Transporting your Rigs

[Dave Wowchuk]

For all you owner/operators out there, I was wondering how you transport your rigs? Single, large case . . . multiple, smaller cases? Pelican cases . . . Storm cases . . . Bags . . . custom built cases.

 

I'd be interested to hear what you use.

 

Dave Wowchuk

[BJMcDonnell SOC]

Hey Dave,

 

For me I use Pelican cases for almost everything. My sled is in a 1650 case. My arm, backup monitor, and a bunch of other things go in another 1650 case. Preston FF with motors all in a 1550 case. Modulus, reciever, cables, plates, brackets in a 1660 case. Batteries are in a anvil case. I was bringing my Klassen harness on as carry on with me but it barely fits in the overhead. Plus I took out peoples heads while walking down the rows to my seat. Now I just put it in a big tupperware like box and tape it up and ship it. I have sent gear to Spain, the Bahamas, Chicago, New Orleans, etc....., etc...... and never had a problem.

 

 

BJ McDonnell

[benedictspence]

Hi Dave!

 

Pelicases are defo the way I go- love them to bits. Super strong, look cool and come in a nice range of sizes; always looks good when you show up on a job with matching luggage too! And the newest ones have a nice rubberised grip to their handle!

 

Ben Spence

[Charles Papert]

Interesting to hear that Pelican is rubberizing their handles, guessing that the Storm cases have had an influence (they changed their latches after the Storms came out also).

 

For those interested in the Storm cases, I'm a dealer for them and can line up a pretty good deal on them for the Steadicam gang. They can do custom foaming as well.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

The fastest ground transportation of a Steadicam, Sure it can't go where Ron's Hummer does, but then again after you drive this you won't care.

 

 

:D

 

 

 

BTW I use a combo of cases, Soft cases like the rocksteady stuff for day play jobs (Yes it all fit's in the S4, including my cart) and Pelicans for when I have to ship the whole menagerie out of Los Angeles.

[charlesneufeld]

Eric,

 

What the heck kinda cart do you have??? I don't have much more room than you..haha My 2950's take up my rear seats :P

 

~C

[James Puli]

Hey Guys

 

Here in Aust, Steadicam Ops use a range of different cases. Most of the ones I have, have been custom made Anvil style cases. I tend not to take them all on each job, but I prefer having propper flight standard cases for everything. Was looking at going down the pelican path, but the way I wanted to setup our Pro 2 sled in the cases it was much easier to get a custom made one. The only pelicon case I have is for my Pro arm which came with it when I bought it (2nd hand = lucky me !!)

 

I carry about 12 cases which can be condensed to about 6 for local shoots.

 

1 - Sled, Monitor, Docking Bracket (Gorelock)

2 - Batteries, Chargers

3 - Arm

4 - Video Split Gear (clam shell monitor, transmitters, recievers etc)

5 - Soft bag for vest, hard mounts and limited other brackets

6 - Follow Focus Kit - Bartech or Preston (depending on job)

 

The extended list goes on including Wind Breaks, Tube for docking stand, other accessories box (tools, video tap etc), on set bag (Lowepro Commercial AW), vehicle mount tube, hard case for vest and other brackets, 10inch video combo, plus my newest purchase my trusty Magliner trolley with full Steadicam upgrades. I also must say that I travel locally in a Station wagen and can fit pretty much all of this gear in it. All cases also weigh less then 32kg's because thats the Australian limit for luggage on air travel, as I mostly take gear as excess baggage rather then shipping seporatly from me.

 

Hope this helps, as you can see, you can pretty much case up everything. The other reason I prep my kit like this is so that I can hire out complete kits of gear to other operators and a few AC's that need or ask for gear. Theres pleanty of times I just take my Preston and Video Split gear (clamshell etc) on shooting, operating or assisting jobs.

[Jeff Muhlstock SOC]

Interesting to hear that Pelican is rubberizing their handles, guessing that the Storm cases have had an influence (they changed their latches after the Storms came out also).

 

For those interested in the Storm cases, I'm a dealer for them and can line up a pretty good deal on them for the Steadicam gang. They can do custom foaming as well.

 

Hey Chad, Happy new year, old post here, but I am in a dilemma on how to ship my new sled. I am simply to long for Pelican or Storm, the 29" interior just wont make it and the gun cases are to slim. Any thoughts on what I should consider? Does Storm make anything larger? Without pulling apart the rig, I am at 32". At the end of the day I just want to drop it in and fly off, you understand... I have her parked currently in a hard mesh case, but it?s really not strong enough for the airlines. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

Jeff

[Ramon Engle]

Jeff I'm in the same boat. Need a new case but custom seems to be the only option. Although this looks interesting:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SKB-TPX-1-Trap-X-1-Cas...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Let me know what you end up using.

 

 

Ramon Engle

[Jeff Muhlstock SOC]

Jeff I'm in the same boat. Need a new case but custom seems to be the only option. Although this looks interesting:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SKB-TPX-1-Trap-X-1-Cas...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Let me know what you end up using.

 

 

Ramon Engle

 

I am leaning toward Thermodyne

[bobgilles]

I like the Hardigg cases, but most of my gear is in heavy ATA flight cases. I see allot of Hardigg and Storm cases showing up on shoots, they are light and strong, most field editors and assist guys use these.

 

[Charles Papert]

Those are the Grab 'n Roll Hardigg cases, very solid and strong as they are roto-molded (a more complicated manifacturing process than with the Storm/Pelican style resulting a stronger case). You can order those in custom sizes but they aren't cheap, and will be bulkier than a classic flight case for the same interior dimension. I tend to think the latter is still the best option for shipping the sled.

[joe mcnally]

I like the sled cases that come from Tiffen with the Ultra inside.

I am sure they are available without the Ultra inside.

They are light weight and strong also have in built wheels and a nice handle.

Most of my other stuff is in Peli cases though.

Joe McNally

[Gustavo Penna]

I have the soft case that come with the AR, for sleed and batteries, one rolling (mastercases) case for vest, arm, dock and Garfield and a cinebag for aks. andI have my Audi S4 just to take my son to school.

[Hervé Colosio]

i use the flycase that come with the master , and 2 X 1650 pelicase , one for the harness,arm,docking stand and small things . the other for video assist,motors and bartech,2 X pag charger,9 X L95 batterys , cables, brackets , low mode . the 3 cases are near 30 kg each and it's the best way to not have problems in airports .

i have use sometime a pelicase 1660 then i can put all in 2 cases , but the 1660 goes up to 50 kg . most of airports does not take case upper than 43 kg after it travel in cargo , it's not the good way .