If you’re traveling with a lot of gear this summer, a protective hard case for your camera equipment is a great investment. It will help you keep your gear safe and secure while you’re making your way through airports, road tripping in the car, or heading off the beaten path for photo shoots.
There are a lot of different options when it comes to a good hard case, so when Evergreen sent us their Seahorse 830 protective equipment case, we were excited to test it out and see how it holds up, especially since the price of the Seahorse is a bit more affordable than the more commonly known Pelican cases.
So let’s take a look at and review the Seahorse 830 from Evergreen and see how it stacks up against a Pelican case.
Find the Seahorse 830 Protective Case at evergreencases.com or on Amazon.
Specs and Key Features of the Seahorse 830 Protective Hard Case
Let’s start by breaking down the specs of the Seahorse 830:
- Dimensions:
- Exterior: 21.9″ x 13.9″ x 8.9″
- Interior: 19.5″ x 11.0″ x 7.8″
- Weight:
- Empty Weight: 9.33 lb
- Weight w/ Foam: 10.48 lb
- Weight Capacity: 80 lbs
- Buoyancy: 60 lbs
- IP67 waterproof
- Impact resistant
- ATA-300 compliant
- Automatic pressure equalization system
- 5 different interior configuration options
- Two twist lock latches and two padlock holes
- Extendable handle and wheels
- Lifetime warranty
- Price: $161 – $291 (The one shown in this article has the option with the interior dividers, and it is $228.)
Air Travel
The Seahorse 830 is a protective hard case that is designed with airplane travel in mind, making traveling with film a little less stressful. It’s dimensions are at the max allowable size for a carry-on, but be sure to double check the dimensions with your specific airline and keep an eye on the weight limit.
The wheels and extendable handle make it really easy to roll through the airport. I rolled this on a handful of different surfaces, including sidewalks, pavement, and wooden walkways, and it did great. It felt durable and steady.
I was worried the extendable handle might not be sturdy enough, but once it was extended and I pulled it around, it felt really solid. It also has handles on the top and side if you prefer to carry it.
The case is also ATA compliant, meaning it’s shell and hinges are all built to withstand high-impact air travel, and it has an automatic pressure equalization system when you open the latch so it won’t get stuck shut after flying at high altitudes.
Waterproofing
With an IP67 rating, the Seahorse 830 keeps all of your gear protected against the elements. It has an o-ring seal, waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, and buoyant up to 60 lbs. Great for adventuring!
It will float out in the water if there are any mishaps while your boating or kayaking, and you won’t have any problems in the rain or snow. Your camera gear is going to stay safe and dry.
Latches and Security
The Seahorse 830 case has two latches with a twisting lock, and it also has two metal reinforced padlock holes. The twisting lock will keep the latch from accidently popping open and it’s nice to have that extra security, but even without engaging the lock, the latches are really robust with a tight seal.
The twisting lock is not a key lock (it just reinforces the latch), so you’ll want to use the padlock holes when traveling.
Related: 4 Film Cases Worth Checking Out!
Build: But Is the Seahorse 830 Durable?
I packed the Seahorse 830 full of gear and took it out on several on several shoots, and this case has a great build quality. It is super durable with thick and solid plastic. No issues with the locks, seals, or wheels, and it kept my gear protected.
It held up exactly as you’d hope it would!
The hardware, fit, and finish are all high quality without any rough or unfinished edges, and it’s also promoted as impact resistant and crush proof. Nothing about it feels cheap or breakable, and the high quality made me feel really comfortable using this case for travel and storage.
Interior Options
There are five different interior options on the Seahorse 830 hard case:
- Dividers: The main compartment will have camera bag dividers that you can place where you’d like for your gear, and the inside of the lid will have egg carton foam. You can also remove all of the dividers to expose the hard plastic. This is the configuration I have.
- Foam: The main compartment has pick and pluck foam, and the inside of the lid has egg carton foam.
- Without Foam: Just the hard plastic.
- Dividers with Lid Organizer: This configuration has the camera bag dividers in the main compartment and zippered mesh compartments on the inside of the lid for a little more storage.
- Empty with Lid Organizer: The main compartment is hard plastic and the inside of the lid has zippered mesh compartments.
Price and Warranty
The Seahorse 830 cases range from $161 – $291 in price, depending on your interior options. The case pictured in this article has the interior dividers and goes for $228.
The price is a bit more affordable than similar Pelican and Nanuk protective cases and is right up there with them when it comes to quality. It’s always a little nerve-racking trying to balance saving money and getting the most protective case for your gear, but the Seahorse 830 is a really great option for both price and quality.
Evergreen also has a solid lifetime warranty for all of its cases, so you’re covered if there are ever any issues with the case.
Comparing the Seahorse 830 to the Pelican 1535 Air
Pelican is one of the most popular brands for protective hard cases, but they can also be on the pricier side. So let’s see how the Seahorse 830 compares to the Pelican 1535 Air, Pelican’s lightweight carry-on case.
These two cases are very similar. They are the same size with high quality construction, both IP67 waterproof, and a similar design with wheels and an extendable handle (even though the handle on the Pelican case is wider and more robust).
The Pelican 1535 is known for being lightweight, but the Seahorse case comes close at less than a pound heavier than the Pelican.
The Pelican has a few more interior options, specifically Pelican’s TrekPak divider system, which is an upgraded version of the typical camera bag dividers.
The Seahorse has several options with the interior lid organizer, whereas the Pelican only has a lid organizer option on its 1535TRVL model (which doesn’t come with any foam or a divider system).
So what is the price difference? Depending on your interior configuration, the Seahorse is about $100-150 less expensive than the Pelican. The Pelican may come out a little ahead with its options, but the Seahorse really matches the Pelican’s quality for a much better price tag.
Alternative Cases from Evergreen
If the Seahorse 830 isn’t quite the right size for you, Evergreen has a full line of protective cases that range from small film carriers to large crates.
For something a little bit smaller than the 830, but still good for air travel, try the Seahorse 630 or 720. Or the Seahorse 1220 if you need a case that’s larger.
Final Thoughts
If you need a large travel case to keep your camera equipment safe, the Evergreen Seahorse 830 is an excellent option. I have a couple of different film holders and cases from Evergreen, and they are always high quality and do such a great job of keeping my gear protected.
The 830 makes it easy to organize your gear, and the case is so versatile for any kind of traveling or adventuring.
Leave your questions about the Seahorse 830 protective hard case from Evergreen below in the comments, and you can pick one up for yourself at evergreencases.com or on Amazon.
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