You should have placed 4 of the Apache Cases next to the Pelican case to show what you get for your money. I'm working on a project using the Apache 4800 case, drilled holes in it, installed a full size 20# LiFePo 100Ah battery, 1000w inverter, plugs, sockets, solar controller, and other parts. Absolute wonderful case fpr this project and will get another to carry my camera and telephoto lens.
Pelican is a better case. The latches suck on the China Freight case. They are a great value and they do the job. I personally prefer Pelican but can see the VALUE in the China Freight case.
The apache 1800 is now $15. Harbor Freight increased prices on a lot of their stuff. I think I'm going to go with the apache 2800 for $35 because it has metal rings for the padlocks so it's a little more secure.
I have Apache cases for my ham radio go box gear. I have never had an issue with the durability or water egress into them. Pelican is built for the military, and Apache for the civilian consumer. I have used both, having spent 18 years in the infantry, and I do not see an Apache ever being used in the same way as we used Pelicans.
I've been considering an Apache case for some video lights I have. I'm looking for protection from falls and tumbling and protection while stacked, as well as water protection. I don't need to protect them from people standing on the case, vehicles running them over, or airport workers seeing how far they can throw them, horizontally or vertically. If I had severe situations I would be more likely to get a Pelican case, but that's not the level of protection I need. I just need something better than what the lights came with.
I've been using one of the Apache cases for about a year now and it has done me well. Been through a few gnarly swims even. Boat on autopilot in holes and such. I use it for my phone, GoPro batteries, a lighter, and stuff like that. I think as long as it stays in the boat they are ok. If it came out I'm not so sure how well they would fare beating against rocks and stuff though.
Great video I have the apache case and have dropped it many times without breaking. I have to use the pressure release valve when I open the box and then close it with warm air trapped. When the air cools it contracts and makes the box impossible to open without the valve
Not biased I was reviewing the cases from a whitewater kayakers point of view as a gun case or camera for traveling dude for sure go with the Apache but in water for hours a day and throwing in out of rafts and kayaks I’m saying pelican thanks for the feedback my fault for not clearly saying what I was reviewing those the most for
So you're telling me that a firearm is just as fragile and just as susceptible to water damage as electronics because it's more expensive than the electronics?
I own both brands I agree with this review. The Apache brand is a lot cheaper than Pelican AND it does the job. If you have thousands of dollars worth of camera gear, I would use Pelican...especially if you're on safari or hard on your boxes. It's just thicker, tougher plastic. For regular use firearms (not collectibles), magazines and ammo, go pros or action cams, Apache it's perfectly fine. This unbiased review was spot on.
Awesome, thank you for testing this but personally for my liking I’m going to stick with pelican due to the fact they have been around much longer and it appears as if the push out foam is a bit nicer and small to allow for more customization and I personally trust them more but if there is more testing of the harbor freight boxes I might switch in the future
I have an Apache 4800 for my pistols and they are very dependable and I have 1,500 to 2,000 dollar pistols in them when I travel through airports and never had a problem!
😂 I know Your being sarcastic and completely agree it’s pretty obvious Pelican cases are top notch I was trying to convey the overall feel of it on video thanks for the watching and the feedback
I picked up the Apache 2800, the next size up from you for $19.99 Harbor freigh today. The valve allows you to open the case so it doesn't get locked via excessive air pressure, which is fairly common, it's not for water intrusion. You are so already sold on your Pelican, why did you even bother doing such a one sided review?
to ride to and from the range ... that Apache is perfect. You can get fancy if you want with the pelican but just to get to the range, apache is suffcient
Not really in the market for these smaller case bit if Apache (HF) made a larger case like the 1650 I would definitely give it a shot. Those larger cases from Pelican seem completely overpriced
Pelican has a lifetime warranty. It doesn't matter how you destroy one of their cases (almost impossible to do), they will repair or replace them no questions asked. Stainless steel will discolor, but it will not lose it's strength and fail under the most extreme abuse. Pelican cases are the real deal, but with they are able to provide lifetime warranties with their products because of the price tag. My Marine Armorer/gunsmith bought a lot of Pelican cases that the Marine Corps had scheduled for destruction at DRMO, he inspected them and contacted Pelican and they replaced all of the cases he wanted replaced. The process is not worth the military's time, so they simply dispose of them. I've flown with my cases and upon arriving to my destination, I had to open the valve, because there was always an extreme amount of reverse pressure inside the case. It was pretty worrisome at first to see my case sucked in, but everything inside was fine. Then I open the valve and watch as the case sucks in air to equalize the pressure. It is impossible to open the case with all the strength as man can muster unless that valve is opened and the negative pressure released. My case was not a Pelican, but one of the other brands. You have nothing to worry about, because the technology is identical.
@@brianc2399 I don't know what it is now, but I do know what it was 15 - 20 yrs ago. Our sniper rifle cases, SASR cases, Command Launch Unit cases, thermal imaging scopes cases, and night vision sight cases, were all Pelican, and during that time, Pelicans warranty program was lifetime. Maybe it was a military contract thing. We all traveled with our equipment by air in most cases and by sea in the few cases.
My personal opinion if you have the extra money for the pelican then go with it but if it's about just locking up your stuff tools mini first aid kit or storage you can't go wrong with the cheaper apache it'll get the job done without a problem
When at harbor freight I did see one case that had the hole corner broken off. Funny thing is they were still trying to sell it at a discount. Lol I do use them though and have had pretty good luck with all sizes of the product. I own a pelican too and use it most around water. It’s been great too.
Harbor Freight comes up with a bunch of shell brands to make their products sound better to consumers and compare them to other true brands. Pittsburgh? Chicago Electric? Apache? They’re all aliases for the Harbor Freight company.
@@WadeHarrison I do stand corrected. MOST of pelican's stuff is made in the US, shocks me actually. There are some that are outsourced, but anything that they want the military to use (and all their big cases) are made in the US. I sell pelican at my store, some people have to have a name. I have A TON of HF boxes personally and I get pelican wholesale, what's that tell you.
@@WadeHarrison I grabbed a large in black. Wanted one on orange, but figured it would be too visible in the car. Only thing I’d say is look them over first because the build quality can vary a little. Thanks for the review!!
The pressure valves are more for elevation changes than the pressure of being submerged. If you closed it at altitude like on a flight and came down to ground level there would basically be a vacuum in it holding it shut. Also, high quality stainless is non magnetic so not necessarily aluminum.
I have had an issue with traveling on a flight with a Apache case. when I landed it was impossible to open it look like all the air was suck out like a vacuum how do I avoid that happening on a future flight should I have that valve open or closed?
With the valve closed at altitude you end up with higher pressure in the case than out and it'll often burp out at the higher altitude, when you return to ground level you have a situation where there is lower pressure inside the case than outside and basically pressing it shut. Leaving the valve open will allow that to equalize with the different pressures.
I went with the costway brand because it was the best price/size/deal for the buck. I paid $48, the Apache is like $60 and the pelican is like $150 for a similar sized case to the one I got.
The pressure valve is to prevent the case from being locked shut due to air pressure.
That makes sense
I have 5 Apache cases. No problems.
I still use mine today
You should have placed 4 of the Apache Cases next to the Pelican case to show what you get for your money. I'm working on a project using the Apache 4800 case, drilled holes in it, installed a full size 20# LiFePo 100Ah battery, 1000w inverter, plugs, sockets, solar controller, and other parts. Absolute wonderful case fpr this project and will get another to carry my camera and telephoto lens.
good idea
Pelican is a better case. The latches suck on the China Freight case. They are a great value and they do the job. I personally prefer Pelican but can see the VALUE in the China Freight case.
For sure get what you pay for that what I was trying to show
To me this is like the difference between a yeti and a standard cooler. The standard works nearly as good for a fraction of the price.
For sure
The apache 1800 is now $15. Harbor Freight increased prices on a lot of their stuff. I think I'm going to go with the apache 2800 for $35 because it has metal rings for the padlocks so it's a little more secure.
Oh wow they were like 12$ when I got this one
Wait for the sale, you can still get them for $10. I picked up a few a while back and still have a couple sitting around.
Aluminium or stainless steel 🤔
Stainless steel can have differing magnetism.
Really I’m going to look into this further
Let the company buy the pelican, at home I buy and use the Apache!🤣🤣🤣
Actually Great idea right there
I have Apache cases for my ham radio go box gear. I have never had an issue with the durability or water egress into them. Pelican is built for the military, and Apache for the civilian consumer. I have used both, having spent 18 years in the infantry, and I do not see an Apache ever being used in the same way as we used Pelicans.
Good real world feedback thanks for sharing
@@WadeHarrison you are very welcome, RLTW!
I've been considering an Apache case for some video lights I have. I'm looking for protection from falls and tumbling and protection while stacked, as well as water protection. I don't need to protect them from people standing on the case, vehicles running them over, or airport workers seeing how far they can throw them, horizontally or vertically. If I had severe situations I would be more likely to get a Pelican case, but that's not the level of protection I need. I just need something better than what the lights came with.
I highly recommend these
I've been using one of the Apache cases for about a year now and it has done me well. Been through a few gnarly swims even. Boat on autopilot in holes and such.
I use it for my phone, GoPro batteries, a lighter, and stuff like that. I think as long as it stays in the boat they are ok. If it came out I'm not so sure how well they would fare beating against rocks and stuff though.
Oh wow thanks for the feedback randy i appreciate that I was curious if anyone else in whitewater had used one of these??
Great video I have the apache case and have dropped it many times without breaking. I have to use the pressure release valve when I open the box and then close it with warm air trapped. When the air cools it contracts and makes the box impossible to open without the valve
Thanks for the feedback jimmy I appreciate that
Well this was the most biased review I’ve seen lmao. I’ve traveled with 3 thousand dollar handguns in the Apache cases they do their job.
Not biased I was reviewing the cases from a whitewater kayakers point of view as a gun case or camera for traveling dude for sure go with the Apache but in water for hours a day and throwing in out of rafts and kayaks I’m saying pelican thanks for the feedback my fault for not clearly saying what I was reviewing those the most for
Agreed
So you're telling me that a firearm is just as fragile and just as susceptible to water damage as electronics because it's more expensive than the electronics?
I own both brands I agree with this review. The Apache brand is a lot cheaper than Pelican AND it does the job. If you have thousands of dollars worth of camera gear, I would use Pelican...especially if you're on safari or hard on your boxes. It's just thicker, tougher plastic. For regular use firearms (not collectibles), magazines and ammo, go pros or action cams, Apache it's perfectly fine. This unbiased review was spot on.
Awesome, thank you for testing this but personally for my liking I’m going to stick with pelican due to the fact they have been around much longer and it appears as if the push out foam is a bit nicer and small to allow for more customization and I personally trust them more but if there is more testing of the harbor freight boxes I might switch in the future
Yeah that’s what I’m thinking if it whitewater you probably want to get the pelican but easy floats and all round the Apache probably be fine
Apache cases surprisingly hold up well. For really expensive items use Pelican. For not so critical items go Apache and save $$$. Good stuff!
I have an Apache 4800 for my pistols and they are very dependable and I have 1,500 to 2,000 dollar pistols in them when I travel through airports and never had a problem!
Wow that’s good to hear I have always thought these are very under rated good to know you trust them
It’s hard to believe that a Pelican 1170 case that costs almost 4x as much as a Harbor Freight Apache 1800 case feels more solid.
😂 I know Your being sarcastic and completely agree it’s pretty obvious Pelican cases are top notch
I was trying to convey the overall feel of it on video thanks for the watching and the feedback
i have several apache cases and they work great after years of hard use
This one is still going just fine
Are you sure it’s aluminum? I would think non-magnetic stainless steel.
Yes
I picked up the Apache 2800, the next size up from you for $19.99 Harbor freigh today. The valve allows you to open the case so it doesn't get locked via excessive air pressure, which is fairly common, it's not for water intrusion. You are so already sold on your Pelican, why did you even bother doing such a one sided review?
Just to show the difference I actually use both still to this day
The pelican pins could be non magnetic stainless steel
Maybe
Pelican makes good stuff no doubt. But at some point I’m just gonna have a really nice box full of my broken stuff. Harbor freight works for me!
Oh for sure
to ride to and from the range ... that Apache is perfect. You can get fancy if you want with the pelican but just to get to the range, apache is suffcient
I have both but seem to use the Apache 90% the time
Not really in the market for these smaller case bit if Apache (HF) made a larger case like the 1650 I would definitely give it a shot. Those larger cases from Pelican seem completely overpriced
I think they have many sizes now
@@WadeHarrison There are only 7 listed on the HF page. Other than the rifle case, which is niche, none are what one would consider large
Apache makes a 4800 case with a pull out handle and wheels.
Pelican has a lifetime warranty. It doesn't matter how you destroy one of their cases (almost impossible to do), they will repair or replace them no questions asked. Stainless steel will discolor, but it will not lose it's strength and fail under the most extreme abuse. Pelican cases are the real deal, but with they are able to provide lifetime warranties with their products because of the price tag.
My Marine Armorer/gunsmith bought a lot of Pelican cases that the Marine Corps had scheduled for destruction at DRMO, he inspected them and contacted Pelican and they replaced all of the cases he wanted replaced. The process is not worth the military's time, so they simply dispose of them.
I've flown with my cases and upon arriving to my destination, I had to open the valve, because there was always an extreme amount of reverse pressure inside the case. It was pretty worrisome at first to see my case sucked in, but everything inside was fine. Then I open the valve and watch as the case sucks in air to equalize the pressure. It is impossible to open the case with all the strength as man can muster unless that valve is opened and the negative pressure released.
My case was not a Pelican, but one of the other brands. You have nothing to worry about, because the technology is identical.
All really good feedback thanks for that
@@brianc2399 I don't know what it is now, but I do know what it was 15 - 20 yrs ago. Our sniper rifle cases, SASR cases, Command Launch Unit cases, thermal imaging scopes cases, and night vision sight cases, were all Pelican, and during that time, Pelicans warranty program was lifetime. Maybe it was a military contract thing. We all traveled with our equipment by air in most cases and by sea in the few cases.
Perfect timing, looking for a box for my first aid kit
Thanks SRgross for watching
3 seconds in you were already showing favoritism.
Hahha yup
My personal opinion if you have the extra money for the pelican then go with it but if it's about just locking up your stuff tools mini first aid kit or storage you can't go wrong with the cheaper apache it'll get the job done without a problem
Agreed I have been seeing more and more of these out there now
When at harbor freight I did see one case that had the hole corner broken off. Funny thing is they were still trying to sell it at a discount. Lol I do use them though and have had pretty good luck with all sizes of the product. I own a pelican too and use it most around water. It’s been great too.
Totally agree pelican boxes are worth the money in the long run
Harbor Freight comes up with a bunch of shell brands to make their products sound better to consumers and compare them to other true brands. Pittsburgh? Chicago Electric? Apache? They’re all aliases for the Harbor Freight company.
for sure
Will it work for a dron?
A mavic mini 3 pro plus accesories
It’s tight but I fit a mini 2 in there
"If you whacked someone in the head with it" 😳
Hahah I said “if”
LoL, which way do I turn the knob to keep air out?!? Please somebody!
Right seals it up left opens it
@@WadeHarrison thank you so much man!!!
Apache, Eylar, and Meijia all seem to be rebrands of the same Chinese cases.
Yup very true get what you pay for
I have a very old (probably 20 years) Pelican box and it has the same hinges as that Apache. I bet China knocked off the old Pelican.
Oh that’s definitely possible
Harbour freight and 4 offers beat pelican in shotgun test.... pelican is the only one that FAILED....
Oh that very interesting 🤔
nice review, i have no issue with HF case at all.
I still have this same box and it’s holding up great also
Glad those magnets finally got some miles on them.. What els you been sittin on??
Funny stuff man
Good review
Lol 😂 a lot and thanks Sean
Price, price, price.
yup
At least you got a cheap Apache dry case , you could aim at and shoot .
Just for reasons to practise of course ..
Hahha it will 100% go straight though this box I would say I could break it with a sling shot
I've had a pelican leak. They are all made in the "same place" if you're a brand baby buy pelican. If you are smart buy the HF cases for 1/5 the money
I don’t think they are made same place the HF one is out of China and I agree with you get the HF for 1/5 the $ and you be fine
@@WadeHarrison I do stand corrected. MOST of pelican's stuff is made in the US, shocks me actually. There are some that are outsourced, but anything that they want the military to use (and all their big cases) are made in the US. I sell pelican at my store, some people have to have a name. I have A TON of HF boxes personally and I get pelican wholesale, what's that tell you.
Again good video keep up the hard work
Thanks 🙏🏻
Nice video very informative
Thanks buddy
Apache is equal to the Pelican. This video has an obvious bias.
😎🫣
I’d probably go with Apache.
Yeah I have been using mine off and on since this video and worked great
@@WadeHarrison I grabbed a large in black. Wanted one on orange, but figured it would be too visible in the car.
Only thing I’d say is look them over first because the build quality can vary a little.
Thanks for the review!!
ip65 not rated at pressurised water jets so whitewater may penetrate the case up 67 Or68 better for submersion being an electrician that’s what I do
Thanks Peter for the feedback
I've been an electrician for 22 yrs and have never used an ip rating in any setting
The pressure valves are more for elevation changes than the pressure of being submerged. If you closed it at altitude like on a flight and came down to ground level there would basically be a vacuum in it holding it shut. Also, high quality stainless is non magnetic so not necessarily aluminum.
Thanks for the feedback Kanu Viking definitely I learned something from this I appreciate feedback
I have had an issue with traveling on a flight with a Apache case. when I landed it was impossible to open it look like all the air was suck out like a vacuum how do I avoid that happening on a future flight should I have that valve open or closed?
With the valve closed at altitude you end up with higher pressure in the case than out and it'll often burp out at the higher altitude, when you return to ground level you have a situation where there is lower pressure inside the case than outside and basically pressing it shut. Leaving the valve open will allow that to equalize with the different pressures.
it's stainless steel.and Apache cases are people that aford real pelican cases.
thanks for the feedback
Great content 👌
Thanks Trevor
Whats the point of a padlock when you can just walk away with it ? Lol
Very True it would be for like in your car or something don't want people to open it but don't want to steal it
Your kids or nosy relatives.
I went with the costway brand because it was the best price/size/deal for the buck. I paid $48, the Apache is like $60 and the pelican is like $150 for a similar sized case to the one I got.
Yeah I seen those also they look good