I’m a huge fan of Pelican cases, and use them to protect lots of different types of equipment – mainly photography gear and test and measurement tools.
I have several different sizes of Pelican cases, including their 0450 tool chest.
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Pelican recently announced a new line of Pelican Air cases, which are significantly lighter than their current models.
Pelican achieved this by hollowing out a lot of components and by using a newly developed lightweight HPX resin. In other words, there’s a lot less plastic, and the plastic that’s there is lighter in weight, but the Pelican Air cases are said to have comparable strength.
Some of the new Pelican Air cases feature more streamlined construction as well. For example, whereas my 1510/1514 case has a huge panel in the back where the handle slides into, the new Pelican Air 1535 looks to have much better handle integration.
At launch, there are 6 sizes of Pelican Air cases:
- 1485
- 1525
- 1535
- 1555
- 1605
- 1615
Pelican says that all of the new cases offer reduced weight – up to 40% – without compromising durability. Since they describe it a bit better, here’s officially how they did it:
- Molded from the next generation of Pelican’s lightweight HPX resin, a proprietary formula that rebounds without breaking
- Honeycomb structural elements that are actually stronger than solid polymer material
- Super-stiff “full box” sections engineered to create hollow parts
Some of the features have also changed. This makes sense – if they’re designing entirely new cases, why not stray from tradition.
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- Super-Light Proprietary HPX Polymer
- Proven Tough Double-Throw Latches
- Automatic Purge Valve Balances Air Pressure
- Watertight O-Ring Gasket
- New Style “Conic Curve” Lid Shape
- Crushproof and Dustproof
- Stainless Steel Hasp Protectors
- Rubber Overmolded Handles
- New Removable Polycarbonate Card Holder With Front or Side Placement
Okay, so they’re not that different from current cases. The Conic Curve lid shape has me intrigued. Is this to maximize internal storage space, or for added strength? I often stack my Pelican cases, and wonder whether this new lid shape will be a benefit or waste of space.
It looks like Pelican will continue to offer their traditional/existing products.
Going by preorder prices, it looks like Pelican Air cases will cost considerably more than regular Pelican cases. I suppose it’ll be worth it for frequent users who often feel the weight of their fully-loaded Pelican cases.
Here’s a promo video that’s quite frankly not as good as the interviews some video-focused magazines took at NAB 2016:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRI8iq07S2E
Here’s a video from No Film School:
Joseph
Dealing with shipping and airline baggage fees, a 40% decrease in weight will pay for itself in a relatively short time.
Chad
they looked nice and feel lighter !!
still wanting that tool chest they make – on the list
Jim Felt
Stuart. I just shared this on a pro photography blog as we are all stuck with Pelican as Tundra stopped production and Halliburton moved to China. And dented way too easily.
So thanks!
Stuart
I don’t think I have seen Tundra cases before. I believe that SKB cases are still made in the USA, but I haven’t tried them yet.
Pelican cases are pricey, but the stuff that usually goes inside them typically cost a whole lot more.
William
Don’t know if you are aware that you have a video reviewing the Milwaukee Ratcheting Stubby Screwdriver before the second video. It does not appear to be the correct promo video.
Stuart
Thank you for letting me know! That’s now what what was embedded in the post, and is not what I see.
Perhaps you have a plugin conflict? Although rare, I’ve heard of video-swapping issues before.
That Milwaukee stubby screwdriver video is one of several video playlist items in the sidebar. The only thing I can think of is that you might have a browser plugin that is loading the sidebar video in the main content column.