Pelican Cases

[Dazzler]

I am considering a Pelican Case for my EPs etc and was just wondering if anyone could give me an opinion on what colour suits astronomy best.

This is probably not overly important but given the price of these cases I don't want to get it wrong.

I imagine that black will hide bumps and scrapes better than the brighter colours but will most likely absorb heat better in the back of a hot car in transit.

Pointers and tips on things like the above are really what I am after.

Thanks for your help!

[koputai (Jason)]

I've got an orange 1500 that I'm making into an eyepiece carrier. My thinking is that bright is good, as you're less likely to trip over it in the dark. Heat reflectivity is also an issue as you pointed out. I have a yellow 1450 that would be better than orange, but it's too small.

Cheers,
Jason.

[Dazzler]

Thanks Jason

I'm leaning towards yellow for that reason.

Keen to hear any other thoughts or experiences from anyone else with these cases too.

Cheers.

[acropolite (Phil)]

I bought a clone from Bunnings, as per this thread, at a fraction of the cost of a genuine Pelican case. The local store no longer has them but I understand that they are available at other outlets.

[Dazzler]

Thanks Phil. I'll have a look through Bunnings as well before purchasing.

Still does anyone have any further comments on colour?

[Tannehill]

With Peli cases the darker color black shows more scrapes than lighter. I had a black case (small one) in the past. My current yellow case reveals scrapes and such much less.

Orange always looked like a paramedic pack to me in the US, so that's why I got the yellow. It's great and very visible at night. And fairly easy to spot if someone tries to casually walk off with it!

So, two votes for yellow.

My 1600 Peli case is perfect for me, with plenty of room for EPs, collimation stuff, filters, etc etc. Lockable. Room to grow. But it's heavy.

[citivolus (Ric)]

I'd go with yellow if it will be exposed to daylight, as it will reflect the heat better, assuming the black case is black through the far infra-red. I can stick a black and a yellow one in the sun (maybe) tomorrow for a while and measure the temperature rise, if you are interested.

Theoretically the black case will cool off faster at night, though, which I've had cause dew on the outside of my black eyepiece case before. The pick and pluck foam is likely a very good insulator, though, so quicker cooling of the case is likely to not result in the contents cooling by much.

Ultimately I think yellow is the best bet for visibility and lowest heat absorption, but that visibility may sometimes be undesirable, such as when it is in the back of your car. If it can keep someone from tripping over it into your scope at a star party, it is likely worth the trade-off.

edit: I should note I've had a couple 1550s, a 1600, a 1650, and several smaller cases, and loved them all. I can't fault Pelican much except for how expensive they are as an import due to shipping costs. My 1650 cost me under $200 USD! Great candidate as excess baggage on a business trip.

Eric

[rumples riot]

I have 3 cases two black and one yellow. None of them make any difference to the temperature. In terms of how it all looks, who really cares really. The idea is to stop your valuable gear getting knocked up Darren. Also I consider this fairly important, bright coloured objects in the back of vehicles are attractive to the odd tea leaf and if you go OS and use them they are non descript enough to remain inconspicuous. Yes they cost lots of money, but they do have a life time warrantee too.

Just my thoughts

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I have a black pelican and yellow kincrome safe case (at about 1/3 the price). Cant see much difference between them as far as safety of equipment but the yellow ones are easier to see that is for sure.

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

....but the yellow ones are easier to see that is for sure.

When I am out by myself in public places after dark, I don't want to be seen. I'm aiming to go black - already black car, black beanie, black coat, dark chair, dark blanket etc. I don't plan to buy a bright white shiny scope - dark grey suits me. In my case, I'll avoid yellow/orange etc.......

[duncan]

Hi All,
Just a thought but has anyone enquired to the people who make scope cases to see if they have anything similar?
Cheers

[Dazzler]

Thanks all.

Some differing points of view and comments which all helps.

Eric thanks for your offer but no need to go to that much trouble for me.

I appreciate everyones feedback.

Cheers.

[citivolus (Ric)]

Originally Posted by Dazzler

Eric thanks for your offer but no need to go to that much trouble for me.

No worries, its all cloud today anyway

[Kal (Andrew)]

I bought a yellow one purely because of low light visability.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by Kal

I bought a yellow one purely because of low light visability.

If you can see the case, it isn't dark enough to observe

I have a black Pelican 1600 case and it works fine. I do my best not to bang and scratch it with $10k worth of eyepieces in it

Cheers,
John B

[Kokatha man]

Something just happened to my first attempt to post on this thread.....

Are pelican cases some sort of weird accessory that you can purchase in the souvenir shop at Mawson Base....?

Or are they the equivalent of the "CR'A'FTECH" impact resistant (as well as everything else resistant) cases that incorporate an airlock release knob to open and close them - complete with carry handle - available at Bunnings for $99?

I use one to cart around the head of my HEQ5PRO GoTo - makes me feel real "safe n sure."

[Kokatha man]

Oh-oh! I should have read the thread and followed the thread's thread!!!

Acropolite is on the money - my case is the selfsame one he has the piccies of: mine's the largest one ($99)

It was a cow to open at first (a few busted nails) - but if you don't open the airlock knob first it's bloody well harder.....and you can padlock it.

[Kokatha man]

Obviously pelican plastic is highly superior to Chinese plastic, and even though Farmer Brown would have to be even weirder than some of the belief systems one encounters; he's hardly likely to use the Chinese one for chisels.....

Still, populist opinion often knows no bounds and rarely budges: some people still maintain the Japanese make rubbish, so don't even mention the Chinese!?!

I like the quote of the old fella (who's most probably older than me) who said: "when he started out he thought that astronomy was a science untill he realized it was a religion!"

No more pelican jokes for me, or even my new mate Omnivorr will be after me!!!

Regards, Kokatha man.

[madtuna (Steve)]

I just spotted 4 of the Craftech clones in a tiny little Bunnings outlet in a small country town.

They apparently were a promotional item and can't be ordered anymore, each Bunnings was only supplied with a limited number. This Bunnings was only supplied with 4.

They had an inch of dust on them so I approached the manager and said "obviously they aren't a big seller and you could probably use the shelf space so how about you part with the lot for $80.00 each?"
He tickled a few keys on his computer, looked at the cieling for a minute, then said "they're yours!"

Honestly, after looking at a Pelican and comparing it with the clone, I could not justify spending an extra $200 for what is basically the same thing and in my humble opinion every bit as good.

Farmer Browns chisels would arrive every bit as safe in the Craftech clone as they would in a genuine Pelican. The only difference I could see, is that with the huge saving, farmer Brown could afford a new hammer aswell

[acropolite (Phil)]

Originally Posted by John B

Similar to the thing at Bunnings only clearly superior in quality in every respect and more particularly its ability to be waterproof, shockproof and everything else proof.

John, We have the pelican cases at work and side by side with the Kingkrome/Bunnings clone, they're pretty well identical, this isn't a chinese chisel set type case, it's well made, I'm guessing a direct or very close copy of the pelican complete with the O ring seal and insert foam. Here's a direct link to images of the case I deliberately stood on mine to see how strong it is with no ill effects (in my case 82 very odd kilos)