I currently shoot with a DSLR (Canon T3i) and I am looking to purchase my first "steadicam" or "glidecam" or whatever you want to call them.

I know you can really get out of hand with these things, price wise, very quickly if your not careful and I was just wanting some advice on what I need

I don't need anything that attaches to my body yet, but I would like something cheap (less than $200).

I see some on eBay for a bit cheaper than I see other places. I've also seen some that people have made on YouTube that look very nice and have nice footage. I assume the professional ones work better so I just need to know which ones work best with a DSLR.

Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!!

i just saw the Merlin 2 and I think that looks perfect for what I need...

Any suggestions on alternatives to that device?

Hi Brock

I have owned the older, now obsolete, Steadicam JR, and found it very good. One of the points I feel where the genuine Steadicams excel is in the camera balance particularly on the camera stage. The have good X-Y adjustment to get the camera positioned just so. It can also be adjusted on the fly for tilting the view up or down.

What I did not like was the fact that the gimbal, although metal bearings was housed in a poly carbonate frame. I had one fail. I am pretty sure that the Merlin still uses this construction. Some of the GlideCam varieties use a design style more like the Steadicam Pilot with the centre pole. These may be more durable.

That said, I was always well pleased with the results that the Steadicam delivered.

YMMV

I have a Glide Gear DNA 5050 that I'm quite happy with. Solid construction and plenty of adjustment.

Glide Gear DNA 5050 Professional Video Camera Stabilizer - Camera Stabilizer and Camera Slider Design (http://www.glidegear.net/glide-gear-dna-5050-professional-camera-stabilizer-p-36.html)