transport cases - pelican, spacecase, etc.

I know that our toughbooks are tough, but I can't exactly take my CF28 onto a plane as cabin luggage due to size/weight (and the battery is sus so it won't run the system for long!) or take it on 6000 km round trips on freight trains from Adelaide to Darwin and back without a proper case. At present I am using an older-style Pelican 1500 case which is a little bit too small though it affords really good protection when the case it put in checked luggage on a plane or I take my computer with me on a long freight train trip (I'm in Darwin with it today as it happens!).

So the question (which mostly relates to a CF28/29/30 series since I have a CF28 at present), is....

When you need to transport your toughbook *plus* other things like an AC power supply, wireless broadband hardware (USB modem plus a small external antenna), a small group of USB cables to interface to digital camera, phone, MP3 player, etc. plus a couple of RJ45 ethernet cables, what would you use?

I'm probably going to get a slightly larger Pelican case like a 1520 soon, but there are other options like SpaceCase cases (made here in Australia and used by the Australian army, etc.), and I could go with a 'soft' case like a good quality Crumpler bag, but I think the Pelican case idea is the best compromise.

I'm definitely getting a used Ledco docking station to put in my car, but otherwise when the machine is transported I want to keep it protected if it isn't being used. It'll have a much longer useful life that way. BTW the AC power supply is used to run the system in the crew van on long-distance freight trains, and in places where we stay in the middle of a trip.

Craig.

 

Here is a link where we discuss cases
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=220581

I have the stormcase and I use a pelican for transporting a small mini-itx computer


Alex

 

As a note, Pelican has now bought Hardigg (makers of the Storm case). If you go to the website for either it has word on the merger and I THINK they are still going to produce both types, but will eventually merge the styles into one that has the benefits of both. Myself, I always felt the Storm case was better made and had more features (plus just plain better looking). Time will tell. Also, for those that use handtools, Pelican just came out with a new "Snap-On" style case and it is a beauty...but man, what a price tag!

 

Interesting development. Haven't seen Hardigg cases before but they do look good. Pity Pelican has to buy them and eliminate more competition though - that will eventually be bad news for rugged case users to not have alternatives.

Good to see that for now there are more options that I was aware of.

Craig.

 

Here are some links that I have used for cases, give them a shot as they should have some of the best prices:

http://www.caseclub.com/splash-carrying.htm

http://www.apgcases.com/

http://www.hardigg.com/

http://www.casesbypelican.com/index.htm

http://www.pelican-case.com/

 

I bought a few Hardigg Storm Cases for auction in the past. They seemed very sturdy and water-tight.

Now I don't parachute into enemy territory or slog down the Nile in a dugout or go over Niagara Falls in a barrell... But I do travel on occasion with my Toughbook. I would NEVER check this laptop! To me that is asking for a sticky fingered baggage handler to take it. My Toughbook NEVER leaves my side when I travel. I just use the Sling... It is like a set of upside-down saddlebags that straps onto the laptop so that you can carry it around with you. Ala....



This gives me plenty of space to take all the cables I need plus a travel router for places that don't have wifi but do have Ethernet, plus an extra battery plus my charger, iPod, a few sets of earbuds, my dvd caddy, etc. Yes it weighs in at around 15 pounds... But I have my stuff!

I would recommend this to anyone... They also make one for the CF-29 that is similar but this will work for pretty much all the full size rugged Toughbooks.