Keeping camera kit secure on holiday without a safe?

[havoc]

Odd one, wondered if anyone had any bright ideas?

Booked to go away later this month, and now discover that the aparthotel doesn't have in-room safes, they have "safety deposit boxes" behind reception which are like the old-fashioned flat bank ones designed for documents and money.

...clearly not going to hold anything more than a few memory cards.


Which has me wondering - do I leave my kit at home (for the first holiday in pretty-much ever), or is there another way of keeping it secure (or at the very least insured) without needing to lug it with me everywhere (beach in particular, but kids are getting old enough to want a trip to a splash park too)?

Thanks.

[Itsallicanafford]

Personally , If I know I cannot keep it in a safe, my main camera stays at home and I take the GR Digital, which is about 8 years old, pocketable and still takes a great photo.

[havoc]

Trouble is I've not got anything 'in between' - got a full-frame DSLR, a cropped mirrorless, and then my phone.

Never been a problem before. And seems silly to spend hundreds of quid on a (new) smaller, less-capable bit of kit just to avoid risking the current kit.

[Vasco]

havoc said:

Trouble is I've not got anything 'in between' - got a full-frame DSLR, a cropped mirrorless, and then my phone.

Never been a problem before. And seems silly to spend hundreds of quid on a (new) smaller, less-capable bit of kit just to avoid risking the current kit.

Just use the phone.

[Simpo Two]

I would just make sure it's insured and carry on as normal.

[CHLEMCBC]

Have you ever had anything stolen from a hotel before?

[hairy v]

Get something like this and lock it in your suitcase:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pacsafe-Anti-Theft-Protec...

[soad]

hairy v said:

Get something like this and lock it in your suitcase:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pacsafe-Anti-Theft-Protec...

They’ll just take the bag instead? Throw it out the balcony/window and straight into the car’s boot…

[havoc]

CHLEMCBC said:

Have you ever had anything stolen from a hotel before?

No, but we've always had a safe to leave valuables in - I'm a firm believer in not giving someone on a minimum wage job that sort of temptation.

Simpo Two said:

I would just make sure it's insured and carry on as normal.

That's what I've been checking on today - from what I can make out from reading the home insurance T&Cs and a call to them, it appears it IS covered if it's locked in the boot of the hire car AND it's covered if it's in the hotel room. Interestingly I mentioned about ensuring (non-specified) valuables weren't in plain sight in the hotel room while we're out and the chap essentially said don't worry you're covered. Which given the T&Cs say 'take reasonable care' is an interesting stance, but the call will be recorded...

So I think I'll take minimum kit (1 body, 2 lenses) and either leave the bag in the car boot or hidden in a locked hard suitcase in the room. Out of sight = low risk = stop worrying.


Thanks for all the responses.

[K50 DEL]

CHLEMCBC said:

Have you ever had anything stolen from a hotel before?

This exactly, I tote my gear and other (more valuable) things with me wherever I travel, rarely ever feel the need to use a safe, just leave things in the room.

In 25+ years of doing this I've never once "lost" anything,

I really wouldn't worry OP, if you're a keen 'tog then take the kit with you and enjoy the holiday, last thing you want is to be there with no camera and regretting it.

[hairy v]

soad said:

hairy v said:

Get something like this and lock it in your suitcase:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pacsafe-Anti-Theft-Protec...

They’ll just take the bag instead? Throw it out the balcony/window and straight into the car’s boot…

Chain it to something solid

[havoc]

hairy v said:

Chain it to something solid

Before you throw it out of the window, presumably?

[InitialDave]

I have a small padlock with a couple of feet of thin steel cable that can be locked into it.

So I can padlock the zip etc on the case and also lock the case to a bit of furniture.

It's not in any way going to stop anyone with even a slight inclination to active thievery, but it just means things aren't on display and someone would have to actively "break in", so it removes obvious temptation and opportunistic sticky-finger walk-offs.

[Riley Blue]

Place a motion sensitive alarm in whatever you keep your camera in. I use a Cruxer Bike Alarm which is compact, USB rechargeable, has a remote control, several degrees of sensitivity and a choice of ear-splitting sounds at 110db. Price around £20.