Pluck Foam or Dividers?

[johnastovall]

I've been seriously thinking about getting the Pelican 1510 case for my 5D system's home when traveling rather than the Domke bags.

But they offer a "Pluck Foam" where you it appears kind of make holes of the size and shape you need or padded dividers like my bags.

What have been peoples experiences with these two systems?

[Dobick]

All of the pelican cases that I have ever seen have had the pick and pluck. I haven't seen the dividers, so I don't know.

If memory serves me correctly (I was looking at getting one a while back) I think that the pick and pluck refill is fairly inexpensive, so you could order a case with the dividers, and order a pick-and-pluck refill at the same time, that way, you can change based on the needs of a trip.

[CobyPhoto]

Get the dividers. I have a Pelican I use for Travel when I want to protect my stuff a little more, and it has the pick & pluck foam. If you pull too much out, the interior starts to colapse and things get messy. I think the dividers offer much more customization and protection.

CJ

[PeteQ]

I have dividers in my 1510 and pluck foam in my larger 1650. I actually have three sets for the 1650 to cover three load-out scenarios. I found the replacement foam for less that $40 on ebay a while back. But for the smaller 1510 the dividers work fine. FYI they aren't a typical split down the middle type arrangement. It's more like a 60/40 split. Not really a big deal but you do end up with left and right side of center dividers that aren't really interchangeable.

[shutterdrone]

I recently bought a pelican case w/ pick-n-pluck, but I can't say I'm terribly happy with the foam. If you're buying with a LOT of extra room, then it should work OK, but if you're looking to fit in tight, it doesn't work so well as when you get thin sections between two open areas, there's not enough connection to hold it tight, and the edges tear off/it gives way.

However, with the foam, you do get a 'secure' hold over the dividers. I got my case for carrying the dslr on the kayak, where it gets turned over, dropped, etc. alot - and I think the dividers would cause my gear to get mangled.

They also sell solid foam, IIRC, I think that's a better way to go - take sheets of that and cut it to shape with an x-acto knife, and use the standard top/bottom sheets. I'm considering replacing the pick-n-pluck with solid foam in my case.

!c

[kachina]

Church, what size box do you use on your boat and how do you secure it? Is it a touring kayak?

[Michael Lyons]

I have the dividers in mine

[shutterdrone]

Originally Posted by kachina

Church, what size box do you use on your boat and how do you secure it? Is it a touring kayak?

Rusty - I believe it is the 1300 case. I needed deeper than longer. I have an SOT kayak (Tarpon 160i), and wanted to keep the primary case between my legs (so I don't have to reach back into the tankwell) - I just d-clip the handle into the bungee used to strap down maps/rags and stuff. One could also strap it on the front deck between the foot rests and front hatch, but I'd feel really weird trying to get my gear out sitting side-saddle or bent over with a shifting center of balance.

The 1300 has enough room (by removing one layer of foam) to fit my K10D w/ a Sigma 17-70mm attached, another lens (usually the SMC 18-55, SMCA 50, or Quant. 70-300), two 72mm filters in Hoya boxes, two 3 (SD) card cases, IR remote, some step-up rings and things like sharpie (infinitely useful!) and lens cloth/blower brush floating freely inside. I'll then, if I want other gear (like film cameras, polaroid backs, or a third lens, etc.) along, I'll use my old night-vision goggle case. The Pelican has just enough bouyancy to float with all of its gear in it. I've also started keeping a cheap-o pan/tilt tripod in the TW and my good one down in the front hatch when out. That way I can plop the cheap one down in the water if I need a steady base in the mud for shooting.

One of the biggest reason I keep the box between my legs is so that, besides getting the camera out fast, I can put it away real fast when the PB'ers come blowing by at full-tilt 10' away from me. Last weekend I got swamped under 3' waves - fortunately, the case was right there so the camera made it back in time.

!c

[hhscr]

I have the 1550 with foam. I agee with what has been said about the foam and having to be careful not to get the openings too close together, I would not go any less than two rows of foam together, because it will for sure tear apart on use.

I have no experience with the dividers other than in my other camera bags. I think if you arrange carefully that the foam gives better protection to each piece of equipment.

You will have more storage area with the dividers but do you need more storage or better protection?

Good Luck

[Daniel W.]

I use a 1620 and had it shipped with the foam. Eventually, things were packed in too tight and it started falling apart. Luckily my Lowepro Stealth400 and laptop bag fit very nicely into it.

The thing is a monster though, huge but no problems yet. Dropped down stairs, rain, dust, sand, and I use it as a footrest/stool/riser... still looks almost new except for where the plastic around the wheels hit the pavement going up the steps. I've been wanting to try one of the Peli/Lowepro combo units but the bags look too awkward.

If you're wanting the alternative, Storm Cases by Hardigg are great too, work has one and they hold up just as well. The site isn't as intuitive though.

[nyphotopro]

Pete:

Could you PM me with the info on where to get the pluck foam from. Pelican wants an arm and a leg. I've got a 1650 also that I want to replace the foam in before I sell it. Thanks.

Matt

Originally Posted by PeteQ

I have dividers in my 1510 and pluck foam in my larger 1650. I actually have three sets for the 1650 to cover three load-out scenarios. I found the replacement foam for less that $40 on ebay a while back. But for the smaller 1510 the dividers work fine. FYI they aren't a typical split down the middle type arrangement. It's more like a 60/40 split. Not really a big deal but you do end up with left and right side of center dividers that aren't really interchangeable.

[billbunton]

I've got dividers in my 1550 (1554). i specifically got the dividers after remembering how wretched the pluck foam was in the Haliburton I had many years ago. It was okay until the first time I needed to change the layout, at which point I decided foam was not the way to go for me.

[dbphotos]

Mine actually came with both and I only use the dividers. DIVIDERS!

[mdurisseau]

I got a 1510 with the pick-n-pluck...as indicated previously, once it gets thin (less than 2 of the squares wide) you need a supply of rubber cement! I carry three bodies and four lenses, though, in mine...I might try the dividers...

[PeteQ]

Originally Posted by nyphotopro

Pete:

Could you PM me with the info on where to get the pluck foam from. Pelican wants an arm and a leg. I've got a 1650 also that I want to replace the foam in before I sell it. Thanks.

Matt

Matt, I just watched eBay for a week or so. I was in no hurry and waited until a seller had multiple sets. A guy had a bunch from some military surplus.