Pro arm canister tension scale windows

[Martin Stacey]

Does anyone know when Pro stopped putting the tension scales on their canisters and why? Received mine this week and they are noticeable by their absence.

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Martin,

 

They just stopped doing that with the introduction of the gray canisters (although they did it to all of them).

Why? Money. They would have to have had a much larger price increase to keep the windows so they surveyed a bunch of operators and found that most said they wouldn't miss them that much. When you think about it, you really just set the arm by feel. They've also started painting the arm wrench so it provides a bit of a scale.

[JobScholtze]

Funny, now you mention it, i never look at them. Like Alec say's, you really dont need them

[Martin Stacey]

Yeah it really doesn't bother me to be honest as I tend to count the number of turns on the wrench anyway. Was just curious about it. Guessed it was a financial decision.

Cheers guys

[JobScholtze]

I dont even count the turns. one side could be all te way in and the other side of the tube only a few turns. It dasnt bother me at all

 

Greets

[Ken Nguyen]

I don't remember when I started to stop checking at the window.

Nowadays, I don't even count the turn anymore.

But, in the first 6 months, yes, the window and the turn-counting are very helpful.

If manufacturer just asks the pro-ops only for ideas, the out-come may not be right (this does happen).

 

Cheers,

 

Ken Nguyen.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

If manufacturer just asks the pro-ops only for ideas, the out-come may not be right (this does happen).

Ummmm that's EXACTLY who the manufacture SHOULD be asking. A professional is by definition someone that makes their living at a specific trade.

[Ken Nguyen]

You are right Eric.

But, you missed my point here.

Manufacturer need to listen to pro, yes.

But, it has to act like a beginner to design its product for a wider range of end user.

Try to remember back then, at the first time you got your hands on the PRO arm.

Did you look at the window to adjust your arm?

Did you have to look at the window to be sure what the tension of the arm was at?

 

Cheers,

 

Ken Nguyen.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

You are right Eric.

But, you missed my point here.

Manufacturer need to listen to pro, yes.

But, it has to act like a beginner to design its product for a wider range of end user.

Try to remember back then, at the first time you got your hands on the PRO arm.

Did you look at the window to adjust your arm?

Did you have to look at the window to be sure what the tension of the arm was at?

 

No I didn't miss the point, I think you missed the point. The equipment manufacture doesn't need to build to the lowest common denominator that just dilutes the product if they are catering to the higher end.

 

The first time I used my pro arm I went on turn count on the allen since that is the more accurate method. I've never looked at the windows...

[Ken Nguyen]

Eric,

".... to the higher end"

This is your own statement.

I don't think PRO (is the one we are talking about in this thread) issues this statement.

Remember the grey canister is specially designed for the Atlas.

The Atlas arm is targeting on wider demographic users (newbie and pro as well)

 

I don't think that you never check at the window during your first few months of using the PRO arm.

I can only believe you, if you swear to God and to yourself that you've never looked at it.

 

Cheers,

 

Ken Nguyen.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Eric,

".... to the higher end"

This is your own statement.

 

show me a flyer type of rig coming out of PRO or XCS, those companies make higher end equipment

 

 

Remember the grey canister is specially designed for the Atlas.

 

Yes I am VERY familiar with the grey cans, I had quite a bit to do with them coming into existence

 

 

The Atlas arm is targeting on wider demographic users (newbie and pro as well)

 

Actually it's targeted at the user that flies a lighter camera (Think Live Broadcast) and doesn't have the need for the bigger four can arm

 

I don't think that you never check at the window during your first few months of using the PRO arm. I can only believe you, if you swear to God and to yourself that you've never looked at it.

 

Ken, Please don't try to tell me what I think or how I work, and please don't suppose to know what the equipment manufactures have in mind when they build gear. I don't use the scale's because I don't set my arm up to a mark, I set it up to fly the way I want it to and a scale won't tell me that.

[Martin Stacey]

I'm afraid I have to agree with Eric on this one, Pro arms are definitely a high end product. I have been doing this for 10 years, owned 8 different rigs in that time including 6 different arms and this is the first time I have been in a position to get a Pro arm. I built my kits from the ground up and always aspired to owning one. Now I have it I know I'll never need another arm again. (Except for maybe an Atlas for my broadcast work and I wouldn't even need that if Pro would sell me gray canisters separately)

Anyway, to get back to the topic, I am in the process of getting a feel for what my arm setup will be for my most common camera packages so thought that initially the scales might be useful. However, as with my other arms I will no doubt get to a point where I will have a good idea where I am in the setup and what I need to do to adjust it for the next one quickly as I become more familiar with it. Just loving the fact that I did my homework and the hard yards to get it.

 

Cheers