Zephyr stand with wheels?

[Victor Lazaro]

Hi,

I am looking for a good docking stand for the Zephyr that could be wheeled around, anyone has a suggestion?

 

What about this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/611435-REG/Avenger_A5017_5_8_Roller_Stand.html

Will it be sturdy enough?

[James Davis]

I wouldn't recommend that stand for steadicam use, it's fine for monitors and the like but anything more than smooth studio floors and those wheels will probably start to annoy you a little too.

You would be much better off with the American Grip Steadicam Stand, it has a wider much more stable base, will be fine for your rig whether it is a Zephyr or a Pro GPI it can handle it all.

Also if you are really keen to add wheels you can get a set of pneumatic wheels as an add on accessory that just slide on to the bottom of the legs, good for slightly rough surfaces and smooth.

 

http://www.backstageweb.com/Mag%20World%202012%203rd%20Edition%20WEB.pdf

 

Page 67-71 for the stand and accessories

[Alan Rencher]

I second James' recommendation. It's expensive, but it's designed specifically for us and worth every penny. I bought an American Steadicam stand used here on the forum for $250 with an extra set of casters. They are so robust that they will last forever, and I hear American Grip has great service, too. Watch out for those rolling baby stands that are made for lights; they tip over easily!

 

PS - Avenger makes frustratingly crappy stands.

Edited March 7, 2013 by Alan Rencher

[Mark Schlicher]

I bought a "Dan Stand" from Norm's Grip. It's a short version of a "beefy baby" that they originally built as a jib arm stand. All steel. I added their wheel set. Works well for me indoors.

[Erwin Landau]

I have to second the call for "American" great guys, great service and if you come and pick it up, you get a 33% discount on the price list amount. (FYI: That's what the dealers get and they are passing it on to you).

 

I personally have the single riser without wheels or casters (even though I was involved in the design of the Backstage parts). My main dock is my cart (I build and balance it only there) that I always log around anywhere and it's small enough to fit anywhere. The single riser is for the times when I have to dock in a hall way, or on a stair landing, or in very confined space. It's light enough so that I can carry it with one hand (while still having the rig on, because your AC never has exactly then time when it needs to be moved out of the shot or to the next location), but still sturdy enough to hold my full blown set up.

 

I was nerver a big fan of those overloaded stand/I have all my crap hanging from the knuckles set ups. It's heavy like shit and if you have to move it with the docked rig and it's a fairly long trip, it's just a matter of time until the knuckle vibrates loose (especially with casters) and the rig comes crushing down onto your Preston Hand-unit/batteries/coffee mug... or worse, one of yours or your assistants vital body parts...

 

Been there... not a pretty sight.

 

Good Luck,

 

Erwin

[Victor Lazaro]

I forgot to mention, I'm in New York City (So it rules out going there to pick it up) Thanks for all the help.

[Erwin Landau]

Get somebody to pick them up for you... or better yet... It's a reason to get to Cinegear this year... might even get a show discount on top of that... just saying...

[RonBaldwin]

American has modified their stands so it has an even wider base (won't need a sandbag). They also make some really bad-ass wheels for their stands with brakes that actually work and a rotation lock.

 

I think Innovative (sp?) has really awesome ones as well but have not seen them. I have mine here with me here in NY if you want to drop by and see them. I too usually use my cart as my main dock and to build/transport the rig but am on the stand often in NY locations. I usually leave the wheels off to keep a small footprint and lightweight.

[James Davis]

Just for clarity I own the stand also, but do the same as Ron, 90% of the time I dock onto my magliner but keep the stand with me at all times in case I have to go into a tight location where the trolley won't fit comfortably.

 

I didn't get wheels for the stand either as Ron already said it has a really wide base as standard and usually if I have space to wheel something around it will be docked onto my magliner anyway.

 

Also call me paranoid but I don't like the idea of wheeling the stand around much with the rig on it, if the weight isn't over a leg properly or some doofus decides to "help" you push the stand and ends up helping gravity do its thing, your working day won't have a very happy finish....that's why I prefer the magliner, much more foolproof, just dock and roll, nothing else to think about.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

We build on the cart then roll a stand near set for docking, no need to be on the cart while shooting.

 

One suggestion is to get a stand that down't have the flat legs like combo stands. People will hate you when they walk into those legs at just above ankle height

[Karl Kim]

This is an old post Victor, but I have this stand, heavily modified for steadicam use. I'll post a picture in a few days. In stock form this stand is too short, the base too narrow (tippy) and the wheels way too small. But I chose it for clearance with an extended post setup. I used it for years with no sand bag. Best, Karl