Themis Gyparis Posted January 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 You can be shure I'll let you know the very next moment, Charles. I checked the price here in Greece and, to be honest with you, for the moment it's out of my budget, since i recently bought some stuff for my editing studio. I think the best would be to look for a used one in good condition some time in the near future. I saw several ads within the forum, but the most price-intriguing ones were already sold. One of them was yours requesting a rig. Anyway, again thanks a lot for your responses and your help that I strongly appreciate. I wish I run into you at some point in the future, a workshop perhaps... I'll post back with my impression of the rig, hopefully soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themis Gyparis Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 As promised, I'm reporting back regarding the Flyer issue. Having some time to spare, today I visited our local Steadicam's dealer here in Athens. As it turned out, there was no way for me to try out the Flyer, nor was even one piece available at the time, not even for sale. As I was told, there was not much request for the certain product, so it was not available, not even for demonstration, nor where there any plans of new orders any time soon. Well, I find it pretty weird, to tell you the truth and frankly I'm not in any case determined to spend 8,000 euros on a product I haven't at the very least seen live. The dealer suggested that I try the Pilot instead, that was available for both exhibition and purchase, but actually, I didn't like it so much. I didn't have my camcorder with me at the time, but, as I understand, since it can handle a weight of 3,5 kgs max, as the dealer informed me, it's rather inadequate for my 4,5 kgs JVC-GY HD100 camcorder with an IDX battery attached to the back. Apart from that, I can't say I fancy the whole system much. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I don't like the fact that on its basic Pilot's edition the monitor is powered by AA batteries - even my Smooth Shooter has a better battery for its monitor. Surely there is a way to attach a professional battery, but as I understood, this doesn't come with the standard package. The worst part was the vest. No secure clips, just that adhesive-like material, totally uncomfortable from every aspect. As for the spring arm, it's surely smaller and different than the Flyer's, not allowing for so much freedom for both high and low shots, or at least that is what I saw. As such, it seems like I won't be able to try out the Flyer, at least not for the moment or even the distant future, as I get it. That's a pity... I really wanted to fly it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted January 7, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I think the pilot has different battery options for monitor power, and I seem to remember the vest having buckles and fitting fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Underwood Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I can only speak from my experience as a Flyer Owner / Operator but I have been extremely pleased with my Flyer. The closer you take it to maximum weight (15 pounds or so) the better it flies. The arm is absolutely top notch. One of the guys I work with most often just purchased a new Panasonic AG-HPX170, that thing is only around 3 and a half pounds, so there is plenty or weight left on the sled for follow focus, 35 mm adaptor etc, etc. Since I live in a small market there was no where to try out a Flyer before buying it so I ended up buying it without ever trying it first. I did read about everything I could get my hands on about it and what people thought about it. In the end, for my market, it is a perfect fit and I can't say enough how well made and easy to work with it is. I also helped a guy in my town who had purchased a pilot get it balanced and working. Even the pilot, once evenly balanced, worked quite well. I think Steadicam has really got their engineering perfected. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted January 7, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Themis: Pilot does indeed come with various battery options, what you saw was the Co-Pilot which comes with AA's but you can order with Anton Bauer or V-mount (those rigs have a larger monitor also). See the Steadicam site for info. Did you get to actually fly the Pilot? The operation of the arm is very similar to the Flyer's--while it may appear to be limited due to smaller size, it actually has a very impressive boom range, significantly greater than lots of the competitor's arms which are physically bigger and often longer. I did a review of the Pilot here--on p.2 you can see a pair of stills that demonstrate the boom range. As you may see in the review, I am also not a fan of the supplied vest but it was designed to both pack flat and accommodate a wide range of operators. The Flyer vest is more of a standard design that incorporates buckles as expected. I actually prefer the design of the Pilot sled over the Flyer's, it allows for more flexibility in adjusting the components. However I do feel that the arm is the real heart of the system and this puts it ahead of the competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themis Gyparis Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I'll read carefully your review about the Pilot, Charles, although I'm pretty sure the one I saw at our local dealer was the Pilot and not the Co-Pilot. I remember specifically asking about it since I saw it came with a larger monitor and they said that only the Co-Pilot comes with a smaller monitor and that the one before me was the Pilot. Maybe they didn't know what they were saying, I don't know. So, you suggest the Pilot doesn't have much difference from the Flyer. But what about the camcorder weight? as I said mine is about 4,5 kgs with an IDX battery attached. Not only this but it's kind of short and long. Take a look at this image and you'll see what I'm talking about. And, finally, is it worth paying the extra cash for the Flyer and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted January 8, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Sorry, yes, I forgot the Pilot can be ordered with the AA option. You would simply order it with the V-mount option (and if you needed more batteries or additional charger for your camera, there is a great bundle deal with two IDX batt's and charger available). 4.5 kgs would still work with the Pilot, but you would have no reason to fly the onboard battery, you would just power the camera off the rig itself and use a single battery at the bottom for both monitor and camera. I think you would find this an excellent setup with the Pilot. If however you were likely to start adding other accessories to the rig it would start to approach the weight limit, so then you would be back looking at a Flyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Nick Tsamandanis Posted January 8, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Hey Themis, you would probably want to use a quick release plate as well, which would add to the total weight. Don't forget the battery powering the Steadicam has to be included as part of the 10 pound limit. With the JVC camera I would be looking at the Flyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinThwaites Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Hi Themis Charles has very kindly covered most of the points on the Pilot however just to clarify a couple of areas the Pilot is available with either an AA battery box or a V-Lock mount, both versions carry the 5.8" monitor and are the same price. The Co-Pilot is no longer in the price list as most ops like the 16x9 option. The vest may appear insubstantial but that is deceptive as Garrett specifically designed it to be able to be worn under a jacket for wedding/event videographers similar to the Merlin Arm and Vest. It is certainly fine for Pilot type loads whereas the Flyer vest necessarily is designed to take a greater camera/sled weight. The Pilot will fly your JVC with no problem, I have flown the JVC 251 with plate and a PowerCube battery on the back, if you opt for the V-lock Pilot you can power the camera from the sled and not use the camera battery which will save weight anyway. The Pilot arm IS smaller than the Flyer arm so will afford less travel but then the system is half the price so it does depend on budget. If you can afford the Flyer is will give you more options for the future and that greater travel. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Themis Gyparis Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Again, thanks so much everybody, I can't believe how helpful you all are. Should I be able to afford it some time soon, I'll go for the Flyer, I think I'll have more options with it. Just for the record, today I started shooting for a new video with the Smooth Shooter and you can't imagine how many times did I miss the Flyer's boom range. Instead I had to change the arm connector bar's height again and again, as well as the springs tension... Charles, I wish I could operate a small system like mine the way you fly th Pilot on your review video. Too much practice, I guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted January 8, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 "too much practice"--ha, good one Themis! Suffice to say that when I watch that video, I only see the "issues" in the shot but that's par for the course, no-one is more critical of our work than ourselves. Thanks for the additional notes, Robin. I haven't been keeping up with the various developments on the Pilot but it doesn't surprise me that the Co-Pilot is being phased out. Although you mention both the V-lock and the AA option--the Anton Bauer version is still available, right? I agree that the vest is substantial enough to get the job done. I just find it confusing and for someone who is needing to constantly don and doff it during a job, a bit of a pain. I think there were murmurings about a more conventional type vest being offered as an option for those who don't need the flatness and versatility of the original vest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted January 8, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Hi guys I've tried the flyer coming from a not branded rig and I can tell you are totally right about your ideas on operating. I open a tread some weeks ago about that. Go for the flyer, the flyer kicks ass :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gish Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 (edited) I haven't been keeping up with the various developments on the Pilot but it doesn't surprise me that the Co-Pilot is being phased out. Although you mention both the V-lock and the AA option--the Anton Bauer version is still available, right? There are currently 6 versions of the Pilot available at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...it=Submit+Query ? Pilot-AA (AA Battery Mount, 5.8" LCD Monitor, Backpack carry case, no batteries or charger) ? Pilot-VL (V-Lock Battery Mount, 5.8" LCD Monitor, Backpack carry case, no batteries or charger) ? Pilot-AB (Anton Bauer Battery Mount, 5.8" LCD Monitor, Backpack carry case, no batteries or charger) ? Pilot-NCO (AA Battery Mount, 3.5" NTSC LCD Monitor, No backpack carry case, no batteries or charger) ? Pilot-PCO (AA Battery Mount, 3.5" PAL LCD Monitor, No backpack carry case, no batteries or charger) ? Pilot-VLB (V-Lock Battery Mount, 5.8" LCD Monitor, Backpack carry case, Two IDX E-7S Batteries, VL Charger) Edited January 8, 2009 by Dave Gish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members James Elias Posted January 8, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Charles, Yes, we are still making the AB version of the Pilot. - James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gish Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 (edited) So, you suggest the Pilot doesn't have much difference from the Flyer. But what about the camcorder weight? as I said mine is about 4,5 kgs with an IDX battery attached. Not only this but it's kind of short and long. Take a look at this image ... and you'll see what I'm talking about. And, finally, is it worth paying the extra cash for the Flyer and why? At the 2-day workshop I flew 2 Flyers (each with a different camera) and a Pilot. The Pilot that was set up at the workshop had no screw-on weights attached, and just a DVX100 camera, so it was really light. Very hard to control. It felt like a toy with that little weight on it. My Pilot has all the screw-on weights that came with it, plus additional screw-on weights that I ordered separately, so that the total weight is just under the 10-pound limit. That's a whole different animal. With the Pilot set up this way, I actually prefer the Pilot to the 2 Flyers I used in class. With 2.5 weights on each end of the bottom crossbar, the pan inertia on the Pilot is amazing. Here's a picture: I also like the Pilot's velcro straps. The Flyer's buckles and straps are much harder to adjust. In particular, I like to loosen my belt strap a little bit in between shots to relieve the pressure. That's really easy to do on the Pilot. Should I be able to afford it some time soon, I'll go for the Flyer, I think I'll have more options with it. This may sound like sacrilege, but would you consider using another camera? For the price of a Flyer, you can buy a Pilot and a new camera. In particular, the new Panasonic HMC150 records up to 1080p onto regular inexpensive SD memory cards. Edited January 8, 2009 by Dave Gish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.