Pelican 1654/1650 review/photos

I got this case over the holidays and thought I'd share some photos. I got the 1654 model which is the 1650 with the dividers. I also got the photo lid which I haven't installed yet, but believe will make some more room in the main compartment. The first photo also shows the 1510 (carry-on size) for comparison. Also for comparison, the second shot shows the 1650 with the Pelican 1510, a 20" Tumi carry-on luggage, a Crumpler Karachi Outpost.

My initial thoughts are:
- This case is big on the outside, but it doesn't have as much room as I would have hoped. I don't have a lot of gear, but I've already filled it up. I was hoping to have some room for expansion, but it looks like I'll only have room for one more body and maybe one more lens.
- This case is heavy. With all the gear shown, this case weighs 63 pounds. I'm not a small guy and I wouldn't want to lug this thing around too much. Fortunately, there are 4 large wheels and one upright luggage handle that can be used. I found it a little difficult to get this thing in and out of my trunk.
- This case is great for storage, but not so great for mobility. If you're going somewhere and need ALL your gear, this case is nice to work out of because everything is at your finger tips.
- There are 7 latches in total and sometimes, it takes a bit of wiggling to get the lid lined up so that all clamp easily.

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Here are shots with the case empty (how it comes shipped) and one with my gear in it.

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Camera porn, plain and simple. Since I'm too lazy to look it up...how much did the large case set you back?

Just one more shot of the 4 wheels. They make it much easier to wield this thing around, but doesn't help you lift it in and out of your car.

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scot079 wrote in post #4682674
Camera porn, plain and simple. Since I'm too lazy to look it up...how much did the large case set you back?

Geez....I bought a bunch of stuff over the holidays so I don't totally remember, but I think it was around $300. More expensive than a cardboard box, but still a small amount for holding expensive gear.

If you have a chance could you give the inside dimensions please?
Mike

I like your Tumi luggage. Can you give a review of that please!

claybuster wrote in post #4682973
If you have a chance could you give the inside dimensions please?
Mike

Sure:

- Depth: 8 inches, but you can put something a tad taller in because the lid has some depth too
- Length: 28 inches
- Width: 17 inches

Note that you lose a bit of space inside the case where the wheels are.

I hav ethe 1654, too. I thinks it is a good storgae case and would be good for safe transport of all your gear, but is heavy and big. When I pack mine, though, I have gotten 4 bodies, 7 lenses, three flashes, 3 PW's, battereis, bracket, etc and still had room.

Great comparison and nice gear....I always like pictures that compare with other items so I can get a visual of how big everything is....

How would you like to carry this one around?????

http://i67.photobucket​.com …310/gimpbro1/IM​G_1012.jpg
http://i67.photobucket​.com …310/gimpbro1/IM​G_1013.jpg

This is the 1660 with 13 lens and a 300 f2.8, 6 pocket wiz, 5 flash, 5 bodies, and tons of other stuff and still room to grow. the insert with the shelf I think is not made anymore, bad move on them.... It is heavy but everything is at my fingertips. and when I'm at an event, padlock and it's safe instead of having 4 or 5 diferent bags around for soneone to carry off...

subtle_spectre wrote in post #4683637
I hav ethe 1654, too. I thinks it is a good storgae case and would be good for safe transport of all your gear, but is heavy and big. When I pack mine, though, I have gotten 4 bodies, 7 lenses, three flashes, 3 PW's, battereis, bracket, etc and still had room.

I'd love to see how you have your case packed out if you have any photos. Perhaps I'm not making good use of my space because I don't have a lot of room left.

shh777 wrote in post #4683652
Great comparison and nice gear....I always like pictures that compare with other items so I can get a visual of how big everything is....

I love photos too. Even manufacturers' websites seldom have good photos. I had to rely on posts from this forum to help me decide which cases(s) to buy.

kong wrote in post #4683882
How would you like to carry this one around?????

http://i67.photobucket​.com …310/gimpbro1/IM​G_1012.jpg
http://i67.photobucket​.com …310/gimpbro1/IM​G_1013.jpg

This is the 1660 with 13 lens and a 300 f2.8, 6 pocket wiz, 5 flash, 5 bodies, and tons of other stuff and still room to grow. the insert with the shelf I think is not made anymore, bad move on them.... It is heavy but everything is at my fingertips. and when I'm at an event, padlock and it's safe instead of having 4 or 5 diferent bags around for soneone to carry off...

The 1660 is HUGE! I considered a larger case, but since I live in Canada most of the time, I had to have the case shipped via airplane and the 1650 was the largest I could ship back without getting dinged oversize charges.
After looking at your case, however, I am inclined to think that two smaller cases would be easier to wield than one huge case. Do you have any idea how much that thing weights full?

SunTsu wrote in post #4684243
Do you have any idea how much that thing weights full?

no, I've not got the guts to weigh it yet!!! It's a heavy sucker but I'm able to laod it into my Chevy HHR. The reason that I have the bigger one is that I got a deal on 2 of them, the other is full of the studio stuff. Don't hate me,,, I got them for 100.00 each from a company out east that was going to toss them. The found out that they might be worth something so they put them up and a fellow photographer put me on to the listing. .... He had 50 of them and they were gone with in a week.. (wonder why)hahahaha.....

kong wrote in post #4684332
no, I've not got the guts to weigh it yet!!! It's a heavy sucker but I'm able to laod it into my Chevy HHR. The reason that I have the bigger one is that I got a deal on 2 of them, the other is full of the studio stuff. Don't hate me,,, I got them for 100.00 each from a company out east that was going to toss them. The found out that they might be worth something so they put them up and a fellow photographer put me on to the listing. .... He had 50 of them and they were gone with in a week.. (wonder why)hahahaha.....

Geez...I don't hate you at all - Good for you! I'm happy for anyone who gets a wicked deal. Were the cases brand new too?

SunTsu wrote in post #4684351
Geez...I don't hate you at all - Good for you! I'm happy for anyone who gets a wicked deal. Were the cases brand new too?

were not brand new, but hardly any scuffing on the wheels. These cases are super tuff, it's hard to realy hurt one. They are used in the milatary.