Question for PRO owners

[Mark Karavite]

I am looking into shipping cases for my new sled. I have a bit of a Frankenrig with a PRO DB3, XCS 2" carbon post (with PRO connectors) and a MK-V Nexus base.

 

I wanted a Pelican 1650, but my sled assembled is a bit too long. I was considering removing the battery base so everything could fit into the Pelican. My main concern is removing the PRO connector on such a regular basis, would this cause any problems?

 

My other option is a wood / fiberglass case, but I was hoping to lighten up the load a bit. Any input from PRO owners would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Mark Karavite

Steadicam Owner / Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net

[Thomas English]

I had this dilema for ages. And after spending a fortune getting a huge case made up that was way too heavy and a total nightmare

 

I now have a storm rifle case.. and the extra room at the top i put my bartech box. Fits perfect and pulls behind me like a dream.

[JobScholtze]

I don't have a Pro, but maybe this helps.

 

I use the Pelican 1660. That's a very large case.

 

Ore you can try the 1700 series for the sled.

 

Hope this helps

Greetings Job

[Mikko Wilson]

...Funny looking sled in the 1700 :P

 

- Mikko

[Thomas English]

Job!!!!! how did you cut your foam so nicely!

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Mark,

 

How goes it? I think taking the battery base off every time you want to case her will drive you nuts - take it from me, when I put my sled together I opted for this method with a Pelican 1650. After a few months of doing this, I cross threaded the connector, but not badly at all (no damage). It was just a "gulp" moment as I needed to get the rig up and running. Cool head and some wiggling prevailed, but now I'm EXTRA careful with these connectors. That was the night I decided I was sick of it and then I went to the other extreme - a huge A&J case that holds the sled intact along with my Antlers and docking bracket. While this system works great (its been a few years), I'm rethinking yet again as I day play so much and I'm sick of hauling this HUGE case around. I may have A&J make another one that is much smaller. This would require removing the monitor, and rotating the battery base (Jerry Hill) towards the front of the sled (keeping the focus gear on). The monitor could then be placed in a space between the focus gear & battery cage. Only drawback is an additional minute or two of build time (and slightly less intuitive for assistants). But this is my thinking now (along with using a soft bag for my arm & vest, which I haven't done in years).

 

Let me know what you find in your research because I'm interested as well (unless you want to go with the "no assembly required" case I'm using now and then we should talk).

 

Best,

[JobScholtze]

Job!!!!! how did you cut your foam so nicely!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Using a 6 to 12v power generator and 2 wooden hand grips and some electric wire. :D Connect the plus and minus to the wire to make a sort of shortcut

It's melting the foam becose it's getting very hot.

[Ari Gertler]

Job Scholtze,

Do you have your your entire rig, vest, arm,lcd, docking bracket in ONE case?

I wonder if I can get away with it with a green screen?

 

Ari Gertler

[Stephen Murphy]

When i received my nexus it came in a semi-rigid case/bag that suits the shape of the sled nicely. All i have to do is remove the monitor and Bartech. Maybe howard sells these bags seperately? I too spend most of my time dayplaying and this suits my needs very well. Have the inside of it foamed and everything is well protected. However if i was flying id have a large case made up, like the one i used to have for my evolution. The one advantage to a heavy duty case is that if its awkward and heavy for you to carry then it will be really awkward for airport space monkeys to throw around.

I use an architects storage tube to carry my antlers - cheap to buy, protects them nicely and hangs on the end of my magliner for quick access.

[Mark Karavite]

Hey Alec,

 

You have confirmed my fear of taking the battery cage on and off regularly, I never felt good about that option. I have searched the web high and low for a waterproof, Pelican style case that would suit my needs. It seems that Pelican and Storm are the only real players making those kind of cases, and none of their standard specs meet my needs. I did find some music case makers, but again, no match to my dimensions. Does anyone know of another manufacturer?

 

My sled is 29" tall, and that is the max length on both Pelican 1600's and similar Storm cases. If I move into the longer rifle cases, they are not wide enough for the 14 1/4" from the back of the D Box3 to the front of the BFD. Plus the rifle cases are only 5" to 6" deep.

 

Since we have similar sleds, we have similar case woes. I am trying hard to avoid the massive, heavy sled case. Right now, I don't see any option but to go with a custom wood / fiberglass style case, and keep it as small as possible. I'm going to keep searching a bit more, but I think my chances of finding a plastic case are getting slim. I'll let you know what I find out.

 

Regarding vest and arm cases, I have both. I have Walter's leather case for my harness, and a Rock Steadi padded arm case (very nice). These work great for around town. I do still have a ATA style case for shipping (it's a monster, but it's safe) that holds both harness and arm. Walter says people ship his harnesses all over in the leather bags with no problem, but I'd rather have it gorilla proof at the airport.

 

Looks like my dream of all lightweight, matching Pelicans may be just a dream. I'm just trying to keep the sherpa side of the business less stressful on the body than actual operating!

 

Mark Karavite

Steadicam Owner / Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net

[JobScholtze]

Job Scholtze,

Do you have your your entire rig, vest, arm,lcd, docking bracket in ONE case?

I wonder if I can get away with it with a green screen?

 

Ari Gertler

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Yes, i have the entire rig in there, one lcd and 1 backup, in my vest my modulus and several bits and pieces, like cables. I have one pelican for the battery's, gyro, and one small pelican for my ff. The all have wheels, so easy to travel. When i go by plane, i use cargo anyway so than i put the pelican cases in one big flight case. I only remove the arm and take that as hand luggages.

 

Job

[Thomas English]

http://www.caseman.com/servlet/catalog.Cat....jsp/itemsID~11

 

http://www.hofbauer.co.uk/cases/thrmodyn.php

 

These were 2 "case avenue s" I went down before I stupidly realised I could turn my Lcd monitor on its side.

 

I don t really know how good either are. But the themodyne were favourite, they can put wheels/handles in and have A LOT of dimensions.

[Mark Karavite]

Dear Thomas,

 

Thanks for those links, they have a ton of info. It looks like Thermodyne does have the most selection of sizes.

 

Thanks,

 

Mark Karavite

Steadiam Owner / Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net

[Thomas English]

Howard has got some nice hard cases as well... very light and very strong

 

However my sled, with my chroizel tilt head was that inch too long so I had to stop using it. I flew with it twice and found it great.

 

www.mk-v.com

[Brad Hruboska]

I usually remove the top stage and spin it around and spin the monito bracket around , always on the stand, so i always do it the same way. the donkey box is much easier to flip than the lower battery section......then it goes in my 3A case perfectly, a case built to withstand bombs.........

:ph34r:

 

 

Howard has got some nice hard cases as well... very light and very strong

 

However my sled, with my chroizel tilt head was that inch too long so I had to stop using it. I flew with it twice and found it great.

 

www.mk-v.com

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