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Is a Glidecam/Steadicam Rig Feasible?


Nicholaus James

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I was wondering if I could use the Glidecam Gold Vest, with the Steadicam G-50 arm, with the new Glidecam X-45 sled?

They advertise that all the components are "industry standard." But I just want to know from you users if mixing brands will work?

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I was wondering if I could use the Glidecam Gold Vest, with the Steadicam G-50 arm, with the new Glidecam X-45 sled?

They advertise that all the components are "industry standard." But I just want to know from you users if mixing brands will work?

 

 

A few questions.

 

What gear do you own?

 

What is your experience level?

 

what sort of work will you be doing?

 

Where are you located?

 

Why did you pick those components?

 

As a point of reference a 1.75" post is NOT industry standard, the standards are 1.5" (pro) 1.58" (tiffen) 2" (XCS) so there are zero accessories that will work with that post

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I own a Flyer LE now. Want to step up into a larger rig, but wanting to stretch my buck.

I think the vests and sleds from Glidecam are in my price range in correlation to the weight limit capacities. But I hate their arms.

Nothing beats Steadicam arms, IMO.

So, I'm just checking to see if the arm will mate to both the vest and sled appropriately.

 

I see your point, Eric, on the post diameter. I'm okay with being "stuck" with just the sled from Glidecam, for right now.

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I own a Flyer LE now. Want to step up into a larger rig, but wanting to stretch my buck.

I think the vests and sleds from Glidecam are in my price range in correlation to the weight limit capacities. But I hate their arms.

Nothing beats Steadicam arms, IMO.

So, I'm just checking to see if the arm will mate to both the vest and sled appropriately.

 

I see your point, Eric, on the post diameter. I'm okay with being "stuck" with just the sled from Glidecam, for right now.

 

 

Then look at the Used Market if you want to stretch your buck. Talk to Erwin Landau (steadicam@landaucamera.com)

 

Glidecam's sleds are... well... crappy, their gimbals have issues, I got a phone call to diagnose a balance issue this week and it was caused by the gimbal.

 

PRO Arms Kill steadicam arms....

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oops

I only read the first part what mentioned the vest and arm, cause I've owned a similar setup in the past

 

missed the sled part, and I don't even know what an X-45 is...

 

on an unrelated topic, I found out this evening they make Coronas in 24 Oz too

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You'll need to make sure the G50 comes with the appropriate armpost. I don't know what size armpost the X45 gimbal is "looking for"--the G series arms have different end caps for different diameters (including the "old" standard of 5/8").

 

Also, the standard socket block is not always made to exactly the same tolerance or specs. There used to be a problem with Steadicam vests and PRO arms. You could conceivably have an issue mating the Glidecam vest with the Steadicam arm, even though they look like they should mate. Or it could be fine.

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You guys are awesome. Thank you!

I'm thinking I better just go with a complete set with someone. Either keep saving, or go used. Right?

I HATE buying something twice. I'd rather do it once, correct.

 

 

Nicholaus,

 

If you hate buying stuff twice then stay clear of Glidecam. You will very quickly out grow it and then you have a piece of equipment that is very hard to resell.

 

Talking about the Vest... Not very well made. Ask David Baldwin how he likes his Gold Vest... He bought it because it was cheap... and he got what he paid for... (Sorry David)

 

A while back I was invited with a friend to check out the then brandnew Gold Arm, We tried to get it into a Model 1 Vest and a PRO Vest didn't fit and what was even better didn't come out either... lets say a hammer and some screw drivers were involved to separate the two.

 

The G-50 as of the 2010 version has a removable Arm post, so in theory you could replace the 3/4 inch post (Master/Ultra) with a 5/8 post (3A/PRO and the rest of the bunch).

 

I would suggest to buy used (you get more for your buck, as you mentioned) and upgrade (if you really want to, most of the time when I upgraded it was more that I wanted something then actually needing it) components as you start working and making money.

 

And don't get pigeon held by one single manufacturer, use what works and what you can afford.

 

But that's just my opinion.

 

Good luck.

 

 

Erwin

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