Short Haul

[Brian McKay]

Good Evening:

I guess I'm asking this question of those that use ATVs to get into the wilderness but please guys chip in if you have any suggestions. Here's the deal, very often I use my ATV to get to where I want to set up and film. My camera for these excursions is the XL2 which I pack in a Pelican 1610 with the mic and view finder removed. It's a great case and protects the camera no questions. However when I get to the area that I want to film and assemble the camera there are those times when I need/want to move....lets say to the other side of a lake or what have you. Then its take the camera apart put it in the case bungie it down and move...question have any of you come up with a short haul case that will hold the XL2 ready to shoot.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

Brian

[Markus Nord]

Hi Brian,
I use this backpack, http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Back...er_600_AW.aspx, I really like it. I traveled around in Australia with my XL2 in this bag and with the stock mic on. The bag is little to small with the mic on (or the mic holder) but you can fit it in. Now I got a Röde NTG-2 mic with a top mic holder on and I keep this removed during transport (I also removed the stock mic holder and now the camera fit perfect in the Lens Trekker). The Camera is ready to shot in less than a minute from that I stop until I got it on my shoulder and that is with the mic reattach and connected to a XLR port.

Markus Nord

[Brian McKay]

Good Morning Markus:

Thanks for the suggestion and link, that looks like a possible solution to the problem. Before I jump and buy I'm hoping others will come forward with further suggestions.

Based on the link you provided I modified one of my backbacks using layers and layers of foam, not something permanent but I hope something I can use this weekend.

Again Thanks for the suggestion.

Brian

[Dale Guthormsen]

Brian,

Here would be my suggestion:

get adedicated case/bag such as the porta brace or

something like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...rder_Case.html


I would make a plywood box to mount on the front or rear rack with a quick open lid. You could even place some foam in the bottom to smooth out the ride for the camera.

then you could have it out and shooting in seconds.

I have the porta brace and while it is a dandy protectcion case it is not a quick draw design. they do make a quick draw design but I can't recall the brand name.


If you do not want to spend 300 us dollards then I would just make my own plywood case, line it with foam add some loose pieces to stuff around it to keep it stationary and then keep it permenantly mounted on the quad. A pretty easy job really.

another thought you could probably buy a plastic tub, line it, place some velcro tabs to fasten the lid and mount it with simple bolted plate on the underside of the rack and a plate on the bottom on the inside of the tub!!

tub 15 bucks, foam about 20 bucks, 4 bolts 1.00, two pieces of plywood, salvaged.


anyway, just some thoughts.

[Brian McKay]

Good Morning Dale:

I think you nailed it for me. I like the idea of a plywood box designed for the task. As it is we mount plywood to rear racks of the Honda's already, makes for ease of packing. All we do is lay out a tarp on the rack and beyond. Then pile everything on the tarp then with rope tie it all up like a big christmas gift...rain and dust proof.

That's it I'll start the drawing and see what I can come up with.

I miss so many opportunities simply because I can't run and gun quickly enough. Recently we were crossing the tundra came up a hill and hello a bear well with in range of a 300mm lens, however by the time I could get ready he was way out of range of any lens.

Thanks for the ideas.

Brian

[Dale Guthormsen]

Brian,

I almost always have one of my cameras out if I am traveling (which you have to do to go anywhere here.) Seems everytime I do not take a camera i miss something of value!!!

Last night I was looking at b&h and they have a couple nice quick access cases! I would have it open in the box, and then staple foam on the roof just incase of a hard bounce. I also use a 945 battery and leave the camea on standby while I am in transit. Just a thought or two.