Scott Mohrman

The vibration I'm getting is not with the Merlin. It's with the PILOT. The arm is sending vibration to the sled just like your merlin. The springs from the pilot arm in my opinion are a bit weak. And to get the load capacity I need I would have to upgrade to the next Steadicam model which is thousands of dollars more. The Glidecam X-10 which is almost the same cost as the Steadicam Pilot can handle a very heavy load including a $$$$ CRT green screen monitor I have which is far superior especially when filming outdoors. The only down side from Glidecam is that 4000 pro slead which you can't move the gimgal up and down for a new CG. It's fixed and that doesn't work for my professional needs. The Pilot's slead is far superior of course but the arm is WEAK, especially the lower part of the arm. A Sony Z1-U alone maxes out the lower spring...And that's the same camera shown in the Pilot user's manual! By the time my work realizes that we need to upgrade our current steadicam, the Zephyr will be available. I hope.

Bare bones EX1 Steadicam Merlin with Arm and Vest I am also getting a vibration. But I am new at operating. The vibrations happen when I step. I believe that the tie down screw and the plastic screw under the lens, does not have a solid grip on the camera. I have been told that I need to upgrade to the Pilot, but my job can't spend the money yet. So this is what I have to work with. I have used different things to fill in the space between the camera and the sled. On all the other Steadicams, is it just a tie down screw that holds the camera to the sled? Scott

I'll be attending Profusion Expo in Toronto next weekend. I'll ask the people(Garrett) at the booth about the Zephyr. I am interest in getting one as well. I'll post want information I find.

I am also flying the Sony EX1 with the Merlin (w/ vest and arm). Knowing that a bare EX1 is at the top end of the Merlin's payload capacity, I am having trouble. As I move forward and back forwards the rig sways. Does that mean it is too bottom heavy? I am using 1 mid and 1 finish weight on front and 1 start, 1 finish and 7 mid weights on the bottom. I am pushing for my work to upgrade to the Pilot, but so far no luck. mohrhd.com