I know that some of you were discussing the MK-V before the Forum was hacked (grrrr), so I just wanted to restart the topic and share my thoughts.
I had been unhappy with my sled (not going to mention names), just an inherent design flaw, nothing that could be fixed. I felt that the solution was a thicker post. I considered 3 brands.
The first was the old standby, but I think that their sled had too many bells and whistles (ie. gimmicks), and not enough ergonomics.
The second was a low-volume, very expensive sled. I tried the demo, it was beautiful. I had a difficult time getting used to some of its unusual features, but I could see how it was a great evolution from what we are used to. Unfortunately, too much $$$.
So process of elimination lead me to the MK-V Nexus. I had heard good things, but was a bit afraid of buying a piece of gear that was made overseas and didn't have a local rep. But I took a chance, an Howard eased my worries.
As I wait for my sled to be completed, I've got the Nexus demo sled. Holy crap. First off, you could use it as a bettering ram if you wanted. It makes my old sled look like a toy! Rock solid, stays balanced, ergonomically perfect, simple electronics, 4-stage post (built in Superpost!), affordable, almost infinitely adjustable, beatifully machined/anodized, and oh, that monitor!
My first job with it was flying a BL-4 Evoltion with no video only top and Cooke S-4's. Ugggh. But the sled was flawless, no flex, no vibration. At first glanced I turned my nose up at the topstage, it seemed so primitive and simple. But if it ain't broke, don't fix it; it was easy to balance, and held that pig like a puckered sphincter.
The gimbal was perfect. Enough said.
I had no time to experiment with battery/monitor configurations, but it seemes very easy to adjust.
Last but not least, the monitor. I wasn't able to use it on that job (I couldn't get an image and later realized that it was in PAL mode, and simple fix). But once I got it up and running, it was great. Large, bright picture, easily-adjustable frameline generator, and for all of those that think that LCD monitors are 'girlie,' this thing is solid. It's suprisingly heavy, which I think is a good thing for both durability as well as balance. It seems like it is machined out of a large block of steel!
That's all for now, I can't wait to get my sled! Feel free to post questions, Max.