Tight clearance with back mounted harness

[Mark Karavite]

I recently put together a new sled. I bought Walter's Universal harness, and I must say that overall, I love it. I have no doubt the improved comfort and lower fatigue will add years to my career.

 

One issue (that I'm sure all back mounted harness owners experience) is the larger footprint of a back mounted harness. In the short time I've had the rig, I have found that the elbow of the arm is more of a culpret for clearance than the harness's low profile arm. As the arm comes off the socket block, it actually angles away from the sled a bit (to the right on my rig), and then back to the gimbal. It's a very different angle than off a front mounted vest. Because I have the longer ergo handle, this accentuates the elbow of the arm being a few inches further out.

 

I've also found that, because of the angle of the arm coming back to the gimbal, the gimbal and lower section of the arm naturally are in line with each other. On my front mounted vest, the arm and gimbal were much closer to my body. I've found that the gimbal is now more of an obstruction is seeing the monitor than before.

 

I am getting used to viewing the monitor around the gimbal, but the clearance issue will certainly take more practice. I was curious how other operators are dealing with less clearance through tight quarters. Any comments or techniques on clearing tight doorways would be interesting to hear.

 

Walter and I spoke about possibly modifying either the socket block, or the arm to help keep the arm within the normal width of the operator. I think many would benefit from such a modification.

 

Comments?

 

Mark Karavite

Steadicam Owner / Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net