Kukurio Posted February 8, 2016 Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 Hello~! I've been looking at some systems... about to make my first purchase. I found this Came TV rig - http://www.came-tv.com/came-2515kg-load-pro-camera-steadicam-with-aluminum-case-p-91.htmlFor $1200 CAD, no tax. or $1500 with a 7inch HDMI monitor. Fairly good shape... however I found when I tried to rotate the sled it was very stiff, only giving me 1 and a half rotations when I tried... Not sure if that could be fixed with loosening screws? Seemed weird. Felt sturdy though... Also the HDMI is too large for my 7D, i'd have to find a adapter/converter cord... which would probably be cheap. I also found a Steadicam Pilot - AA SD monitor for $1700 ... fairly good condition, however it was missing the AA battery pack, so I'd have to buy one... which go for around $350 I believe... and it was also missing the pin-key to attach the arm to the vest... the guy told me I'd have to order a new one. I hope I can get one of those pin-keys easily/cheap from steadicam.... without the battery pack I Couldn't test his Monitor. The steadicam didn't feel as sturdy, but the sled rotated nicely and moved well... felt good. Not sure what 2nd hand steadicam systems go for - not sure if I should hold out and find something better.... or if I should grab that pilot aa and try to fix it up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ken Nguyen Posted February 8, 2016 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 If you buy the CameTV rig, you loose $1200 and a space in your garage. Steadicam Pilot is a good choice for you. It's tested and made by those who know steadicam. Cheers, Ken Nguyen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Janice Arthur Posted February 8, 2016 Moderators Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 Kukurio; First, we need a full name here, please see tim tyler about changing that. Second, Pilot rigs not complete seem scary, I don't know specifics about that exact model for sale but maybe you should ask more questions? I don't know the other rig, let's see if others have input. Be skeptical is my advice. Complete and no work to be additionally done is how I'd think, new options come up at intervals so think and plan. I tell ops to make an EXACT list of what's needed on one side of a paper and then what's offered on the other. This keeps ASSUMPTIONS from you missing parts they ACCIDENTALLY left off. I recently did this with a shipping fee and I paid big time. The seller pulled a fast one and I was stuck with the bad bill!!! I'm still not happy on that one!!! Janice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Victor Lazaro Posted February 10, 2016 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 10, 2016 Hi, If you are able to talk with the owner, try to see if he can order the missing parts so you can try it all before you buy and have the price of the parts reflected in the sale price. I had a similar issue when I bought my first rig, a Zephyr, two clamps were broken, I told the seller that I would buy as soon as he got replacements and checked that everything is working. I would stay away form CameTV, it's cheaper for a reason, it breaks and then you are sad you made this decision (see photo below). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Chris Loh Posted February 10, 2016 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 10, 2016 I'll sell you a mint condition Steadicam Pilot AA for $900. Yup, it's got the battery pack too. haha The thing has been sitting in my closet for years, I hardly ever used it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alejandro E Fuenmayor Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 that Came TV rig is not worth the money. not the vest, not the sled, not the arm. I had one, and had to glue, dodder,gaffer tape al over so the sled wouldn't move when operating. and don't even try to go low mode on those. only, "off brand" rig i have found adequate is the LAING M50,there are 2 models one of which has wiring for red power and is both 12V/24V . but only the sled feels good. it is a world of a difference to have a sled with 2" diameter. fly safe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Proleiko Posted March 24, 2016 Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 if you have the money. go pilot. if you don't have the money, save it. wait a while. and buy pilot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Vahe Abrahamyan Posted April 16, 2016 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 I confirm what is said for the Came TV stabilizer ! It was my first rig and I sold it 6 months later... It's not a serious equipment. The vest is as uncomfortable as hell and made with cheap materials. The arm, though quite robust for the price, is not very responsive... The rig does have a tool less design, but try to get dynamic balance with it... It's ok if someone wants to experiment with a stabilizing system for the first time, but you will get tired of it very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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