Hey guys, so I finally got to do a major trip with my Phantom 2 and Tradecraft XRV case - a 10 day trip to Japan! Not only did I take it on a long flight, but also took it through it's paces running around cities (Tokyo and Sapporo) and mountains in Japan.
Summary: Overall, the Tradecraft XRV case performed great. I really don't have any major complaints - wheels and handle made it very easy to walk around airports as well as city streets. Since I was also taking the Tradecraft through snow and ice - both on streets and in mountains, it was really nice to know that the Tradecraft is air tight and I didn't need to worry about water somehow getting into the case. I am very pleased with how it performed and I'm not sure I could of brought the Phantom and used it in the way I did without a Tradecraft (or similar) case.
I do however have some thoughts on areas the case could be improved - maybe V2.0 or the 2015 version:
1. The wheels. While big and strong, they are plastic. Seems fine right? Yes, they zoom around the airports fine. However, if you ever roll the case on non-even surfaces (IE: pavement), they are loud as hell and vibrates as the plastic transfers all the shock from the road straight up to the case (I didn't worry about the internals as the foam absorbs it all). I took the Tradecraft through the streets of Shibuya in Tokyo and and Sapporo in Hokkaido. The streets are all paved but like any city, have uneven surfaces, cracked pavement, brick, etc. Man, the case was loud while it rolled over such surfaces. I believe it would be much quieter, and vibrate less if the tires were made of a rubber composite of some type. I'm not sure if it is possible to change the stock wheels for a third-party set of wheels, but it would of made a difference for me.
This is probably the biggest thing that I immediately noticed, though it is obviously not a huge problem (I'd rather have wheels then not!), and I imagine most if not all suitcases have this problem. I actually should take a look at my expensive Victorinox carry-on luggage to see what the wheels are like on that. I don't recall it being so loud to roll - and I've taken it through many many US cities.
2. While it never broke (or came close to breaking), the pull out handle is plastic and did seem to flex at some points during the trip. Sometimes when I was running through the subways trying to catch a train - I would just lift the case by the handle up a short set of stairs (obviously stupid but I was scrambling). I don't think this is very good for the handle and it did flex - I would not be shocked to see the handle break the next time I do that!
Also, because of this - I would NOT recommend putting another bag on top of the Tradecraft while rollling (you know how many people put their messenger bag or briefcase on top of their carry on while rolling through an airport). Given the handle is plastic - it would not be advisable.
It would be nice if Tradecraft made the handle and mounting components out of a metal - maybe aluminum. I'm guessing that would jack prices, but I for one, would be interested in such an option.
Last comment - I had ZERO problems at TSA both in the States and in Japan. They didn't even open the case.