Going to College

Hey,

I'm moving into a dorm in mid August and was wondering if anyone had suggestions for how to store and protect my equipment. I'm looking at buying a Think Tank Security bag since it locks and rolls. I'm only about a hundred yards away from both the stadium and the gym since I'll be shooting sports. I have a Tamrac Expedition 5 that is going to get some use but I'm really concerned about my dorm and when I'm out. Has anyone gone through this or have some suggestion?

Thanks for your help in advance.

an attack dog? Otherwise, best would be some sort of firesafe locking file cabinet I suppose as getting a gun safe in the room big enough for gear is not likely to happen.

I suggest just keeping it out of sight and always making sure your door is locked and secured before leaving your room. I kept my camera in a simple case and in a drawer and always kept my door locked whenever I left my room for long periods of time. No problems from doing what I did.

Don't advertise your camera, or your personal belongings. My roommate had the nicest stereo on the entire campus, and I mean this kid was an audiophile before the term existed. Neither of us spoke about his stereo, nor did we ever say anything to anyone who bragged about theirs, we just laughed as we left!

I kept to radio control aircraft in my dorm room for three years, never had a problem even when people saw me carry them in or out of my dorm. They always joined me near the stadium lot to watch me fly, and get busted by campus police for disturbing the peace!

Ha ha! Not to thread-jack, but I had an RC car that topped out at 70 (80 with revised gears) mph and it got ran over by an suv. The guy looked and speed away. *sigh*

I think a good think tank is fine, but the Pelicans are cheaper and are solid. You can get the 1610 and you lock everything up pretty tight. If you are doing sports journalism, please insure your gear. That's the only way you'll be safe. I know I keep all equipment with me at events, but you never know.

brecklundin wrote in post #5963634
an attack dog?

Most campus(es?) have a security guard that will walk with you if you call them.

Keep in mind most of the time they're a joke. The one at our campus that I called all the time (just for fun) was 5' nothing and all of 115lbs soaking wet. There he was walking me, 6'4", 325+ back to my dorm... It was funny.

I am in the same situation. I am getting a 300mm 2.8 L IS before I go to school. I need somewhere to store all of my gear. I am also considering the Airport Think Tanks. I am going to try to find out what the school offers in terms of storage or lockers.

Let me know what you figure out bud.

getting an insurance might be worthwhile.

Azzure_7 wrote in post #5964182
getting an insurance might be worthwhile.

ya, and which ever type of bag u get buy one of those snowboard cable locks and always lock the backpack/case/ or w/e to your desk ot bed for a little added protection so they cant just grab it and run.

First, thanks for all your suggestions. After you mentioned a security guard MSI, I looked and found my school does offer that service and they keep stations all around campus, so that will be helpful.

I also started looking at Pelican Cases, but seem to like the look of the Think Tank's more. It doesn't say I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO PROTECT!

I am getting insurance bc I need liability insurance. I need to find out if the insurance over my equipment covers theft.

computerguru3190 wrote in post #5964757
After you mentioned a security guard MSI, I looked and found my school does offer that service and they keep stations all around campus, so that will be helpful.

Well, honestly, (at least based upon my school) if someone really wanted to jack you and you were with the security guard, there really wouldn't be anything stopping them, but maybe yours will be different.

crazyskillz07 wrote in post #5964808
I am getting insurance bc I need liability insurance. I need to find out if the insurance over my equipment covers theft.

It's called a Personal Articles Policy. I nabbed one from my insurance provider (that I also go with car, and renter's insurance through) and it was something like $1.60 per $100 (per year) worth of coverage with no stipulations, and no deductible. Well worth it IMO!

I would suggest getting one of those big trunks that you can put a padlock through. Keep your equipment in the expedition 5, put that in the trunk along with other valuables and lock it all up. My freshman year I got stuck in a 4 person suite. Most people in the dorms don't like locking up so we rigged the doors so they wouldnt lock. Nothing got stolen since atleast one of the roommates would be in the room. For those times we were all going out, we locked up.

For further security, you can lock that up to something using a bike chain lock.