Hi Frank,

Im actually int he middle of modding my vest based on your design. Difference being the shoulder straps will double back on themselves much like the side ones and I will use more velcro to secure in place rather than the triglide.

This is similar to the flyer and glidecam vests.

Just need somone to sew the velcro on now and both mum and the mother in law are on holiday.

I have now modified my vest to completely use quick release buckles and all mounted to nylon webbing for smooth changes to the size and added strength.

I mostly went with Franks design although added nylon webbing to the shoulder supports too. Also I opted to double back the webbing and use velcro to secure it which is much more like the flyers vest.

Also on the arm is a stitched piece of webbing for the arm stay.

I just bought a Flyer vest. Anyone wanting a spare Pilot/Merlin vest, make me an offer.

Nick - is that a Pilot with Merlin arm & vest or just the vest or ?? I may be interested

Nick - is that a Pilot with Merlin arm & vest or just the vest or ?? I may be interested

Just the Pilot Vest is for sale.
I will now be using the Pilot with the Flyer vest.

The main reason I went this route is because I do a lot of shooting in backstage areas, and I get tired of my vest sticking to every curtain I brush up against.
There is a famous Austrian fashionista who had this same problem. He didn't figure out a solution like you did, and he ended up losing his job.

Just had my gimble recentred by the very helpful James from Tiffen UK and he confirmed they are working on an upgrade kit for the pilot vest to give you adjustable straps.

He said my vest modifications were very similar to their own and he was keen for a look. Prolly just checking I havnt copied it exactly with stolen secrets or something :)

I know Charles said some time ago the upgrade was coming but it seems it cant be too far off now.

Just had my gimble recentred by the very helpful James from Tiffen UK and he confirmed they are working on an upgrade kit for the pilot vest to give you adjustable straps.
The velcro straps on the Pilot are easy to adjust. I tried the Flyer vests with the buckles in class - both the regular and the leather versions, and I found them much harder to adjust than the Pilot vest, especially making adjustments as you are wearing the sled.

The only issue I have with the Pilot is the velcro straps wearing out, but extra straps are are available from Tiffen, so I buy an extra set once a year. See my earlier post in this thread for details.

I can see how some people might not like the velcro straps, especially if you work around stage curtains, but implying that the straps that come with the Pilot vest are not adjustable is incorrect.

I myself have never been able to get in and out of the thing without completely confusing myself or ending up holding a loose piece in my hand with no clue where it goes.

-) Try doing it after you have already been going for 12 hours, your exhausted, starving, dehydrated, the venue's lights are dimmed right down and the frigging straps have all peeled off when you picked the the vest up off the carpet! Just unwrapped the Flyer vest and love it.

How much was the Flyer vest?

Steadicam | 803-7800 Standard Vest f/Flyer | 803-7800 | B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/446422-REG/Steadicam_803_7800_803_7800_Standard_Vest_f_Flyer.html)

Peter,

Any word on those ratchet buckles and where you got them??

Thinking of giving the buckle mod another go.

Anyone heard anything from Steadicam about the mod they are meant to be coming out with? I emailed Mike Craigs a few weeks back but got no response.

Anyone got an email for Frank Rush as he was the last person i spoke to about it at SMPTE09? Would love to give him an email but have no contact info.

My velcro straps are slowly getting near the end of their life and i'd rather go buckles than buy more straps.

Try contacting Peter Abraham, he's always been responsive to me.

Just go a reply from Mike Craigs.

"As for the Pilot vest upgrade, we are so close to having them that I can almost hear the snap of the new buckles! We will make an announcement once we receive stock of them. I am hoping everyone is satisfied by the design.


Best regards,
Michael Craigs"

Not far now.

count me in!

Here's my Pilot buckle conversion, it works so much better than velcro.

Paul.

Steadicam now has the buckle mod available for sale. Contact tiffen if interested. I just installed mine. I believe I was the 3rd person to purchase them. May require some trimming of the lower waist straps if you have a size 36 waist or slimmer.

VERY happy with it :).

Randy how much was the mod ?
Do you have a link ?
Do you have pictures ?

Paul.

Randy how much was the mod ?
Do you have a link ?
Do you have pictures ?

Ditto.
Cant find anything on steadicams website.
Ditto.

If this upgrade isnt good enough i'll probably dump the pilot vest and get a flyer vest.

I'd still really like to upgrade to the flyer.. but i think its almost time for a refresh. NAB2K10 might bring some good news. Who knows..

Hey Randy. Would love to see some pics of the Tiffen one. As much as I love my own ones the official ones might be more secure or flexible.

I'll get some pics up within a few days.

Here's my Pilot buckle conversion, it works so much better than velcro.

Paul.

Nice work Paul!

You are now officially a seasoned Steadicam Op :)

Nice work Paul!

You are now officially a seasoned Steadicam Op :)

Not yet but i'm trying, off on a course in March, i've been doing a fair bit of practice though.

The buckle vest is so much better, i can get it on and tight in about 20 secs.

Paul.

Have asked my dealer to contact steadicam re the buckle mod.. however i'd like to see some photos before i make a purchase.. any chance Randy?

Just contacted Tiffen myself. I needed a new set of straps anyways, so I figured I'd go for the buckles instead of the straight Velcro. The New York office hadn't heard of it, but they're putting me in touch with the factory - I'll let you guys know if I can get them.

Just a quick update - I just got off the phone with Tiffen, the straps are available even though there's been no real press release or updates about them. They're a little expensive, but I think it'll be worth it. To get them, get in touch with Steadicam in Glendale at 818-843-4600 x7913 (as copied from their website). Michael Craigs over there gave me all the information I needed.

Sorry I've been slacking on the pics, I've been really busy shooting. It's calmed down so I'll have them up before the weekend.

Cheers

Cheers Randy, we all know how it gets! Thank you.

They're a little expensive, but I think it'll be worth it. .


So how much are they?

So how much are they?

I was quoted around $140 for the full set. Since my velcro straps need some TLC anyways, I figure it's a pretty wise investment. Plus, not having loads of sweater fuzz, cat fur, and carpet from the back of my car stuck to the vest should make a nicer impression on directors.

Plus, not having loads of sweater fuzz, cat fur, and carpet from the back of my car stuck to the vest should make a nicer impression on directors.

I feel just the opposite. If you come in with stuff that looks all shiny and new, you see that worried look on the director and crew.

I feel just the opposite. If you come in with stuff that looks all shiny and new, you see that worried look on the director and crew.

True, that's where the wireless rig gaff taped to the back of my monitor, the tons of home-soldered cables, the scratched up paint on the arm, and the 90's vintage camera case that I use to haul some of the parts around in.

How's work been going since the workshop, Dave?

140USD is fine. I've paid a lot more for a lot less in this industry.

Time to give my supplier another email and remind them again of my interest.

Just a quick update - I just got off the phone with Tiffen, the straps are available even though there's been no real press release or updates about them. They're a little expensive, but I think it'll be worth it. To get them, get in touch with Steadicam in Glendale at 818-843-4600 x7913 (as copied from their website). Michael Craigs over there gave me all the information I needed.
Hi Tom and the rest of the crew on here,

I just wanted to make a correction to the above post. My extension is 7917.
If you want to avoid the automated menu, you can also reach me at my direct line: 818-567-7917

If you have any questions about the buckle upgrade kit, or anything else for that matter, please feel free to call or email me.

Happy flying!

-Michael Craigs
818-567-7917
Mcraigs@tiffen.com

It's always good to hear stuff straight from the horses mouth on the forum.
We wouldn't mind seeing some pics of the buckle mod.
Is there any chance you could post some pics or a link ?

Thanks, Paul.

Hi Tom and the rest of the crew on here,

I just wanted to make a correction to the above post. My extension is 7917.
If you want to avoid the automated menu, you can also reach me at my direct line: 818-567-7917

If you have any questions about the buckle upgrade kit, or anything else for that matter, please feel free to call or email me.

Happy flying!

-Michael Craigs
818-567-7917
Mcraigs@tiffen.com


so when do we get pics of the new buckles... it's been quite awhile since they were requested?

either from someone that purchased them, or Michael Craigs?

Thanks

Im still waiting to hear back from Steadicam about them & also a few other questions..

I sent Mike an email on the 20th and haven't heard anything back since. Away at a trade show maybe?

I ordered one, got some pics...don't know how to attach them here, though...

Just snapped pics. Will have them up tomorrow. Just got back from the mainland shooting so haven't had time. Apologies again my fellow pilot owners!

Thanks Christian!

looks great. im sold. now if only we could get in contact with tiffen!

Have you tried giving him a call? Michael was easily reachable by phone when I contacted him.

Im purchasing through my dealer here in NZ. It is them trying to contact tiffen.

I support my dealer, they've got the contract with steadicam. I shouldn't have to order though other sources.

Apologies, I figured you were trying to contact Tiffen USA yourself, as you had said in an earlier post that you sent Michael an email.

Does this still leave some of the hook side of the velcro exposed as this was the main reason I made my own set?

Don't understand your question, please reword it?

Some more info.

The price of $140USD is not the final price. The kit should hopefully come in well under $100.

Tiffen have them and they are ready to ship, however no press release has been made as of yet due to the fact the installation instructions are still in the process of being written.

All this info came through my dealer. I told them to place an order, instructions are overrated.

As far as the price...yeah, seemed kinda steep, and I have no info about the final price, but I do know that this is so totally worth it.

I've invested none of my own time (aside from "installing" the new buckles) and it takes me less than 60 seconds to unzip the bag, pull out my vest and have it fully adjusted. Took a couple of minutes with the velcro setup before.

And the way it's rigged now, there's no exposed hook velcro (only loop side) so there is ZERO snagging of clothing, curtains, etc.

And...there's no loud ripping sound taking it off. Very nice.

So if you're like me and want these now, it's worth paying the current price. If I had to guess, I'd say they'll be available for general sale in about 1-2 months from now.

Received my buckle upgrade.

Very nice with lots of room for adjustment.

Still trying to figure out exactly how to put the whole thing together but slowly getting there.

Doesn't make it as nice as a flyer vest but it definitely makes things a lot nicer.

I had issues figuring out how to assemble the straps, I e-mailed Michael and he sent me a set of instructions and pictures to assist me.

I was confused by some spare parts that didn't seem to go anywhere. Turned out there's a spare strip of velcro for more husky operators (I'm a bit on the slender side, so I didn't need it).

Strange there still isn't any kind of announcment or general availability of these kits. Guess there's no rush.