Hard cases: Storm Case / Zarges / Rimowa

[David Carson]

I'm looking for a hard case for my car so my gear doesn't get crushed or spilled on by my family. I also want to work out of it on location. have a slew of canvas Domkes that are great to work out of, but aren't "fuggitaboutit" in the car. Anyone with a family knows how crushed and abused stuff can get on a family "vacation" (think xmas with all the presents stuffed in a too small car, packing while raining or snowing, or in North Dakota, raining while snowing). I also would like to stand on it on occasion.

I read a great post here: http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ight=stormcase

I'm considering a Storm Case im2500 (watertight, built-in trolley, ~$150 with dividers at http://www.midwestcasecompany.com/ac...torm_case.html), a Zarges 470 series 40564 (splashproof, ata cert., ~$258 $46 trolley $76 dividers = $380 at http://www.apgcases.com/zargesstore/40564a.jpg, all cases here: http://www.apgcases.com/zarges.htm), or a Rimowa Tropicana ($big bucks...$800? Watertight, built-in trolley, http://www.rimowa.de).

I had an opportunity to compare a similar size Pelican to the Storm Case, and it's not even close. The 2500 has waaay easier to use latches, and a much less wobbly trolley handle.

I am also not considering the waterproof Zarges 475 series, as the lids don't have hinges, but rather come off completely. I value convinence over absolute weather protection, as I'm not shipping my stuff, but rather want to use the case to work out of on location. If it can withstand rain, that's all I need.

The others listed in the above LF link didn't appeal to me either because they're either not hard-sided (Lightware, Tenba), seem not as good as similarly priced competitors (Zero Halliburton) or just seem not worth hunting down compared to the ones I'm considering (A&J, Amabilia, Anvil).

I guess I'm really leaning towards the Zarges 40564 or the Storm Case. The upright nature of that particular Zarges model means I wouldn't have to lay the case down to open it.

Anyone have opinions or better yet, use any of these?