Premium Members Sarah Thompson Posted June 24, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Steadinewb looking for a first rig... I'm looking to buy a Flyer (or larger) rig complete. My preference would be for an HDSDI or HDMI monitor, but I can live with composite. I'm based near San Francisco -- my preference would be to take a look at it first, so I'm willing to drive a fair distance for that (incl. LA area). Thank you in advance, Sarah Thompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted June 24, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Steadinewb looking for a first rig... I'm looking to buy a Flyer (or larger) rig complete. My preference would be for an HDSDI or HDMI monitor, but I can live with composite. I'm based near San Francisco -- my preference would be to take a look at it first, so I'm willing to drive a fair distance for that (incl. LA area). Thank you in advance, Sarah Thompson Are you looking for a sled, arm and suit? or just a sled? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Sarah Thompson Posted June 25, 2012 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Steadinewb looking for a first rig... I'm looking to buy a Flyer (or larger) rig complete. My preference would be for an HDSDI or HDMI monitor, but I can live with composite. I'm based near San Francisco -- my preference would be to take a look at it first, so I'm willing to drive a fair distance for that (incl. LA area). Thank you in advance, Sarah Thompson Are you looking for a sled, arm and suit? or just a sled? Sled, arm and vest. Sorry if that wasnt clear. Thanks, Sarah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted June 25, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Are you looking for a sled, arm and suit? or just a sled? Sled, arm and vest. Sorry if that wasnt clear. That's going to be tough for that money. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted June 25, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Shouldn't be tough actually--here's one for $4K (don't know if it sold yet or not) http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/private-classifieds/507680-steadicam-flyer.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Markus Kuballa Posted June 25, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Here is another one on Mandy: http://www.mandy.com/1/class3.cfm?v=48973794 Don't know why it is in the cart, Location equipment section though :blink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 25, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Sarah, At $5000-$6000 your only realistic options are Flyer, Flyer LE, Scout. Any bigger rig near that price is likely either junk, broken, incomplete, stolen, or all of the above. Re: used Flyers, depending on accessories: First-generation Flyers (aluminum fixed post, 15lb net camera weight limit) generally seem to go for $4000-$5000. Flyer LE (carbon fiber post, 18 or 20lb net camera weight limit) tend toward $5000-$6000. This would be for a standard def setup. An HD Flyer LE would be rare and more expensive. (did they even make a first-gen Flyer in an HD flavor??) At these prices they ought to be in good condition, with a couple of batteries in good shape and a two-bay charger. But keep in mind that lithium batteries only last two-to-three years, no matter how heavily used. Anything more is just bonus. And they ain't cheap to replace. Consider: for $6000 you can buy a brand new Scout, which is essentially the successor to the Flyer (same vest and same or very similar arm, similar camera capacity). You'll still need to buy batteries and charger, which could add $1000-$1500 off the top of my head (depending on name brand or generic). And $150 for a balancing stand and sandbag. In that light, I'd say the Mandy listing is overpriced for a Flyer (even if it is an LE, which is not clear from the ad) with no battery and charger. The first gen Flyer in the DVInfo ad looks like it's priced closer to fair market value. Welcome to the world of Steadicam. Once you get your rig, read the Steadicam Operators Handbook, watch the Steadicam EFP DVD, take a workshop, and practice, practice, practice! Best of success to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Markus Kuballa Posted June 25, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 In that light, I'd say the Mandy listing is overpriced for a Flyer (even if it is an LE, which is not clear from the ad) with no battery and charger. The first gen Flyer in the DVInfo ad looks like it's priced closer to fair market value. I'm sure you have the better inside on lighter sleds than me Mark. I just ran across the offer and thought I should point it out ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Sarah Thompson Posted June 26, 2012 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Sarah, At $5000-$6000 your only realistic options are Flyer, Flyer LE, Scout. Any bigger rig near that price is likely either junk, broken, incomplete, stolen, or all of the above. Re: used Flyers, depending on accessories: First-generation Flyers (aluminum fixed post, 15lb net camera weight limit) generally seem to go for $4000-$5000. Flyer LE (carbon fiber post, 18 or 20lb net camera weight limit) tend toward $5000-$6000. This would be for a standard def setup. An HD Flyer LE would be rare and more expensive. (did they even make a first-gen Flyer in an HD flavor??) At these prices they ought to be in good condition, with a couple of batteries in good shape and a two-bay charger. But keep in mind that lithium batteries only last two-to-three years, no matter how heavily used. Anything more is just bonus. And they ain't cheap to replace. Consider: for $6000 you can buy a brand new Scout, which is essentially the successor to the Flyer (same vest and same or very similar arm, similar camera capacity). You'll still need to buy batteries and charger, which could add $1000-$1500 off the top of my head (depending on name brand or generic). And $150 for a balancing stand and sandbag. In that light, I'd say the Mandy listing is overpriced for a Flyer (even if it is an LE, which is not clear from the ad) with no battery and charger. The first gen Flyer in the DVInfo ad looks like it's priced closer to fair market value. Welcome to the world of Steadicam. Once you get your rig, read the Steadicam Operators Handbook, watch the Steadicam EFP DVD, take a workshop, and practice, practice, practice! Best of success to you. Thank you so much for your advice -- it is very much appreciated. It seems I can scrape up a little more, $8k approx, so I'm now in the market for a new Scout with a couple of batteries and a charger. This seems like a much safer option than picking up a used rig with an unknown amount of wear on its bearings. I have a small machine shop, so I'm not afraid of mechanical work or of fabricating things, but I'd rather put the time into practicing rather than machining, if that makes sense. Of the various battery options, what is best recommended? I've noticed a few people saying that some battery options are better than others on the Pilot purely from a mass point of view. I can't wait to get started. I don't mind putting the work in -- I play a few musical instruments and have done a bit of martial arts, so I'm not a stranger to having to knuckle down and put in the hours. I'm intending to take advice I've seen elsewhere (incl. in the operator's handbook) to build a practice cage. I have a couple of thick pieces of aluminum (12"x4"x1") and some rod stock in my workshop that would do very nicely, I think. Thank you all again, very much appreciated. It is a privilege to have a resource such as this forum, and I really do understand and appreciate how valuable the time of the experts on here can be to newbies like myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 26, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Marcus, It's good that you posted it. I wasn't intending to seem critical of your posting. Just sharing with Sarah my thoughts on the price being asked by the seller. If she's interested in that rig, she may be able to negotiate a better price. In that light, I'd say the Mandy listing is overpriced for a Flyer (even if it is an LE, which is not clear from the ad) with no battery and charger. The first gen Flyer in the DVInfo ad looks like it's priced closer to fair market value. I'm sure you have the better inside on lighter sleds than me Mark. I just ran across the offer and thought I should point it out ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 26, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Sarah, Steadicam systems use broadcast batteries: one of two systems in the US. 1. Anton Bauer aka Gold Mount 2. IDX aka V-lock or V-mount Lithium-ion batteries are the current technology. The mount is a matter of personal preference. For the Scout a couple of 90-100 watt hour batteries are a good place to start. Batteries of this size weigh about two pounds each. You can get bigger/heavier but it may be too much for a Scout rig with lightweight camera mounted. Tiffen sells a Steadicam-branded battery by IDX called Powercube. It's similar to a battery in their Endura line. Anton Bauer has the Dionic series. You can buy generic batteries in either mount, but Anton Bauer batteries in particular cannot be charged on generic chargers and Anton Bauer chargers will not charge generic batteries. Other than that, some people love generics and some people report problems with them. There are a few "name-brand generic" companies, such as "Batteries For Broadcast" that claim a higher quality level. Lots of info on manufacturer's website and in the forum archives. I recommend searching. Also check out Anton Bauer and IDX websites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Markus Kuballa Posted June 26, 2012 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Marcus, It's good that you posted it. I wasn't intending to seem critical of your posting. Mark. I didn't take it as criticism. I really think you are better qualified to judge pricing in that category :) Sarah! Good luck on your future purchase. I'm sure you'll find what suits you and that you'll love operating it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jon Edwards Posted February 6, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Hi Sarah, I don't know if you found a rig yet but my flyer is for sale here in the forum. Complete System. Here is the link: http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=19743&hl=flyer Happy Flying Jon Edwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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