TYPES OF DRONE STORAGE AND TRAVEL CASES, BACKPACKS AND BAGS
The first accessory many pilots buy for their drone is a solid, dependable case to protect their investment. Just as there are many types of drones, there are many great options for each type. Let’s take a look at three different types of cases that provide varying degrees of protection, convenience, and value.
“INCLUDED” MANUFACTURER CASES
Most consumer drones don’t come with a case at all, but higher-end models like the Phantom series come packed in a cardboard box with a cheap, open-celled foam liner that, at first glance, may look sufficient to protect your new drone. After just a few uses, though, this OEM case will start to break down and is especially problematic in wet conditions such as mist, rain, or snow. Without sealing or ruggedization of any kind, you can’t depend on the default packaging to protect your drone beyond the initial shipment. These standard cases also omit any storage for peripherals like iPads, chargers, or extra batteries, so you’ll soon outgrow and outlast the free case that came with your drone.
Inspire 2 Stock case
Gpc phantom 4 case
RUGGED WHEELED CASE
Fans of military movies or cop shows know that the good guys always show up well prepared with enough gear. A detailed look at all their tech reveals that the same rugged, water-proof, airtight, wheeled cases once available only to the toughest Marines are now custom-made to protect your drone and organize its accessories and your personal gear.
Smaller models like the GPC Mavic Pro Hard Case omit the wheels to save space and are easily stowable under an airline seat or in a passenger car. Even the 249-g DJI Mini 2 has a hard case to protect its tiny, delicate gimbal. Even these small cases provide room for extra batteries, spare propellers, and a charging solution to keep you flying for hours.
stock anafi usa case
stock evo 2 case
gpc mini 2 case
Professional users will absolutely need to purchase a rugged drone case for their higher-end models like the Phantom 4 Pro, Inspire 2 or Matrice 300 and Matrice 600 series. You can even buy separate cases just for batteries (like this Matrice 200 battery case) so that you can fly all day and also comply with FAA regulations about air shipment of lithium batteries.
BACKPACKS
When you need to go where wheels can’t, a backpack case, made even for models as large as the Inspire 2, is your ticket to freedom as you hike to remote terrain and capture the ultimate drone photos and videos of an unexplored landscape or remote inspection site. Underwater drones (ROVs) are a perfect fit for backpacks, like these models for the Dory and Gladius Mini from Chasing. Backpacks leave you a little extra room in side pockets for extra personal gear as well, so bring along a water bottle or spare tablet to see the camera’s view on your drone.
gpc inspire 2 case
dory backpack
dji phantom 4 backpack
chasing mini backpack
TOP REASONS TO BUY A STORAGE CASE OR RUGGED TRAVEL CASE FOR YOUR DRONE
- Protection: Your professional drone was a major investment and you’re careful to avoid obstacles while in the air, so take the same precautions on the ground and protect your drone while en route to your filming location. The best cases not only protect from dropping and cosmetic damage, but from water and dust that can damage the sensitive electronics and optics on your camera, motors, or controllers. The best options from GPC and Pelican are strong enough to stand on and will keep your drone protected for years of constant use.
- Transportation: Your drone and fleet of spare batteries are going to get heavy, so why not get some help from one of humanity’s oldest inventions, the wheel! Much like the airplane roller bag made air travel so much more convenient, today’s rugged wheeled drone cases made transporting your drone safe and effortless. The durable plastic and rubber wheels are similar to what you’d find on rollerblades or industrial handcarts and can help you roll your drone over streets, sidewalks, and uneven terrain like grass or hard-packed dirt. These rugged storage cases also have several sturdy handles as well, so when the terrain is too steep for wheels, grab a buddy and each take a handle as you traverse the final few hundred feet.
- Organization: Rugged drone cases are the organizer’s dream because there’s a place for every essential and nice-to-have component and accessory. Cases from GPC and Pelican include custom-fitted foam that precisely cradles a particular model of drone with no room for jostling the sensitive components. Cutouts for batteries, transmitter, spare parts and tablets make a complete solution in just one wheeled, watertight box.
- All-day operation: Need to fly without interruptions? Bring along multiple spare batteries and a charger, all packed neatly in a case with space designed specifically for those essential accessories. Batteries are heavy, so you’ll greatly appreciate the convenience of having a simple way to safely transport all that weight.
- Convenient kits for quick deployment: When time is short, especially during search-and-rescue, fire department, or police operations, you want to be able to grab your gear and go. Having the drone and all its essential gear pre-packed, safely stored, and ready to quickly deploy provides a huge time savings and ensures all the critical parts will be deployed with the drone. Manufacturers like Autel even sell some models in a rugged bundle that includes a special rugged case and extra batteries so that you can save money by buying everything together in your initial purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drone Storage Cases
- Are all drone cases waterproof? No, backpacks rarely are, but rugged wheeled cases usually have a high degree of protection, up to and including full submersion. You can easily discover the manufacturer’s suggested usage by looking at the IP (ingress protection) rating, which specifies both water and dust protection for cases that have been tested.
- What are drone cases made of? Rugged, water-resistant drone cases come in two parts: the tough outer shell and the protective foam liner that’s custom fit for your drone. The outer shell is most often made of polypropylene, which is the same polymer that’s used in automotive and industrial applications. It’s known for being able to withstand high temperatures ranges (-40°F to +210°F) and absorb significant impacts without cracking. The inner shell is closed-cell polyethylene that’s precision cut using water jets to fit the exact curves and contours of your precious cargo. This innovative, tough-yet-soft foam absorbs shocks, resists mildew or fungus, is impervious to corrosion, and should last decades under normal conditions.
- Can I get a custom-made case that holds my specific accessory assortment? Contact our sales department and request a quote for some options that might work for you.
- Why are some cases so tall? Many cases have slightly increased heights to save on length and width. This extra height is well used by providing a second layer of removable foam that holds important accessories. Also, some drones get taller when packed for storage, so keep in mind the stored dimensions of a drone when evaluating case size.
- How much should I spend on a case? Many accessory makers recommend investing 10% to 20% of the price of your gear to protect it. For a $3,000 drone, this rule of thumb yields a budget of between $300 and $600 for a high-quality case, depending on the exact features you need.
