Premium Members James Davis Posted July 18, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Some pictures on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/opticalsupportltd?fref=ts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted July 18, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 They make some solid stuff, that's for sure . Looks like their dock ring merely replaces the stock pro one right? It is really cool but how does this strengthen the threads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members James Davis Posted July 18, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 No there's more to it than that Ron, it's best you call or email them so they can explain it to you properly, but Chris showed me it and it has it's own very robust locking mechanism to secure everything in place. It looks like a far more secure option than attaching your docking ring to the post lock ring. I would try and describe it but I only saw a brief demo in passing from Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted July 18, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Thanks for the heads up about this James. Will investigate further. Here is a picture for this interested: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Twojay Dhillon Posted July 19, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Ron, I really dig that lower platform to support the bottom of the rig. Do you happen to have part numbers, or do you know where you got it from? Very cool idea. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Orlando Duguay Posted July 19, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 You can buy one here: http://flyitlevel.com/rapidcart/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted July 19, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Wasn't sure if you were talking about the Fracol foot/landing pad or the pad attached to the docking post that the whole rig sits on. If it's the latter I made it out of some grip parts I had sitting around in my garage. That and the Fracol attachment save my gear me thinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted July 19, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Backstage made the horizontal, (I never cared for the vertical version) "rig support pad" for me ages ago... They used to have them in stock, not sure they ever added it to the catalog... Give Zig a call, he knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alex Kornreich Posted July 19, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 The Lock Dock sounds great, just tough to tell from the photos what is different about this docking ring vs. the Hill one. Does it wrap around the Pro locking collar and grab the post, therefore taking weight off the threads? Also good call on the bottom pad support, will definitely be looking into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandro Galv Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Ron! I loved your cart! It is so small! Can you sell one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted July 20, 2015 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Alex -- the pad support helps so much, but even with it I occasionally remove the camera (like the last pic I posted), then it is pretty bullet proof and can really take a beating. 25+ lbs vibrating on the top really wreaks havoc on newer sleds. I was not as concerned with this when I had my pro1 (daddy misses you) as the post went straight to the dbox and there were no threads to destroy. Bigger tires can smooth out the ride but like I said, if it's a rough ride I always take it off and carry it. Cheap insurance. Sandro -- the cart is a modded backstage shot saver dolly (I actually bought it from Alex!) that I can use as a cart or transform into a rickshaw/camera platform. It is almost the same footprint as a Yeager Jr for size comparisons. I am not in the manufacturing biz but can send you info/pics so you can make your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Liam Ward Posted September 11, 2016 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 I know this is an old topic, but figure it's easiest to just continue rather than start a new stand topic... Is the specific stand that's being referred to as the 'american stand' the american LS32? Also assuming it's the wide 14" base. Does anyone know of any Canadian distributers / retailers? Many thanks! Liam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Sene Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 (edited) Hi Liam! Yes, the American Stand is the LS-32, and you can purchase it with either 12" or 14" straps. If you plan on using wheels with your stand, they will fit better with the 12" straps; you'll have to skinny up the stand to meet the angle of the wheel connection with the 14" straps. When I asked the vendor I bought my stand from about 12" vs. 14" straps with wheels, they said having the straps fully horizontal is the most stable setup for the stand, so if I am mostly using with wheels, 12" was the way to go since 14" would mean the straps would be locked on a diagonal. I have the LS-32 with 12" straps and 8" Mag wheels, pictured here: http://www.backstageweb.com/New%20Products.htm (note the LS-30 is a single-rise stand, as defined here: http://www.americangrip.com/baby.asp ) If I wasn't using wheels often, I would have gone with the 14" straps for a more stable base. As other have said, rolling a docked rig around on the stand can beat up the rig quite a bit. I don't have a cart yet, so I typically sling my large set bag over my stand and have my AC roll that and I wear the rig and walk it to wherever we are moving. If it's a large move, or if I'm conserving energy, I'll have my AC carry the sled and I'll roll my stand and carry my arm separately (usually have the vest still on but loosened). Not the most elegant solution, but works for me while I save up for a cart! Offhand I don't know any Canadian distributors, but I would start by calling American Grip directly and asking them for local vendors close to you. Good luck and happy flying! Lisa Edited September 13, 2016 by Lisa Sene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members brooksrobinson Posted September 13, 2016 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 The 14" straps at the base of the stand work much better for me than the 12" straps did. I have two American Steadicam stands - an older one with the 12's and one with the 14's. The stand with the 12's used to tip over when I balanced the rig on the spud, and I was required to keep a foot on the stand whenever I balanced. This wasn't a huge concern when I balanced the rig as I knew of the danger and kept a foot on it. However, the 2nd AC often does this when I'm on a show, and the possibility of an accident was always there. Using the 12's with wheels makes the base wider and eliminates the problem, but I'd rather have the 14's and know there wasn't going to ever be an issue, wheels or not. Brooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Liam Ward Posted September 15, 2016 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Wow this is great info! Thank you both very much for your replies!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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