Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted April 22, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 22, 2008 using this one will also require all your senses and concentration to maintain staying on and not crashing... Now that got me laughing. Very funny, Ron. I saw one of these new Segway off-roaders today on the street and thought with the new steering post on it it could easily be modified for Steadicam use. I look on this forum and here it is! Great resource. The guy riding it rents them out for tours here in Boston. Said they use them as is for shooting golf (but with smoother tires). There are no apparent electronics in the steering handle, the key is wireless now, so it looks like a simple conversion for someone with time and a good machinist or welder if you can't afford the Handsfree conversion. I'd still rather walk or be driven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bittner Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 I own a Segway i2, and the modifications to the leansteer assembly don't look that much of a big deal, especially since there are no electronics in the handlebar any more. What I really like about this unit is the hard-mount assembly, taking the weight off the operator. Pretty cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatrickvanWeeren Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 Hi people, I've been lucky enough to work with the Handsfree intensively since the beginning and I'm currently in need of new tyres due to the milage i've made !!! Did get producers to like it and have been able to work enough with the Handsfree so it is possible ! I was amazed by the effect that "funky looking robocop" look it brings. The distracting effect of the Handsfree does overshadow the the really important bit: the footage it can creat! It's up to anyone what to do with it and i can only have a lot of respect for Ulik and Reinharts work ! Regards, Patrick http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=8kD5I1HvO1U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted April 23, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 No doubt, i do have great respect for Ulik and Reinharts work ! btw, cool video, nice example of a great place to use the segway. Perhaps you should bring 2 more for the poor guys running behind you :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted April 27, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 Hi All, I was lucky enough to have the job of riding the new Handsfree, 7 hours a day, for the 4 days of NAB. I had previously considered it an interesting tool for certain shots, but after a few hours, I had to reconsider. The quality of movement you can achieve is astoundingly smooth, and the precision with which you can maneuver is unequalled. The new 'leaning' controls are so intuitive, that switches are undetectable (Alfeo?). I'm not a Don Juan fan either, but got to love it riding this machine. Perhaps best of all is, I spent 28 hours on it in 4 days without getting the least bit tired. I'm hooked, and don't begrudge the price. I mean, how much is a dolly? Ulik and Reinhard sunk a lot of money into this project, and they are great guys. Don't knock it off. Anyway it's patented, and they'd be justified in suing you if you did. It's only fair that they protect their invention. I'll have one soon, and any one of you is welcome to come try it. Great caution is advised?you might get hooked too. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alfeo Dixon SOC Posted April 28, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 Hi All, I was lucky enough to have the job of riding the new Handsfree, 7 hours a day, for the 4 days of NAB. I had previously considered it an interesting tool for certain shots, but after a few hours, I had to reconsider. The quality of movement you can achieve is astoundingly smooth, and the precision with which you can maneuver is unequalled. The new 'leaning' controls are so intuitive, that switches are undetectable (Alfeo?). I'm not a Don Juan fan either, but got to love it riding this machine. Perhaps best of all is, I spent 28 hours on it in 4 days without getting the least bit tired. I'm hooked, and don't begrudge the price. I mean, how much is a dolly? Ulik and Reinhard sunk a lot of money into this project, and they are great guys. Don't knock it off. Anyway it's patented, and they'd be justified in suing you if you did. It's only fair that they protect their invention. I'll have one soon, and any one of you is welcome to come try it. Great caution is advised?you might get hooked too. Chris Since you called me out... as Chris stated, I was watching the screen as he demonstrated a move and I looked back to see him in Don Juan. I was baffled on when and how he made the switch that I actually made him do it three more times. But then again... give me around 28 hours in the saddle and I could make sweet moves too. Thanks for the ride Chris :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted April 28, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 My Dear Friend, You are very welcome. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lukas Franz Posted April 29, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 29, 2008 And for everybody that missed Chris on the handsfree transporter at NAB, here's the video proof! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cw6NTTb2EOo Btw, perfect posture, Chris ;-) Cheers, Lukas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted April 30, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 Thanks Lukas! Btw, we'll have a Handsfree in Ischia next week. All the best, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted May 18, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 So, All 28 students in Ischia were making good shots on the Handsfree with only a few minutes training. If you haven't already, you've got to try this thing. It's the dog's bollocks. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rob Vuona SOC Posted June 21, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Erwin and Chris, You guys seem to be the officianado regarding the Hands Free Segway . . . . I just got an email from a director I work with often and he asked about the use of the handsfree, if it could be used on a project we do every year and what do I know about it. I replied, yes of course it will work, I can probably get one and I would love to do it, sounds like alot of fun. Then I told him I would get back to him regarding the price. Sooooo, give me the skinny . . . . Can I get one for use and practice, how much a day to rent, can it be shipped to East and West Coast, How long does it go on a charge, top speed, Bla . . .Bla . . .Bla . . . Thanks for any info? Maybe I'll get a chance to see one at Cinegear, unfortunately I only have 3 hours to see everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted June 21, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hi Rob, The next-generation Handsfree is just wonderful, and I'm sure you'll appreciate working with one. Apart from all the vehicle-type shots you can pull off entirely on your own, the precision it brings to slow moving shots is unique. The leaning-steering models are way ahead of the foot-pedal models in my opinion. I taught on a foot-pedal version in Ischia, and really missed the intuitive feel of my leanie. I couldn't pull off a decent switch using the pedals no matter how long I practised. With the leanie, switches from missionary to DJ just seem to 'happen.' I'm based in Amsterdam, so not much help (unless you want to stop by?I'll be happy to let you have a spin). I know there is a hire company in LA that bought one of the last-generation models. Shall I try to find out details for you? Top speed is 13 mph (21 kph). It runs all day on a charge (8 hours continuous use at NAB used 2/3 of the battery), and recharges overnight (I think around 5 hours). Shipping, I don't know, but it breaks down into a flight case. I love Ulik and Reinhard's new hardmount too. Let the machine carry the weight. You can adjust it to put the block virtually anywhere you could want. If you are going over bumpy ground, you can get it away from your body, so you don't keep hitting it. There's another thing, the pedal version is tricky on rough terrain or surfaces inclined perpendicular to the direction of travel. The leanie just eats all that stuff up. You're going to love it. All the best, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rob Vuona SOC Posted June 21, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Hi Rob, I'm based in Amsterdam, so not much help (unless you want to stop by?I'll be happy to let you have a spin). I know there is a hire company in LA that bought one of the last-generation models. Shall I try to find out details for you? All the best, Chris If I had the time I would be right over to take you up on it unfortunately schedual doesn't permit me, But i would love to know who has one of those new generation models here in the states. see what you can find out Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members chris fawcett Posted June 21, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Eric MacIver http://indierentals.com rent@indierentals.com 323-465-7700 1350 N. Highland Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028 There you go. Let us know how it works out for you. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted June 21, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Eric has the handsfree at Cinegear right now, he can be seen tooling around with it with the Actioncam and RED. He's a great guy, I have had some gear on consigment with him for a few years and his company has the most RED's in town for rent with all of the bits and pieces in case anyone is looking. I took a ride on the handsfree yesterday (he let me do it as a special favor, they aren't letting most people ride it at the show) and it wasn't an immediate no-brainer for me--I found steering a bit tough--but I recognized that it would just take a bit of time and practice and I'm sure it would all fall into place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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