Hard Cases

Hard cases protect your gear to an incredible degree. They are all completely waterproof and dust-proof. Make sure to choose a case with a "pick and pluck" foam insert. This provides shock, drop, and impact protection.

Soft Cases

Soft cases provide a lot of protection from bumps and minor drops. They are less expensive, and typically less bulky than the hard cases.

Choosing a size

The Butterfly IQ ultrasound probe dimensions are 144 x 53 x 26 mm (5.6 x 2.0 x 1.0 in.) according to the Butterfly IQ specifications. However, this is deceptive if not outright false. Mine measures slightly wider at 2 1/8" at its widest. But the length of mine is 7 3/16" from the face of the transducer to the last rib as the cable exits - nearly two inches longer than the stated length. And, unless you have no love and bend the cable at a 90 degree angle, you'll need to add an inch to the overall length for the cable to turn 90 degrees into a coil. With a half-inch of foam on the outer edge of the pick and pluck cubes, you'll need a case that is at least 9" wide (interior measurement), ideally at least 9.5" wide (interior).

Pelican 1170 is 10" x 6" x 3" and seems to be the most popular choice for a single probe with gel bottle.

I think that the Nanuk 909, with interior dimensions (L x W x H): 11.44″ x 7.0″ x 3.68″, is a better option than the Pelican 1170, and only a few dollars more.

If you are on a budget, the CamKix zippered case is an incredible deal. (amazon: blue or black) You keep almost all of the protection of the hard cases, and only lose waterproofness. I'm sure it could handle a drink being spilled on it, you just can't go scuba diving with it. You also shouldn't make a youtube video of you driving over your probe in your truck using this case as protection. Short of taking your probe on a scuba trip or driving over it in your truck, this case is absolutely the best deal I could find.

Nanuk 910 interior dimensions are 13.2" x 9.2" x 4.1" (336 mm x 234 mm x 104 mm) and is a great choice for multiple butterfly probes or a single probe with gel bottle and want space for other tools or accessories.

If you're wondering how to use pick and pluck foam, here is a Pick & Pluck foam tutorial someone made. They only used their fingers. Id you find that difficult, pull the score lines apart with your fingers a little bit, then use a sharp knife or box cutter to cut some of the connecting bits. This is especially helpful at first. Once part of the hole has been started, it's easier to continue with just your fingers.

Harbor Freight also has a brand of hard case called Apache. The quality isn't quite as good as the Nanuk and Pelican, but they are less expensive. The Apache latches aren't as nice and the purge valve isn't automatic - the Apache requires you to open and close the valve manually with a rotating knob.