The Dolgin Engineering XL Pouch
a review by Don Palomaki

Over the past four years Dolgin Engineering has released numerous handy accessories for the Canon XL1 camcorder. This note examines the recently introduced XL Pouch shoulder brace.

The unit provide a convenient and comfortable shoulder brace for the XL1 that can improve system balance while providing a flexible platform to mount other accessories including the Canon MA100 microphone adapter, wireless microphone receivers, and third party battery packs to name a few.

The XL Pouch adapter as evaluated is comprised of a shoulder brace (similar to the Dolgin Engineering Brace Classic) coupled with an optional accessory bracket and a compartment sized for a Bescor Juice Box battery pack. The compartment is capable of holding a wide variety of other accessories. The accessory bracket can be used to mount the MA100 XLR adapter and/or other items.

XL Pouch with optional bracket

The XL Pouch mounts on the Canon in the same location as the MA100 would. The MA100 can in turn be mounted to the XL Pouch and yes, the MA100 cords will just reach their jacks. With the XL Pouch installed the camcorder can still mount on a tripod, and it can be set down on a flat surface.

The XL Pouch adds about 1.6 pounds to the weight of the X1, or nearly 4 pounds if a Juice Box battery pack is installed. With the battery it shifts the balance point (center of gravity) well to the rear. The XL Pouch adds about 8 inches to the overall length of the XL1, or about 3.5 relative to the length of an XL1 with the MA100 only.

With MA100 and Juice Box installed.
Note MA100 bracket with space for more accessories.

It installed quickly in the same location as the MA100 would, using a single screw. Dolgin Engineering uses the same type two-part screw as found on the Bogen 3063's quick release plate, which allows for easy tightening. It takes only a minute or two to mount the MA100 in the XL Pouch complete with the MA100's accessory mounting bracket. The MA100 ends up offset from the camcorder centerline by a bit but this is not a problem. The MA100's accessory mounting plate provides additional space for wireless microphone receivers, battery charger, or other accessories.

The XL Pouch is formed from sheet steel and is assembled from several pieces that are held together with bolts and rivets forming a box for rigidity. It is finished in black enamel and has a contoured shoulder pad. The XL Pouch comes with holes drilled for the MA100 and for the Juice Box. However, the sheet metal can be drilled for mounting other accessories. It provides ample space for cord management as well. (Note: in the interest of clarity most cords were removed for the attached photographs.)

So what is the deal? Is it an improvement over, say, the MA100? First, it does improve balance. With the stock XL1 configuration virtually all of the camcorder weight is carried on your arms. Even with the MA100 most of the weight is on your arms. The XL Pouch (as evaluated here with a Juice Box) adds a fair amount of weight to the camcorder. But it is good weight because it is behind your shoulder. The net result is on the order of a 40% reduction in the weight carried on your arms, even though there has been an increase in overall camcorder weight of about 60%. What happened to the weight? - it is shifted to your shoulder where many would argue it belongs. The XL Pouch also allows for much greater camera movement freedom, especially vertical movements, than the Shoulder Brace I reviewed a few years ago.

So who should consider buying it? Anyone using the Juice Box, anyone who finds the XL1 get heavy on the arms during a long hand-held shoot, anyone who needs a place to hang a bunch of accessories on their XL1. Additional views of the XL Pouch are at the Dolgin Engineering web site, where you also will see other products offered for the XL1 family. Price from Dolgin Engineering is $139, plus $9.95 for the optional bracket and $8 shipping in the continental USA.

For more information and pricing, contact:

Alex Dolgin
Dolgin Engineering
Lexington, Massachusetts
dolgin@alexvideo.com

 

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Thrown together by Chris Hurd