Rental Radios Case

[Blazeorange]

Hey........one of the local PD'S approached me about renting some portables to use for a special event. They are hiring some extra help for the event and have a radio shortage.

Was wondering what any other folks out here do on their radio rentals for a case. I've been looking at Pelican and like some of their products. I'd like to put about three handhelds (P110, GP300) style in each case with a shoulder mic, spare battery and charger a piece.

What's everyone else use/got........? Pictures, ideas????

Also, do you use a standard rental contract for these to cover damages, etc. or how do you handle it?

Thanks.

Blaze.

[Cam]

Everytime I have rented radios they come setting in their gang chargers. The speakermic are cliped to the top of the belt clip. Nothing to fancy really but it works. If you have to ship them or transport by hand I could see it being a problem. Pelican cases take up a looooooooooot of room and cost some $$$. If you don't plan on taking your radios whitewater rafting it might be a bit much.

Just my $0.13

[HumHead]

Pelican all the way!

For what you are looking at, the Pelican 1500 is probably about the right size. I've seen some rental operations that just use Rubbermaid type totes, but the Pelicans take abuse a whole lot better, and are air / ground shippable.

Depending on the size of the event that you are sending out, it may be easier to sort by item type- i.e. a case of radios, a case of chargers, a case of accessories, etc.

Maybe PRR will un-lurk and chime in...

[KG6EAQ]

At the cost of a Pelican case I'd sure try and get one that would hold as many radios while still being possible to carry. Most rental companies around here are getting 10 radios, their batteries and a spot for accessories in each case.

[PRR]

Maybe PRR will un-lurk and chime in...

Gee Justin, that's why we call you 'Mr. Subtle'

We take the packaging approach on a rental by rental basis depending on how much and what type of equipment is going out, but Pelican cases (and sometimes their lesser expensive clones) are our primary case of choice. with Hardigg and custom ATA type cases coming in a close second.

Humhead is correct in that if a lot of equipment is going out, and we're not custom packaging multiple small radio 'kits' for different groups of users within the same event, we'll package a case(s) of radios, case(s) of audio accessories, case of spare batteries, chargers, etc. If it's a small order, we can typically get up to 8 GP300s, 8 RSM, a gang charger (HTN9648 slant style) and 8 spare batteries in a Pelican 1600.

The two considerations we use when deciding on packaging are: 1) How easy and obvious is it for the client to repack the case for return so the equipment is secure for shipping, and; 2) Package the equipment in a secure manner so it gets to the client in proper working order.

One last suggestion: Make sure every case has a packing list so the customer knows exactly what goes into each case for return. If the customer will be shipping the cases back, provide wire ties or combination pad locks so they can reseal the cases before handing them over to UPS/FedEx.

Hope this helps.

Henry
Production Radio Rentals