OT-Initial thoughts/New Pelican Tailgater 55Qt. Cooler-OT

http://www.ultimatepassage.com/cgi-bin/up/59447.html?id=gGv6HjdZ
I picked up this cooler to (hopefully) finally give ice and meat a chance of lasting after being sucked in on previous claims of lesser insulated competitors over the years. My hope is to stick a RTIC 30 soft side inside this one with a bag of ice beside it to achieve who knows what. I have no connection with anybody and probably have an insulated box problem due to the number I own already. My thoughts:
For the most part, it's built as solid as one would expect and probably no different than the rest of the Elite line. The finish is decent throughout save sloppy handling of the gray smaller lid piece in production/packaging which had several scratches. This is unacceptable to me whether they'll be dug up later or not at this price point/Made in the USA.
Strange (to me at least) that the top isn't pulled down very far at all with the latches engaged as compared to what must happen(?) when using the rubber bungie cords on other models. You can stick a finger snuggly between the box/lid and then latch it down with one side even latching snugger than the other (not good) but no pinching whatsoever. A home freezer is no different yet this was a surprise.
As expected, the latches are solid and well designed as compared to anything else that I've seen online. The non-skid feet are welcome. The trays are a thick and sturdy. It's just a nice looking unit overall. The height is just about perfect for the average person to sit on. It is a fraction taller than a 6 1/2 gallon pail with the life-latch lids that some may be familiar with.
http://ultimatepail.com/product/6-5-gallon-life-latch-ng-pail/
The negatives:
I'm not impressed with the gray (small) lid. It bends when you push on the center of it. Not sure how standing on it or rotating back on your heel would do it any good. The latch isn't what I would expect either. Two tiny 1/8 to 1/4" 'nubs' (of unintentional/unequal size) molded in to the lid itself. These 'press fit' past the other lid's surface and (barely) reside loosely under a hollowed out area just blow the contact point. This a $450 cooler. The idea here (I thought) was to use the smaller lid more often. I can't have the same quality latch as the other two..or even (minimum) a stainless reinforcement for my lock? Yes, Pelican will send me just as many lids as I want for life. I would offer that it be engineered so that 'goodwill' wasn't simply a cost-effective decision.
My only other complaint is the telescoping handle. Very easy to employ and push back in. What I don't like is that to achieve this result when it is fully extended?..the handle swings sloppily back, forth and sideways a good distance. Again, Pelican will cover it..yet this cooler is heavy empty. When I'm 'breaking' anything (for any of you who have used two-wheeled carts) I'm not used to the fulcrum (especially plastic) bending at all before the work begins. This design will bend 'some' no matter what or you'd never get the handle to telescope anywhere near easily. 'Some' seems quite a bit exaggerated here.

Overall and in the hopes that that they change a few things that perhaps only apply to me in but a minute or so of evaluation?..it's worth purchasing. The caveat (for me) will be if the smaller lid doesn't cut down on the overall performance that the other Elite coolers seem to have with but one gasket. I don't know how anybody hauls around quality coolers even smaller than this without wheels. The smaller lid is a no-brainer (if it works). The quality is evident and it's a sharp looking unit that will definitely see generations of service if taken care of properly.

Let me know what you think of yours.