How strong are Pelican cases for travel? Would you throw a loaded on off your house?

[fishfoto]

Yesterday I wrote about driving over my Pelican 1514 case with a Chevy 1500 series pickup truck. Well some people were not satisfied that a pick up driving over my case twice was really an 'impact test.' So this morning I loaded up the case and threw it off of the second floor deck of my house...roughly double the height baggage would fall if it fell from the cargo door of a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.

So how well does the 1514 protect your equipment? Would you throw one loaded with cameras off the roof of your house? I did! http://1514Toss.notlong.com

[Wilt]

I had no doubt the Pelican would survive, when you first posted about doing this. I wonder/worry about the G-shock force effects on the contents, though! It would be interesting to have afixed one of those red breakable shipping shock indicators to something inside, to see if the G's exceeded some particular threshold. Maybe someone who remembers Physics could compute the G force upon the sudden deceleration...it has been too long since college Physics for me! If you put an egg inside snugly, would it have broken?!

[SYS]

Well, I'm still not satisfied... so what's your next test going to be? ;)

[fishfoto]

Wilt,

I think that depends how the egg is packed. I have seen a glass vase get thrown off a high-rise structure in a Pelican case and arrive on the ground completely intact, no cracks.

My gear is not loose, it is all in perfect working condition (except the bruises it had prior to this test).

[fishfoto]

Well, I'm still not satisfied... so what's your next test going to be? ;)


...yea, I think I'm done.

[SYS]

...yea, I think I'm done.

You've provided very useful, quite visually convincing, info for us forum members, so as one Peli owner I thank you very much for your efforts! :D

[silvrr]

So why do you have a fragile sticker on it?

I would also be more worried about the shock to the contents. But like you said if packed correctly they should come out fine.

[Wilt]

Wilt,

I think that depends how the egg is packed. I have seen a glass vase get thrown off a high-rise structure in a Pelican case and arrive on the ground completely intact, no cracks.

My gear is not loose, it is all in perfect working condition (except the bruises it had prior to this test).


That's why I mentioned 'egg packed snugly'. The ability for the glass vase to survive is a good indicator, but a glass sphere can endure lots of pressure deep under the ocean, too. The dSLR mirror, and the 5D's reported recall, are an indicator of the forces that would need to be survivable. In your test, you might have been fortunate about the orientation within the case when it hit the ground. Still a bit of an uncertainty, it would seem.

[fishfoto]

Wilt,

If you have a lab and $30k for gear I'd be happy to do a full test of the cases abilities with sensitive equipment inside. :lol:

[Wilt]

No, simply write to 'Mythbusters', so we can watch Carrie do the testing! :D

and maybe they might try to see how much explosives the Pelican can survive, too.

[ben_r_]

Sure it all LOOKS okay, but like Wilt I would be worried what kind of damage the shock of that drop might have done the lenses and/or bodies...

[fishfoto]

Ben,

Once I opened the case I shot with each camera, did frame bursts, and used each lens. Everything is operating perfectly. Everything is sharp. Nothing is loose, no loose screws, no rattling sounds. I played with each piece of gear shooting for 300-400 frames each, plus a burst of 100 shots each. Everything is fine.

[fishfoto]

Well, I'm still not satisfied... so what's your next test going to be? ;)


Well...Pelican has a test where they place a MacBook (could be an iBook) in a Pelican case and shoot the case with a 12-gauge shot gun. As I don't plan on having my gear shot at close range with a high powered shot gun, I think I'll skip that test and just be satisfied with the results of my non-scientific testing at this time.

[sanity1082]

so how much does pelican pay you to run all these tests?;)


glad you are willing to run these test for our information. i am def sold on pelicans quality

[fishfoto]

Sanity

....ummmm, I don't think Pelican even knows I exist.


However as of this afternoon the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) added me to their blog roll as only the 9th non-US Gov't site they recommend to visitors of their blog (for a total of 13 sites, as they list 4 US Gov't blogs). So the Feds know I exist (is that a good or a bad thing?)

[Denny G]

No problems with the TSA just keep an eye on the mafia.

Nice tests Fish.

The next time I need a case that will with stand being run over by a truck and thrown off a house I will keep this in mind.

In the mean time I will worry about the airline apes. Nothing could be as bad as the baggage handlers.

[Bill Roberts]

I'm fairly confident that the case would survive the drop. But I think I'm with Wilt on the question as to whether the contents could take the shock? I'd guess in this case you'd probably stand a better chance with the foam type interior rather than the dividers.

But his idea of getting Carrie from mythbusters to do the testing is the best idea :)

[fishfoto]

Bill,

As I had mentioned, after the toss I removed every item and tested it. Each body was fired with each lens for a few hundred frames, then each body was shot at a high-speed rapid bust of about 100 frames (well the 1D fired at high speed, the 1Ds...its 'fast' is pretty slow). Each lenses was focuses was tested. Each item was physically inspected, checked for loose screws, jiggled to listen for loose parts, etc.

Everything works perfectly, no gear has any impact damage.

[Bill Roberts]

That's pretty incredible! I don't think I'd have the nerve to do it with my kit. It's certainly an excellent recommendation for Pelican (marketed as Peli in the UK).

I've got a couple of hard cases, one is a Peli 1510 and it's superb. The other is a storm iM2075 (made by Hardigg) just for holding the body and a single lens. Equally tough.

cheers

[Maureen Souza]

So...why would you want to throw a loaded Pelican off your house? ;)

I love mine but I wouldn't ever put it to the test because I don't like to take unnecessary risk with my gear.

[fishfoto]

Maureen,

Why throw it off the house? Because some folks didn't think running over it with a truck (http://1514truck.notlong.com) was sufficient proof of the case's durability...

...duh, why else would you throw one off your house? :lol:

[Jon]

Next, he's going to do a flotation test so he can claim it's his PFD if the plane ditches. :{)#

[fishfoto]

Next, he's going to do a flotation test so he can claim it's his PFD if the plane ditches. :{)#


I have an Eastern Airlines PFD around here somewhere...

[MikeMcL]

I am in the Air Force, and we use them for digital signal gear, video analyzers and other random electronics... they also get pelleted and dropped out of planes in some situations.

They are good. quit testing. Your tests seem to be umm, sorta... rough. lol

enjoy.

[bps]

Good night! That must have took nerves of steel to do that loaded with your gear! My stomach dropped when I watched the slideshow...

Bryan

[MDJAK]

I'd have the nerve to throw it off a tall building. So long as it was your case with your stuff inside. :lol:

[Vascilli]

Well...Pelican has a test where they place a MacBook (could be an iBook) in a Pelican case and shoot the case with a 12-gauge shot gun. As I don't plan on having my gear shot at close range with a high powered shot gun, I think I'll skip that test and just be satisfied with the results of my non-scientific testing at this time.
It was an iBook. I always liked that test.

That's why I mentioned 'egg packed snugly'. The ability for the glass vase to survive is a good indicator, but a glass sphere can endure lots of pressure deep under the ocean, too. The dSLR mirror, and the 5D's reported recall, are an indicator of the forces that would need to be survivable. In your test, you might have been fortunate about the orientation within the case when it hit the ground. Still a bit of an uncertainty, it would seem.
That video was made by Pelican, the vase was far from being a sphere and they dropped the vase onto the ground after opening it up. Obviously it shattered.

[KRS]

Put yourself in it and go off Niagra ;P

[asysin2leads]

No, simply write to 'Mythbusters', so we can watch Carrie do the testing! :D

and maybe they might try to see how much explosives the Pelican can survive, too.

OH, please do! That's one test (and "scientist") I'd love to see.

[TaDa]

Worse things than getting dropped out of a Cargo door would happen if you fly through NY with all those damned Red Sox stickers on it. If you'll be flying through NY, I'd carry it on :)

[EveryMilesAMemory]

I recently read a review in a rifle magazine about testing the top five scoped rifle cases on the market. There were two cases more expensive than the Pelican model and none of the cases tested survived EXCEPT the Pelican

They sighted in a rifle @ 100yrds then put it in the case and ran over it with a truck like you did. They then dropped the case from 6' onto concrete a few times.

Pulled the rifle out and fired off 5 shots @ 100yrds again. Like I said, the Pelican case was the only case that even survived the truck test, let along the dropping test. The rifle in the Pelican was the only one that stayed on target

They went on to leave the cases outside under a sprinkler over night, and as you guessed, the Pelican was the only one that came out with shining colors.

Something tells me if I need a case, it will be a Pelican. Thanks for your tests!

[fishfoto]

Worse things than getting dropped out of a Cargo door would happen if you fly through NY with all those damned Red Sox stickers on it. If you'll be flying through NY, I'd carry it on :)


I was born and raised roughly 9-miles from Shea Stadium and not that much farther from Yankees Stadium. Birth certificate shows me as be born in Queens County, New York (my parents have confirmed this to be accurate). Despite being a 4th generation New Yorker, who flies out of New York, and through New York often, I am a Red Sox fan and have been for as long as I can remember.


(talk about a rough childhood!)

[jbrown7815]

I can't find a Pelican 1514 case, only 1510? :o

[Jon]

1514 is a specific Pelican catalog reference to the divider inserts version of the basic 1510 case.

[jbrown7815]

1514 is a specific Pelican catalog reference to the divider inserts version of the basic 1510 case.
Thanks Jon, so it is the same case, just different dividers?

[Jon]

Yep. You can get it empty, with pick and pluck foam or with dividers.

[fishfoto]

I can't find a Pelican 1514 case, only 1510? :o


The Pelican 1514 is a Pelican 1510 case with an OEM divider set. The 1510 also comes with a foam insert, however once you cut the foam to match your gear you can never change that set up, which makes it a less than ideal set up. I also find the foam to be irritating and messy (although ideal for some applications, general use as a photog is not the ideal time to use foam).

Want to buy a Pelican 1514? Click here to pick one up in either black or tan:
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?page=searchresults&op=searchresults&searchinfo=pelican%201514&go.x=8&go.y=12

[jbrown7815]

Yep. You can get it empty, with pick and pluck foam or with dividers.
Thanks!
The Pelican 1514 is a Pelican 1510 case with an OEM divider set. The 1510 also comes with a foam insert, however once you cut the foam to match your gear you can never change that set up, which makes it a less than ideal set up. I also find the foam to be irritating and messy (although ideal for some applications, general use as a photog is not the ideal time to use foam).

Want to buy a Pelican 1514? Click here to pick one up in either black or tan:
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?page=searchresults&op=searchresults&searchinfo=pelican%201514&go.x=8&go.y=12
Man just wanted to thank you for your blog, just read a couple articles, some great stuff! bw!

Oh and congrats on getting on TSA's blog roll!

[fishfoto]

Thanks!
bw!


Thanks for reading the blog! I am actually due to deliver my book to my publisher at the end of June, if I can crank out the last few chapters...then it should be available in the fall :lol:

Filled with lots of random (and really useful) information for photogs who travel, plan to travel, sit in their living room and day dream about travel, and even those who have logged a lot of uncomfortable miles sitting up right trying to sleep with someone else's seat reclined into their lap.

[Keegan]

Thanks for reading the blog! I am actually due to deliver my book to my publisher at the end of June, if I can crank out the last few chapters...then it should be available in the fall :lol:

Filled with lots of random (and really useful) information for photogs who travel, plan to travel, sit in their living room and day dream about travel, and even those who have logged a lot of uncomfortable miles sitting up right trying to sleep with someone else's seat reclined into their lap.

Will the book be your blog but in print, or with some new stuff too?

[fishfoto]

Keegan,

Some stuff from the blog , somethings more in detail than in my blog, some new stuff.

Over all, it is a much more organized version of the three years of info on my blog, in a book that should be small enough to stuff in your bag. The book deals with the nuts & bolts info for traveling photogs from start to finish (well sort of finish, the book does not detail getting home and unpacking).

[bps]

Want to buy a Pelican 1514? Click here to pick one up in either black or tan:
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?page=searchresults&op=searchresults&searchinfo=pelican%201514&go.x=8&go.y=12

Or you can pick it up at B&H for $25 less!

Bryan

[Keegan]

Keegan,

Some stuff from the blog , somethings more in detail than in my blog, some new stuff.

Over all, it is a much more organized version of the three years of info on my blog, in a book that should be small enough to stuff in your bag. The book deals with the nuts & bolts info for traveling photogs from start to finish (well sort of finish, the book does not detail getting home and unpacking).

I'll definitely be picking it up then. As convenient as the blog is, I just want to lay back and read stuff so that book'll come in handy when a computer isn't nearby. Thanks for the reply :)

[stathunter]

Fish,
As a long time blog follower I enjoy the humor, insight and info in your blog. Thanks. The real question is will you drop it out of a moving truck, have it burst into flames then run over it and having it knocked into a body of water?

[Wilt]

Just to give an idea of the issue which can potentially arise from a camera even in the Pelican, here is someone who had their camera only fall a small distance (a foot) yet the mirror jammed...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=7721208&postcount=1

[fishfoto]

Fish,
As a long time blog follower I enjoy the humor, insight and info in your blog. Thanks. The real question is will you drop it out of a moving truck, have it burst into flames then run over it and having it knocked into a body of water?


This all depends, what is the accelerant of the fire? Are we talking salt water or fresh water? I am totally against fresh water, especially from a watershed, I don't want any fluoride on my case!

[fishfoto]

Just to give an idea of the issue which can potentially arise from a camera even in the Pelican, here is someone who had their camera only fall a small distance (a foot) yet the mirror jammed...


Wilt,

Of course the mirror is jammed! You're supposed to hit it with a truck then drop it 16 feet...not a mere 1 foot. Anyone knows those 12-inch drops are deadly! :p