RED MODULAR PACKING SYSTEM

[Mark Phelan]

So today I received the clutch in its wonderfully packed case along with the Bomb EVF in its wonderfully packed case and thought about the other items that have come in their own wonderfully packed cases and boxes. What is great is that each of these items are in their own nice presentation format that either is stored away for use when selling the item at a later date, or possibly using it somehow or throwing it away. We need a better system folks.

I was thinking why couldn't RED ship each item in a modular foam system that could be built together like legos to be placed inside a Pelican, Storm or ATA type case. Why couldn't we come up with some form of standardization that would eliminate the duplication of boxes and packing materials that each of us must go through? The Epic X case is a great example. RED used wonderful packing foam, the kind you would get in a custom case. What if each of these were able to be velcroed or plugged or even glued together to build the kit to your liking? I've got a great box for my side handle that will probably be repurposed, but what if that foam inside were the right size to allow for building a case? Then we wouldn't be wasting that foam, good for the planet, and it would already be perfectly cut for the equipment.

If I were doing this, I would make the foam two colors, the bottom layer a lighter color for use in dark locations. Nothing worse than having black equipment inside a black case with black foam on a dark and stormy night.

There has got to be a way of doing this, even if it costs a touch more, in the end it would cost less because there would be less duplication of effort by RED and its customers trying to do the exact same thing, protect the equipment.

Thoughts?

 

[stu aull]

Like!
ALL the packaging I have seen/received is like 3D Art! - and the graphics! We are getting uber-retail packaging coming in cardboard boxes. Damn. This NOT really a complaint - its is GORGEOUS - but I concur. With all the obvious LOVE and thought that RED has put into what, at least in SOME cases is a one-time-use item, it would be FAB to be able to take insert components over into a more functional "kit". That way this great packaging would be a Gift That Keeps On Giving!
How can we do this?

Stu Aull
Alaska

 

[Justin Harrison]

you can always pull out the custom cut foam and drop it into a pick n pluck foam inside of a pelican. ive seen that done with a few epics and then you get the benefits of shipping in multi density foam! but deff having all the items based off of pre-set pieces would be quite a bit easier to figure out how to jenga it all together

 

[Mark Phelan]

Pick n pluck foam is not good enough as it falls apart readily and is too soft, not what I had in mind. To further add to the notion, there could be pdf templates on the site that would offer suggested combinations and cases, depending on the type of shooter's needs. Might have an EFP design, a.k.a. the Tom Lowe design (complete with a section for a six pack perhaps? I kid, sort of.) a Hollywood design, an indie design, etc. One could follow these suggestions or use them to create something unique. Velcro panels would work nicely to combine each item for adjusting later on as needs change. No need to have to create a new set of foam, just rip apart and adjust.

 

[Curran Giddens]

you can always pull out the custom cut foam and drop it into a pick n pluck foam inside of a pelican. ive seen that done with a few epics and then you get the benefits of shipping in multi density foam!

I have been doing this with my new case design. Except I'm not using regular pick n pluck foam, it is much denser. My case is also modular in that I can switch out drawers depending on what items I will need. I will post pics in a bit of what I have so far.

 

[Curran Giddens]

Pelican 0450

Pelican 0450

http://cotradeco.com/products/681-0450-mobile-tool-chest-w-drawers-in-stock

Some pics of what I have so far. I will do the last 4" drawer when I get the RedVolt Module and Pro I/O Module. I may also redo the drawer with the 12-SSD case and reader + cables and instead go with two separate 4-SSD cases.

The Pelican case I bought comes with wheels that are detachable in case you need to save a couple pounds. I will probably put them back on though because I think the case will get pretty heavy considering how much gear I will fit in there.

RedVolts and Chargers (and Brick batteries, etc.) will be in a separate case. The Brain will be kept in the "X" case with the Side Handle and Top Plate with NATO rails.

 

[stu aull]

wow! Manly case. Bit more than some would want but, jeez, you have everything there Curran.

Stu Aull
Alaska

 

[David Barlow]

Curran, how did you manage to get an assault plate? They are as rare as hen's teeth over here in the UK. Nice looking case though.

David

 

[Steve Johnson]

Curran,
Great Case. Been looking at options and this is by far the best I've seen. Do you recommend the deep trays over the shallow trays? I take it that you can get 4 deep trays in the case at any one time?

)

 

[Curran Giddens]

Curran, how did you manage to get an assault plate?

I ordered within minutes of it going online. It is serial #25.

Do you recommend the deep trays over the shallow trays? I take it that you can get 4 deep trays in the case at any one time?

I went with two of the 4" drawers and one 2" drawer. But there is also the top tray which I think is 2". The main reason I decided on the two 4" drawers is because I will keep many of the accessories in their own cases. For instance you can fit the Bomb EVF pelican case inside a 4" drawer but not in the 2". But the Redmote case fits easily in the 2" drawer. It is easy to reconfigure for the different size drawers. I bought a few extra drawers in case I want a different configuration.

 

[Mitch Gross]

It looks great, but how do you feel about completely dismntling and then rebuilding your camera every time you come in & out of the cases? I think I'd prefer a basic rig that would always remain built.

 

[Steve Johnson]

I ordered within minutes of it going online. It is serial #25.

I went with two of the 4" drawers and one 2" drawer. But there is also the top tray which I think is 2". The main reason I decided on the two 4" drawers is because I will keep many of the accessories in their own cases. For instance you can fit the Bomb EVF pelican case inside a 4" drawer but not in the 2". But the Redmote case fits easily in the 2" drawer. It is easy to reconfigure for the different size drawers. I bought a few extra drawers in case I want a different configuration.

Cool - have given me food for thought!!!

)

 

[Curran Giddens]

It looks great, but how do you feel about completely dismntling and then rebuilding your camera every time you come in & out of the cases? I think I'd prefer a basic rig that would always remain built.

Good point, Mitch. I think I will get a case like Kata to hold a rig that is fully built, with enough room to also keep the lens and matte box on the camera.

It will be a bit of a hassle to screw on the Quick Release Plate or Modular Assault Plate every time. But the RedVolt Module looks like it will be quick to install. The Touchscreen LCD and Top Handle slide onto NATO rails in a few seconds. There are so many configuration options that I prefer to only take out of the case what is needed at the time. For instance, I prefer to use the RED Spinner EVF Mount for handheld and the Element Technica EVF Mount for everything else.

 

[Kevin Wild]

Yes to Mitch's thought, too. The downside to RED or others doing cases where everything fits just perfectly is that usually those are all taken apart. Once I get all of my pieces & parts from RED (backordered!), I want to come up with a case that allows me to keep it all together with possibly even the 18-50 lens. I cannot stand having to put together the camera every time I want to grab it and shoot something. For big productions, sure...it will need to be "constructed" before the shoot. But many times I don't take the camera out to grab a cool shot because I don't want to put all of the tinker toys together. ;-)