Pelican 1610 Case Review (yes, another one)

[BearLeeAlive]

This is an intial review as I have not tested its use much yet, and will follow up with my impressions after a few months use.

After much review and deliberation on what to use for storage of my camera gear I settled on the Pelican 1610 case with padded dividers and lid organizer. The intent of this is to keep all my photo related gear, other than the big stuff all together for storage at home, and to enable me to easily take all my gear in a vehicle with me should I wish. As I add a lens or two into the future I would remove some accessories as needed and keep the case for cameras and lenses. In the case of an emergency, like a fire, after making sure my family was safe, it would be the second thing I grab after one of my mirrored backup drives.

I have two other Pelican cases I use for canoeing and other on water trips, a 1400 and a 1450 and have (unintentionally) submitted them to underwater use (darn those big rapids ;)). Everything (but me) came out dry and undamaged.

The 1610 case is built like a rock, extremely tough. It comes with a handle and rollers if you should need to give your arms a break. After playing around with various layouts for a while, I came up with one that works good for me and still leaves room for future purchases.

Carrying it was fairly easy for me, I can't really see using the wheels. With the gear I have in it as shown it weighs 50 lbs. Smaller folk would likely make more use of the wheels. Adding another 10 lbs of lenses may change my tune too. ;)

Below is a shot of the whole case open.

http://bearleealive.smugmug.com/photos/172085235-L.jpg

This is how I have the main part laid out. I realized that I never labeled a 3-way tripod head that sits in the upper left hand corner under the flash brackets.

http://bearleealive.smugmug.com/photos/172085920-L.jpg

This is a shot of the lid organizer. I did not label it but it holds cords, batteries, quick release plates, all my cleaning stuff, pens & paper, glasses, and lots of other wee bits. The only disappointment I have to the whole setup is that this organizer is not built tough enough. It uses thin mesh & fabric. I wish it had of been built more like my other camera packs, though it is not too likely to see much abuse in this tough shell.

http://bearleealive.smugmug.com/photos/172085478-L.jpg

And here are a couple shots of it with the handle extended and one of me carrying it, just to give you some perspective of its size.

http://bearleealive.smugmug.com/photos/172086204-L.jpg

http://bearleealive.smugmug.com/photos/172086344-L.jpg

My first reaction is that I am extremely pleased with my choice and the case. It should work great for me.

[puddlepirate44]

Nice, Jim. Holds a lot more than I thought it would. Gives me something to think about, that's for sure. Thanks for doing this; nice job.

[cfpackerfan]

Excellent review! Thank you. :D :D

[SunTsu]

Great review, Jim. Few questions:
- Is the pull-up handle a bit flimsy?
- Can you stand the 100-400mm vertically in the case?
- For items that are not as long as the depth of the case, do you find there are issues with wiggling around in the case?
- Did you ever consider the 1650?

BTW, thanks for the info on the 1510. I just got one and am about to order a 16** case . I just have to decide which one now. :)

[wonny]

wow. That's nice. Thanks for the review!

[BearLeeAlive]

Thanks everyone, it was through such reviews here that helped me decide which way to go.

SunTsu
- The handle flexes a fair bit, but would have no worries of it breaking
- You could stand the 100-400, though with the lid organizer would have to be cautious that nothing big or hard was in the corresponding spot
- Lenses with petal hoods tend to wiggle, but as long as the hood is snug you it would not bounce around at all. I considered removing the hood and storing it separate, but would only do that if I was traveling with it where it might get tossed about a bit. I like to store lenses with hoods on so that they are quick and easy to find.

[BearLeeAlive]

SunTsu,
I forgot to add that I did consider the 1550, but thought it would be too deep to effectively use.

[jack278]

Do you think I can fit a Canon XL2, 20x lens and 3x lens, a 1Ds MK2, with 16-35mm 2.8 and a 70-200mm 2.8 IS plus some misc items in the same case? Thanks.

Also, that's too big for a carry on right?

[BearLeeAlive]

Do you think I can fit a Canon XL2, 20x lens and 3x lens, a 1Ds MK2, with 16-35mm 2.8 and a 70-200mm 2.8 IS plus some misc items in the same case? Thanks.

Also, that's too big for a carry on right?
I am not familiar with the size of your video gear but I would bet it would work. The SLR gear would not even use up 1/3 of the space.

No, it would definitely not work as carry on.

[jack278]

I am not familiar with the size of your video gear but I would bet it would work. The SLR gear would not even use up 1/3 of the space.

No, it would definitely not work as carry on.


Great, thanks for the info.

[jacobsen1]

Great info.

I'd also like one for the "garage" for all my camera gear. Right now I'm using a LowePro 650AW but it's running out of room fast. I like it for the fire case as you said where you get everyone out, then go back and grab that and an external...

[BearLeeAlive]

I'd also like one for the "garage" for all my camera gear.
It does work great for this, I like the use of the word "garage" for this. :)

Oh, and don't forget the family and friends when you grab the other important stuff in case of fire. ;)

[Geoff_Shawcross]

Excellent case review Jim. I may consider one of these in the future for storage and travel use. I don't think I really have enough gear to warrant its purchase at the moment though.....hehe.

[BearLeeAlive]

Geoff, didn't you get that 100-400 yet. Just add a few more things and in no time you will have it full. ;)

[BearLeeAlive]

As a follow up to my initial review, this case has been everything I had hoped for in a case to hold my gear. It is so great to just grab it and a couple packs when I am headed out somewhere with a vehicle, then if I wander from there just grab what is appropriate, rather than try to guess ahead what I might need. I has also been a godsend for keeping my gear organized in my home, whenever I come home with any gear I was using, it goes right in to the "garage". :)

[GilesGuthrie]

I'm looking for something like that, except I think the 1610 might be a bit much for my budget. Thanks for the review though. :)

[Geoff_Shawcross]

No Jim, I still haven't bought the 100-400L........Still tight financially at the moment, but that lens is still first up on my list of camera gear to purchase. I still appreciate you letting me test yours out.......I instantly loved that lens. Perhaps early next year I'll have one.........hmmmm.

[BearLeeAlive]

Just yankin' your chain anyway Geoff. Too many folks get too much wrapped up in gear before taking care of more important things in life, that's for sure. Photo gear can come later. :)

[Geoff_Shawcross]

Aye, true enough. What I've got at the moment for gear isn't much, but I've taken some great photos with it. And as for being patient, I'm one of the best at it....hehe.

Say, next year we should all get together again for a meet......perhaps in a different location?.........We've got plenty of time to think about it anyways.

[rhys]

Have you ever tried it in those sizing gauges at the airports? How easily did it fit?

[BearLeeAlive]

Have you ever tried it in those sizing gauges at the airports? How easily did it fit?
No I never, but it would never work for carry on, it is too big. You could check it, but I prefer to fly with a couple carry-on bags, usually a pack and a satchel.

[Richard Hurst]

400 mm 2.8 len should be fit case also fit for air plane ????