreciate your insight....

Best,


Ben
 
That "looks" like an ATA-style flight case, but I'd check to see if it's actually ATA rated. Plenty of people just copy the flight-case look, but then again, to make a case look like a flight case it's probably pretty hard for it not to be a flight case, if that makes sense - 1/8 ply with formica, riveted to extruded channels, etc. If the lid interlocks with the case framing (male and female channels) when you close it and the latches are recessed and there are lots and lots of fasteners, it's probably good.

Not sure about the 4' tubes, but all my biax stuff travels fine with the globes mounted. If the fixture is padded enough they may do OK.

Last time I flew with gear, the overage fees came in after 50 lbs., so check ahead.

I like the big soft light of those banks… there's just not much of it; you may get a lot more lumens for a lot less cash if you shop around.
 
Thanks, Michael... But I was really hoping to ask for guys with actual experience with this kit...

Anyone own them? Have this case? Or travel with them?

Thanks...

Best,


Ben
 
Ive flown with these and other (smaller) kinos. Yes you can fly with them, some airlines may charge you extra.

I would generate some believable "media passes" and request a media rate for your equipment at check in- basically this makes them waive the overage for excess weight and charge you a flat rate per checked parcel instead of compounding after your first two. I dont think you need to remove the bulbs but if you wanted to and place them inside of a foam tube, I dont think it would hurt.

May the kinoflo be with you.
 
Never had luck flying with Kinos (4Bank & Diva) so switched to renting them at the destination. If you must bring lights with you I suggest looking at sources other than fluorescents.
 
ben1000 said:
2) When you fly or ship with Kinos, can you leave the bulbs in the fixtures? Or do you need to remove them to stop them breaking?
Click to expand...

That kit comes with two "soft lamp cases" for the lamps themselves. So you pull the lamps from the fixtures, put the lamps in their cases, and put the fixtures, lamp cases, ballasts, cables, etc. inside the big shipping case. If you look closely at that B&H picture, the soft lamp cases I'm talking about are the two cases at the front.
 
I had thought that was for extra bulbs. Are you saying that you do have to remove the bulbs every time you travel in the cases?
 
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