*Review* Pelican PCS247B Carry-on Rolling Case

Introduction
Being a huge Lowepro fan (Have multiple bags) I picked up the CompuRover AW for a 3.5 week vacation to Asia and parts of the US last summer. It was a great bag but with 2 netbooks (gf and I), PSP, External mini HD, gripped 40D, accessories, 70-200, 17-55, 10-22, 50mm 1.4, it was horrible to carry on my back.

I decided this year on my 2.5 week Asia vacation to travel ALOT lighter. I also decided a huge backpack was not my thing. So I sold it and looked for something else. Came around to Lowepro's Roller cases then found a Peli for sale! I knew I had to have it. Here's my quick review.

BH's Overview:

• Fits SLR Camera Kit
  
• Water-resistant 1680D Ballistic Nylon
  
• Compartment with Removable Tray
  
• Foam Padded Computer Pocket
  
• Storm Cover
  
• Leather Handles
  
• Telescoping Handle
  
• Built-in Wheels

Exterior

Fully extended. I am 5'10", not tall. The fully extended handle is a bit tall for me. I found using it at the 2nd to last click works best. If you are taller than 6' I would think the handle would be a pita to pull around.

Front and Side profile. Suppose to be fit for larger international flights. I just got my 35L so I had to box around to use as a reference. The trim around the bag is plastic. There are some highlights of leather.

Bottom Side. Looks pretty rugged. Skateboard wheels. Hard bottom.

1.2.Details. First pic shows off the logo which is in the leather trim. Handles on the side and top are both leather also. Second pic shows the zippers which are used on the case.

Tripod Mount. Here's the tripod mount on the left side of the case (if you were pulling the case). IMO, the straps are a little flimsy. I can see the stitching fall apart from alot of use. The clips are great though and are the same throughout the case. The straps are also very long and they just hang there if they are not used or if you have a skinny tripod. You can remove the straps by taking them out of the stitched plastic slots if you don't want them hanging.

Rain Cover. The rain cover goes into the back of the case in a zippered compartment. It also has a flimsy feeling strap. I'm afraid if I pull to hard it would rip off the cover. It does have another nice clip on it to detach though. The cover itself has a elastic band at the bottom to hold the cover over the case. The top has a velcro opening to put the handle through. It also has a pretty cool Peli logo... has steal me all over it!


Interior


Bottom Compartment. I found it kind of annoying that the flap does not open wide enough. By getting both zippers all the way to the ends, it would give you JUST ENOUGH space to reach the bottom of the compartment. I don't even think the bottom pockets are usable. This compartment offers alot of pockets for cards, pens, a detachable key clip, and other small pockets. A nice feature is the cellphone pocket, it's lined in soft felt! Definitely Iphone friendly. I have my Lowepro cable baggie (USB cable, Cat5 Cable, Car chargers for PSP, Netbook, Camera, OCF cord, Extra set of earphones) attached to the keyring clip. This is where I put my chargers (2 camera battery chargers + 1 AA flash battery charger).

Top Compartment. Not much room here. It does have a pretty neat AA battery holder. It might hold AAA also since the bands are pretty tight. I put my flash batteries and camera batteries here.


Laptop Compartment. Looks good, I don't know how big of a laptop it fits. The laptop sleeve fills the whole case, so I'm guessing a 17" wide? I'm only carrying a Aspire one Netbook with a 9 cell battery. The sleeve has another one of those nice clips, but flimsy straps. I also have a bluetooth Razor mouse in here. There is a divider where you can put documents.


Camera Compartment. Lots of space ad lots of options for dividers+straps. The cover has a its own plastic organizer. Don't know what I'll put here yet. Just about all my lenses fit in the dividers along. 70-200L 2.8IS, 50mm 1.4, 35-80 macro, 35L, 17-40L, 15mm fisheye, etc. About 6 +1 lenses attached to my gripped 5D MKII. Also have a few hoods stacked up, a diffuser, and a 580ex. It is important to also note that the dividers can come completely out, so you can use the case as a normal briefcase!