Opinions on the Sprinter II Sticks from Miller with a Focus?

[turing]

hi all,

I'm about to get a focus - having used a couple cartoni packages (but not the focus) I was extremely impressed with the heads but not the sticks.

The head: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=423406&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

The sticks I am considering:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=422068&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

(note that the picture is sort of innacurate - you have to order the sticks, feet and spreader separately - so $899 quickly becomes $1500)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=422064&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

are even nicer, but then I'd be in another $500, and the weight difference is very small (1lb).

----

The other option from miller which I have used (albeit only for an hour):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=327753&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

These are actully $900 - what you see is what you get.

They are very stiff, go down crazy low (you don't need to bother with a hihat), but lack pimp feet and a spreader - so they are slow to set up... also they don't bear as much weight.

Any opinions from owners or renters of these sticks?

_a

 

[gregpen]

The Solo VJ is an AWESOME set of sticks.

I have that combo: VJ Solo + Cartoni Focus. So far it's unbeatable for what I use it for. I can go crazy low and then raise up the sticks for regular shots. They have locks in them at preset positions so the need for a spreader is minimized.
The Solo VJs are beefy and can withstand lots of abuse, although I'm fanatical about how I treat my gear since it cost so darn much ;-)

best,
-greg

 

[turing]

how do you find the speed? I'm not a "must be set up in 3 seconds" news guy, but I do like fast sticks. That said, the VJs look like they go way the hell up high, 6', as opposed to roughly 5' for the sprinters.

Have you run a jib on the VJs?