pelican cases

[cowboy4x4]

Does anybody here use pelican cases for storage?, and what is your opinion when compared to a soft type of duffle. What Im contemplating is storing all my gear in pelican cases I have always been a duffle camper but now thinking of jumping ship input from a current user would be great Thanks in advance....Thomas

 

[thallca]

I have five pelican cases so far. Two 1450 cases, one for my Adventure Medic Kit and one for my three amateur radio handhelds and accessories. I have two big 1650 cases, one for my camera gear (I'm a newspaper photographer,) and one that always rides in my old Range Rover that carries my emergency kit filled with camping gear, food, etc. I also use one more pelican case for tools and recovery gear.
The best thing about these hard cases, and others like them, is the fact that can carry a heavy load, keep everything in one place not all over the passenger area of your vehicle, are waterproof, and last damn near forever.
You might want to check these other case makers along with pelican;
www.stormcase.com
www.zargescases.com
www.thuleracks.com

 

[kellymoe]

I bought several large cases a few years ago with plans of using them for storage. So far it has not panned out. I find that small to medium cases are great for things like cameras and medical kit. I just dont like the large ones. For clothing and soft goods I am still a duffel bag and backpack user. I just dont see the point in loading a Pelican Case with clothes. It's a very expensive suitcase IMO. I can stuff a duffel bag full of clothes and it conforms better to the truck when packing. I tried loading tools into a case but in order to keep them from rattling all over I had to put foam in and that reduced the amount I could carry so I am back to a good old fashioned tool box. If I were independently wealthy i guess I could have a box for everything with foam cutouts for stove and fuel, tools, lantern..... but it just seems like there is a lot of wasted space.

For rooftop storage they seem a no brain-er but then again they are a pretty well known item and a target for thieves. Unassuming metal boxes seem the better choice for rooftop use.

 

[Bighead]

I have a mixed bag of Pelican cases and Zarges Boxes. Since I keep most of my gear inside the vehicle, I like using the Zarges boxes for the primary storage and the smaller Pelicans for sensitive items.

 

[762X39]

Hard Cases

The pro AV division of my workplace sells Pelican cases but we also took on a new line of cases from Italy called HPRC (high performance resin cases) and I use a model AMRE2600W. It came with an inner removeable zippered cordura bag. Compared to the Pelican cases my buddy Tim uses on his Kawasaki Dual Sport, the HPRC's have better latches and latch protection.
Having said that, I think that the Pelican and Storm cases are all fine for protecting whatever you want.I like hard cases for organising my kit (tools, radios,spares) and I still use soft waterproof bags (like for canoeing) to store my clothes, blankets etc.

 

[Overland Hadley]

I use several Pelican cases for camera gear and the laptop. They are amazing pieces of gear, I have straped them to the top of my sea kayak on extended trips. But IMO it is hard to beat a well made, water-resistant duffle (or dry bag for that matter) for items that do not need hard case protection.

Kellymoe brings up a good point, they are well known for carrying expensive items and would be the first thing to be stolen.

 

[UK4X4]

I use mine for damagable items, laptop camera gear etc,


and also first aid, stuff bags work fine but after a while the gear inside does get damaged, ie stuffing your first aid kit under seats etc, eventually all the paper wrappers on the sterile bandages etc rip open.

Inside vehical storage only, whilst they look cool on the roof, they are a target, along with anything else you don't have locked down...

 

[cowboy4x4]

Thanks for all the feed back people I think what Im going to do is a split pelican/duffle. First aid, tools, kitchen,camera stuff,food will go in pelicans. the rest soft non damageable typr gear will go in water proof duffles.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.....Thomas

 

[DenCo40]

Thats what I do. Pelican cases work great on top of your vehicle for storing things and keeping everything dry and non-dusty. I have a whole slew of them. I even have one that I use as a carry on (1510) it's perfect and indestructable in case I have to ever check it.

 

[grillmasterp]

I have a whole slew of them. I even have one that I use as a carry on (1510) it's perfect and indestructable in case I have to ever check it.

- I need a new 1510-
My wife has already claimed it as her personal carry-on/luggage

 

[azarmadillo]

They are great. Just make sure when you buy them you buy ones that are functional and you're able to move them around when they are full.

I bought two 1650 models and once they were full I couldn't lift them in or out of the vehicle without help. I kept them stacked in the back of my 1989 Range Rover and getting to the bottom case was a huge effort. I have since downsized to the 1560 which are much more managable and have only 2 latches vs. the 1650s that had at least 6.

Also, avoid the older style with the single throw latches. They get very hard to open if the case becomes twisted in any way. The new double throws are much easier to open even if the case has flexed.

 

[rmarz]

Where I work we use several of the 1660’s packed with electronics gear. Our soft gear is in rubberized duffel's, everything gets unloaded….uh.. dropped out of a helicopter, then rolled or thrown to where they are going to sit. I have seen the 1660’s take incredible abuse and still open. As stated prior be sure and get the double latches as they open easier when the case is sitting at an angle.

When packed correctly with padding Pelican cases have very protective interiors. But the exterior tells the world that something valuable is inside. A common joke where I work is that no one packs underwear in the Pelican’s. Sorry, inside joke.

 

[Fifthpro]

I think you will find that you will need both.........some items require the hard sided protection that a Pelican provides and then a soft sided waterproof bag will work just fine for other things. My garage is a mix of Pelican boxes and Seal Line bags. Soft items in the Seal Line bags and hard items in the Pelican Cases.......makes for easy packing BUT lifting a packed out Pelican case onto the ruff rack of a lifted Jeep without help is enjoyable, especially in the poring rain or heavy snow storm.

Cheers!

 

[haven]

Seahorse case

Also consider cases made by Seahorse. They're $15 to $20 cheaper than the comparably-sized Pelican model, and have similar features:

waterproof, O-ring seal
air pressure valve (lets you pack the bag at altitude, and still open it once you reach sea level)
non-corrosive stainless hinge
molded holes for locks
foam padding or internal dividers available
built to mil-spec standards
unconditional lifetime guarantee

Seahorse cases are available in lots of sizes and four colors. Check them out here http://www.seahorse.net/

I've ordered Seahorse cases from Fuerte Cases, http://www.fuertecases.com/

Fuerte can do custom work like installing waterproof cable seals. These allow you to pass a video feed from a camera mounted on the vehicle dash or rider's helmet to a recorder that stays out of the dust, mud and rain, safe inside the padded case.

Chip Haven

 

[HDM]

I’ve used a pair of Pelican 1610 cases for over a year. I like this size as it isn’t too big, nor too small – just the right size to keep my camp kit organized. They have wheels, which is nice in the garage; in the field, however, they typically get carried or dragged. Either way works and despite the abuse, they continue to perform flawlessly. I don’t use them for recovery gear as the cases are around 20 lbs empty and would end up way too heavy and awkward to retrieve when needed. Like others have mentioned above, I use duffels for soft goods like clothing. Being sturdy and waterproof provides several benefits; for example, when used as a pantry, they are also bug and sand proof. They also provide a bit more security than the Action Packer box I previously had and can easily be secured to a roof rack or tree to keep the casual thief at bay. (Admittedly, their appearance might actually attract more thieves than a lesser box, but I think the trade-off is worth the risk.) Beyond the obvious uses, my 1610s have also seen duty as a seat, table, a work bench, step stool, saw horses, a toboggan (make sure to remove the lid), and even a raised platform to support the ladder (and weight) of my roof tent […ahem, the time I accidentally left the ladder extension at home]. Anyway, lots of opportunity for backcountry creativity not easily replicated with a duffel bag.