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#Post#: 541--------------------------------------------------
Plastic Storage Cases from LightsCastle.com
By: JohnnyMac Date: April 12, 2013, 1:43 pm
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[html]<p class="auto-style2"><strong>Plastic Flashlight Storage
Boxes</strong></p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8599236888_32b4957cc9.jpg"<br
/>alt="" width="375" height="500"></p><p>* I received these
storage boxes for review courtesy of <a
href="
(HTM) http://www.lightscastle.com/">LightsCastle.com</a></p><p>They<br
/>come in 3 sizes - small, medium & large. I like storage boxes
for special lights but most are very expensive. Even the
smallest storage boxes by Otterbox and Plano are at least $10
and the prices on the larger sizes are much more. Since you
don't see boxes for prices like this at most places, especially
for thiese low prices, I expressed an interest in them to
Crystal from LightsCastle and she hooked me up with one of each
size.</p><p><strong>CONSTRUCTION</strong></p><p>These boxes are
a fraction of the price of better known high quality cases from
Otterbox and Plano. They are also not waterproof as claimed on
LightsCastle's website. While they are not of comparable
quality to Otterbox and Plano they are still useful for storinng
lights that, while of good quality, may get relegated to the
flashlight drawer. They are also good for storing your good
lights so they don't get scratched up against other lights or
objects while not in use. For the price you can afford to by
several in different sizes.</p><p>The first thing I noticed
about them is that the plastic is not as hard as other cases
I've seen. Fine for storing flashlights and other objects that
will fit inside, they are not designed for really abusive
situations. While I wouldn't use one as a step stool to help me
reach a high shelf, I would feel safe with it if dropped from a
shelf. The latches snap firmly shut and will not pop open or
their own or if dropped. The softer plastic may actually be a
good thing when protecting your valuables from hard shocks
caused by dropping. A hard brittle case might shatter more
quickly and will definitely transfer more shock to your
valuables inside. They will definitely protect them from
getting scratched. Each size is also a different shade of
green. That may bother some folks but for others like me it's
no big deal.</p><p>The second thing I noticed is that they are
definitely not waterproof. There is no gasket in the seals of
any of the sizes. With the boxes closed you can squeeze the
cases and hear the air inside huffing in and out past the
interlocks. I did not bother watertesting them since I already
know the outcome if you were to submerge them. I wouldn't
hesitate to expose them to rain but would never recommend
submerging them.</p><p>The third thing I noticed is that the
foam lining them is a little on the thin side, especially in the
small and medium boxes. The foam in the large box is an egg
crate design and is very thick. You can safely place multiple
items inside the large case and not wirry about the items
hitting eachother unless the box was dropped hard on it's side.
Without any additional padding in the small and medium boxes I
wouldn't recommend storing more than one item unless you are not
storing items for travel and feel comfortable that you wont drop
it when moving it in or out of a drawer or shelf.</p><p>If you
go to a craft store and purchse some egg crate foam that is
thicker, you will feel much safer with the boxes and it won't
cost much at all for the upgrade while saving you a bundle
overall.</p><p><a
href="
(HTM) http://www.lightscastle.com/product/waterproof-plastic-box-w-strap-for-flashlight--army-green-s-size-150148"><br
/><strong><span class="auto-style2">Small Case</span></strong></
a>
$3.70 USD</p><p><strong class="auto-style3" style="font-family:
Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height:
18px;"> Dimensions:</strong><span style="font-family: Arial,
Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height:
18px;"><span class="auto-style3"> </span></span><span
class="auto-style3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; float: none;
display: inline !important;">5.00 in x 3.50 in x 1.42 in (12.70
cm x 8.90 cm x 3.60 cm)</span><span class="auto-style3"
style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:
12px; line-height: 18px; float: none; display: inline
!important;"> <br> Size: S</span><span style="color: #808080;
font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;
line-height: 18px;"><br class="auto-style3"> <span
class="auto-style3" style="float: none; display: inline
!important;"> Color: Army green</span><br class="auto-style3">
<span class="auto-style3" style="float: none; display: inline
!important;"> Made of engineering plastic material</span><br
class="auto-style3"> <span class="auto-style3" style="float:
none; display: inline !important;"> Inner size: 11.8 x
7.8cm</span><br class="auto-style3"> <span class="auto-style3"
style="float: none; display: inline !important;"> With
strap</span></span></p><p><a
href="
(HTM) http://www.lightscastle.com/product/waterproof-plastic-box-w-strap-for-flashlight--army-green-s-size-150148"><br
/><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8599194612_44fdb24536_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%" class="auto-style1"></a></p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8599195578_90b6330c69_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p>Each case is held closed by 4 latches. Two
on the one long side and one on each short edge. The rear edge
acts as the hinge.</p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8599190886_922b70bce0_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p>Each box has two lanyard loops to act as th
e
anchor point for the included lanyards.</p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8598093943_fda005d919_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p>Here you can see how thin the foam really i
s
in the small and medium cases. You can also see that there is
no gasket in the seal to make these actually waterproof. The
design will keep rain and dirt out though. Just don't submerge
the box under water.</p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8598092319_8e5aeb2086_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p>The small case is the perfect size for a Xe
no
E03. A light as thin as the Xeno will not press tightly into
the foam and if you shake the case the light will move around
inside. This is why I do not recommend storing more than one
light in a case unless you upgrade the foam to a thicker egg
crate style.</p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8599192856_c987f07d80_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p>Even an L2M in shorty mode fits perfectly a
nd
closes fine.</p><p><a
href="
(HTM) http://www.lightscastle.com/product/waterproof-plastic-box-w-strap-for-flashlight--army-green-m-size-150147"><br
/><strong><span class="auto-style2">Medium
Case</span></strong></a> $4.40 USD</p><p><strong
class="auto-style3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">
Dimensions:</strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span
class="auto-style3"> </span></span><span class="auto-style3"
style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:
12px; line-height: 18px; float: none; display: inline
!important;">7.01 in x 4.65 in x 1.81 in (17.80 cm x 11.80 cm x
4.60 cm)</span><span class="auto-style3" style="font-family:
Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height:
18px; float: none; display: inline !important;"> <br> Size:
M</span><span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,
Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br
class="auto-style3"> <span class="auto-style3" style="float:
none; display: inline !important;"> Color: Army green</span><br
class="auto-style3"> <span class="auto-style3" style="float:
none; display: inline !important;"> Made of engineering plastic
material</span><br class="auto-style3"> <span
class="auto-style3" style="float: none; display: inline
!important;"> Inner size: 16.7 x 10.8cm</span><br
class="auto-style3"> <span class="auto-style3" style="float:
none; display: inline !important;"> With
strap</span></span></p><p><a
href="
(HTM) http://www.lightscastle.com/product/waterproof-plastic-box-w-strap-for-flashlight--army-green-m-size-150147"><br
/><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8599188404_8d650dd4e6_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%" class="auto-style1"></a></p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8599189418_b0d4d94287_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p>The medium box easily holds 2 or 3 P60 host
s.
You can see here how well the L2T fits in the case.</p><p>Below
you can see how even an Ultrafire UF-T20 will fit inside and it
still closes. It's about as wide a head that will fit and the
body easily fits lengthwise if placed at a slight
angle.</p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8598088073_9f0f132045_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p><a
href="
(HTM) http://www.lightscastle.com/product/waterproof-plastic-box-w-strap-for-flashlight--army-green-l-size-150146"><br
/><span class="auto-style2"><strong>Large Case</strong></span></
a>
$6.20 USD</p><p><strong class="auto-style3" style="font-family:
Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height:
18px;"> Dimensions:</strong><span style="font-family: Arial,
Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height:
18px;"><span class="auto-style3"> </span></span><span
class="auto-style3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; float: none;
display: inline !important;">10.16 in x 4.69 in x 2.72 in (25.80
cm x 11.90 cm x 6.90 cm)</span><span class="auto-style3"
style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:
12px; line-height: 18px; float: none; display: inline
!important;"> <br> Size: L</span><span style="color: #808080;
font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;
line-height: 18px;"><br class="auto-style3"> <span
class="auto-style3" style="float: none; display: inline
!important;"> Color: Army green</span><br class="auto-style3">
<span class="auto-style3" style="float: none; display: inline
!important;"> Made of engineering plastic material</span><br
class="auto-style3"> <span class="auto-style3" style="float:
none; display: inline !important;"> Inner size: 24.5 x
10.8cm</span><br class="auto-style3"> <span class="auto-style3"
style="float: none; display: inline !important;"> With
strap</span></span></p><p><a
href="
(HTM) http://www.lightscastle.com/product/waterproof-plastic-box-w-strap-for-flashlight--army-green-l-size-150146"><br
/><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8599191470_f14e8b8231_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%" class="auto-style1"></a></p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8598091059_477bd6a476_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p>The eggcrate foam in the large case provide
much better padding than the two smaller sizes. THe textured
surface helps the foam keep objects in place.</p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8598089069_51672e1b85_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p>Even the Small Sun ZY-T13 fits inside the
large case. When closed there is a very slight buldge around
the head when closed but it latches just
fine.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION</strong></p><p>Not the best
storage boxes you can get. Not by a longshot. But for the
money they are well worth the price for regular storage and
transportation.</p><p>For around $5.50 USD (give or take a
dollar depending on the size) you can easily justify getting
several of these to store your better lights in. Keep your
light in the car? Get one of these to store your light and keep
it under the seat or in the glove box. Easily worth a few
dollars if it protects your light from getting messed up rolling
around in the glove box, under the seat, or in the bed of your
truck in the tool box. Have some expensive lights you don't
want getting scratched up or dusty? Put it in one of these
along with the owners manual, spare o-rings and lanyard to keep
it all together in one place. For $5 you can't go
wrong.</p><p>Plan on storing your light in the boat or taking
your light and some cells along with you on your white water
camping trip? Get yourself an Otterbox or Plano for $20 so you
know they will stay dry. Don't plan on swimming with your
backpack on but want something to store your light in and toss
in the backpack while camping? Why spend $20 when you can get
this for a fraction of the price.?</p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8599237574_844faec6b2_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p><p> </p><p>Please leave comments and feedback.
;)</p><p>Johnny</p><p>UPDATE:</p><p>I was easily able to remove
the label by soaking it in hot water and rubbing it right off.
Some WD40 cleaned up the remaining adhesive spots and a final
cleanup with soap and water to remove the WD40.</p><p><img
src="
(HTM) http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8601722294_c9523c6bc7_c.jpg"<br
/>width="80%"></p>[/html]
#Post#: 589--------------------------------------------------
Re: Plastic Storage Cases from LightsCastle.com
By: Spasmod Date: April 14, 2013, 4:10 pm
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You know for the price, they're pretty neat. I could do with one
as my lights are all over the house !
#Post#: 597--------------------------------------------------
Re: Plastic Storage Cases from LightsCastle.com
By: MRsDNF Date: April 15, 2013, 5:42 am
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They look good JohnnyMac. I may have to invest in a couple.
There certainly cheap enough. I went looking for a shipping
charge but could not find one. Do you know if there free
shipping?
#Post#: 603--------------------------------------------------
Re: Plastic Storage Cases from LightsCastle.com
By: JohnnyMac Date: April 15, 2013, 8:45 am
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I'm pretty sure everything is free shipping from LightsCastle.
;)
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