The Pelican 1610 and 1650 are both heavy-duty Protector cases built for serious volume, and choosing between them comes down to how big your kit is and how you want to transport it.
Whether you’re a photographer packing two layers of cameras with lenses, a medical team moving a field kit, or a crew transporting tools and AV gear, both cases roll on wheels and deliver the same IP67 watertight, crushproof shell.
As a Canadian family-owned, authorized Pelican distributor since 1985, we’ve spent decades helping people right-size their Pelican cases.
Comparison Table: Pelican 1610 vs 1650
|
Feature |
|
|
|
Dimensions |
24.83" x 19.69" x 11.88" (63.07 x 50.01 x 30.18 cm) |
31.59" x 20.47" x 12.45" (80.24 x 51.99 x 31.62 cm) |
|
Price (CAD) |
$427.95 |
$484.95 |
|
Interior Dimensions |
21.78" x 16.69" x 10.62" (55.32 x 42.39 x 26.97 cm) |
28.57" x 17.52" x 10.65" (72.57 x 44.5 x 27.05 cm) |
|
Weight (empty & with foam) |
19.50 lbs (8.85 kg) & 22.30 lbs (10.12 kg) |
24.03 lbs (10.9 kg) & 28.06 lbs (12.73 kg) |
|
Volume |
2.23 ft³ (0.06 m³) |
3.08 ft³ (0.09 m³) |
|
Colours (Vary by Region) |
Black, Tan |
Black, Olive, Tan |
|
Best For |
Boxy gear needing depth and width: camera systems, tools, AV racks |
High-volume and two-layer loads: large kits, electronics builds, gear that travels by vehicle |
|
Protection Features |
IP67 watertight, crushproof, dustproof, purge valve, -40°F to 190°F |
IP67 watertight, crushproof, dustproof, purge valve, -40°F to 190°F |
|
Material |
Polypropylene body, ABS latches, Polymer O-ring |
Polypropylene body, ABS latches, Polymer O-ring |
|
Airline Compatibility |
Checked, within standard 62" limits* |
Oversized or checked, exceeds standard 62” limits* |
|
Locking Options |
Double-throw latches, padlock protectors & hasps |
Double-throw latches, padlock protectors & hasps |
|
Certifications |
IP67, DEF STAN 81 41, 1610 MIL STD 810F, MIL STD 810G |
IP67, DEF STAN 81 41, MIL STD 810G |
*Confirm with your airline for checked & oversized baggage sizes, and weight restrictions.
What Customers Are Saying
Photography forums are full of the 1610-versus-1650 debate (see this Fred Miranda thread), but the same advice keeps surfacing: pick by how you travel.
Owners describe the 1610 as the practical checked-baggage size, the one that stays within the standard 62-inch airline limit and avoids oversize fees on domestic flights.
The 1650 earns its keep when capacity matters more than portability. Its extra length and depth let photographers stack two layers of bodies and lenses, and crews load bigger builds.
The caution buyers raise just as often: a loaded 1650 is heavy and will trigger oversize and overweight charges if you fly it. The common thread is that the 1650 is the road-trip and international-shipping case, while the 1610 is the fly-it-and-forget-it case.
Our Recommendations
Both are excellent Protector cases with identical IP67 protection and the same rolling, padlockable design, so the decision really comes down to volume and how the case moves.
Choose the Pelican 1610 if you want maximum capacity that still travels as standard checked baggage. Its boxy interior suits camera systems, tool kits, and AV gear that need width and depth more than length.
Choose the Pelican 1650 if volume is the priority. The extra cubic footage handles two-layer photography loads, large medical cases, and high-volume electronics or gaming builds. Just plan for oversize handling if it flies.
Still weighing footprints? The Pelican case size chart lists all interior dimensions in one place.
Need help confirming foam options or authentic stock? Call us at 613-836-2248, and we’ll walk you through it all step by step.