by Editor | Feb 19, 2007 | Products
While we were visting Tobago last year, there was a bomb scare in the U.K. that led to new stricter regulations on carry on bags, including not allowing any carry on baggage from U.K. airports for several weeks.
Concerned about our carry on items being damaged or stolen if we were prevented from carrying them with us, we searched high and low for options. Our goal was to find a carry on case with wheels capable of being checked in as luggage if security levels were elevated while we were on a trip. Our best find was the Pelican 1510. In it we we can accommodate a laptop and camera gear with less fear for their safety if we are forced to check the bag in with luggage during a trip.
If you have never seen Pelican cases before, they are used extensively in the military and civil agencies, such as fire and police. They are durable, chemical resistant and watertight cases that protect equipment and supplies for transport. The Pelican 1510 is designed to meet the carry on luggage size constraints of most major airlines,It comes with wheels and an extendable handle so it is easy to use.
There are several options available for the interior. We chose the foam blocks designed to allow the user to remove individual cells and form shapes to snugly hold equipment. In our case, we carry an entire professional photography setup, including multiple lenses and spare parts as well as a Sony Vaio laptop. On a recent trip to Africa, we found that this bag was perfect for use in the game viewing camps, as we could just hand it off to the porters to deliver to our rooms and trust that our equipment was safely cushioned.
Pelican also markets TSA approved locks that will secure this case if we ever have to check it with regular luggage. We hope it never comes to this, but if the worst happens while we are out there traveling, we at least have the option to keep our equipment safe and sound if it has to go into the belly of the plane. We hope!
by Editor | Jan 8, 2007 | Products
Ortlieb Aqua Cam waterproof camera case
Photos courtesy of Ortlieb USA
For the past year we have taken the Ortlieb Aqua Cam waterproof camera case with harness straps on travels near and far. It has gone with us to California, France, the Caribbean, and Africa; to urban, suburban, and safari destinations – even a rain forest – and performed admirably.
Our medium case (6.7 x 8.7 inches) has 275 cubic inches of space and weighs 15.2 ounces. It is waterproof and dustproof. We took it into the bush where we were enveloped in clouds of dust on a number of ocassions and rained on more times that we care to remember.
We like the Quickseal closure and Roll ‘n Snap feature. Although the manufacturer says you can use the Roll ‘n Snap strap to carry the case, we find it is prone to snapping open unexpectedly when we do that. The adjustable padded shoulder is comfortable. The interior pads are easy to adjust and protect the camera from bumps and bruises. After all the trips its been on its none the worse for wear.
Camera case harness
The harness has been especially practical on game viewing outings, during bumpy drives, and long walks in the bush and rain forest. It stablelizes the camera case and leaves our hands free to shoot pictures or lean on a walking stick.
Founded in 1982, Ortlieb produces and distributes waterproof outdoor equipment, in particular panniers, office bags, backpacks, messenger bags, drybags and stuffsacks, motorcycle packs, camera bags, document bags and map cases, water-bags and water-sacks, folding bowls, first-aid-kits, money belts, valuable bags and mobile phone cases.
Ortlieb uses predominantly tear and abrasion resistant nylon, polyester and Cordura fabrics and PU-foils. Their waterproof products are exclusively manufactured at their production site in Heilsbronn, Germany using a high-frequency welding procedure.
They supply national specialty retailers in the bike, outdoor, trekking and expedition, motorcycle and paddlesport markets. Ortlieb also exports from their production site in Germany into 22 countries with authorized distributors. The largest export countries are Switzerland, the Benelux, United Kingdom and Japan as well as the U.S. with their own subsidiary.
