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Rain Covers


Richard James Lewis

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So have a set of the Tiffen rain covers for my PRO arm, and I feel they really don't meet the minimum requirements needed to class themselves as rain covers. I don't know what they are made of, but they just let water through the material, you take them off and the arm is glistening wet.

 

Are the Camera Essentials covers any good, or are they identical to the Tiffen ones? I'd hate to buy another set to find out they are as problematic.

 

Also, does anyone know if the camera essentials XCS base battery cover would be appropriate for a PRO III battery base with an XCS post conversion?

 

I'm bored of the hassle of cutting up polly bags whenever it starts to rain... Which in England is more frequent that not.

 

Appreciate any advice.

 

Best,

Rick.

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I have the camera essential ones. I noticed that the one for the forward most section of the arm, ( the end with the arm post) has a sort of wax like inner layer which helps to repel the water just fine, BUT, the cover for the rear section that has a velcro line all the way down the cover to make it easier to attach, does not have this coating and only repels the slightest drizzle, but with enough drizzle or standard rain, the arm is soaked.

With time, the section that does have the waxy layer does degrade and stops offering any water protection as you'll see the layer start to crack and peel away..

 

if anyone has come up with a FANTASTIC set of Arm Rain covers, please pass the info along.

And yes, I know the PRO arm does not need covers, but if someone wanted a great set. Who makes them?

 

As for the base cover, I'm interested too in a good PRO GEN 3 base rain cover. Last week I wrapped the entire bottom of the sled in industrial saran wrap, It worked, but oh so Fugly!

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Hi,

 

I bought a set of waterproof trousers and cut the legs off, you get two covers for minimal price. Add a drawstring or something to the ankle and use that at sled end and just slide it over the arm. They're a bit baggy as they get towards your body as it's the thigh section of the leg but just whack a zip tie or some tape round it to pull it in.

 

Phil

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Try and use a spray on waterproofer nikwax etc. I used it on a tent once and the difference was night and day. It improved the water run off massively. A cheap and simple option! Re coat every year as with flexing and being crumpled up and packed away the weave tends to reopen over time.

 

However like mentioned earlier I cut the legs off a pair of waterproof pants to make covers and they are totally waterproof. I can actually use them to carry water if needs be (I actually used them as when bought found them too waterproof and non breathable in normal use as they would not let sweat out). I just added a pull cord channel at one end with a an elastic pull cord through it. I have also recently modded a waterproof jacket with a third arm at the right height for this lovely UK weather we have.

 

Ant

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Thanks Ant.

 

I've used Scotchgard waterproofing spray on the arm covers. This seems to have done the job.

 

Still curious about the Gen III base covers tho...

 

Rick.

 

 

Scotchguard is ok but it tends to clog up the fabric a bit too much and can cause moisture build up, so I would be weary of that.

 

I would say Nikwax TX direct is the better alternative as it's a wash in waterproofing that's designed to be used on goretex and breathable fabrics etc... plus it lasts a lot longer an doesn't need to be reproofed that often.

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I think I found a good solution.

 

Today I bought a pair of Lafuma gaiters from a sports shop. The kind the mountain climbers use. They work like a charm. Totally waterproof (did the bucket test!), easy to put on or remove, easy to access the ride and lift knobs, not too baggy, not too tight and looks very handsome.

 

I had to remove the metallic parts intended to fix the gaiters to your shoe. Other than that these are better than Tiffen’s solution.

 

As I understand, gaiters comes in two kinds. The cheap, cylindrical kind and expensive ones which has a triangle part to cover the shoe lace part. Also, as the steadicam arm is not sweating you don’t need to buy expensive Gore-Tex type breathable fabrics. GO CHEAP on this one and you’ll have exactly what you need :)

 

I paid 50 TRL ($25).

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post-11013-0-80591400-1341690421_thumb.jpg

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  • 1 month later...

Hi Richard , We make the arms bag. The company is called Fikenca Enterprice and also must have seen our product with Modular 51. Our contact is info@fikenca.com Phone # is 604 755 9944. Website is www.fikenca.com but unfortunately I done have a picture on our website yet but if you would go to www.modular51.com you will see the picture and our price is $75.25 +shipping .

 

 

Babita

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