Travel Safety & Style
Flying is a pain. Checked bag fees, prices that fluctuate worse than gas prices, layovers, delays and crappy in flight movies/food make the experience a pain in the neck. What’s even worse, you can’t trust the baggage handlers not to break your stuff unless you carry it yourself. The problem is, you have such staunch regulations about what you can carry that sometimes you’re forced to check your gear, even if it’s your lifeblood.
Pelican knows that you might be flying with camera gear that costs more than your plane ticket, and they have a solution that makes your camera so safe that you can fly with confidence that the worst loss you’ll sustain is that $8 you just paid for a Bud Light.
The Pelican 1510
This is the toughest, and largest allowed FAA approved airline-legal carry-on case available. There are top and side handles, as well as a slide-out handle and wheels for easy transport when not stowed away in the bin above.
This case has a ton of great features which make it a great case and a great travel companion. There are padlock protectors for when you have to leave your gear with someone you don’t trust. The latches release easily so you don’t hurt your hands accessing your gear. The case is made water and dust proof with a neoprene o-ring around the lid. There is an automatic purge valve so you don’t have to worry about pressure killing your case, and it’s made with a special hard material called “Gore-Tex” (which sounds like a serial killer movie title) that is so tough that Pelican offers a lifetime “You break it, we replace it…forever” warranty.
Inside the case you can choose either a customizable “Pick ‘N Pluck” foam to make a custom foam liner, or a padded divider if your gear is ever changing (or if you’re just lazy). Worry not if you change your mind, you can alternate what goes inside your case, and you can even order a lid organizer to make working out of one case a snap! Inside the case measures 19.75″ x 11″ x 7.6″, outside measurements are an FAA carry-on friendly 22″ x 13.81″ x 9″.
The Features
- Watertight, crush proof, and dust proof
- Retractable extension handle
- Strong polyurethane wheels with stainless steel bearings
- Easy open Double Throw latches
- Open cell core with solid wall design – strong, light weight
- O-ring seal
- Automatic Pressure Equalization Valve
- Comfortable rubber over-molded top and side handles
- Stainless steel hardware and padlock protectors
- Pick ‘N’ Pluck™ with convoluted lid foam
- Personalized nameplate service available
- Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee of Excellence
- FAA maximum carry on size
Editorial Impression
So, you can read specs and features all day long… but how does this case work in the real world? I love it! Love with a capital L love it. I’ve gone from keeping my gear across several different backpacks and bags to one case, which I travel with and which I work out of when I’m not traveling.
The case itself is nice enough that I feel proud to show it off when I am shooting, and the Pick ‘N Pluck foam makes me feel like I just got equipped for a Mission Impossible style photo gig. My camera and lenses and accessories all fit in this case with room to spare, and I have a peace of mind knowing that my investment in my gear is not getting damaged when I throw it in my trunk, or when I hop on an airplane.
Would I recommend the Pelican 1510? Absolutely yes. I couldn’t have designed a better case in my wildest imagination. This is the first perfect 10 score I’ve offered on DigitalChumps, this product is as close to perfect as I can picture.