Which Pelican Case for HVX + M2 + Extras

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Nobody356

Well-known member
Hey,

Been working on ordering my new setup and I really want to get a good case to house everything in, keep it safe and portable... So I'm looking for a reccomendation on which Pelican(or similar) case to get based on what I want to put in it. Right now at least I plan on almost always using the whole setup so I might as well just get one big case. So heres what I want to put into it:

HVX200+Batteries
Redrock M2 with rails and Follow Focus
Marshall 7inch monitor + mounting arm + cables
5 or 6 Piece Minolta Lens set.
Small 12 inch screen Laptop
an External HD or two
And possibly(maybe) some sort of Mattebox in the future...

What are my options here....anything with wheels by any chance?

Thanks,

Chris
 
I think you are looking at more than one case, and definitely something wheeled based on the weight of all that stuff. I have a 1610 that is filling up fast, and I don't have half the stuff you mentioned inside it.
 
Not sure if it matters to you, but you may want to check on airline size restrictions if you ever think you will want to carry it with you. Some of the larger Pelican cases are too big.
 
The largest Pelican case that is acceptable as a carry-on item is the 1510, and that doesn't have a whole lotta room for anything besides the camera, and most airlines will also restrict you to one carry-on item unless you are travelling First Class or Business Class.
 
Thanks for the responses. I'm still looking into getting one large case becasue as of right now I'm not planning on travelling with it by airline. Just packing it in my van along with all my other equipment and driving...but that was a good thought...I'm just not at that point yet haha.

So the 1650 might carry all the stuff I mentioned? Or no?

Also, for you M2 owners out there...I could really use some advice on my question in the lighting section. Pertaining to the light loss and what lights I should get. I have to order soon so if you could take a look and help me out that would be awesome. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=79595
 
Check out this table from Cases4Less (where I bought my 1610), it will give you the approximate inside dimensions of the cases. Keep in mind that you will have to leave about two inches on all sides for padding to protect your equipment and to ensure that the foam doesn't come apart.

Mark a box of the case size you are interested in, and then lay down your equipment in that box to see if you can make it all fit. The 1650 isn't much larger than my 1610, and I don't think all your stuff will fit into it safely.

http://www.cases4less.com/size_comparison.html
 
AbelCineTech sells a hard case for the HVX200.

Changing the subject a bit, I am interested in a bag. My PortaBrace bag used with a Sony PD170 just holds the HVX200 in the main compartment and P2Store in the side pocket with little extra room for the shotgun mic and wireless mic set I would like to carry in the same bag. Have there been recommendations on a bag that will be allowed on a plane? David.
 
Nobody356,
You might consider a Stormcase as well. They are just as strong as Pelicans but don't weigh as much. By the time you fill that Pelican its going to weigh close to 50 pounds. If you can save a few pounds on a long day it would be worth the trouble of considering a Stormcase. Take a look at www.zacuto.com. They sell a Stormcase, I think it's the 2500, that holds a ton of gear. I'm not saying to buy their pre-cut foam insert... it's just an indication how much gear you can get in the case. You can use Google to find a retailer of Stormcases.
Jim
 
i almost promise that a 1650 is NOT going to hold all that. id get two medium sized cases...
 
I just got my 1650 from cases4less.com (now 4lessdepot.com)for $198 including shipping... I was looking for the biggest case I could fly with, I heard about guys saying that you can't lock it because they don't like that, but I have post-911 taken the case to the place where they scan it and asked them if I could stick around till they were done so I could give them my locks for them to put them on... I feel ok about checking my HVX, not great, just ok...
if you agree I made research regarding checked baggage restrictions and found that the rue is the following: H + W + D < 63 inches where height with and depth are added and must be less than 62.something I can't remember the exact number now but I made sure when I was looking and I found the 1650 to be the biggest

I haven't "picked and plucked" it yet and I don't have any external HDDs or the M2 with the follow focus yet, but I am quite positive that if you left the M2 on the HVX and plucked a hold for the whole thing and you left a lens on it... and if your 12inch laptop fits vertically... it should do the trick, but a tight fit for sure... you want to leave enough foam between heavy items but just two or three of the tiny cubes/squares should do...

when checking it you can also get a t-shirt or two wrapped around the items that fit loosely to get rid of any travel the item might have where it would be accumulating momentum... And I should point out that it isn't any less bumpy in the cabin than in the luggage compartments during turbulence, but the luggange guys might thow it around once every few flights when they are super busy/tired/pissed/or plain a$@&les... but that's what these cases are made for... if you were a carefull plucker (or used the clothes technique) you should be fine... right?

I agree on the weight factor! my Pelican 1650 feels like 25lbs already (EMPTY), also, Siniarch (a member) has a great case similar in size though it is definitely bigger and might not be checkable where he holds his HVX with the M2 and rails, and a bunch o' stuff (no laptop in the case) he has plenty of space in between (overkill even!) and still has a bit of space... oh, here it is:

Siniarch said:
Hey Roberto,

Here is the link to the Calumet Case that I got
http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/RM2465.html
its $199 and size is:
Inside: 30 1/8(w) x 19 1/8(h) x 12(d)"

They also have a smaller one that is a little deeper but its more expensive. (don't ask me why??)
http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/RM2462/2.html

Here is the store info. you can probably pick up the case same day:
Manager: Christy Jewel
Address: 1135 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: 323-466-1238
Fax: 323-466-1906
Hours: Retail Store: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. -- Rental Dept:Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturdays Retail and Rental 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Click to expand...
 
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Pelican claims their 1510 is the largest airline-legal case.

You can still lock the case, provided you use a TSA-approved lock (i.e. one that the TSA and their baggage screeners have a master key for).

Be careful about what you pack in your carry-on case, last year I went to Cyprus, and on the last of six flights (already in the US on the way back to LA) a baggage screener decided that the blunt Allen-head wrench I had packed for adjusting my Flowpod was a dangerous weapon. Five times nobody cared, and on the last leg I had to surrender it.
 
I agree with Jim,

Goto Zacuto.com and click on Contact us. Call Steve Wiess. Let him know his pal Andrew sent you his way and he will hook you up. He's great!

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
www.spec-comm.com
1-800-359-1858
andrewh@spec-comm.com
 
THoff said:
Pelican claims their 1510 is the largest airline-legal case.

You can still lock the case, provided you use a TSA-approved lock (i.e. one that the TSA and their baggage screeners have a master key for).
Click to expand...

Looking at my girlfriends luggage and my 1650 I can assure you it is ok... Haven't done it yet though...

TSA-approved? Ok, sweet! I haven't bought my locks yet, thanks!
Quick search, found these:
Regulations

http://www.safeskieslocks.com/store/
http://www.travelsentry.org/csbrands.htm

apparently you can get a good ol' bronze lock with keys for $5 or nicer ones with three or four digit combinations and a little indicator that goes from green to red when the security personell looked though your stuff for $15 (some are up to $20)

I couldn't find what I want yet though... If anyone sees plain black with password (I'll loose the keys) but one of the thicker 1/4" ones, please let me know... otherwise I'll have to get the one with camo I's much rather have a plain old black one that doesn't stand out, locks scream "there is something worth stealing in here!"
 
I figured I should just do this, sorry about using my phone >

1167558018.jpg


Here is my girlfriend modeling a 1650 for you guys, this was yesterday afternoon
when we got it from UPS >
1167557705.jpg


1167557550.jpg


Here it is flanked by two suitcases that were packed with her stuff when we went to Fargo to meet
her family for X-Mas (BTY happy holidays!!!) >
1167555780.jpg


1167555904.jpg


1167555954.jpg


And here it is (pre picking n' plucking) with the HVX and my two 5600mAh batts
that arrived this afternoon >
1167556074.jpg


On this picture note for perspective that the lens is not centered with the middle of the foam.
I am quite sure the HVX with the M2 and rails should fit as it is layed out here and leave enough
space for batteries or other smaller items, maybe even a matte box, or perhaps your 12" laptop
if it fitted vertically. In that case I'd probably shift the camera left and put the laptop behind it affraid
of the rails hitting if the case was dropped... >
1167556135.jpg


1167556176.jpg
 
extremly good looking girlfriend, like her much better than the case :-)


with "legal case" is meant that you can carry it as hand luggage. The Pelican 1650 can not be used that way. Do you think the HVX is save when transported in the 1650 in the bagage compartment of the plane. My girlfriend bought a new suitcase last Summer. After traveling ionly one time we could not even recognize the suitcase when we had to pick it up after the flight. Completely damage so we think they really handle luggage very rough once it is out of your sight. Moreover such Pelican case is maybe even a challenge for them how rough they can handle it. So I will only transport an HVX as hand luggage and than the 1510 is the only Pelican possibility.
 
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Leave at least 2" of foam all around for proper protection from impacts, and to keep the foam from coming apart. Also, I find it easier to drop the camera into the foam vertically so it can be pulled out by the handle.
 
wgzn said:
i almost promise that a 1650 is NOT going to hold all that. id get two medium sized cases...
Click to expand...
I agree. I have an HVX, batteries, charger, wide angle adapter, p2cards, all in a Pelican 1510 (that I can carry onto a plane)...

And into a Pelican 1600 I put my M2 with rods, Marshall monitor, component cables, battery for Marshall + charger, battery for M2,
noga arm for marshall monitor, follow focus... plus don't forget the lenses!!! 4 prime nikon lenses with follow focus gears on them.
Those suckers use up a good deal of foam real estate... but nice to have all M2 stuff in one case.
...and all this stuff totally fills the 1600... and that's without a mattebox! (I probably should've gotten the 1650 for the M2 + accessories)

Trying to fit everything into one gigantic case just isn't possible once you include all the odds and ends.
Plus... then there's filters and cleaning supplies for your lenses, shotgun mic, wireless mics or lavs,
XLR cable, headphones, etc ... it's a lot of gear!
 
Yes, the camera has to go vertically (handle up) for sure, much better use of the depth of a 1600 or 1650, and easier to pull out and drop in... I was doing it quickly, sorry about that.

I agree on the baggage handling, a hughe FRAGILE sticker and declaring it all might be good, I am sure they have rules about that so even though they still don't care and probably got the job because they like to shotput things around it might help enough.

I agree with the 2" of foam rule... now on your corner where you might have mics or cables 1" (2 cubes) should be ok... right?

I HAVE to travel with it, all the way to Fargo and Florida from LA, so I am hoping to be able to fit HVX + M2 + batteries + 2 mics (they both will fit vertically, not super long) + 1 charger + and a cutout for a matte box where I'll stuff my barry book and cables unless redrock puts out their mini... I will hopefully have some space left for other small items... then I'll carry-on my laptop backpack with other cables and my P2s and if they let me the tripod... lights would be rented and lenses might go in a second smaller carry-on/second case... I always travel with Michelle we both do this together so I will figure out how to get her clothes and the equipment in 4 checked suitcases and 4 carry-ons like when we went to Fargo lat week (yes, not fun while you travel, but it is nice once you arrive), we took both of those big suitcases for her stuff! And only a small one for me... I figure if I can get her to use only one of the bigger ones, then we would be able to travel with two 1650s and the two big suitcases... I'll also have my backpack and the tripod to carry on wich folds to 33" and I could put the head in a case if I had to.

Doe anyone UPS/FedEx their stuff around? that's the other side of this topic we should be looking at. I think that' the way to go, but it can't hurt to figure out how and if we could check the stuff...

Ok, European are already a year ahead of us --wait, so 8G P2s are $700 allready!!!-- I got only 6hs left here... 3 for those in NY and FL!!! so I better go and get ready

:beer: :beer: :beer:HAPPY 2007 TO ALL OF YOU!!:beer: :beer: :beer:

Michelle says thank you Cees!
 
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