Just recieved glidecam V25 arm and vest

[John Steele]

Hi Guys, It's been a while since I posted anything to the site and I was fortunate enough this week to get the first production versions of glidecam's new V25 arm and Vest. The sled isn't ready yet so I should get that in October/November.

The vest is very similar to what I've been used to with my previous V16 system but now the socket block can be mounted for left or right handed use and it has the all important arm tilt adjustment in both directions, it's great to get the arm sitting in a comfortable position.

Any of you that have experience of the V8/V16 glidecam arms will just be blown away by this new one, it's awesome, it's very smooth, easy to hold at any height, has a good boom range as it's dual section and looks great :) It will take a sled/camera combined weight of around 40lbs so is quite versatile as to which cameras can be used on the system.

I'll post some more once I've had a chance to really use it(only got it yesterday) but in the mean time here's a picture of the new arm, all the pics I've seen of the system the components were red or blue for the trade shows so here's a picture of it in black as it's meant to be :)

http://www.steeleworksproductions.com/V25/V25arm1.jpg

John.

[John Benton]

John.
Awesome arm..
I acnt wait to see footage.
I have yet to see it on the Glidecam site...Any ideas?
what do you think the pricing will be for this ?

Thanks,
enjoy.

[Charles Papert]

Looks good! Enjoy it. Glad to hear they are including 2-axis adjustment at the arm socket.

[Charles King]

The price is arounf 7000 dollars for the first 100 units after that it goes up to around 10,000 dollars. The option to use a socket block instead of the v25 adjustable mechanism is also availbe. Now that's a good thing about. I did a review on it a couple of months ago. Here is the link:

http://hbsboard.com/index.php?action...=1431.0;id=519

[John Benton]

thanks Charles,
Too expensive for me...
What do you rec on the cheaper side - ala:

http://www.glidecam.com/product-smooth-shooter.php

http://www.varizoom.com/products/sta...navigator.html

http://www.glidecam.com/product-v-8.php

http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzgt.html

[Charles King]

Originally Posted by John Benton

thanks Charles,
Too expensive for me...
What do you rec on the cheaper side - ala:

http://www.glidecam.com/product-smooth-shooter.php

http://www.varizoom.com/products/sta...navigator.html

http://www.glidecam.com/product-v-8.php

http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzgt.html

It depends. What is the maxium camera weight you'll be flying and how much are you willing to spend?

[John Benton]

Charles,
Camera (plus 35 mm adapter) will be around 7-8 pounds
With stuff (possibly in Future) like Mic/ HD/ Battery/ lil monitor/ rods etc...
10 pounds I guess... (although the battery and the monitor can be used on bottom as a counterweight)
Hmmm
I think I am pushing the limit on the smaller Rigs... But I think I will be flying lighter rather than heavier more often.

Price is important (but looks like it will come down to 500$)
Any personal pref between Gliidecam & Varizoom?

Thanks,

[Charles King]

Originally Posted by John Benton

Charles,
Camera (plus 35 mm adapter) will be around 7-8 pounds
With stuff (possibly in Future) like Mic/ HD/ Battery/ lil monitor/ rods etc...
10 pounds I guess... (although the battery and the monitor can be used on bottom as a counterweight)
Hmmm
I think I am pushing the limit on the smaller Rigs... But I think I will be flying lighter rather than heavier more often.

Price is important (but looks like it will come down to 500$)
Any personal pref between Gliidecam & Varizoom?

Thanks,

Well, John, it seems 500 dollars will get you a handheld rather than a full rig. Seeing that the Smooth Shooter goes for 11-1200 dollars I think. Then you have to buy the Glidecam sled seperately, if they don't already offer them together.

Anyhow, I havn't tried the Navigator but the V8 and the Smooth shooter, I've tried. Between the two I'll go for the smooth shooter because it is much smoother than the v8. Another thing is that the springs can be removed too. I also figure, that if you are smart enough you could exchange the springs for slight more heavier ones.

Now mind you , I say slightly, as the arm is only made to handle a specific amount of weight. Now this is only if you want to take a step forward as I am a person who build my rigs I am always inclined to be adventurous. If you are not that type of person than don't bother ;) The Smooth shooter will suffice. As always it is you who will make that decision on which model will work better for you as everybody needs and expectations are different.

[John Benton]

excellent advice Charles,

I am inclined towards the smoothshooter myself...
But was inticed by the extra weight baring ability of this:
http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzgt.html
It can bear cameras 2-16 pounds and offers up to 27" of vertical travel
with interchangeable spring system
Hmmmm?

John

[Leigh Wanstead]

Originally Posted by John Benton

excellent advice Charles,

I am inclined towards the smoothshooter myself...
But was inticed by the extra weight baring ability of this:
http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzgt.html
It can bear cameras 2-16 pounds and offers up to 27" of vertical travel
with interchangeable spring system
Hmmmm?

John

Hi John,

Why suddenly you push the money amount from $500 to $3050? I am really impressed about your purchasing power. ;-)

Regards
Leigh

[Charles King]

Originally Posted by John Benton

excellent advice Charles,

I am inclined towards the smoothshooter myself...
But was inticed by the extra weight baring ability of this:
http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzgt.html
It can bear cameras 2-16 pounds and offers up to 27" of vertical travel
with interchangeable spring system
Hmmmm?

John

Hi John. I thought you said you only had a budget of 500 dollars?

[John Benton]

No No
Sorry for the confusion.
the delemma is between the 1500/2000$
systems
and the next level up 2500/3000$ systems...
(Though they may really not be that muche better, they supportmore weight and come with Monitor..I think)

I was always looking for a vest and arm.

Smoothshooter/Navagator on the Low end
http://www.glidecam.com/product-smooth-shooter.php
http://www.varizoom.com/products/sta...navigator.html
and the Hollywood Lite /GT/v8 a bit more
http://www.glidecam.com/product-v-8.php
http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzgt.html
Though I think I would choose tthe smoothshooter above the V8, based on Charles review

Thanks,
I'm leaning towards the Smoothshooter,
but few in NYC seem to have these in stock and
I am wondering about the Hollywood lite
http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzgt.html
seems to have better weight/changable springs/monitor I think I might be able to swing the price for 2500$

Budget was originally 1500/2000$
But I would rather spend a tiny bit more for something I can grow with

Thanks
John

[Charles King]

Originally Posted by John Benton

Thanks,
I'm leaning towards the Smoothshooter,
but few in NYC seem to have these in stock and
I am wondering about the Hollywood lite
http://www.varizoom.com/products/stabilizers/vzgt.html
seems to have better weight/changable springs/monitor I think I might be able to swing the price for 2500$

Budget was originally 1500/2000$
But I would rather spend a tiny bit more for something I can grow with

Thanks
John

"I can grow with..."

That is the key. I was thinking the exact same thing that's why I ask you about any future expansion. Now the GT you mention reminds me of the Steadicam mini, a long time ago. I never did like the arm due to it's length, but it's a cosmetic thing which you can probably get use to. For me it won't cut it. It gives me a whole different feel which doesn't sit right with me.

Again. You should try these devices before any real purchase otherwise you may regret. I and everyone else can tell you how good or bad it is or which rig you should get but in the end it's you who has the finally saying.

[John Benton]

Thanks Charles,
Sound advice
I am going to look for a place where I can try some of these on for size in New York (no pun intended)
It's between the Smooth shooter and the GT,
but I am surprised that a longer arm wouldnot be desirable.
Seems like it would increase the hight and range of motion

[Charles King]

Originally Posted by John Benton

It's between the Smooth shooter and the GT,
but I am surprised that a longer arm wouldnot be desirable.
Seems like it would increase the hight and range of motion

Although it may just increase the height range a little bit operating would still make it a little too awkward when handling the rig. For instance, imagine if you arm was just one long arm with no joints, elbows etc. How do you think it would behave?... If you can pic that then you would understand. ;)

Again, this how i feel about the arm. Others may have a different feeling. Remember the Steadicam mini I talked about, well most people that had bought it had this same feeling, it was just too long. Although it may solve one problem it doesn't make the second option any better. ;)