GPI Pro vs Tiffen

[Noah Graham]

Hi All,

 

I'm curious to hear people's opinions about GPI Pro sleds (specifically the Cine Live) vs Tiffen sleds (specifically the M2).  Any thoughts on build quality, power, empty weight, weight capacity, feel operating, ease of balancing, customer service, etc..  If anybody has thoughts specifically on these sleds in the use of broadcast and live event work, that'd be even better!

 

Cheers,

Noah

[Sebastian Seth]

Hi Noah

I have the Tiffen M2 (1.58") and there is just a lot of issues with it. only 2 years old. The quality is not that good and I know others with the M2 that have exactly the same problems. So maybe there is a problem in general with the quality in the way the rig is put together.
I would 100% have bought another rig if I could do it over. So my recommendation would definitely be to look towards Pro or Artemis2 if I were you.

Kind regards
Sebastian

[Noah Graham]

Thank you, Sebastian. I’ve spoken with the number of other operators elsewhere, and they have all had the same recommendation. I’ve been a Tiffen user up until now, so I’m curious to experience pro.

[Benoit C. Gauthier]

Hi Noah, Not trying to muddy the waters of your choice here, but my experience has been quite good with the M2 actually. Maybe I’m not rough enough with my gear, but the build quality seems plenty for me. I’ve put really big cameras and lenses (Venice and anamorphic zoom, and 435 with Cookes), so weight capacity wasn’t an issue. I have the 1.75” Post and the bigger post feels great when operating low mode away from the gimbal sleeve. I had a 1.58” and 1.5” post before. Tiffen service was always great with me and the same at Kingsway, reseller in Canada. And everything really.

Luckily being in NYC you have the opportunity to get both sleds in your hands and loaded up with a proper camera and actually compare them one to one. Balance them yourself, see how you feel manipulating them. The clamps, the stage, the locking systems, the latches, the monitor brackets, the cabling, the battery brackets & configurations. It will come down to how you feel with them and your friends’ tips on the day you try the rigs out.  

The reality is that at that level they are all excellent rigs. I really thinks its better to try them out, just likes vests and arms. Really the top stuff is all top notch. 

Sure if you end up Choosing a Tiffen gimbal, watch Tom Will’s video on how to clean a gimbal bearing and lubricate properly, and do it right away. But apart from that… 

[Benoit C. Gauthier]

And don’t get me wrong either. I do think the CineLive is a great rig, flies well. does everything the way it should, and there was a great deal on them new recently I wonder if it’s still on. Pro has great service too and all that. Simply suggesting you get your hands on one before you spend the cash. You’ll end up spending the cash anyways!