Could you elaborate a bit on this? Thanks.
Sure. I began purchasing the Pelican 1650’s to hold inventory for my business (clothing). We have a mobile unit (my truck) that would set up here in NYC. Over the past 5 years, I have transported inventory in rain, snow, dust, every imaginable condition.
Here’s what I learned about the Pelicans:
- They may be IP68 rated (ingress protection from water/dust), but as you open and close them hundreds of times the lids begin to shift on their hinges and don’t line up as well when shut. Some of mine don’t keep out dust as well as they used to.
- Mine are black and when sitting in the sun, plastic wrapped inventory begins to build condensation.
- When stored in the back of a defender, having 6 latches (especially the 4 on the sides) makes them hard to open and close.
- If you really need every inch of storage the interior of a pelican 1650 in relation to the outside dimensions isNot very efficient. This may not matter to everyone since they’re not packing each one to the gill, but I can fit 87 t-shirts in a 1650 v. 147 t-shirts in the Zargres 40565.
- Pelicans don’t stack very securely. They have notches, but it’s nothing compared to the Zarges.
- Harder to clean when they get dusty, lots of notches and crevices.
Here’s what I’ve found with the Zarges k470 (40565, the model that competes with the Pelican 1650).
- Yes, they are lighter empty but who cares really as mine are always packed to the gills. This could really matter though if you don’t pack them full.
- Zarges are also IP68 rated. However, because the rubber seal on the lip is much larger and more forgiving then the small rubber strip on the pelican, it allows for the lid to shift a bit but still maintain a proper seal.
- Zarges has 2 latches. It shuts just as securely and man is it nice to have just two latches. Access is so much easier in the defender and in general.
- Leave a zarges out in the sun all day. You may burn your ass when you sit on it, but the contents are kept cool and no condensation.
- The interior of the Zarges has nice vertical walls (no angles for the roller as with the Pelican). Makes them much easier to pack, you can turn a Zarges on it’s side and pack it vertically. You can barely place a Pelican on its end.
- When you stack a Zarges on top of a Zarges it’s not moving. Very secure.
- Much easier to clean
- I figure you can store 30% more based on how much more efficient the interior of the Zarges is. So, a Zarges is twice the price, but it does store more.
- The aluminum may dent easier, but that’s just the panels. The edges and corners are way more stout, I’ve dropped them from my roof rack by accident and no dent.
- When you’re not using the Zarges on your truck they make fantastic coffee tables in the home...My English Bully, Dolly