Glidecam X-22 at DVinfo.net

Simon Wyndham · February 12th, 2010, 06:36 PM

I just bought one. I have it on its C-stand right now, and I'm marvelling at it! How can a piece of engineering do this to me?

Charles King · February 15th, 2010, 03:31 AM

Ok, get a hotel room. ;) Congrats. Enjoy it well until your next upgrade.

Joe Lawry · February 15th, 2010, 04:15 AM

Thought you decided on a flyer! what happened?

Simon Wyndham · February 15th, 2010, 04:28 AM

Yep, I ping ponged back and forth more times than a table tennis match. But I was made an offer that I couldn't refuse.

Glidecam have come a long way. If this was a few years ago I wouldn't have made this decision, but the new rig is very good indeed. I'd much rather get my practise in with the X-22 using it on in house productions and then consider a larger rig later on.

The X-22 appears to have more adjustment for dynamic balance since both the fore and aft of the sled base can be slid back and forth. The arm also appears to be very well made (though still appears to have some of the springiness that Charles mentioned in his round up). The X-22 can also support more weight (the arm is actually rated up to 30lbs, even though the sled can't go that high).

So far I am very happy, both with the performance and the price. I just need to practice one heck of a lot more!

Trevor Meeks · February 15th, 2010, 05:42 AM

Very happy with my X-22 as well. I operated the X-22 with my ~23 lb Redrock-Equipped EX1 rig for two days during our December workshop with Charles. I definitely see some of the advantages that the Steadicam rigs have over the X-22, but as a first-time operator the weight capacity, price and features of the X-22 certainly outweighed the current Steadicam offerings, and I have no regrets about my purchase. Yes, the arm is a tad bit springy, but seems to operate very smoothly when properly set up. Again, the Steadicam rigs are unmatched when it comes to their iso-elastic arms and frictionless gimbals, but the GC X-22 sure does come close. Hoping to see a refresh of the Flyer at or around NAB this year - that REALLY is a nice rig, but the lack of sled adjustments is a bummer. I agree, Simon, the sliding plates on the sled sure make for easier dynamic balancing - that's what I was doing on my 1D Mark IV rig tonight!

A couple of pix of my X-22 rig with the 1D Mark IV - been working hard to configure this for a shoot next week!

Flickr Photo Download: Canon 1D Mark IV + Glidecam X-22

Flickr Photo Download: Canon 1D Mark IV + Redrock Components + Glidecam X-22

Flickr Photo Download: Canon 1D Mark IV + Redrock Components + Glidecam X-22

Peter D. Parker · February 18th, 2010, 09:30 AM

Simon, you'd better update your web site re buying an X-22, on there, you say you've decided to go for the Steadicam Flyer !

Peter

Simon Wyndham · February 18th, 2010, 09:38 AM

Good point! I thought I had. Clearly been messing around with it too much!

February 12th, 2010, 06:36 PM	#1
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Glidecam X-22 I just bought one. I have it on its C-stand right now, and I'm marvelling at it! How can a piece of engineering do this to me?

February 15th, 2010, 03:31 AM	#2
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Ok, get a hotel room. ;) Congrats. Enjoy it well until your next upgrade. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

February 15th, 2010, 04:15 AM	#3
Joe Lawry Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 418	Thought you decided on a flyer! what happened?

February 15th, 2010, 04:28 AM	#4
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Yep, I ping ponged back and forth more times than a table tennis match. But I was made an offer that I couldn't refuse. Glidecam have come a long way. If this was a few years ago I wouldn't have made this decision, but the new rig is very good indeed. I'd much rather get my practise in with the X-22 using it on in house productions and then consider a larger rig later on. The X-22 appears to have more adjustment for dynamic balance since both the fore and aft of the sled base can be slid back and forth. The arm also appears to be very well made (though still appears to have some of the springiness that Charles mentioned in his round up). The X-22 can also support more weight (the arm is actually rated up to 30lbs, even though the sled can't go that high). So far I am very happy, both with the performance and the price. I just need to practice one heck of a lot more!

February 15th, 2010, 05:42 AM	#5
Trevor Meeks Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sonoma, CA Posts: 336	Very happy with my X-22 as well. I operated the X-22 with my ~23 lb Redrock-Equipped EX1 rig for two days during our December workshop with Charles. I definitely see some of the advantages that the Steadicam rigs have over the X-22, but as a first-time operator the weight capacity, price and features of the X-22 certainly outweighed the current Steadicam offerings, and I have no regrets about my purchase. Yes, the arm is a tad bit springy, but seems to operate very smoothly when properly set up. Again, the Steadicam rigs are unmatched when it comes to their iso-elastic arms and frictionless gimbals, but the GC X-22 sure does come close. Hoping to see a refresh of the Flyer at or around NAB this year - that REALLY is a nice rig, but the lack of sled adjustments is a bummer. I agree, Simon, the sliding plates on the sled sure make for easier dynamic balancing - that's what I was doing on my 1D Mark IV rig tonight! A couple of pix of my X-22 rig with the 1D Mark IV - been working hard to configure this for a shoot next week! Flickr Photo Download: Canon 1D Mark IV + Glidecam X-22 Flickr Photo Download: Canon 1D Mark IV + Redrock Components + Glidecam X-22 Flickr Photo Download: Canon 1D Mark IV + Redrock Components + Glidecam X-22

February 18th, 2010, 09:30 AM	#6
Peter D. Parker Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Preston England Posts: 147	Simon, you'd better update your web site re buying an X-22, on there, you say you've decided to go for the Steadicam Flyer ! Peter

February 18th, 2010, 09:38 AM	#7
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Good point! I thought I had. Clearly been messing around with it too much!