Premium Members Scott Jason Gill Posted June 16, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 I just recently bought a Flyer-LE. I knew I'd be working right at the edge of its envelope, but now that it comes with a 20lb arm, I figured I'd be alright. What I'm curious about is the difference between what I'll call the inner arm section (closest to the vest) and the outer arm section (closest to the sled). While flying my full setup and with the tension adjusted for maximum weight, my inner arm section will fly just above horizontal while my outer arm section flies just above bottomed out. Is this normal or could there be a problem with my outer arm spring? Other than the normal two arm tension controls, is there anything else that can be adjusted? Thanks, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 16, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 What is your payload? If it's under 20 pounds your arms should both be able to be adjusted to just above horizontal. You should buy an accurate postal scale (if you haven't already) and weigh your camera and AKS. If you are within spec and your arm is sagging, then you indeed may have a problem IMO. I just recently bought a Flyer-LE. I knew I'd be working right at the edge of its envelope, but now that it comes with a 20lb arm, I figured I'd be alright. What I'm curious about is the difference between what I'll call the inner arm section (closest to the vest) and the outer arm section (closest to the sled). While flying my full setup and with the tension adjusted for maximum weight, my inner arm section will fly just above horizontal while my outer arm section flies just above bottomed out. Is this normal or could there be a problem with my outer arm spring? Other than the normal two arm tension controls, is there anything else that can be adjusted? Thanks, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mike Germond SOC Posted June 16, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 my inner arm cranks up higher than the outer section too...I thought it was just an anomaly, but maybe not.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Scott Jason Gill Posted June 16, 2010 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 What is your payload? If it's under 20 pounds your arms should both be able to be adjusted to just above horizontal. You should buy an accurate postal scale (if you haven't already) and weigh your camera and AKS. If you are within spec and your arm is sagging, then you indeed may have a problem IMO. I just recently bought a Flyer-LE. I knew I'd be working right at the edge of its envelope, but now that it comes with a 20lb arm, I figured I'd be alright. What I'm curious about is the difference between what I'll call the inner arm section (closest to the vest) and the outer arm section (closest to the sled). While flying my full setup and with the tension adjusted for maximum weight, my inner arm section will fly just above horizontal while my outer arm section flies just above bottomed out. Is this normal or could there be a problem with my outer arm spring? Other than the normal two arm tension controls, is there anything else that can be adjusted? Thanks, Jason Definately on my to-do list. Just found it odd that they didn't seem to react in he same way, but maybe that's normal. I'm afraid I'm starting to see a G50 in my future much earlier than I had anticipated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 16, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 I believe they "should" behave very similarly. But if you're at the very top (or over) the weight limits, I suppose it might reveal some differences. Still, it sounds like way too much difference to be normal. How much camera weight do you reckon you're flying? What is your payload? If it's under 20 pounds your arms should both be able to be adjusted to just above horizontal. You should buy an accurate postal scale (if you haven't already) and weigh your camera and AKS. If you are within spec and your arm is sagging, then you indeed may have a problem IMO. I just recently bought a Flyer-LE. I knew I'd be working right at the edge of its envelope, but now that it comes with a 20lb arm, I figured I'd be alright. What I'm curious about is the difference between what I'll call the inner arm section (closest to the vest) and the outer arm section (closest to the sled). While flying my full setup and with the tension adjusted for maximum weight, my inner arm section will fly just above horizontal while my outer arm section flies just above bottomed out. Is this normal or could there be a problem with my outer arm spring? Other than the normal two arm tension controls, is there anything else that can be adjusted? Thanks, Jason Definately on my to-do list. Just found it odd that they didn't seem to react in he same way, but maybe that's normal. I'm afraid I'm starting to see a G50 in my future much earlier than I had anticipated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted June 16, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 The inner section actually has to take more weight than the outer, because it has to carry the weight of the outer section as well. If everything was equal you'd be seeing the opposite happening. My arm, and Mike's I see, behaves the same as yours. The arm's have a nominal tolerance. Basically, they don't send an arm out that carries less than 20lbs of camera with 2 batteries on the sled. Mechanical devices being what they are, it may or may not take more than 20lbs. The extra lift may be in one arm section or both. Looks like you've got a bit extra on your inner section. If you weigh your camera set up and find that it is over 20lbs, then your outer section is also has extra lift, just not as much as the inner. If your camera set up is less than 20lbs, then you have a bum arm, otherwise it's probably fine. Mike and I both got lucky in that our arms support up to ~25lb cameras. That said, if you're having trouble keeping the weight down, then yeah, you should upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Scott Jason Gill Posted June 20, 2010 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 So, after some non-scientific testing, I think it is operating normally. I'm flying about 21 lbs of camera and a Hytron 140 (4 lbs or so). Both sections will fly level at that point with the tensions maxed out. Add so much as a shotgun mic and the outer section drops to below horizontal. Add a little more and the inner section drops below. So it looks like I'm getting 24 or 25lbs out of the arm. The weight really adds up quick with little doo-dads and such. So the Flyer is now for sale here: Flyer-LE for sale or trade and now I'm just trying to decide between a G-50 (sweet but limited in weight again) or a used Master/Ultra (not as sweet but more capacity) here: G-50 vs Master Arm Thanks for the advice everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted June 20, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 The sled with monitor (unless HD) weighs ~5lbs, so you're getting ~30 lbs out of the arm, which is about right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.