Mihai Nicolau

Hello, I've just got my Pilot, ordered it from B&H. While playing with it today I noticed there is a slight play in the gimbal between the part that attaches itself from the handle and the part that stays fixed on the pole (don't know what their names are). It also makes a slight noise when it reaches horizontal position because of this play. It does this with or without a camera on the mount. Otherwise it is really smooth. I'll put a picture up to illustrate better. Should I worry ? Thanks, Mihai

thank you for the additional info. My mind was pretty made up from the first couple of posts. I'll go with the Pilot.

Hello, Very informative post. One question, I have some switronix batts that have been used on my red one camera for some time now. You said you should never leave the battery attached to a load. I would sometimes let the battery on until the camera powered down (not being original red batts you don't have any sort of indication of the remaining battery time, and the onboard lcd or led doesn't show it correctly. Is this not good for them to be discharged to the end ? They take longer to recharge after a full discharge because the charger puts them in some kind of low voltage recharging for a time and only after that it resumes normal high speed charging. Also some one told me you should wait for them to cool down (they get pretty hot after being on the cam) before putting them on the charger ? Does this have some sort of truth to it ? thanks.

Ok so let me put it this way. I won't be paying for the stabilizer a director friend of mine will. He wants to up the quality of his productions (mostly low budget stuff, with the ocasinally music video or short film now and then) and he thought about buying a stabilizer. He came to me with these 2 options after surfing the net for some cheap alternatives and I said i'll look into it. I'd love operating a steadicam but telling him he will have to shed the additional 500-600$ because all the others are crap won't cut it. So if you could just give me a little more thorough explanation on what to expect with each product it would be great. I don't even know what to ask you, as i've said i'm a total beginner in this field. So I guess this will be it then http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/494658-REG/Steadicam_PILOT_VL_Pilot_VL_Camera_Stablization_System.html . I chose the v-lock mount because I have some switronix batts laying around in good shape that I could use. Are there any other additional or hidden costs or is that a complete kit with all that I need to start operating (aside from a wireless FF of course) ? many thanks.

Hello, New to the Steadicam world. Based on my budget I narrowed my search to 2 models. The glidecam x-10 paired with the HD4000 sled and the Varizoom prolite http://www.varizoom.com/product.aspx?productID=VZPROLITE&category=Vest/Arm%20Supported%20Stabilizers . Which one would you recommend. The only thing that the Varizoom doesn't seem to have (from my limited perspective on the tools of the trade) is the adjustment between the vest and the arm. It has it only on the more expensive models. I don't know if this is such a big feature to have. I plan on using it with a sont fs100 camera and maybe a Red Epic of course stripped to the minimum (brain and sidehandle for battery and of course lens). Also the Varizoom come with a monitor included albeit an SD one. Would you recommend an HD monitor or does an SD one do the job ? So what about the design, construction of the components of these 2 systems ? The Glidecam is a bit more expensive but i'm willing to pay that little extra for the better system, if indeed it is better. Thanks, Mihai