Which Pelican case best for XL1s?

[Clint Grant]

Hello everybody,
I just have a quick question that I'd like some advice on. I've already found a thread asking pretty much the same question, but it was for a different camera. I need a Pelican case for my Xl1s, and am trying to decide which one would be best. I will need to store the xl1s, cam. standard kit, 3x wide lens, VL-10Li, MM-XL1, EQ-XL1, extra battery, some filters, and MA-100. All my other stuff I'll put in another case.
I've narrowed it down to pelican 1600 or 1550. I've thoroughly investigated the 1610, but I think it's a bit too bulky for my purposes. The more compact my case is, the better. However, I understand I need enough padding room to protect my equipment along the edges.
Thanks a lot everyone,

~Clint Grant~

[Jack Smith]

I have the 1550 and I find it too small.I tried a variety of layouts ,but the only way I could get everything to fit is remove the mic/viewfinder assembly and have it in the case separetly.If I could do it again I would go larger.Actually I think something like a Kata bag would be more useful for most travel.

[Clint Grant]

Thanks a lot. I kinda figured the 1600 would be better suited.

~Clint Grant~

[Charles Papert]

I would also recommend you look at the Storm cases (stormcase.com) if you like the Pelican form factor: similar design with some notable improvements; the latches are much easier to work and the handles are padded a bit. I've had Pelicans for years and I've switched entirely to Storms.

[Clint Grant]

Thanks a lot for the Storm case link. While I was reading the features of Storm cases, I noticed it said "automatic presasure purge valve." I don't recall seeing this for Pelican cases. Do Pelicans have an "automatic" valve?
Thanks,

~Clint Grant~

[Richard Alvarez]

Clint,

My pelican has an automatic pressure valve right under the handle. Storms are good cases, I bought my Pelican cause it was on sale, and I needed it immediately for a flight. No regrets.

[Charles Papert]

According to the manufacturers of the Storm Case, you have to purge the Pelicans manually if there is a pressure change, while the Storm valve will adjust automatically.

[Richard Alvarez]

Charles,

Sounds like the storm people are being a bit... inacurate. The purge valve on my pelican is just that... a purge valve. It's labled "Automatic Pressure Valve" right on it.. and there's no way to 'manually' purge it.

Don't know why storm would say that.

[Clint Grant]

I see. Thanks a lot, everybody. I just wanted to know if Pelican had automatic purge also. Thanks.

~Clint Grant~

[Charles Papert]

The Pelicans have always had a valve--I think on my older cases you had to unscrew it manually to purge it. Not longer after the Storms came out, Pelican did a revamp of their line, including a new style of latch that "broke" in two stages, which made them easier to work with. To me, the latches are the primary reason to go with the Storms. I recommend to those considering both cases to go to a camera store that might have them and try the latches.

[Richard Alvarez]

Charles,

I definately have the newer version of the Pelican. Two stage latches, and auto-purge valve. I also decided to go with the 'divider' option, using the velcro padded dividers instead of the pluck-foam fillers. Happy enough with it all, but it IS a bulky/heavy case when fully loaded. Camera, two viewfinders, mics, two 25ft mic cables, batts, dual BP charger and misc. acces... comes in at just under fifty pounds at the airline terminal.

[Clint Grant]

Thanks once again, everybody. Great advice all around.

~Clint Grant~

[Christopher Hughes]

Pelican 1650 case for XL1s

The case I got is the Pelican 1650, I thought about the smaller ones, but then thought that why carry two cases as I got extra gear and expanded my kit, when I could get one big one...one size fits all!

I settled for the second from largest. The specs can be seen on the Pelican website. I has wheels and a pull out handle to pull it, that is also locked. There is 6 clamps on the case that are tighter than a ducks ass. The valve is now automatic so no need to worry about that. It has the "pick and pluck" foam in two layers on the 1650.

I fits into the boot (trunk) of all the cars I have owned, small Fiat Uno, small Corsa (Chevy car), Ford Escort, Ford Mondeo, so transporting has never been a problem.

So what can it hold? Well I drew cardboard templates for my gear to position them all around to get the best position for the maximum space usage. So I have fitted nicely in the case the following, I will list all items as they appear in the case so you know whats split or unscrewed, etc to be fitted into the case the best way:

- Canon XL1s body
- 16x Auto (standard) Lens
- standard lens hood
- Standard eyepiece / Mic holder
- MA-200 shoulder mount/4 XLR adapter
- Electrical Mains unit and plug.
- XL1s standard Microphone
- Audiotechnica AT635b mic
- Sennheiser MKE300 mic, along with Rycote windjammer.
- 2 x Tiffen circular 72mm filters
- 2 x Large XL1 batteries
- Mic hotshoe mount
- 0.5m XLR mic cable
- Sony PC100 camcorder
- 2 x Sony M batteries
- Sony PC100 electric mains unit
- Sony High Quality Wideangle adapter
- 6 x MiniDV tapes
- RCA/Composite cable
- Sony RCA/Composite cable
- few AA batteries
- lens-pen cleaner

I'm sure I missed off something, anyway there is still a little room left to put in some things else, like filters or perhaps my lens adapter for XL1s when I get round to getting money for one, or something else.

[Clint Grant]

thanks a lot for that, it was really helpful. I'll look at the 1650 also!

~Clint Grant~