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Pelican vs Storm cases

A

Alexis Vanier

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Hi,

I'm about to buy a case to carry a couple laptops, dslrs, hard drives and other personal items on set and came to a point where I must choose between Pelican cases and Hardigg Storm Cases.

I've looked all over and although the information is available, it is quite spread out and most often not very detailed.

I'd like to open this thread to collect comments, experiences and horror stories about the two case manufacturers and their products.

Here's what I've collected so far :

Pelican is widespread and easy to procure, tough as nails, offers a very good warranty policy, heavy, and has knuckle breaking / finger pinching latches.

Storm is harder to get, pretty tough but tends to bend easier due to thinner walls, lighter, I could not find conclusive information on their warranty policy, and has very nice and friendly latches.

Both cases are padlockable, but Pelican doubles its padlock holes with steel plates. I plan on locking my case to the inside of the lighting/grip/camera truck every once in a while. (I know... what good is it to lock a case in a truckfull of powertools... but still.)

Regarding Pelican, working at a the biggest photo retail outlet in town, I heard a story I feel well reflects their warranty policy. A customer had his case filled with 20k$+ of medium format photo gear dropped by throwers (baggage handlers) from the nose of a 747... crashing about twenty feet lover on the tarmac. Fortunately, the damage stopped to a recessed wheel. The customer was handed a brand new case, but Pelican mentioned that any broken gear would have been illegible to a refund of its full purchase value. This seems a bit too good to be true... but I still heard it at work. Please feel free to confirm or deny this.

I'm waiting on a quote from Ottawa based customcaseco.com which had the best price I could find so far, feel free to suggest any other retailer. I haven't stopped my choice so far, but Storm so far has my vote for softer handle and nicer latches.

The models I'm looking at are the Pelican 1560, and Storm im2500 and im2720. All have a telescoping handle and wheels.

Comment away.
 
I own both and am happy with both.

Did you know they are now owned by the same company? So just call them up, tell them what your gear/dimensions are and ask them the best case
 
I've always had great luck and results with Pelican. Thats interesting about them being owned by the same company. I can't give you too much insight on the differences, I've only really work with Pelican and different hard cases. Pelican's warranty's are pretty solid, thats a pro.
 
I bought an old, beaten down Pelican case yonks ago. Sent it by Australia Post, which makes baggage handlers look like infants in comparison. Anyway, they smashed it pretty good. I called Pelican in Australia, got RA number, sent the remains back and in a few days I had brand new replacement - very impressive.
 
Check the new Nanuk : http://www.plasticase.com

Made in Quebec (St-Hyacinthe). Love the latches system. Bigger cases coming this summer. I bought a small one for my follow focus and I'm very happy with it.

Customcaseco in ottawa (pelican) is a top of the line dealer with very nice salesman.


good luck .
 
A vote for the Storm cases. I have several Pelicans, old latch and new latch as well as several Storm cases. The latches on the Storms are much easier on the hands, especially your fingernails. Much less cursing, imho. Both Pelican and Storm cases are tough as nails. You can't go wrong with either.
 
Both are great and will last forever. One huge advantage I find with storm is the weight.
It something to consider when you try to trim off those kilograms on the airplane.
Don't get them from Canada thought. Local suppliers don't stock them and will easily double the price laughing in your eyes (my experience)
Check with B&H in NY.

Cheers
 
Pawel Achtel said:
I bought an old, beaten down Pelican case yonks ago. Sent it by Australia Post, which makes baggage handlers look like infants in comparison. Anyway, they smashed it pretty good. I called Pelican in Australia, got RA number, sent the remains back and in a few days I had brand new replacement - very impressive.
Click to expand...

So they succeeded in smashing a Pelican case? They are real Professionals!!!
Guido
 
We sell both. I prefer Storm. Pelican purchased Hardigg (maker of Storm) last year, but both product lines function autonomously.
 
Another vote for storm.

While the pelican's are a little more robust IMHO, the ease of use (latches) and lower weight lead me to buy storm when I can.

they have fewer options and insert types, so they won't always be a good fit, but in general, it's what I'd recommend
 
Pelicans are OK - always have a problem with the latches. Storm is very good. This past NAB I purchased a NANUCK 920 from plasticase in canada - great case.
 
Hi all,

Well, it seems Pelican won. I'm ordering a 1560 from customcasesco.com. Their price can't be beat. They're about about a hundred bucks cheaper than everything else I've seen. 202CAD$ + GST + free shipping for a is just too good.

I called Alubox (which I honestly though was closed down two years ago!) and altough they did get the new Nanuks (which look great by the way and go up to 22"x17"x8") none of them sport telescoping handles and wheels which was a must for me at this time, their prices were simlpy not competitive.

It seems my knuckles are worth less than a hunderd bucks...

Edit: Edited an edit out. Yep.
 
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