Yet another monitor arm question...

[Mike McGowan SOC]

I'm wondering what the current thoughts are on the best monitor arm. I have a PRO and over the past 6 months have switched to using my Boland 8.4 Day bright. I had it modified so I can put another Hytron 50 on it's back which adds enough weight to make it work about like my PRO green monitor does in terms of balance and weight (not to mention it allows me to leave my monitor on all frickin day without ever loosing power as the monitor will pull of which ever battery has more juice).

 

So I use a PRO monitor arm with my 8.4 and it gets the job done. I have an extra grand to spend and thought I might grab a new monitor arm. My research tells me that I can get:

 

http://betz-tools.com/acc_monitor-bracket_d.php but I don't know how much they cost or how well they work

 

http://www.mk-v.com/monitor_arms.htm for $1305.00! Fcuk me that's expensive (and probably 100 bucks to ship as well) and I still don't know how well it works

 

or

 

http://www.xcsinc.com/ultimate/ult_compnts_3.html and I also don?t know how well it works or how much it costs.

 

Are those my only 3 options?

 

Who uses what and how do you like it?

 

Tnx,

 

mm.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

Hi Mike,

 

I have both the PRO and the XCS ($950) arm. Mainly because I switch from my green screen to my Hummingbird on occasion. The XCS has these nice telescoping rods, that make the viewing angle better for my LCD monitor. PRO just came out with an adapter that moves the monitor about 3 to 4 inches further away from the post. It's about $350. In my opinion the PRO is the stiffer arm and it switches from regular to low mode easier.

 

Good Luck.

 

Jens

 

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

So I use a PRO monitor arm with my 8.4 and it gets the job done. I have an extra grand to spend and thought I might grab a new monitor arm. My research tells me that I can get:

 

http://betz-tools.com/acc_monitor-bracket_d.php but I don't know how much they cost or how well they work

 

http://www.mk-v.com/monitor_arms.htm for $1305.00! Fcuk me that's expensive (and probably 100 bucks to ship as well) and I still don't know how well it works

 

or

 

http://www.xcsinc.com/ultimate/ult_compnts_3.html and I also don?t know how well it works or how much it costs.

 

 

Having used three of the four monitors arms in this discussion I can tell you in my opinion IF you change get the XCS. It's stiff, strong (Two very different things, right Ron?) light weight and flat out works.

 

The Pro arm is very good in it's own right, you just can't dynamic balance with it. It is the fastest monitor arm for the low-mode flip. if it came in 2" post variety I might have it rather than the XCS

 

The MK-V monitor arm has several issues with it. It's not stiff, it's incorrectly designed it's far too expensive for what it is and it has poor clamping.

 

I haven't used the Betz (old Chroziel) monitor arm but I know a few that have, they don't own it. 'nuff said

 

Good luck in your choice, just remember in the end it's what works for you.

[RonBaldwin]

Having used three of the four monitors arms in this discussion I can tell you in my opinion IF you change get the XCS. It's stiff, strong (Two very different things, right Ron?) light weight and flat out works.

 

yep -- in my limited experience with the xcs, it had a bit (stirring the pot here) of vibration with greenscreens...that being said, the vibration was never transmitted to the camera via the carbon post. I imagine this is a non-issue with lcd's or monitor+batts of less than 5 lbs. I'd get one -- but waiting to see what rig/post I end up with.

 

I'm intrigued with the new Pro mod.

 

rb

[Martin Stacey]

Contrary to Eric's opinion I haven't found any issues with the MK-V arm. It is very stiff being made from perforated solid bar. I have hung everything from LCD to greenscreen off of it with no noticeable vibration and no movement.

It probably is quite expensive for US byers now with the falling dollar but with Howard setting up shop in the US the shipping might get cheaper.

Any issues that anyone has actually had with it would be appreciated. It's always good to be forewarned.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin "waiting to be deleted" Stacey

[Brad Hruboska]

I dunno guys, I took the collar from an old model 3 monitor bracket and had two 1/2 "carbon steel solid arms machined to a block that lets me slide it in and out like the xcs, and it is super solid. Zero vibration. This was a custom job though by a local toronto machinist.

[Mike McGowan SOC]

While I'm waiting to decide (thanks for all the info so far) I went ahead and ordered the PRO monitor arm extension. I should have it Friday so I'll give a report when I get it.

 

Tnx,

 

mm.

[Rob Vuona SOC]

[quote I have an extra grand to spend and thought I might grab a new monitor arm

 

 

You guys are missing the fact that Mike just happens to have an extra grand laying around !!!

 

Never mind the monitor arm . . . .LOL . . .Go with Baldwin and Starling and shoot up Vegas with the Cash . . . .LOL . . . .

 

I say XCS, just my two cents . . .

[Mike McGowan SOC]

lol, sounds like a plan!!! who needs another stupid overpriced hunk of metal anyway!

[JobScholtze]

Contrary to Eric's opinion I haven't found any issues with the MK-V arm. It is very stiff being made from perforated solid bar. I have hung everything from LCD to greenscreen off of it with no noticeable vibration and no movement.

It probably is quite expensive for US byers now with the falling dollar but with Howard setting up shop in the US the shipping might get cheaper.

Any issues that anyone has actually had with it would be appreciated. It's always good to be forewarned.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin "waiting to be deleted" Stacey

Well, i use the same mk-v arm, and how the hell could it be wrong, its a solid bar, Its has been great. Eric isnt the best source to listen about regarding mk-v. To much personal politics.

 

And i am sure this will be deleted aswell

 

Job" I am sure i got deleted" Scholtze

[Martin Stacey]

Well, i use the same mk-v arm, and how the hell could it be wrong, its a solid bar, Its has been great. Eric isnt the best source to listen about regarding mk-v. To much personal politics.

 

And i am sure this will be deleted aswell

 

Job" I am sure i got deleted" Scholtze

I have to admit it seems to be a common problem here Job. Did you get a personal message from someone about being deleted whenever you disagree with a certain moderator too?

 

Martin "This will ceratinly be deleted" Stacey

[nealnorton]

I have used three of the four. Pro, XCS and MKV.

 

I am using the XCS now and prefer it to the others.

 

I think the PRO arm is great for a green screen but not for an LCD.

 

There are great advantages to buying from a local supplier. There can be big headaches buying from a supplier overseas.

 

Martin and Job:

 

Eric might be prickly, but also happens to give good advice which, after all, is what was asked for.

 

Regards,

 

Neal

[JobScholtze]

True, i value those comments. As long as its about equipment and nothing political. Honest opinions are much appericiated. But lets not forget personal taste. I didnt find anything wrong with the mk-v bracket yet. Perhaps i am missing something?

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Let's keep things on track, eh?

 

I tested both the XCS and the MK-V a handful of years ago and settled on the XCS. The main reason, I recall, was that the MK-V attached to the post via a split ring that required loosening two screws to remove it whereas the XCS has a Kipp handle and a hinged bracket. The MK-V does have the quick flip to low-mode so that you don't have to remove the monitor arm from the post, but I find I usually want to move the arm elsewhere on the post or even to a different section of the post which meant, for me, the XCS was closer to what I needed (just a few turns on the Kipp handle and you have removed your monitor). Of course this may be different now because I have not seen a MK-V bracket in a long time.

 

I owned a PRO bracket too, which was great but for me the added benefit of being able to slide both the monitor and battery stage is too important to give up (three cheers for inertial control).

[mark morgan]

check out the sachtler "artemis" monitor bracket as well

it has the dual rods,monitor plate that does both the tb-6 style monitor

and the lcd style monitor,easy to flip for low mode

you can pan and tilt the monitor

and be able to raise or lower the rods(up and down)

slide them fowards and backwards to your liking

just some more options for DB and lets you be able to

move the weight higher or lower on your rig

depending on if you want your post longer or shorter for different applications

 

mark "just my experiences" morgan