LANC For my GL2 (ebay items) at DVinfo.net

Ash Varma · April 10th, 2008, 11:55 AM

Hi All,

Looking to buy a LANC remote and stumbled onto ebay - saw the following which states that they work on the GL2.

Does anyone have any experience with these models?

Thanks in advance.

Don Palomaki · April 21st, 2008, 07:47 AM

$90 is cheap for a controller. I have not seen this brand controller for sale in the USA before.

It appears to be packaged by SAKAR, a name not noted in the past for high quality video/photo accessories. The one SAKAR photo lens I handled several years ago was junk. However, given that the controller is likely composed of mainly standard electronics, it stands a chance of working OK, except for possible issues with fit and finish.

I would not recommend buying it for serious use, at least until some reports are in. And if you do decide to order one, be sure you are satisfied with the return options if you do not like it, and share your results if you do order one.

Sunny Singh · June 8th, 2008, 10:15 PM

I purchased this LANC remote on eBay and filed a return request 10 minutes after opening the package. The remote is poorly constructed. The case is a very thin plastic and the zoom knob can be snapped off if you turn too hard. I honestly felt like I could crush the device in my hand.

I have heard that some people buy this remote and build a much sturdier housing for it. The time and effort needed to do that is probably not worth it, I'd say.

Chris Hurd · June 9th, 2008, 06:47 AM

That's one model I've never seen before. You get what you pay for in this business, although it sounds like it's overpriced even at $90.

Mark Holland · June 9th, 2008, 07:04 AM

I just ordered something that looks similar to the one above. I'll let you all know what happens...

Mark Holland · June 18th, 2008, 11:32 AM

Well, I got the controller. After using it for one wedding, I'd say it's OK. I don't particularly like it's mounting method, but that might be because I'm used to something different. The biggest problem I had was that I kept hitting the + button when I reached for the REC button. It'll probably be ok once I get used to it.

BTW, mine has a different manufacturer's name. It's labeled BENK, but it looks 99% identical to the picture above.

More upon request...

Mark

Mark Holland · October 14th, 2008, 08:23 AM

I've used it for approximately 15 weddings now, and had good results. This weekend, however, I broke the clip used for mounting it. I'm still working on another method to mount it, but in the meantime, for the price, I'd say it's well worth the compromise! I'll most likely buy another one...soon.

Mark Holland · June 28th, 2010, 08:25 AM

I came across a VERY good deal on a Varizoom, so the Benk is in the bag as a backup. However, in addition to the broken (and repaired) mounting bracket mentioned above, I've had to repair the LANC plug, too. I still think that for the money it's a great controller! Like I've seen posted here before, "You get what you pay for."

April 10th, 2008, 11:55 AM	#1
Ash Varma Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oakville Posts: 33	LANC For my GL2 (ebay items) Hi All, Looking to buy a LANC remote and stumbled onto ebay - saw the following which states that they work on the GL2. Does anyone have any experience with these models? Thanks in advance. Attached Images

April 21st, 2008, 07:47 AM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	$90 is cheap for a controller. I have not seen this brand controller for sale in the USA before. It appears to be packaged by SAKAR, a name not noted in the past for high quality video/photo accessories. The one SAKAR photo lens I handled several years ago was junk. However, given that the controller is likely composed of mainly standard electronics, it stands a chance of working OK, except for possible issues with fit and finish. I would not recommend buying it for serious use, at least until some reports are in. And if you do decide to order one, be sure you are satisfied with the return options if you do not like it, and share your results if you do order one. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

June 9th, 2008, 06:47 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	That's one model I've never seen before. You get what you pay for in this business, although it sounds like it's overpriced even at $90. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 9th, 2008, 07:04 AM	#5
Mark Holland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas) Posts: 301	I just ordered something that looks similar to the one above. I'll let you all know what happens... __________________ These are my own opinions, based on my own mistakes...

June 18th, 2008, 11:32 AM	#6
Mark Holland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas) Posts: 301	Well, I got the controller. After using it for one wedding, I'd say it's OK. I don't particularly like it's mounting method, but that might be because I'm used to something different. The biggest problem I had was that I kept hitting the + button when I reached for the REC button. It'll probably be ok once I get used to it. BTW, mine has a different manufacturer's name. It's labeled BENK, but it looks 99% identical to the picture above. More upon request... Mark __________________ These are my own opinions, based on my own mistakes...

June 8th, 2008, 10:15 PM	#3
Sunny Singh Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mt Laurel, NJ Posts: 43	I purchased this LANC remote on eBay and filed a return request 10 minutes after opening the package. The remote is poorly constructed. The case is a very thin plastic and the zoom knob can be snapped off if you turn too hard. I honestly felt like I could crush the device in my hand. I have heard that some people buy this remote and build a much sturdier housing for it. The time and effort needed to do that is probably not worth it, I'd say.

October 14th, 2008, 08:23 AM	#7
Mark Holland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas) Posts: 301	Update on "Benk" LANC controller I've used it for approximately 15 weddings now, and had good results. This weekend, however, I broke the clip used for mounting it. I'm still working on another method to mount it, but in the meantime, for the price, I'd say it's well worth the compromise! I'll most likely buy another one...soon. __________________ These are my own opinions, based on my own mistakes...

June 28th, 2010, 08:25 AM	#8
Mark Holland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas) Posts: 301	Update to "Benk" controller postings I came across a VERY good deal on a Varizoom, so the Benk is in the bag as a backup. However, in addition to the broken (and repaired) mounting bracket mentioned above, I've had to repair the LANC plug, too. I still think that for the money it's a great controller! Like I've seen posted here before, "You get what you pay for." __________________ These are my own opinions, based on my own mistakes...