I will start off by letting people know one important thing first…This Pelican case (actually all of them) should ship in an original Pelican box with printing on it (I will be uploading photos). Why? This is right from Pelican, all their products that are new come in a box with colored printing and the Pelican stamp so one can be assured it is a genuine, brand new Pelican product. My first case from Amazon arrived in a beaten up Amazon brown box, no original box, no pick & pluck padding and it looked as if it was dragged across a baseball field. After calling Pelican first to verify how one should expect their cases to arrive even if ordered through Amazon, I knew it was time for a return and enter stage left, the real new Pelican 1620 from Amazon. Shipping: This second 1620 unit was packaged very well, shipped with and inside the original Pelican box (Red & Black printing of product) and then in an Amazon box. Complete with all the foam, including documentation and in excellent shape. So 5 Stars this time around. Outside Construction: The case, handles and wheels are in excellent shape. The handles are located in very good positions and sturdy so I don't think they will break off, bend or chip in the near future. The Wheels seem very durable and do not hang over the side edges ready to catch things around the ground by accident. The pull out handle, very nice and to add to the over all fit and finish of the handle, wheels and size of the case, this doesn't seem to wobble like some cheap luggage case would even if it is packed full of equipment. 4 Stars for the exterior layout. Latches: While this is considered the outside of the case it really needs it's own review section. The latches are truly top notch. Deflection ribs that really will protect and safeguard the latches for a long time and not made from some cheap plastic materials. The latches are easy to lock into place and secure, which once you latch them yourself you will understand when I claim an excellent status. The unlocking action is also excellent. The latches are robust, far from delicate and give off a snapping sound be it latching or unlatching the lid on this case. Four (4) latches in total so one knows their gear is safe and the lid is tight and in place. 5 Stars Internal Area: Very good storage area. Wheels and the slide out handle are not impacting the interior space like on some smaller units which is nice and helps maximize storage space. I really like the depth on this unit as it allows to store some bigger pieces of video gear while keeping it safe. The walls seem very sturdy and based on Pelicans claims should hold up through the test of time. 5 Stars Foam: Six (6) layers of foam, all separate ready to customize! One of the most important and key parts. I like the pick & pluck type of foam in this unit. For my application it works perfect. One can either use toothpicks to outline a piece of gear or use a white colored pencil (very lightly) and then start picking away. Many have said how long foam takes to layout, well with this case it was only the top layer of foam to layout and then the rest was easy. Once you have everything laid out on the top 2 1/4" piece of foam (that's the time consuming part, knowing your layout) then just rest or place that on the other layers and pick one layer at a time until you have the depth you need, simple. I will note again, this unit has six (6) layers of foam. One (1) would be the lid egg crate type, four (4) makes up the main case foam which is about 2 1/4" each and then a one (1) inch bottom layer of the non pick & pull type of foam. When you pick & pluck go one row smaller on one side and see how your item fits. You want it snug but not jammed in to tight. You can always go bigger or fine tune but adding is not as fun or functional (you might in time lose a few non glued pieces). As of right now I think this is one of the best foam options in a Pelican case because of the four (4) main layers of padding and the very bottom (solely for protection) fifth piece of foam. I also like, for those that don't know, the outer edge of foam is about an 1 1/2" thick before the pick & pluck even starts so you don't get to close to the edge making sure things stay protected like they should. Last, the foam feels like it will absorb a good amount of vibration but to be sure I personally store my larger video camera at the top (pullout handle) end of the case so the foam can do it's job by isolating any vibration travel. 5 Stars Overall: Excellent, so why four (4) Stars? I can't give 4 1/2 from Amazon. Small things that add up. While the case seems very well constructed the lid leaves me with a few questions because I would have thought it would be a bit more reinforced. Once it is placed down things will get stacked on top of it and not perfect (think about air travel abuse). Also placing screws into a lid where the molded plastic could have a simple "U" clip to attach a strap(s) instead of screws for the accessory panel makes me ask why alter a solid piece or allow others to alter said piece? Maybe that's just me however after seeing a friends family own and run a molded injected plastics company this can be done if it was designed that way, simple fact. A few other fit & finish things like the pullout handle could be padded like the other handles but more so the latch that holds the handle seems like a last minute thought to a great design that most military personal use. The wheels, while you don't get the roller wheels because those will wear down depending on the terrain you pull this case through, a bit larger wheels help disperse vibration. So while the outer part of the wheel could be nice a hard the inner part could be a different material, just as strong but a bit more effective. Back to the pullout handle, I know I don't have this case loaded down like the specs claim it can be I question the overall strength of the handle long term. I know the shell can take the abuse (the material) but say there is 100lbs loaded and realistically one grabs the upright travel handle to start walking (please, don't type back about not walking by and just grabbing the handle, we all do this), I have to ask, will this snap, flex to a stress point or hold up with travel over time. I have traveled with my gear 26 weeks straight and less than good equipment really works the nerves. I feel the core points on this unit will last yet they could be better or improved. That leads to the next statement but not factored in as I bought this model regardless but it needs to be mentioned (since it's not mentioned on many vendor sites). Since this case is designed for protection, the one thing that I'm not 100% sure about and at this time I haven't received a definitive answer from Pelican or another vendor for that matter, is this case the newest model where the shell is of two pieces and bubble filled between (simple description), better latches and the ribs to absorb impacts. As I understand it the ribs have been updated on several models, the latches have as well and the overall case has a better protection level. Does that mean this one is less of a quality unit, no. Updated information would be very welcome though because I don't want to assume one construction method is used and if something happens I expect one response and receive another because there are differences. I would still buy this unit, actually I bought another 1620 unit though I would buy from another top photo/video vendor because I'm very tired of dealing with huge price fluctuations from Amazon. If I buy direct from Amazon it should be one price across the board not a forty dollar ($40) difference from something I bought before (very recently and actually the price changed by the time this shipped, so one day). So I hope this helps and once my cases are stocked I will upload photos. Any Questions just ask away…
