I am thinking of getting a set of Cool LIghts 600 LED's to shoot interviews with and I was wondering what people are using to transport their lights. I fly a lot and need a case that I can put the lights into. Has anyone used the case below? It is designed for the Lite Panel 1x1's.

Porta Brace LP-LED4 Carrying Case for 4 Litepanels 1X1 LP-LED4


Daniel Weber

Daniel

I've got the Cool Lights 600 and for traveling I'd have to get something like a hard shelled Pelican case. Mostly now I'm transporting the lights locally so the case that came with the lights suffices.

I've got a Pelican case for my camera and lens and am seriously considering getting one for the lights at some point too.

Looks like the case you linked to may not be protective enough but I don't know.

Harry

I think a lot of people definitely get the Pelican/Storm type cases as you can be sure with those. The specific case they get of course will depend upon how many units they want to put in there. That being said, I think the Portabrace should be good too as long as its as secure as the Portabrace Camcorder cases which are used for travel a lot. You can check with the manufacturer to see what they say about their travel-ability.

Richard,

Thanks for the feedback. Nice to have the company actually selling the gear here on DVInfo!!

Daniel Weber

I think a lot of people definitely get the Pelican/Storm type cases as you can be sure with those. The specific case they get of course will depend upon how many units they want to put in there. That being said, I think the Portabrace should be good too as long as its as secure as the Portabrace Camcorder cases which are used for travel a lot. You can check with the manufacturer to see what they say about their travel-ability.

Richard,

will you be exhibiting at NAB?

Thanks for your comments and interest. We won't be going to NAB this year. I always prefer to spend the money on new product development and expansion of the company and we already can't keep things on the shelf so NAB hasn't really been necessary for us.

Richard,

I was hoping to get a look at your product line at NAB. Since you are based in Vegas (last I knew you were), do you have a "storefront" where I can check out your products or is your business presence mostly online?

Thanks and Happy New Year,

Daniel Weber

We're based in Reno and we don't have a storefront just a warehouse there. If you want to come you can make an appointment and you can probably see whatever your looking for at that time.

Hi Daniel,
I have two 600's and three 256's and I'm always flying with theses lights all over Australia and using them in some very harsh conditions from extreme heat, dust, salt spray etc...

I recommend a hard case for transportation and storage. I use the Pelican series cases. Depending on the shoot and what lights I need, I have two cases: 1610 and the 1510
The 1610 is larger and can fit all lights plus accessories. The 1510 is smaller and can take the 256's plus accessories.

Daniel, if you're ever in the Tampa area, you're more than welcome to swing by my offices and check out my lights. I have two 600 spots, two 600 floods and a 256.

Lou,

Thanks for the invite...

Daniel

this deleted because it turned out to be a duplicate post

Speaking of cases in general (but not for flying in particular)

This is a post coming from an amateur videographer, not a professional, but maybe a professional wanna-be?

Anyway, having spent time in the fields of construction and surveying, one thing I've learned is that if you take good care of your tools they will help take care of you - because:

- they will work when you need them to, and
- because a good appearance of one's tools is a reflection on the person using them.

With surveying instruments, it is critical that the theodolite be in absolutely perfect condition. This is the instrument one measures horizontal and vertical angles to a very exacting degree. Also, there is the level and distance measuring devices. Along with them are the tripods, battery packs, and numerous other pieces of gear and supplies.

The firm I worked for had a number of survey crews and they all had cases for the cases. All the sensitive instruments came with factory cases with foam innards to help protect the instrument from bumps, bangs, and jaring. We went so far as to make cases to protect the cases! Using plywood, we made cases to enclose the factory instrument cases, and lined the inside of the plywood cases with foam. [plywood may not be suitable for flying due to weight, but there are lighter materials and ready-made cases available] When the crews went out to the field, they opened the plywood cases up and out came pristine factory instrument cases, and then out of them came pristine instruments!

The same was true for tripods and survey rods. Everything had protective cases to prevent damage to the equipment. All the supplies, like flagging, monuments, etc., were in a large cabinet and each type of item had their own location so they wouldn't get mixed up and one could easily determine the supply level.

This same attention to detail with one's tools can be applied to crafts like carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and even ...... videographers!

If things look good and look well taken care of, one's clients will likely be more respectful.

I use a Storm Case that is the same size as the Pelican 1610. I can fit two LED 600s and one LED 256 with the barn doors, light stands, power supplies. I wrap the lights in bubble wrap or use some old soft towels to separate them and it has worked great, never a problem and I have flown all over the country with them in this setup.

Highly recommend a hard case and I highly recommend the Storm line. I have Pelicans and Storms and the Storms are cheaper than the Pelicans and I like the latches much better. Pelicans are good cases but the Storms are a better value in my mind.

Best,

Dan

Dan,

What stands do you use that can fit in the Storm/Pelican case?

Also, can you fit the CL softboxes in there?

Thanks,

Daniel Weber

Matthews Reverse Stand - 7' B387486 B&H Photo Video
22.75" long

Not the most steady stand nor the tallest but they get the job done for interviews.

I use a single small Chimera and no, it does not fit into the Pelican. I throw it in my second back with some clothes and the tripod.

Dan

Dan,

Thanks for the link! Do you know which model number Storm case you have? I am looking at the iM2875 which costs more than the Pelican 1610, but seems to have a little more room inside.

Thanks,

Daniel Weber

I'm a HUGE fan of Pelican/Nanuck hard cases for everything I can possibly pack them with.
I travel quite a bit, and having spent 36 years in the aviation business, I know how hard baggage handlers treat things, so more protection is better.

I have dedicated cases for cameras and lenses, one for audio, and a larger case for lights that I travel with. A good set of padlocks of course is mandatory. Those cases are tough...A couple of years ago I watched in horror from my seat on the airplane as one of my camera cases ( with about $6,000 worth of equipment in it) slid off the side of the belt loader just beore it reached the door of the baggage hold and fell almost 8 feet onto concrete. It was then, picked up and thrown into the hold.

When I got to my destination, I was almost sick when I retrieved the case...it was scraped, dirty, gouged on the end...but the camera and lenses were completely unharmed.

Since then, I've never had any qualms about checking my gear. I NEVER label it as fragile, or as camera equipment ( there ARE a small, but very real percentage of bag handlers that view those labels as a challenge to overcome...they are frequently subjected to more abuse because of the labeling....)

the larger cases are expensive, but your gear is worth a lot more. I think overall they are a great investment to protect your investment

Hi Daniel:

No, I don't know the model number. I bought this case three or four years ago but I would lean toward larger anyway. Besides the lights and stands, I stuff in some Mafer clamps, clothespins, a piece of Duvetine, cinefoil, and lots of other little bits of gear, the idea is to make sure that nothing moves or rattles around in the case.

I have another huge Storm case that carries two of my Kino Diva 200s, it has been shipped to the east coast many times and have never broken a tube.

Thumbs up for the Storms.

Dan

Daniel, if you're ever in the Tampa area, you're more than welcome to swing by my offices and check out my lights. I have two 600 spots, two 600 floods and a 256.

Lou ... just adding an LED256 to my 2 LED600s ... have you used the 256 as a rim light? Just curious how you've coupled it with your others.

Thanks! --Brandon

As a general add-on to this thread...

Increasingly, the key factor in traveling with gear is less that of protection and more that of WEIGHT.

Currently (as of late March 2011) I've been hit on four of the last six legs of my out of town shoots with airlines wanting to charge me between $50 and $125 for a single overweight bag. The weight limit is typically 50lbs.

Weigh your Pelican style hard cases and you'll find that often, you're STARTING OUT with a full third to half your weight allowance GONE before you put a single piece of gear inside.

Personally, I'm transitioning away from moulded plastic towards the "framed nylon" style cases like those from ThinkTank Photo for traveling rigs. (I'll keep the Pelican stuff for storage and around town travel.)

Just my 2 cents on the issue.

Yep Bill. I have played the weight game for the past few years. I have it to an interview kit that fits in two cases in total and each case is 48lbs. I have to be careful about the amount of clothes, etc. that I stuff in the second case.

It also doesn't hurt to ask the airline if they have a media/news discount, sometimes they will actually waive the overweight bag fees or even give you a discount on them. I always ask, it varies from airline to airline and sometimes even from airport to airport. If you are nice to the people at the counter, they will often go out of their way to help you fly with gear.

Dan

Everything that Dan said.

Plus, we all can help by carrying TIPPING money. Whenever an airline counter employee gives you a break and lets you shave a pound and/or skip a fee — or if an airport porter is available to help you with your gear — I highly encourage you to let them know that you appreciate their help with a generous tip.

This will help CONDITION them to look out for those of us with extra baggage, particularly media stuff like Pelican cases, Camera bags, Tripod cases, etc - and see us less as the ENEMY and more as a source of potential additional revenue if they make our lives easier.

Personally, I make it a point before I travel to put a small clip of ONES and FIVES in my right pocket and one of TENS and TWENTIES in my left pocket. Where I reach is directly proportional to the amount of assistance that I'm given. (I don't EXPECT any particular help, and I always pack as if I'm going to have to schlepp everything myself - but when I get extra assistance, I make it a point to compensate people for that consideration, that way, the next time they see one of us poor wretches moving through the airport dragging video production gear, maybe they'll hustle to help!

FWIW.

Weigh your Pelican style hard cases and you'll find that often, you're STARTING OUT with a full third to half your weight allowance GONE before you put a single piece of gear inside. Personally, I'm transitioning away from moulded plastic towards the "framed nylon" style cases like those from ThinkTank Photo for traveling rigs. .

Totally agree. I've ditched my Pelican-style cases for semi-hard cases. You really have to do a cost benefit analysis. I can easily pay for occasional breakage with the amount I save on extra baggage. 3 trips would just about pay for a new Cool Lights fixture. I've gotten my travel package down to two bags, both less than 50 lbs. I use the PLPR-5 Petrol Light Bag. When I'm on site I can put everything including my tripod in it. When flying I put my tripod in a second bag to get weight below 50 lbs.