Multiple Portable (External) HDD Carrying Case (Hard)?

Tanis

The Last Albino
Aug 30, 2010
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Maybe I can't 'do the google', but I can't seem to find one.

I have about six portable HDDs and would like to have an 'all in one' case that could fit them plus their USB cords and, maybe, some thumb drives if possible.

Is there such a thing out there?
 

Frezzato

New member
Oct 17, 2012
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What exactly are you looking for? A hard case or a soft one?

For me, a guy at work had one of those Wenger/Swiss Army laptop bags and I got one for about $50 or $60 because I saw just how awesome it was.

It has a main pocket for a ~15 or 16-inch laptop, which is fully padded. The laptop slides into the pocket, which is secured at the top by a single velcro strap. In front of the pocket is a gap where you can put flat stuff, and within the same compartment, facing the laptop, are two mesh pockets which are wide enough for the chunkiest of external HDDs.

There's another zippered compartment in front of the laptop area which contains several smaller pockets large enough for at least two slim external HDDs. Mounted in front of those pockets are smaller pockets, plus there's the general gap left over within that compartment. And in front of THAT area is the very front of the bag which is a huge pocket zippered at the top. And at the very back is, you guessed it, yet another compartment containing a flat divider for easy access to important files, plus another, larger, flat area.

The back of the bag has a small, velcroed gap in the webbing where you can slip it over a carry-on handle. The bag has a main strap plus the standard dual-grip handle present on most computer bags.

Overall this is one of my favorite purchases over the past five years. It's large enough to carry the fat PS3 or the PS4, along with several games, two controllers, etc. I normally use it to carry my MacBook, including a shitload of AV and PC cables (VGA, HDMI, DVI, analog audio, travel mouse, USB bits and pieces, etc. This [http://www.amazon.com/Wenger-Swiss-64038010-Carrying-Notebook/dp/B00V2S23XG/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1441623302&sr=8-16&keywords=wenger+laptop+bag] bag looks very similar to what I have.

And if you wanted to go the ultra paranoid route, there's always off-brand watertight cases [http://www.amazon.com/Seahorse-SE520-Protective-Case-Black/dp/B000OVN3HM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441623578&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=bolton+watertight+case] with pluck-to-size foam cube inserts which you can break apart to make a custom fit. I have one similar to this for ammunition storage.
[hr]

Now, if you wanted to get a little hardcore, I would recommend a bag from Courierware [http://courierbags.com/]. I have two of their bags. I think they still offer a lifetime warranty on stitching, plus all their bags are constructed of a two-ply material which, once combined, form a waterproof seal. I know this to be true because someone accidentally spilled a beer in one of my bags (long story) and it held it like a bucket.

The outside material is a super tough, heavy duty cordura nylon that feels almost rough to the touch. My first bag was used to travel around the country, and it was overstuffed the entire time. Their bags will last a very, very long time. If you can spare around $140, I cannot recommend Courierware enough. They also offer accessories like inserts but first and foremost I would recommend their optional shoulder pad [http://courierbags.com/collections/accessories/products/shoulder-pad], which can be used on any bag with a shoulder strap. I bought two extras and used one for my Wenger.
 

Tanis

The Last Albino
Aug 30, 2010
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What I'm really looking for is a hard case that can fit things like a 'My Passport', but several of them.

Something flat I can slide into my backpack and/or laptop case.

Still, those do look pretty cool.

-EDIT-
Something like this, but for ~2.5 HDDs.
http://www.staples.com/Pelican-Polycarbonate-Memory-Card-Case-Each/product_IM1KV6473?&akamai-feo=off
 

Frezzato

New member
Oct 17, 2012
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Tanis said:
Oh, Pelican is definitely the way to go. The only "problem" with Pelican cases--really all cases--is that it's very hard to visualize just how much interior space you're getting. Also, with Pelican, you pay more money to not look like a crazy person, but they're pretty much the gold standard. Only their small cases [http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1060-Micro-Case-Clear/dp/B001OF5TII/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1441661829&sr=1-1&keywords=pelican+1060] come in clear plastic as far as I know. The sizes you'll need will only come in a solid color, like tan, black, red, or safety orange. You'll end up looking like either a military contractor or a photographer depending on how you're dressed :)



In my opinion, your "ideal" case is something like the 1490 [http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Laptop-Case-Foam-1490-000-110/dp/B001B1UMTG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1441662547&sr=8-3&keywords=pelican+laptop], which looks about as normal as Pelican cases get. That one sells for around $120 and is probably your best fit.

If you wanted to pay around $100 then there's the 1520 [http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1500-Case-Camera-Black/dp/B0000DYV9H/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1441661146&sr=8-3&keywords=18+inch+watertight+case], but now the case looks like something a photographer might tote around. It's very roomy though, with more than enough space for you. Unfortunately it's pretty heavy. With a listed weight of just over 9 pounds, that's like holding over a gallon of milk in one hand. And that's the empty weight!

And if you wanted to really cut it close regarding space, there's the Pelican 1080/1085 line which is meant for smaller laptops AND comes with the cut-to-shape foam for around $50, but the size might be too small [http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-Products-1085-HardBack-1080-020-110/dp/B006C21MCU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441662977&sr=8-1&keywords=pelican+1085].

.

Pelican calls their foam inserts Pick 'N' Pluck. Unfortunately not all of their cases come with this feature, particularly their laptop cases. Pelican cases are airtight/waterproof but the foam inserts make up 50% of why these types of cases are so useful.
 

Frezzato

New member
Oct 17, 2012
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Oh wait, there's also the Pelican 1470 [http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1470-CASE-PLUCK-LINER/dp/B000VZKEWS/ref=pd_bxgy_147_text_z], which is a little cheaper than the 1490.