I went to Cinegear at Universal yesterday. It was very hot, but had a chance to see Garrett Brown. It appeared that Tiffen had all the Steadicam model out, on display and ready for people to try on.

Otherwise, I asked the main salesperson if the Pilot sled was going to be sold separately. He said there were no plans to do this. He said the company owner had decided not to sell the Pilot sled separately. He didn't know if there might be a change a decision or not.

I asked if production were keeping up with demand for the Pilot, and the salesman said yes. Thus it would seem production is not playing a factor in the decision not to sell the Pilot sled alone.

My dilemna is that I recently bought the Merlin Arm & Vest, but I had plans to add the Pilot seld.

The Merlin Arm & Vest is still in the original box, the tape no cut yet. The Tiffen salesperson strongly recommended I return the the Merlin Arm & Vest and get the pilot.

My question is, "Is the merlin on the arm so 'fiddly' and difficult to control well -- with an XH-A1 with wide angle lens, but with the plate below for wireless receiver -- that I should not try to use the Merlin and do whatever necessary to get the Pilot?"

One reason I had bought the Merline then Arm & Vest is for travel. The Pilot sled, monitor, battery, etc. ads quite a bit of bulk and weight for airline travel it seems.

Of course, I could get the Pilot and the upgraded Merlin gimble in addition, so I would have either option. But if the Merlin is not going to do well on the arm, that wouldn't help.

So, will the Merlin on the arm give excellent results or is the Pilot a must.

I will be in dance and exercise studios. I want to follow dancers somewhat. I also want to quickly move in to catch up close the conversations between coaches and dancers, then move back and catch the result of the coaching. I am taking continuous video for an hour or so from which pieces will be edited. But this is not hour long steadicam shots, but it is also not preset shots... everything is on-the-fly, though there is a pattern to coaching sessions and rehearsals, so I have an idea of what will be happening.

Should I move to the Pilot now whatever it takes, before I open the Merlin Arm & Vest, or should I make a go of it with the Merlin, Arm & Vest.

Thank you for your opinions and experience!

the merlin can handle the A1 well without the wide lens. I'm not sure how heavy it would be with the wide lens. Personally I would go for the Pilot. The external monitor would help a lot vs the A1's LCD. U would have a great low mode option as well.

As soon as I began to work with my Merlin Vest & Arm I was wishing I had a Pilot. I love the Merlin, it's really great. But I do think that the controllability would be that much better with a Pilot. Not to mention the ability to vary the inertial response by use of Merlin weights, etc.

It would be really nice if Tiffen would offer just the Pilot post and sled. I have a smaller camera that would be great on the Merlin for more casual use, but I really do wish I had a Pilot for the bigger cameras. What I do not need is a duplicate arm & vest!

If your unit is still sealed it would be a whole lot easier to trade up. I would recommend it.

I've got the Pilot and I really like it. Having the monitor on the sled is a very big plus.

Now, you do have the option to use the Merlin on the Pilot arm. If I remember correctly you have to order the post so the Merlin fits the arm but with that combo you'll end up with what you want with the bonus of arms that will take a little more weight.

I'll likely order a Merlin later so I can have rigs set up for different cameras.

Chris

I like the Merlin for what it is; a handheld rig. Adding the vest and arm removes the sting of carrying the system, but the Pilot sled makes for a much improved operating experience--I can't imagine that anyone would prefer the way the Merlin feels vs the Pilot given the same camera on top and same vest and arm. The added and variable inertia of the Pilot is a great boon.

Your perfect situation in my mind would be to return the Merlin vest and arm kit, get the Pilot and the adaptor piece that allows you to fly the Merlin on the arm, as you would be able to then pick whichever rig suited your particular shoot. For travel, you could take the Merlin with vest and arm (you wouldn't have the factory carry case but it would be easy enough to pack in a standard suitcase) and for general shooting you'd have the Pilot which as I said, I think just about everyone would prefer for its stability.

It is kind of ironic that there is a "downgrade path" from the Pilot to the Merlin, but not an "upgrade path" the other way around, isn't it?

Thank you all. You have confirmed what I had come to believe...

The Pilot is a superior deal, but the Merlin has it's place as Charles and others explains.

There is a fly trip to Europe coming up where the Merlin with the arm and vest can make the trip, but the Pilot wouldn't.

However, it turns out I will be doing more in L.A. than I expected, so I've decided to trade into the Pilot. It is a little tricky with the retailer, but Tiffen has offered to help as a go between if needed.

I went back to Cinegear today and it was confirmed that selling the Pilot sled as an upgrade option is not in the works, and it doesn't appear it will be... that is there are no plans, though the idea has been discussed within Tiffen.

These sorts of things usually have more to do with politics, contractual obligations and commission structures... though from the outside, it doesn't seem to make practical sense.

The notion that there is a downgrade path, but not an upgrade path, is somewhat counter-intuitive, if not amusing.

After seeing it again, the Pilot outclasses it's competition.

*****************************************
And Completely off topic:

... I saw an ActionCam in action at Cinegear. Anyone who wants to fly 20 pounds or more on a budget, should look at the ActionCam from ActionProducts:
http://actionproducts.ch/actioncam/products.html

I saw the model setup for the Red camera, selling for $15,000 and able to fly 11-41 lbs. There are other models, one for $10,000 that flies 11-21 lbs., and some bigger rigs.

I'm not any kind of expert, or even very knowledgeable, but the rigs seems very well made and look great. For the features, quality and price, I believe pro operators have given the ActionCam a good rating.

Glad to hear you're going with the Pilot. This is the lowest priced Steadicam that still has all the features of their bigger rigs (Vest, Arm, & Sled with Monitor & Batteries). Also, as Charles mentions, the screw-on weights at the bottom ends really increase pan inertia for nice smooth pans.

For the Pilot with the XH-A1, I highly recommend buying enough additional screw-on weights to get the total weight up around 9-10 pounds. Part #s and ordering info here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=115235
(bottom of second post)

I'll answer the question with a question. I have both the Merlin and Pilot rigs. Which do you think I used for these shots?
http://www.vimeo.com/611738

I'll answer the question with a question. I have both the Merlin and Pilot rigs. Which do you think I used for these shots?
http://www.vimeo.com/611738
I suppose you used the Pilot, or it's a trick question and you used both, or it's a really trick question and all the shots are with the Merlin?

What's the real answer?

Hi Jack, all the shots were done with the Merlin arm/vest. The point I'm trying to make is that they are only tools and the important factor is the expertise of the operator. Technically I believe the Pilot is superior.

I'll answer the question with a question. I have both the Merlin and Pilot rigs. Which do you think I used for these shots?
http://www.vimeo.com/611738

Hi Nick, is there a password or something to watch your video. I got "You do not have permission to watch this video". thanks.

Try it now, will take it off tomorrow.

Nick:

True enough these are all just tools and it's all about the operator. I should tell you that I recently attended my nephew's barmitzvah and brought my Merlin along but consider the footage I got to be far inferior that what you have been able to achieve with the Merlin.

BTW, had a chat with Garrett at Cinegear about various things Merlin and Pilot related and I mentioned you as a kickass Merlin operator.

And another BTW--when handing out the certificates at the workshops we used to discourage ops from then using the term "certified Steadicam operator"--things may have changed but as far as I know there still isn't a bona fide certification process, the certificate just indicates that you took the class.

So, Charles, next time you get to bend Garrett's ear ask him to tell the great folks at Tiffen that they really need to sell the Pilot Sled alone for those if us who would really like to upgrade without having to take a hit on our Melin Arm & Vests.....

Just food for thought...

Charles, again thanks for the compliments and info, but I'm just a former kickass Merlin operator now:-)) most of the stuff I shoot now is with the Pilot. BTW should have my clipper 312 before the end of the year.

I am selling my new, unopened, Merlin Arm/Vest Metal Gimbal. (Purchasd mid-May this year.) To return it and upgrade, pay tax, etc., would cost quite a bit, so it makes more sense to sell it wanting to buy one and give them the savings.

Please see the listing in Private Classified section of the forum.

As I say in the add, I will deduct the metal gimbal if you already have it.

Price is in the listing, but offers also accepted.

...they really need to sell the Pilot Sled alone for those if us who would really like to upgrade without having to take a hit on our Melin Arm & Vests.....

never gonna happen :), but I would love to buy a Pilot sled.

I loved my Merlin with Z1 and later on with A1, but unfortunately there is a limit of Merlin's capacity, though it's perfect for A1, EX1 needs a sled. I did try to fly EX1 on merlin with accessories plate (that's the only way to fly EX1 on Merlin), it's doable, handheld and with arm and vest, but that's really overload for Merlin, and I couldn't get rid of the feeling that gimbal will crack any second
after a few weeks of searching got myself an indicam sled with Merlin adapter,
put it on Merlin arm and vest, put EX1 on top, works very well,
After flying Merlin on the arm and vest, I find that it is easier to control the camera with the sled

never gonna happen :), but I would love to buy a Pilot sled.
But I don't get why.

If they want to make two completely different products, why didn't they make two different arms, one for the Merlin and one for the Pilot. Why do they put a slot for the Merlin in the giant PILOT backpack? There should be a separate backpack/case for the Merlin/Arm/Vest that is more pick-up-and-move-it friendly.

How well does the Indicam sled work with the Steadicam's version of the Pilot. (It was Indicam that first came out with the Pilot, wasn't it? Maybe the Indicam Pilot sled is what God meant for Merlin arm and vest buyers to have.

It would be less distasteful of Mr. Tiffen would at least say why he won't allow the sled to be sold as an upgrade to the Merlin/Arm/Vest. I could make an uniformed guess as to why, but then my post would have to be moved to Area 51.

Maybe there will be clone of the Steadicam Pilot sled by Christmas.

Isn't the Arm the part that is superior of the Steadicam product? It's not likely people would buy Pilot sleds and use them with other arms is it?

Is the sled the loss leader part of the package and it only costs $79 to make the arm and vest? That way the sled couldn't be sold for less then the whole package, thus the sled could never be sold by itself.

I really can't figure out the point of building a modular system if you can't buy the modules separately.

Are all the parts of the sled sold separately? How much would it cost to buy the parts and put together you own Pilot sled?

Jack:

While I won't attempt to explain, condone or otherwise speak for Tiffen's marketing choices, there never has been a "modular" approach to their Steadicam packages (unlike some of the other stabilizer companies out there). The Merlin vest and arm were planned before the Pilot was introduced, so the fact that you can buy those separately had everything to do with the Merlin being available in both handheld and body-mounted versions.

It doesn't really help someone who has already bought into the system, but if one takes this out of the equation, consider how this works for the new customer; they can purchase the Pilot, the Merlin and the adaptor for the arm that lets them fly both rigs (or obviously the Merlin in handheld mode).

Jack:

While I won't attempt to explain, condone or otherwise speak for Tiffen's marketing choices, there never has been a "modular" approach to their Steadicam packages (unlike some of the other stabilizer companies out there). The Merlin vest and arm were planned before the Pilot was introduced, so the fact that you can buy those separately had everything to do with the Merlin being available in both handheld and body-mounted versions.

It doesn't really help someone who has already bought into the system, but if one takes this out of the equation, consider how this works for the new customer; they can purchase the Pilot, the Merlin and the adaptor for the arm that lets them fly both rigs (or obviously the Merlin in handheld mode).
Yes, Charles, I agree that it is a great advantage to have all three choices, the Merlin Handheld, the Merlin on an arm, and the Pilot.

I just jumped too soon, based on old information. I should have re-checked my old info, and I would have known to get the Pilot.

I also understand that the Steadicam is not a modular system. However, I would call the Merlin and Pilot part of the same rig. The Pilot takes different monitors, different batteries, uses Merlin weights. The Merlin, Pilot, Arm and Vest are all parts of a single rig.

I would compare the Merlin/Pilot to a fluid head and tripod. I would expect to use my $2000 fluid head on regular sticks, a hi-hat and a jib for example. I would not expect to have to buy a new head when I bought the sticks, a new head when I bought the the hi-hat and a new head when I bought the jib.

So when I'm talking about the Merlin/Pilot as modular, I mean that you need all the pieces to make a complete system. People shooting with the kind of cameras suited to the Merlin and Pilot will have a need for all three setups: handheld Merlin, Merlin on arm, and Pilot (and off the Merlin with the quick release).

Someone shooting with the small cameras is probably also going to be using at least two... maybe the same but more likely different from one another. It makes sense to have one camera on the Merlin and a second on the Pilot. The Merlin camera could be used handheld, used on a tripod (quick release plate) or dropped on the arm. The other camera would be setup as the full-time steadicam on the Pilot.

The new (yet to be fully realized) web series of the near future, that are shot fast, with a small crew, and burn through material like soaps, will have great use for the whole Merlin/Pilot system... even though Tiffen, right now anyway, doesn't see it as system... leastways not one that can be stepped into at any point.

The Merlin/Pilot arm and vest puts a true Steadicam in the hands of every school, video club, and tiny production company. As it becomes more ubiquitous and as kids start using it, the idea of a "learning curve" will disappear. A whole bunch of kids will take naturally to the Steadicam and have decent skills. They will practice it and do it just like they play video games or play basketball.

So to get back to my point....

The Pilot/Merlin system costs roughly $5000. But $5000 is not a chunk usually available to schools and other organizations. Chunks of $1000 or $2000 are more frequently about.

But to get into the Steadicam Pilot I have to spend $4000. Even if I started with the $1000 handheld Merlin, since the Pilot sled is not available separately, my next sensible jump is $4000.

However, I can get a competing product complete for $2000 or a little more. This is going to be an inferior option, but maybe me, and certainly the people who have the final say on the money, aren't going to know that now.

On the other hand, if I could get that first $1000 ($800 actually) for the Merlin -- real Steadicam -- professional -- etc. -- and I got some great looking shots... just think what I could do for another $2000 ($1750 actually). A professional arm and vest and a real Steadicam for our program. And then, when I do this long flowing shot... you know, first day of school, etc., for the school's web page... and the whole town wants to know if Spielberg is the principal... and the video class is overflowing, and I explain I can have one team out doing hand held work with the Merlin we already have, and I was so smart to get this setup that we can use the professional arm and vest from that we were using for the Merlin to make a top-professional unit by adding the Pilot sled... and this rig will be just like the one they used on Rocky... I know I'm going to be able to get the next $2000 to make the upgrade.

[And the next year, I know I'll great approved when I ask for $2500 to upgrade to the new six-foot stretch Pilot with the auto retracting post that will let me do "crane" shots from 10 feet in the air to just above the ground.

[And the next year, I'll ask for $3000 for the new gyro-flip sled accessory that lets me go from regular mode to low mode in half a second, with the electronic connector that puts a flash, wipe or one of 67 other transitions into the video at the point of the flip.....]

In the end, it's not a big deal. just more like a puzzle. And it's always the first ones down the mountain who find the rocks. For price/quality (especially quality) I don't think there's anything close to either the Merlin or Pilot.

But I don't get why.

C'mon Jack, Merlin arm and vest is half the price of Copilot, but does the same job; Pilot arm can handle heavier cams, but I'm still way below Merlin's arm capacity, and even with wireless audio, wireless video, light and WA lens I'll be fine (not according to the Tiffen - 7.5Lb) I loaded Merlin arm and vest up to 15lb total weight no problem, and as you can guess the heavier setup the smoother the footage.


How well does the Indicam sled work with the Steadicam's version of the Pilot.

I don't have Pilot, I use indicam sled on Merlin arm and vest and it works fine, it's a well build sled, a bit heavier than I thought, still can't get a perfect dynamic balance, gimbal gives me troubles sometimes ( because of it's 90 degree angle design), took me some time to get use to it , does a good job for the money, nice (to my eye) flying after couple hrs. of practice


Maybe there will be clone of the Steadicam Pilot sled by Christmas.
that would be great, for now I'm waiting for the news from Sanda, would like to try it,
cheers

Buba,

The 90 degree design was on purpose as we tried various other angles and they didn't work as well. Since the Indicam PILOT sled can also be used handheld, the connection angle helps ease the strain on the forearm. Most of us don't use it that way except for short shots where we don't need to "suit up".

If you are having problems with the dynamic balance we would be glad to call you and give you some ways of dialing it in easily. We want our customers to be more than happy since they are our best advertisements.

As mentioned, we do make an adapter which connects our sled to the Merlin arm.

Tery
Indicam

I purchased the Merlin / Arm Vest kit a while back to fly a Z1..
Now I am ready to move up to the EX3.
Convinced that the EX3 is well over the Merlin Stabilizer limit .. the camera weighing in at
With Lens 7.6 lb (3.6 kg) .

As we know SteadiCam will not sell the PIOLT Sled as an upgrade separately.

Terry from Indicam is selling a Merlin "adapter" (allows connection of Indicam PILOT sled to Merlin arm).

Has anybody actually used Terry's Indicam Sled with the Merlin / vest / adapter set up?
I spoke to Terry briefly .. he thinks it may be a bit heavy ? ...
" Our sled weighs just over 6 lbs so with the weight of the EX3 we think its over the limit."
The Steadicam Piolt says from the web site .."The PILOT™ 2-10 pound weight range will work with a wide array of cameras."

OK, so i am a bit confused.. If the EX3 is 8lb and is within the range for the Piolt Rig (2-10lbs) should it not work with the Terry Sled on Merlin adapter with Arm and vest ?

Terry's Indicam sled weighs just over 6 lbs .. anyone know how much the the Pilot sled weighs in at ..?

Also the magic 2-10 pound weight range.. I'm guessing that is just the camera weight , not including sled...

looking foward to enlightenment ..

.. anyone know how much the the Pilot sled weighs in at ..?
3 pounds, 4.7 oz. (Pilot sled with 5.8" widescreen monitor and AA battery mount, no batteries)

Also the magic 2-10 pound weight range.. I'm guessing that is just the camera weight , not including sled...
The 10 pound limit inculdes the camera, all camera accessories, and the Pilot sled battery. Camera accessories may inculde a QR plate, wireless audio receiver, wireless video transmitter, shotgun mic, camera battery, etc..

looking foward to enlightenment ..
It's really dumb that Steadicam doesn't sell the Pilot sled separately. Maybe you should call Steadicam and ask if they will sell it to you as a replacement part or something.

In any case, I'm sure the 6 pound Indicam Pilot sled with an EX3 will throw you over the Merlin arm's weight limit, especially when you add in a monitor and battery.

As it is, the EX3 is at the upper range of the Pilot. You need to add in a couple of pounds for the Pilot battery and bottom inertial weights. The good news is that the EX3 weighs less than 7 pounds when you remove the EVF hood and EX3 battery. With the Pilot-VLB package, the IDX 14.4v battery works perfectly with the EX3. So you can add lots of accessories. Here are some pics:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachments/stabilizers-steadicam-etc/11046d1235763265-steadicam-vs-glidecam-ex1-3-ex3_1.jpg
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachments/stabilizers-steadicam-etc/11047d1235763265-steadicam-vs-glidecam-ex1-3-ex3_2.jpg
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/attachments/stabilizers-steadicam-etc/11048d1235763265-steadicam-vs-glidecam-ex1-3-ex3_3.jpg

Gentlemen (and any Ladies reading),

Our sled without weights comes in at 2.95 lbs.. When configured with standard weights it weighs 5.3 lbs. and with heavy weights (needed for heavier cameras like the EX3) is 6.4 lbs. Weights can be taken off as needed of course.

Since our system was designed for cameras that use their own side mounted monitors we don't have the extra battery weight and external monitor to worry about. Owners can add a bottom mounted monitor if they would like.

Regarding dynamic balance...Our sled should be much easier to dynamically balance than rigs that use the external monitor configuration as our weight plate is symmetrical meaning the front and back weights are equal and on the same plane. Our main balancing is done at the camera stage and is fairly easy. We have a "Horizontal Spin Balance Demo" shot found here: http://www.indicam.com/media/Flash/flvplayer.html Click on the last item.

Weight carrying capacity...We have added 18 lbs. (barbel weights) to our sled and balanced it on our 214 arm. We are glad we personally don't have to carry that much weight around. We realize that to regular Steadicam operators an 18 lb. camera is in the "Flyweight Division". We salute you!

Tery
Indicam

Our sled ... with heavy weights (needed for heavier cameras like the EX3) is 6.4 lbs... We have added 18 lbs. (barbel weights) to our sled and balanced it on our 214 arm.
Hi Terry,

This seems to confirm that a Steadicam Merlin arm & vest together with an Indicam Merlin "adapter" and Indicam Pilot sled will not lift an EX3, whereas an Indicam Pilot sled with Indicam vest and arm will lift an EX3. Is this right?

By the way: My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

Dave, (Inigo Montoya)

That cracked me up!

I'm not sure of the total weight that the Merlin arm can hold. If someone with an arm can put some kind of weights on the end without the Merlin attached and max it out then we can get an answer.

Our 214 system can take camera weights up to about 18 lbs. We're glad we don't have a heavy camera in that weight range. We like the A1 just fine. We loved our Z1U but it was stolen at the San Francisco Airport as we were returning from the South Seas.

Tery
Indicam

I'm pretty sure the arm is rated at 15 pounds, however some can lift a bit more, my Merlin arm was way stronger than my Pilot's.

If someone with an arm can put some kind of weights on the end without the Merlin attached and max it out then we can get an answer.
I think the Steadicam Pilot and Merlin use the same arm, but I'm not sure. My Steadicam Pilot arm droops below level with the springs fully cranked right around 11 pounds of camera, accessories, and sled battery. I just weighed the sled itself at 3.3 pounds. So together, that's 14.3 pounds max - quite a bit less than the Indicam Pilot arm.

The arms are identical.

I have the Merlin with arm and vest and use with an XH A1. I keep on camera a shotgun mic, a wireless receiver, a Lee bellows mattebox (no rails) with usually one 4X4 filter. It balances fine with the extra weights you get with the arm/vest package. Total camera weight with all that stuff on it is right at 7 pounds. My previous experience with a heavier system and 2/3" chip camera is that the Merlin package takes a bit more practice, but the moves can be identical once you get the hang of it.

With no low mode and a highly challenging whip pan, the Merlin with arm makes a weak second place to the Pilot. This is exacerbated by the long-standing Tiffen policy to only sell complete units, preventing (or severely curtailing) the ability to upgrade.

The Merlin's a great tool. I have one, and use it. I prefer the new Blackbird (The Blackbird Camera Stabilizer by Camera Motion Research (http://www.camotionllc.com/blackbird-a-78.html)) because of some specific handling features and the addition of SmoothTouch, a variable drag system that makes it fly an ultralight camera with more stability.

But handheld only goes so far. Tiffen adds the vest and arm, and inspires a large consumer and prosumer audience to try new shots. We know it's a large audience, and a large customer base, because they say so in their literature!

It strikes me as logical that the next step would be to want better whips, low mode, a distinct monitor for viewing....all the things the Pilot sled has.

Not to mention a spar that doesn't hit my copious gut every time I move.

The irony to me is that the Tiffen staff are so great. They treat Merlin owners with the same high level of service that every Steadicam owner gets - there's no discrimination because it's "consumer" or "prosumer" or "not a lot of money." The service is wonderful - and I really love that about them.

But this new market needs a push toward the next translation step. We need an upgrade path to a Pilot sled.

(In full disclosure, I own a Flyer and a Merlin from Tiffen, and a Blackbird from CMR.)

Hey dana,u have 3 of them...wich one do you suggest for a z1 use?

thx

For handheld, the Blackbird. For worn, probably a Pilot.

I'm enjoying the Blackbird. I'm really in love with whatever they call the friction knob...it's a cool thing to dial in exactly the amount of freedom that works for a given shot.