Pelican Case vs. Porter Case

jeroldharter · Jul 29, 2007

I will be travelling abroad (by air) next year and I and trying to plan how to get everything over there. I will be taking a 4x5 outfit and possible a limited 6x7 outfit as well. I plan to pack my tripod in the checked baggage.

I would like to jam everything I can into a carry-on size hard roller case. The Porter case and Pelican 1550 seem to be the most likely contenders.

Do any of you use these or have other suggestions? I appreciate any input. Thanks.

Dan Henderson · Jul 30, 2007

I bought a 1550 which safely transported all of my medium format gear in checked luggage to Iceland and back.

MurrayMinchin · Jul 30, 2007

I'm not familiar with Porter Cases, but my Pelican Case safely held all my 4x5 gear during 6 months of sea kayaking on BC'c coast. It was strapped to a 'freighter frame' packsack (aluminum frame with shoulder straps and waist belt) and was left to fend off the elements on its own without an overbag. On the water it was stuffed into the front cockpit of my double kayak and protected by a cockpit cover, but that's the only time it got any special treatment.

I never had one problem, or even a hint of possible problem with my Pelican Case.

Murray

Nick Zentena · Jul 30, 2007

Considering how little the carry on weight limit is are these too heavy?

I'm thinking of the Heys.

Dead Link Removed

I'm leaning towards putting the hard cases in the checked baggage with the film holders.

I figure with one of the Hays carry ons and a laptop bag I can haul a fair bit of camera gear carry on. Sticking the tripod and film holders into checked baggage.

mmcclellan · Jul 30, 2007

I cannot comment on Porter cases as I don't know them, but I live and work in Iraq and see a LOT of Pelican cases being used and abused here for all manner of equipment and they never fail! If there's a Pelican that suits your needs size-wise, you can't go wrong with it -- they're worth every penny.

tommy5c · Jul 30, 2007

my vote is for pelican all the way, any case that is waterproof and will float in water already wins my vote. another case maker is platt. i have one of their cases that i got really cheap. it's nice if you don't plan on extreme condidtions. and my platt case has a combination lock on it.

Hughjb · Jul 30, 2007

I have both cases, the Porter case seems to be more roomy and is handier when it comes to airport travel (as a carry on), as you can used as a dolly, the footprint is also smaller. The 1550 pelican is steardier, specially if you get the one with the foam padding, but is smaller.

Normally I prefer the pelicans for travelling with delicate gear but I don't know if you can accomodate a 4x5 and 5x7 on a 1550, maybe on the next size up, of course at that point is not carry on luggage anymore.

Hugh

John Koehrer · Jul 30, 2007

Doskocil also makes cases similar to the Pelican and are also rugged & have pluck-out foam inserts.
There's a business online called "cases4less" that carries both lines at competitive prices. I just got the xl Doskocil for use as a trunk for the motorbike. Haven't mounted it yet(another project).
I have no other relationship w/the seller other than as a customer.

Elox · Jul 30, 2007

check size

jeroldharter said:
I would like to jam everything I can into a carry-on size hard roller case. The Porter case and Pelican 1550 seem to be the most likely contenders.

Do any of you use these or have other suggestions? I appreciate any input. Thanks.

I think the 1560 (wheeled version of 1550) exceeds most airline carryon sizes. The 1510 (1500 w/ wheels) is what I have to carry a pretty complete m645 kit or fair RB67 kit with some room to spare. I use the padded divider set rather than the foam.

Roger Hicks · Jul 31, 2007

With whom are you flying? Where are you going?

The airline you use and the airports through which you travel can make a HUGE difference. 'Abroad' isn't one country.

In my own experience -- modest enough, but larger than most -- the United States and China seem the most casual. Scandinavian countries seem the most legalistic; British the most bloody-minded; and Indian the most bureacratic.

jeroldharter · Jul 31, 2007

Roger Hicks said:
With whom are you flying? Where are you going?

The airline you use and the airports through which you travel can make a HUGE difference. 'Abroad' isn't one country.

In my own experience -- modest enough, but larger than most -- the United States and China seem the most casual. Scandinavian countries seem the most legalistic; British the most bloody-minded; and Indian the most bureacratic.

With a bit of luck, I will be going to Iceland on Icelandair directly from Minneapolis. We might spend some time in London, also via Icelandair.

RobertP · Jul 31, 2007

One comment. Buy the pluck and fit foam with the case and fit it to your equipment. It will survive combat conditions. Just ask the British Special Forces..... and that is a pretty good reference.

Roger Hicks · Aug 1, 2007

jeroldharter said:
With a bit of luck, I will be going to Iceland on Icelandair directly from Minneapolis. We might spend some time in London, also via Icelandair.

Can't help with Iceland or Icelandair, but you may have problems with case size in London -- the check-in staff sometimes insist you fit the bag inside the size gauge, so check Icelandair's own specs carefully and stay within them, at least on size (I've not yet had them weigh a case).

Pelican Case vs. Porter Case

Membership Council

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency