I dropped mine once in the case. Broke the nipple and it was US$100 plus shipping to repair. Then it was other stuff acting up, so I sent it back again, on the third trip back over the pond we (empeg and I) struck a deal to replace it for the cost of shipping since it had gotten to about US$400 so far for shipping and repair costs trying to get it working properly.

Moral: Don't drop your empeg unless you have money to burn...