Pelican dry case

[Dwarak]

I feel the need to get a dry case for my lens and gear was looking online and found pelican 1600 for 150us just wanted an opinion is it really good read some good reviews

[MarkW]

I use a 1550 Pelican for storage at home or when travelling by car. They dont store gear very effectively with the pick and pluck foam in terms of how many lenses you can fit into one box. The padded dividers might work better to fit more gear in but then there is a lower protective value. I'm considering getting the box re-foamed with a higher density foam specially cut to fit my gear by a company that specialises in this field.

The cases are as tough as but generally too heavy for plane flight unless its for checked luggage and I wouldn't let my lenses go into checked luggage. Carry on is only 7Kg so when your case is 4-5kg, it doesn't leave much left.

[dsaini]

If you are set on Pelican cases, try checking Bunnings, they had similar cases to pelican but way cheaper.

[pgbphotographytas]

If you are set on Pelican cases, try checking Bunnings, they had similar cases to pelican but way cheaper.

These cases were only a limited offer and most stores I think have now sold out of them.

Jaycar sell some cases like this which I have used with good results :)

[phild]

Jaycar sell some cases like this which I have used with good results :) I second the clone case comment, I've have a couple and compared them side by side with Pelican casess, I found the clone case to be as good as the Pelican at a fraction of the cost.

[Dwarak]

Thanks guys I take it these are not designed to control humidity out like a dry cabinet to store lens and other gear

[MarkW]

The cases are airtight with a rubber seal running around the perimiter and Pelican manufacture a small canister with holes in it that contains sillica gell crystals but thats it. It doesnt actively dehumidify inside the case like a cabinet will.

[terry.langham]

Rosco Canoes (and probably other similar shops) have waterproof cases at reasonable prices. Not sure how big they go to though.

[mikec]

Any particular reason for gettin one? I couldn't justify one and my gear is always outdoors. A standard bag with a big enough dry bag is probably fine 95% of the time....

[Tricky]

Any particular reason for gettin one? I couldn't justify one and my gear is always outdoors. A standard bag with a big enough dry bag is probably fine 95% of the time....

The big dry bag will be soaked with moisture within days... unless you have a sealed environment (ie something like a pelican knock-off) and regularly dry out the silica in the oven, then you might as well not bother...

There's a few threads on AP about this...

[mikec]

The big dry bag will be soaked with moisture within days... unless you have a sealed environment (ie something like a pelican knock-off) and regularly dry out the silica in the oven, then you might as well not bother...

There's a few threads on AP about this...

I'm talking about a dry bag (http://www.seatosummit.com.au/showdetail.php?Code=ADS) as in, a sealed stuff sack that you can drop your camera bag into when you are outside and it looks like its about to bucket down or if your doing a lot of creek crossing etc...

I look at Pelican cases as a way to protect gear in harsh enviroments eg. rain, dust, knocks not as a low humidity storage solution. I'm sure they'd work for that though. It was why I was asking what he wanted the case for since Pelican cases are marketed as protection for harsh enviroments and not so much storage solutions.

[Tricky]

I'm talking about a dry bag (http://www.seatosummit.com.au/showdetail.php?Code=ADS) as in, a sealed stuff sack that you can drop your camera bag into when you are outside and it looks like its about to bucket down or if your doing a lot of creek crossing etc...

I look at Pelican cases as a way to protect gear in harsh enviroments eg. rain, dust, knocks not as a low humidity storage solution. I'm sure they'd work for that though. It was why I was asking what he wanted the case for since Pelican cases are marketed as protection for harsh enviroments and not so much storage solutions.

Hi Mike, well, it's easy to check if the dry bag is working... use a silica gel that goes from dark blue (dry) to pink (saturated) and watch how long it takes to go pink... In my Bunnings pelican knock-off, the gel stays blue for ages, maybe a month if rarely opened, maybe 2 weeks if opened quite a few times. If I use a normal camera bag, the gel turns pink in just a few days... All to do with the pelican case being a sealed environment, ie the gel has a fighting chance to dehumidify the air trapped in the case, rather than a cloth bag which is not air tight.

I use my pelican knock-off almost entirely for storage at home. Only occasionaly have I used it outside of the home, eg when going on a drive interstate and putting the case in the boot. For most outdoor duties, I use a normal camera bag. So long as you don't leave your lens in conditions which are above >70% humidity for more than 24 hours straight, then you won't have a problem.I have seen Pelican cases advertised with a silica pack included in the price, so I think its quite a normal approach.

[carioca]

Hello there!
I bought a $69 case from Bunnings last August and returned it a few days later to get a Pelican 1450 case instead. Forget the price, but around $150 I believe...

I ordered the case with lid foam only, then took a fish filleting knife to some very clean high-density mattress foam leftovers to arrange bottom foam, another piece with cut-outs for camera plus lens, and it works a treat! Mainly use the case for safe storage at home (it also has twin RSA-type locks and one of their silica moisture absorbing boxes - only needed drying out once in the past 7 months!).

Next job will be to add a cut-out for the coming 100mm macro lens...

Cheers,

LMH

[JonnyL]

Jaycar have a new one too at a reasonable price

[umajo]

i have a bunnings case went to the foam place and bought a peice of high density foam and cut out the shapes with a knife i just found taking bits out all the time the pluck foam kept falling apart. but love it keeps everything dry and dust free. i have seen them at a rural store just today it was a crt store in several sizes

[eldean]

Any reason to get this??? I live in canberra, and it's pretty dry here.. Is it worth to get it?

[Paul G]

Where can you get the colour changing silica from? At the moment in my backpack I'm just using the little packs that come with new shoes or boxes of bolts :)

[umajo]

you can buy it at camera shops usually 2 bags in a pack about 4 times the size of what you have

[Tricky]

Where can you get the colour changing silica from? At the moment in my backpack I'm just using the little packs that come with new shoes or boxes of bolts :)

This is the fella you want... ;)

http://www.soggyphone.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=2

[peterb666]

Jaycar have a new one too at a reasonable price

I had a look at the Jaycar cases and wasn't impressed by the build quality, particularly around the sealing edge. Quite frankly, something like the Pelican 1450 would be a better buy.

[dsaini]

My friend bought few pelican copies from states. They apparently came without foam and were only available in black but they did had moisture seal and pressure release valve thingy.

I will ask him for company details.

Cheers

[Dwarak]

My friend bought few pelican copies from states. They apparently came without foam and were only available in black but they did had moisture seal and pressure release valve thingy.

I will ask him for company details.

Cheers

Thanks for the help will look online for good deals

[Sylar]

hey guys this is my first post and had to add my thoughts, i own 2 pelican cases, the 1450 that holds my camera and lenses when out on the water or being strapped to a quad bike or hugglands (im in Antarctica for work) and a 1560 that hold all my gear, laptop, hdd and lots more and even has wheels on it so it can be moved like a suitcase. i can recommend them enuf. they are built very well with weather seals and pressure compensating valves. pelican say that you can submerge the cases up to a meter and water wont leak in! tho i wont be keen on testing it out. I will say as mentioned above the pluck and pull fome is crap and the only let down of this case. pelican do also sell moisture tins that absorb moisture and can be dryed out in an oven tho i have never seen one myself. I got mine from ebay (coast to coast safety is the ebay store) sent from the USA and cost me $160 shipped. Our strong $$$ means there isnt much point in getting a knock off not when pelican give an unconditional life time warranty on the cases

[Xevious]

I just bought a Pelican 1550, it arrived yesterday. It's "Tonka Tough" :lol: Not all that impressed with the foam, but it will do the job for now. I'm only using it as storgae case at home anyway.

[nc1183]

Kinchrome do a watertight hardcase, with pressure relief valve. They look and feel identical to the Pelican cases i have seen are around half the price from what i remember. I have all my old Ricoh/Pentax film gear in one

[Ausnapper]

I use the 1440, 1600 and the 1650.

1440 = Holds most gear/lens and I have the dividers. It is on wheels and is an awesome case. I would like a little wider base though. It can be a little top heavy.

1600 = Holds general bits and pieces as well

1650 = Everything to do with lights and backgrounds, clamps etc...

I had ordered the dividers through Ebay but they could not post them for the big one. So I canceled it. I would prefer the dividers rather than the foam.

I do not take it everywhere of course, but if I am doing a trip I know everything is secured and protected.

[kingwheatie]

Our strong $$$ means there isnt much point in getting a knock off not when pelican give an unconditional life time warranty on the cases

Just remember that "the above guarantee does not cover sharkbite, bear attack or children under 5":lol2: straight from the instruction sheet!

I own 1610 for all my gear and a 1450 to carry remote set up. Had a Storm case but had to return due to the lid bowing like a banana.

[dsaini]

My friend bought few pelican copies from states. They apparently came without foam and were only available in black but they did had moisture seal and pressure release valve thingy.

I will ask him for company details.

Cheers

Sorry for late reply. I spoke to my friend and he showed me the website. It can be accessed here (http://www.uwkinetics.com/catalog/4). Apparently these guys also manufacture Lights, Cases, Knives, Hangers, Custom High density Foams, Steel plates (used to convert a case into a fold able console panel) and other stuff too.

He got the cases from US directly buy website lists few distributors in Australia.

Hope i helped someone.

Cheers

[chrisprendergast]

yeah im one for the bunnings cases i paid 69$ compared to the 300+ for a pelican case not 100% water proof but i dont need that atm. they do a good job have had a few heavy knocks and no damage to case or get inside

[Dwarak]

Guys I found this nice dry cabinet from singapore with a digital meter and it is cheap

http://store.tagotech.com/product_info.php?cPath=50&products_id=272

[peterb666]

yeah im one for the bunnings cases i paid 69$ compared to the 300+ for a pelican case not 100% water proof but i dont need that atm. they do a good job have had a few heavy knocks and no damage to case or get inside

Unfortunately, the Bunnings cases were a once-off lot purchase and are long gone.

[KevPride]

Bunnings currently have 2 versions of the Kinchrome case - $55 & $75, the larger is 430x380x154.

If anyone is interested.

[peterb666]

Bunnings currently have 2 versions of the Kinchrome case - $55 & $75, the larger is 430x380x154.

If anyone is interested.

The larger one would be just right if my local Bunnykins has them. That's a good price too.

Will check them out tomorrow.

[tim71]

I have bought happily from

www.silicagel.com.au

he is based on the Gold Coast

[peterb666]

I have bought happily from

www.silicagel.com.au

he is based on the Gold Coast

Thats where mine came from.

BTW, just picked up a $75 Kincrome Safe Case from Bunnings. Got mine from Kirrawee and they only had 3 left. None of the smaller size but I think the 430 x 380 x 153mm size is spot on for my Olympus MFT camera and collection of old manual lenses.

Great value. Now to do some foam plucking.