Review! Apache 5800 vs Pelican 1510 - Which makes the better bagpipe case?

Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed this video! In this video, Matt Willis Bagpiper compares the Harbor Freight Apache 5800 Carry-On case to the classic Pelican 1510. Can a case costing less than $100 US beat the classic protection of a Pelican?
Previous Pelican 1510 Review: • Review: Pelican 1510 a...
Link to the Apache Foam Layout: bit.ly/5800Pipes
Pelican Layout #1: tinyurl.com/y4pt2wq3
Pelican Layout #2: tinyurl.com/y3suzq97
Minstrel Boy Arrangement: mattpiper.com/site/downloads/t...
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[@tommybrowne8759]

Hello Mr. Willis thankyou for the comparison video, purchased the Apache 5800 and another thing that is optimal about these cases is that there air tight and really keep the humidty in check. Im very happy with this!! Cheers friend.

[@JoshMacEachern]

Been using the Pelican 1510 for years---the Apache cases are pretty similar in a lot of ways, although I've seen lots of crush tests where they don't perform nearly as well. Won't make a big difference to the average piper I suppose as long as they don't anticipate their case getting run over by a truck. Great vid!

[@mannahatamovies]

Great job man. Still going back and forth between the 2.

[@buckieman2869]

I’ve been using the Apache case for a year now. I’m back and forth to Scotland 2 or 3 times a year and need a carry on size case. I was using the R. G. Hardie carry on case, but ran into two issues. One is that some small commuter planes require you to gate check even carry on sized bags. Second is that the intercity bus from Glasgow to Aberdeen, depending on the driver, will not allow a bag with exposed wheels to ride in the passenger seating and you have to put it in the belly of the bus. I’ve done the foam so that there’s a spot for my tuner, corks, hemp, and other bits and pieces, but I think I’ll look in to the lid accessory, thanks. Very informative video, as usual.

[@metroplexunitedpipeband395]

Great cases (both Pelican and Apache) for pipe bands!

[@sgtted8225]

I like the backpack style case for car travelling, but still use my old school hard shell bagpipe instrument case (the classic black briefcase style with red cloth lined interior and metal corners) for air travel, as it's a better size for carryon, especially for flying out of a small airport and protects against crushing better than a soft case. I'll have to consider the Apache case.

[@TheQuietpiper]

Thanks for the great video comparison. One thing to note, Pelican cases are made in the USA and Apache(or anything from Harbor Freight) are made overseas.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Thanks for the info!

[@StansE250]

Correct. The chinese have NO Limit to what they’ll knockoff (i.e. theft of intellectual property).

[@courtneyrice1483]

I recently purchased the 5-11 version of this case. It is a match to the Pelican as well. It does not have the pips to screw in the lid organizer but I was able to epoxy it onto the lid pretty handily. Thanks for the idea Matt. I've been obsessed with it since KTA last year.

[@courtneyrice1483]

It's also a bit cheaper I think

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Will you be at KTA this year? If so, I'd love to see your case!

[@courtneyrice1483]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Yes, already booked. And I will have it with me

[@johnnickpappanastos3382]

Excellent comparison! Always preferred the hard-style cases for instruments myself. Pelican products are top of class, but you're paying a premium for the name. Nice to know there's reputable competition out there.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Exactly. If I had to buy another carry-on sized case, this would definitely be on the top of my list currently.

[@elzeben]

I just got an orange Nanuk 935, and love it so far. I previously used a cheap 24" toolbox that after years I replaced the hinges with old door hinges, and modified to carry on my bicycle rack. I'll have to figure out how to carry my Nanuk 935 on my bike.

[@clow6583]

How are you liking the Nanak?

[@elzeben]

I have put it on my bike trailer, which works pretty well. It also works well as a place to sit. I got used to needing to tune everything from scratch everytime I take it out of the case. I haven't really used it much though, with the pandemic and all.

[@MrZen42]

I'm using a bag-piper case but it is rather inadequate, I would go for a backpack style instead. Nice video as always !

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I don't know if it'd be comfortable, but they do make backpack straps for the Pelican 1510 (and given the back is EXACTLY the same, I would think they'd work on thew Apache 5800 as well)

[@MichaelNatrin]

Great video.

[@piperakerr]

Nice comparison Matt. I have both the Pelican 1510 and Apache 5800. Another difference between the two are the warranties. Pelican offers a lifetime warranty, where as Apache offers a 90 day warranty from date of purchase. Additionally, both the handles are not a sturdy on the Apache; believe you mentioned this a bit on the video.

[@Plautus]

Check out the Pelican KZbin video by Riggs Taylor, his case was cracked open by the airline, and he found out that the lifetime warranty does not cover damage.

[@dennykitchens8598]

I use heavy duty zip ties to sucker them I carry a lot of fishing stuff and it was getting to be a pain in the ass them always cutting my locks I always have 2 0r 3 dozen zip ties

[@jacobtaggart8950]

Hey Matt, I use the Apache 5800 case for my bagpipes, absolutely love it. I plan on flying with a set of bagpipes on a domestic U.S flight using that case. Do you have any advice for someone who’s never carried a set of pipes through TSA security?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Just be prepared for them to go through the case... I'd say 50% of the time (or more), the case is searched. Make sure you aren't travelling with a reed poker or reed knife of any sort!

[@patrickmcbride7657]

Matt, Pelican advertises you can change the handle and clasps on the Pelican 1510 to different colors. If you still have the Apache could. You see if you can swap those items? Thank you

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'll see if the pins that hold the handles are the same size or not next time I see a Apache case

[@Devinadamsont]

I'm glad u took a look at it. Does the tenor fit in with the bag on or do u have to take them apart?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You have to take the tops off all the drones and separate the bass middle and top. It sounds like a pain, but it's not so bad.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can see at 1:52 how they break down.

[@gunnsmoke357]

I like the black case. I fear a colorful Pelican case, when flying, could attract unwanted attention with some overly-curious TSA hoods.

[@astronola]

not made by pelican it is a chinese copy

[@Ceol-Cluaise]

Do you use the Pelican 1510 for your EJ Jones Smallpipes? (would that simply require swapping the cut foam inserts?) Or do you have a separate case for that set?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The pelican case is just too "short" for the length of smallpipes. I never had to travel for work with these smallpipes (which I have since sold), so I don't have a great case option for them... :(

[@marque6404]

Does the pelican’s divider/organizer for photography equipment fit in the Apache 3800?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Almost certainly yes. I don't own the Apache so I cannot compare, but I thought I addressed this in the video...

[@marque6404]

@@MattWillisBagpiper I recall the upper lid organizer but not the lower case dimensions being the same if i wanted to use pelican padded dividers . i must have missed it. sorry about that. thanks for the quick reply tho!

[@winston117]

I saw the review and went and bought the case, 89.99 right now, but they do at times have a coupon that makes it 69.99. I attempted to cut a piece of the foam in half and it just fell apart! How do you manage it?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Electric knife (like the one used to cut a turkey)

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I typically draw a line with a sharpie to follow when using the electric knife. Best of luck! You can use it not cut in half, but it leaves less room for the bag/stocks.

[@winston117]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thanks, I did a test run and its a tight fit for the bag and lower drones sections/stocks. I do believe its due to the bag, its a Gannaway with the zipper and collars. The regular Gannaway probably fits much easier

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

In that case, you might want to remove the corrugated foam on the top. I tend to wrap my pipes in thin large automobile drying towel, which would keep the pipes from getting scratched on the now-unpadded lid...

[@winston117]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Got it sorted out, my MacLellan Patriot Set fits perfectly. I actually ended up taking the foam for the lid and cut off the egg crate tips (flattening it out), then I traced out the drones and cut it to fit them with a sharp scissor. And I bought and installed the Pelican lid storage unit as well

[@jbzooropa72]

You didn’t even go over how flimsy the pulling handle is. Literally the major factor of the case. How could you miss the main feature? Wow!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I have had no issues with the pulling handle… it is not the strongest bit of plastic, but it hasn’t broken off, bent out of shape, or anything of the sort. I’m needing new wheels soon, but the handle is fine. But that’s just my opinion experience.

[@philipmarote8477]

Where do you get the netting from, for the case lid?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That's the 1519 Pelican lid insert.

[@philipmarote8477]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks for putting this info up on here.

[@astronola]

hinges are also not stainless and will rust unlike the Pelican

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Good to know!

[@functionalsolenoid5398]

Just some real world experience.. I had a lot of these cases when camping 3 days a week for a year -- and then 7 days a week for 8 months. I had an extra Apache 3800 that I used as a step for my camper van - so it sat outside my door and dealt with me stepping down onto it at 220lb over and over. I will say that the latches seemed to loosen up a bit over time, but I didn't experience any rust on the hinges - though I recall some minimal formation on the lock holes. It did seem to wear faster and look uglier than my pelican case which had seen 75lbs of tools on 140+ flights in the 3 years prior. I think it all comes down to use case. Something in your trunk, for camping, organization at home, etc -- I think the Apaches are a great compromise. I use them for my drone, GoPro, etc. Delicate equipment or stuff that is going to be in the elements - go with the Pelican.

[@chris-dempsey]

@@functionalsolenoid5398 Good to hear a first hand account of how much abuse they can take... I was wondering how the waterproofing compared to the Pelican

[@chickenporkadob0]

Not available outside U.S.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ah man! Harbor Freight doesn't ship internationally?

[@chickenporkadob0]

@@MattWillisBagpiper sadly no. tried to look for in Amazon Oz but nada.

[@jgg204]

The material is inferior on the apache. it's why on the apache they added extra ribs on the corners, to support the corners. Even with the ribs, the corners get fractured off with repeated baggage handling. Also the latches on the apache are inferior, cheaper plastic. Keep in mind, the Pelican 1510 has a lifetime guaranteed warranty.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

All good to know!