Case for Inspire 2 & X7

[InterMurph]

I have the GPC case. When I stuff it full of batteries and everything, it is so heavy I can barely get it up my stairs.

I recently bought a Battery Station, and moving six pairs of batteries into it makes a big difference.

I would lobe to see a smaller and lighter option for the drone that assumes a battery station.

 

[davidjmurray]

FYI There is a new solution in development that will be cross functional between backpacks and cases that is much more "usable" compared to current options. Unfortunately no definite timeline quite yet that we have been provided but very near horizon.

We'd love to see an option from GPC that primarily eliminates battery slots and brings down the footprint to really just accommodate the aircraft, camera, lenses, RCs, Handwheel, Monitors (similar to what @davidjmurray mentioned above). Most professional users now have the DJI Battery Stations or the GPC Inspire 2 Battery Cases for the full battery fleet and pulling that battery weight outside of the main case makes things MUCH easier (and obviously if traveling by air those batteries can't be in the main case anyways).

Yes, Battery Station or I2 Battery case moves things in the right direction. Now we just need a lighter and less bulky landing mode case too.

 

[Florida Drone Supply]

Yes, Battery Station or I2 Battery case moves things in the right direction. Now we just need a lighter and less bulky landing mode case too.

With as easy as it is to take the I2 from landing to travel mode could you compromise with a travel mode case that would be smaller?

 

[davidjmurray]

With as easy as it is to take the I2 from landing to travel mode could you compromise with a travel mode case that would be smaller?

Indeed, that's the direction in which I'm leaning for local use. But again, I'm also trying to avoid lugging a bulky/heavy item around, so instead of getting a GPC travel mode case (which is still pretty big and awkward compared to the Inspak), I'm thinking of splitting things across more than one case to keep each one light weight. Specifically, I think I'll try using 3 cases for now: the DJI Battery Station for hauling batteries (and for all of its other benefits/uses), a smallish camera equipment backpack for the crystal sky, assorted X5S lenses, filters, and other misc. accessories as needed for specific jobs, and the original travel mode case that the I2 came in for the bird itself, camera, and whatever fits in there nicely. If/when someone comes out with a lightweight landing mode case, I can then switch to using just that and the Battery Station.

To me the biggest downside to using a travel mode case is not the time needed to switch between travel and landing modes. It's having to mount and remove the camera every time too. That's not hard either, but it all adds up, and I see those gimbal contacts as potential failure points so want to leave them connected as much as possible (as long as the gimbal is properly cradled by a landing mode case). In 2 years of using my I1 with X5 camera I rarely removed the X5 and the Inspak case did a fine job protecting it. So I know its possible. Regarding the difference in set up time, it's not that uncommon for me to be trying to squeeze several property shoots into the golden hour, or to shoot at several locations during peak high tide. I prefer to keep everything protected in a case while driving between sites (you never know when you'll have to slam on the brakes), but I know I'll be tempted to just leave everything set up in the back of my car while driving between nearby sites if I have to break things down in order to pack up.

BTW, Florida Drone Supply has, as expected given their history, been completely cooperative and helpful as I fumbled through my decision making process on the case...agreeing to take the unwanted case back and credit the price paid toward the other option discussed above. That their direct response to me came on a Sunday is all the more impressive.

 

[Florida Drone Supply]

Indeed, that's the direction in which I'm leaning for local use. But again, I'm also trying to avoid lugging a bulky/heavy item around, so instead of getting a GPC travel mode case (which is still pretty big and awkward compared to the Inspak), I'm thinking of splitting things across more than one case to keep each one light weight. Specifically, I think I'll try using 3 cases for now: the DJI Battery Station for hauling batteries (and for all of its other benefits/uses), a smallish camera equipment backpack for the crystal sky, assorted X5S lenses, filters, and other misc. accessories as needed for specific jobs, and the original travel mode case that the I2 came in for the bird itself, camera, and whatever fits in there nicely. If/when someone comes out with a lightweight landing mode case, I can then switch to using just that and the Battery Station.

To me the biggest downside to using a travel mode case is not the time needed to switch between travel and landing modes. It's having to mount and remove the camera every time too. That's not hard either, but it all adds up, and I see those gimbal contacts as potential failure points so want to leave them connected as much as possible (as long as the gimbal is properly cradled by a landing mode case). In 2 years of using my I1 with X5 camera I rarely removed the X5 and the Inspak case did a fine job protecting it. So I know its possible. Regarding the difference in set up time, it's not that uncommon for me to be trying to squeeze several property shoots into the golden hour, or to shoot at several locations during peak high tide. I prefer to keep everything protected in a case while driving between sites (you never know when you'll have to slam on the brakes), but I know I'll be tempted to just leave everything set up in the back of my car while driving between nearby sites if I have to break things down in order to pack up.

BTW, Florida Drone Supply has, as expected given their history, been completely cooperative and helpful as I fumbled through my decision making process on the case...agreeing to take the unwanted case back and credit the price paid toward the other option discussed above. That their direct response to me came on a Sunday is all the more impressive.

You must have spoken to Michael today since I spoke to him earlier!

This is Jim and this is how I worked thru the same situations as you are encountering. Although these are not perfect solutions they do work for me at various times. I have the V2 version of the I2 GPC case and also the GPC backpack as shown in the image. I will often use the GPC backpack for boating trips, when I anchor just off shore in shallow water I can use the backpack to carry my I2 to the beach. If I need more protection on longer trips I can remove the foam from the I2 hardcase and put the backpack inside the hardcase. For use in your car you could simply remove the foam from the hard case and set it in your trunk and not have to worry about room for opening the hardcase.

By the way the charging station is awesome!

 

[davidjmurray]

You must have spoken to Michael today since I spoke to him earlier!

This is Jim and this is how I worked thru the same situations as you are encountering. Although these are not perfect solutions they do work for me at various times. I have the V2 version of the I2 GPC case and also the GPC backpack as shown in the image. I will often use the GPC backpack for boating trips, when I anchor just off shore in shallow water I can use the backpack to carry my I2 to the beach. If I need more protection on longer trips I can remove the foam from the I2 hardcase and put the backpack inside the hardcase. For use in your car you could simply remove the foam from the hard case and set it in your trunk and not have to worry about room for opening the hardcase.

By the way the charging station is awesome!

View attachment 20738 View attachment 20739

Thanks Jim! Yes, my earlier email today was with Michael. Anyway, love that Bed Slide thing in your pix! Looks very useful indeed. Had imagined putting something similar in my RX450h, but did not pursue yet. I also thought about using the foam insert without the shell, or even making a custom shell from some light weight material for local use. So interesting to see that you actually do this. May reconsider.

Looking forward to getting charging station in any event. And, of course, will feel better about the cost if I don't keep the GPC case too. ;-)

 

[davidjmurray]

You must have spoken to Michael today since I spoke to him earlier!

This is Jim and this is how I worked thru the same situations as you are encountering. Although these are not perfect solutions they do work for me at various times. I have the V2 version of the I2 GPC case and also the GPC backpack as shown in the image. I will often use the GPC backpack for boating trips, when I anchor just off shore in shallow water I can use the backpack to carry my I2 to the beach. If I need more protection on longer trips I can remove the foam from the I2 hardcase and put the backpack inside the hardcase. For use in your car you could simply remove the foam from the hard case and set it in your trunk and not have to worry about room for opening the hardcase.

By the way the charging station is awesome!

View attachment 20738 View attachment 20739

BTW, I don't see the GPC I2 backpack listed on the FDS store, and the GPC website still lists it as "Coming Soon". It looks like an interesting option. Any idea when this will be available?

 

[Florida Drone Supply]

BTW, I don't see the GPC I2 backpack listed on the FDS store, and the GPC website still lists it as "Coming Soon". It looks like an interesting option. Any idea when this will be available?

I have had mine for a long time, maybe they haven't sold enough of them. I will look into it.