List Price: $322.95
Sale Price: $212.85
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Having outgrown my Pelican 1510 Hardcase I was in the market for a larger protective case that had room for my two camera bodies two speedlights, flash diffusers, seven lenses and other digital photography accessories including batteries, battery chargers, filters and lens cases and hoods. This case offers water, dirt, dust and chemical protection; the case being both water and air tight. Depending on the padding options, plucked foam offering the most protection there are very few places, climates or modes of transport this case and its contents cannot survive.
Fitted out with optional TSA locks it offers some vestiges of security being thrown into an airplane hold it being too large to be accepted as cabin overhead baggage. Two stage lid clamps on top and sides insure there will be no accidental opening of this case. O ring and air pressure valve insure water and air tightness.
As a defense contractor, I travel to climate extremes as part of my employment and switch between 3 different padding options:
1. 'Plucked foam' enables me to size almost exactly each piece of equipment in virtually shock proof protection. The downside is less room for everything I want to carry. This carry option included the foam padding in the lid giving my equipment all around protection.
2. (Pelican #1614) Padded velcro dividers adjustability with minimum 'wasted space' allowing a greater carrying capacity, but less isolation of individual pieces of equipment from bouncing and jarring. Under most circumstances it remains my preferred packing option. I can change equipment padding space on the fly using the velcro strips to resize the padding. Keeping the foam on the box lid still offers very good all around protection against contents moving or being bounced against each other under any travel circumstances.
3. (Pelican #1609 lid organizer)Padded velcro dividers with an unpadded lid organizer cargo net option replacing the foam in the case lid ... this option is great for maximizing carry capacity with the sacrifice of shock and bounce and isolation protection. Objects that would be protected by a foam insert in the lid are fully exposed to larger vertical objects carried in the case body. Careful, very careful packing and spacing of contents must be conducted to avoid damaging either the contents of lid organizer or case contents (or both) which can rub and scrape and damage each other.
Number two is my preferred organiztion of the case the others put into play based on need for extra protection or carrying a lot of equipment over short distances and time.
The case is larger than it appears gobbling up loads of equipment without protest with a weight penalty to match. Carrying the case is a joy wheels are well spaced and move without friction; retractable handle is comfortable and allows a good carrying angle. Getting the case in and out of a deep car trunk with a full load of equipment inside is the only discomfort drawback to using the full capacity of this case. There are carry handles both top and side to aid in this effort.
The case is offered in 3 colors from Pelican: Black, OD (Green) and Desert (Tan). Not all vendors will carry all colors. Be very specific as well as thinking through on which padding options you select as the options are not cheap. With a lifetime warranty you cannot do better than choosing this case. 5 Stars...
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I had been through the bag routine, my wife always wondered why I was so obsessed with ordering camera bags. I could *NEVER* find one that was just right for what I needed. I almost ordered the 151x model which would've ended up being too small for my needs. I ended up with the 1610 which is actually the 1614 since I have the model with the dividers. I am glad that I went with the larger sized model, and I don't foresee the need to take this as a carry on.Definitely go with the model that has the dividers, unless you are after the utmost of protection and don't expect to change the configuration around. In researching many people suggested using some adhesive for the foam pieces to help hold them in place. Others also complained of how the wheel support system was built into the case and you had to build padding around it which took away precious space.
With the dividers, if I need to make a configuration change, it is as simple as moving the velcro attached dividers. I only realistically have two slots left in the case, and at this point I can't carry my flash bracket or Rayflash in the Pelican as I'm out of space for those longer items.
The lid top organizer Pelican Lid organizer ballistic nylon will assist you in making the best use of space possible in the case. Initially I was concerned taking out the foam padding protecting the gear from being crushed by pressure on the top. This proved to be totally unfounded. I use the case as a table, seat, or step stool, and it doesn't flex in the least bit. I've seen videos of a loaded case being driven over by a pickup truck and it didn't flex in the least bit! I use my lid organizer to carry all of my batteries, additional memory cards, contracts, pens, business cards, cleaning materials, bride rescue pack, and another highly recommended item, a Pelican Desiccant pack #1500D Pelican Peli Desiccant Silica Gel. I'm quite shocked at how much moisture exists, and I've really only owned this since winter, and haven't been through a humid summer yet! Those people that just throw the little bags from shoe boxes in, aren't doing anything for their gear!!!
The wheels work exceptionally well. Last weekend I shot a wedding at a Bed and Breakfast, the service was across a large field. A day after a prolonged rainstorm I had no issues rolling the case across the grassy field. The ladies' heels all sunk into the field though!
Four latches around the case ensure a tight locking seal. So good that you can't even latch them if something as small as a single strand of your camera strap is protruding. This is probably by design so that the waterproofing isn't impacted.
The multiple lock points have proven useful. I picked up a 6' bike cable Avenir Tightrope Cables (6mm / 6 feet) and use a lettered Master lock Master Lock 1534D Password Plus Combo Lock in Blue, Yellow, Orange, Red or Silver (Colors Vary), 1-Pack so that I can lock the case to a solid object when shooting weddings, or on site. After hearing of cards disappearing from the gift table (from people you know?!) I wanted the extra security.
The only con I guess would be weight. My case loaded is pushing 65 pounds. Not enough to take a star off of the rating though. I love having a bulletproof case, and it even floats loaded with all of that gear.
Best Deals for Pelican 1610FBLK Case With Foam (Black)
I truly enjoy using this case in the field. It can hold most of my Nikon photo gear, that I use 99% of the time. I am glad that it has wheels, because this is not something I would want to carry for any distance. I highly recommend this case because it offers a lot of protection from the weather and from impacts to my photo gear, much better than my old Zero Halliburton aluminum case. As you can see from the photo that I uploaded it holds 3 bodies and several lenses. One of the advantages I like about the 1610 case is that it is wide enough; I can leave on my most frequently used lenses on the bodies, and not to worry about dust issues.Honest reviews on Pelican 1610FBLK Case With Foam (Black)
If there's a better case than Pelican, I haven't found one!I purchased the 1610 to protect my expensive Canon camera and lenses from the elements and rigors of trail riding the rugged Alaskan terrain with my Polaris Ranger 6x6.
Now, I don't worry about bouncing around on rocky trails, crossing swift rivers, following friends through clouds of dust, or getting caught in downpours and snow storms. These cases are nearly indestructible and completely sealed from the elements. I'd recommend Pelican cases to anyone who needs to protect valuable items from physical and/or environmental damage!
At first glance, Pelican cases seem expensive. But, when I realize that the price is less than 2% of what it would cost to replace my camera equipment, I'd say it's pretty cheap insurance, especially considering the quality!
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Pelican 1610FBLK Case With Foam (Black)
Bought this case to haul around a bunch of gear for work, and it's awesome! The foam is scored into deep squares so you can pull out the squares you need to make sure whatever you're hauling has a snug fit. I recommend placing your object(s) on the foam, and using toothpicks to "draw" the outline.My only complaint with the case is that over time, the squares have a tendency to tear at the scores with heavy use. I've been meaning to buy some brush-on adhesive and give all the foam a good coating of it, to see if this solves the problem. It's only for this reason that the case doesn't get 5 stars.
