Matt Burton Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 I have to say it looks kinda awkward on first impressions. No gimbol grip and a what looks like a bizarre bottom stage, is this what light weight low end means to steadicam ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted August 19, 2007 Moderators Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Matt, I got to play with it at both NAB & CineGear. It is a wonderful little rig. The adjustable weights on the bottom stage are a slick thing as it lets you adjust your pan inertia making it feel more like a "big rig." Again, Tiffen seems to be raising the bar on its new line of products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted August 19, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Hi Matt, I agree with Alec. It's a funky little rig, but it flies great. Will you make it to IBC this year? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Tom Wills Posted August 19, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 (edited) Well, I'll add in my two cents here that the arm is one magical piece of engineering. I actually have the Merlin Arm and Vest, but it is the same arm and vest, just without a sled, and with an angled arm post (which is easy to replace). I just got mine in on the 7th, and I truly love it. As my first "real" arm, I don't have a whole lot to compare it to, but it flies incredibly smoothly, takes no effort to adjust, the socket block works quite well, supports all 14 pounds of my sled plus camera combination, and the vest is quite nice, once I figured out how to set it up (the velcro is a bit odd at first, but after a while, you begin to get used to it). Overall, I'd imagine that with the Pilot sled that should be one heck of a combination. Edited August 19, 2007 by Tom Wills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Burton Posted August 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 Just goes to show the reflection on a pool of water doesn't reveal it's depth ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter van Dusen Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I have to say it looks kinda awkward on first impressions. No gimbol grip and a what looks like a bizarre bottom stage, is this what light weight low end means to steadicam ? We received our Steadicam Pilot today. Looks great and comes in a nice case. Received two "VCR" tapes instead of dvd how to use the Pilot. We can't wait to learn how to use this and begin our flying.. We bought it from B&H in advance.. Walter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Brul Posted November 6, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I have to say it looks kinda awkward on first impressions. No gimbol grip and a what looks like a bizarre bottom stage, is this what light weight low end means to steadicam ? We received our Steadicam Pilot today. Looks great and comes in a nice case. Received two "VCR" tapes instead of dvd how to use the Pilot. We can't wait to learn how to use this and begin our flying.. We bought it from B&H in advance.. Walter That's the funny thing with Tiffen. They give a DVD with the cheapest and maybe even funniest Steadicam (the Merlin) and for all the rigs after this receive 1 or 2 VHS videotapes :blink: Walter > Is the case standard ? Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jerry Holway Posted November 6, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I have to say it looks kinda awkward on first impressions. No gimbol grip and a what looks like a bizarre bottom stage, is this what light weight low end means to steadicam ? We received our Steadicam Pilot today. Looks great and comes in a nice case. Received two "VCR" tapes instead of dvd how to use the Pilot. We can't wait to learn how to use this and begin our flying.. We bought it from B&H in advance.. Walter That's the funny thing with Tiffen. They give a DVD with the cheapest and maybe even funniest Steadicam (the Merlin) and for all the rigs after this receive 1 or 2 VHS videotapes :blink: Walter > Is the case standard ? Erik A wonderful Pilot specific DVD is in the works. It's short, very clever, and clear. Should be available soon. (BTW, I have nothing to do with it but have the pleasure of reviewing it...) Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter van Dusen Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 I have to say it looks kinda awkward on first impressions. No gimbol grip and a what looks like a bizarre bottom stage, is this what light weight low end means to steadicam ? We received our Steadicam Pilot today. Looks great and comes in a nice case. Received two "VCR" tapes instead of dvd how to use the Pilot. We can't wait to learn how to use this and begin our flying.. We bought it from B&H in advance.. Walter That's the funny thing with Tiffen. They give a DVD with the cheapest and maybe even funniest Steadicam (the Merlin) and for all the rigs after this receive 1 or 2 VHS videotapes :blink: Walter > Is the case standard ? Erik A wonderful Pilot specific DVD is in the works. It's short, very clever, and clear. Should be available soon. (BTW, I have nothing to do with it but have the pleasure of reviewing it...) Jerry The case came with the package. Could you please list where I can get the dvd when it comes out? Walter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jerry Holway Posted November 7, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 From Tiffen, of course.... click at the top of the page... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Simpson Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 (edited) I have a Merlin Arm & Vest which I absolutely love, but it seems that there is no way to simply upgrade to the Pilot sled. I'd hate to have to try to sell the whole thing (taking a hit on the price, I'm sure) just to turn around and buy the same arm & vest in order to get the pilot sled. Am I the only one who finds it strange that there's no way to upgrade directly? Edited February 5, 2008 by Frank Simpson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Brul Posted February 5, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 I have a Merlin Arm & Vest which I absolutely love, but it seems that there is no way to simply upgrade to the Pilot sled. I'd hate to have to try to sell the whole thing (taking a hit on the price, I'm sure) just to turn around and buy the same arm & vest in order to get the pilot sled. Am I the only one who finds it strange that there's no way to upgrade directly? Hey Frank, First welcome on this forum.. Second, strange... what is strange.. ? Both systems are not long on the market yet. The path to upgrade from the Merlin (without arm/vest) is already there.., only you need to buy a another post for on the arm which connects to the Merlin. But have patience, i think it will happen this year that you can buy the Pilot Sled alone. (or not :ph34r: ) Why not ask Tiffen directly ? Best. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Nick Tsamandanis Posted February 6, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I have been told by Tiffen that they have no plans presently to sell the Pilot sled separately. :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Simpson Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Erik- Thanks for the warm welcome! I did contact Tiffen and, as Nick mentioned, they said that there are not currently plans to sell just the Pilot Sled. But does it not seem like an obvious uppgrade path? It seems that way to me, but if I'm way off-base somehow I'd like to understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members luis castro Posted April 5, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 5, 2008 it is a fast equipment and easy for camaras small util to move fast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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