Navigator or Smooth Shooter?

gco

gco

Veteran
Not finding anything archived on the differences between the Varizoom Navigator and the Glidecam Smooth Shooter.
The pics at the Varizoom site are very hard to see and the product demo seems to be edited in such a way as to hide the performance of the Navigator vest, i.e. lots of fast, straight cuts, dark lighting, video sped up or slowed down. Makes me wonder what they are hiding.
The Glidecam site has better pics. Overall build quality appears better. No product demo but the girl is nice to look at.

Anyone have any experience/preferences of one over the other? The vests I mean.
 
I just got a smooth shooter for christmas and i love it so far.

Very well built and comfortable to wear.

Its easy to adjust the spring rate and ad/remove a spring.
 
SS is better than the Navigator. But both systems are somewhat limeted.
I take it your budget can't handle a real Steadicam (Flyer)?

- Mikko
 
I had the feeling it was. Thanks to both of you for confirming.
The Flyer is definitely not in the budget. Even if it was, I couldnt justify the expense---not going to make a living with it.
I realize a single arm unit is going to provide limited performance but will no doubt be some improvement over staight hand held.
I would consider a Magicam IIa but havent ever found a source. Any thoughts on the Magicam?
 
Magiqam disappeared without a trace about a year ago, unfortunately they took a lot of people's money with them. :(

Take a look at Ind!cam: www.indicam.com

Also, Don't forget that the DVX will fly very well on the Steadicam Merlin!
What accessories do you hope to fly and what short of shooting do you plan to do?

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
Magiqam disappeared without a trace about a year ago, unfortunately they took a lot of people's money with them. :(
Take a look at Ind!cam: www.indicam.com
Also, Don't forget that the DVX will fly very well on the Steadicam Merlin!
What accessories do you hope to fly and what short of shooting do you plan to do?
- Mikko
Click to expand...
Man, that explains why I never found a supplier. Ran across some old comments that the manufacturer was slow in delivering but Holy Smokes, didnt realize people have been hosed.
Thanks for the indiecam link. I knew about them before but looked again and just discovered that they have a new "discreet vest" which is perfect. Dual arm + thin vest. That changes everything. The backpack is why I ruled it out originally.
My purpose here is for doing battle reenactments, both static and moving shots. I want to wear period clothing over a vest to blend in and follow troops as they advance onto the field. No accessories, just the cam and an on-board mic. Ideally, I would like to have a tripod placed somewhere on the field in advance, then switch off to the tripod at that location and then depending on what action is taking place, switch back to the vest. I dont know whether or not I am asking too much here ---i.e. is it possible to use a quick detach plate mark it when balanced so I can switch to the tripod then back to the vest rig and still be in balance? (possible audience laughter here?).
As far as the Merlin goes, that is possible since you and everyone else confirms it the best available. I recently purchased a flowpod to test whether or not I can make it work (using a vest) for both moving and static shots. Depending on what I can get out of it, I may move up to the merlin to use with the vest. I like the fact that it is small. I've got 6 months until this shoot, so I want to figure out what is going to work/not work for me now and then get proficient.
As always, I appreciate your input Mikko.
 
I'm about to make a purchase of one of these systems and have pretty much narrowed it down to either Smooth Shooter or Indicam; definitely can't afford or justify the money for a Steadicam no matter how much I want to. Indicam needs to update their website with the new Discreet Vest info, by the way. Anyway, should I be concerned with a monitor mounted on the sled? I've only tried a vest system a couple of times and not for long so am wondering how many times I'd have trouble shooting because I can't see my screen. Sorry if this seems silly but I just don't have the knowledge!

thx
steven
 
Bear in mind there should be a difference in performance, i.e. double arm vs single arm. I say this based on the experience of others here. On the other hand the SS looks like higher build quality. Regardless, I'm going for the double arm with the new slimline vest. The potential difference in performance for essentially the same price and with a newer vest you can cover up clinches it.
 
Initially, No. At least I'm hoping to make do without one--- we'll see .
Might want to contact Indicam and see if they have any solutions for using monitors. Dont see why you coudnt use another sled that supports a monitor as long as you can fit the sled to the arm. Just guessing here. Maybe some of the guys with experience can add something meaningful to this.
 
Yes it is possible to mount a quick-realease plate between the camera and a stabilizer to go back and forth between your tripod. Note: Merlin has quick reaelse built in, and it comes with the Tripod peice as standard too.

The SS does seem a little more solidly built to me than the Ind!cam, but then again I've seen the SS arm bend under load and and the Ind!cam seems to perform just fine. The gimble on the Ind!cam is awsome, belive it or not, one of the smoothest I've used.

I haven't tried the vest, but the backpack of the Ind!cam is comfterble enough with all these light DV cameras. Plus I do like the ability to just toss the whole rig in teh pack when you are done with it.

Merlin could get tiring on a long shoot like you are describing, but with the new Merlin vest (still in development) you should be able to go all day! Plus even now with the switch to shoulder mode it would work - much better than the GC2K / 4K in handheld mode, which tire you out really really fast!

It's possible to add a monitor to all these discussed systems if you wish. It is usefull to have a monitor in a more visible location than one side of your camera.

- Mikko
 
So it sounds like it IS possible to remain in balance going from the tripod back to the sled. If that is truly the case, then that is fantastic.

One thing that concerns me about the indicam sled is that it appears to be similar to the glidecam design and probably just as difficult to balance, not impossible but still a pita. I'm guessing the difficulty with GC is due to the bottom weights not being centered on their posts, thus a slight shift can cause a balance change in both front to back and side to side (l/r) balance. If the the indicam is the same way, then that is unfortunate.
With the merlin, it appears that the balance weights remain centered (with respect to left/right) and the only side to side (l/r) adjustment is at the mounting plate. That definitely appeals to me. Seems like better engineering. I dont have the luxury of time to wait for the merlin vest so I'm thinking merlin + indicam might be a great combination. Even if the handle doesnt fit the rig, I could make an adapter. Dont know if I am barking up the wrong tree here or if there is some real potential.
Just trying to think this through before spending too much money.
Any comments/suggestions appreciated.
 
gco said:
Seems like [the Merlin has] better engineering.
Click to expand...
Yes, definatly true.

The Merlin is more expensive as it produces great results in a very lightweight, fast, easy, convenient, system.
The other systems are cheaper, but they also prodcue good results. [But the savings in cost reflect directly on operating convenience.]

Every time you re-mount your camera, you will need to re-balance. The Merlin's instant precision-trim totally kicks the butt of the "unscrew and slide" meathods of balanceing on the other systems.


- Mikko
 
In our defense, the Indicam PILOT is very easy to balance when being held by a wide base mic stand or lighting stand. We only have two nuts to loosen in order to adjust the camera stage.

The bottom plate has weights like the Glidecams but they are cinched down tight so they don't move around. We can balance a camera in less than ten minutes and usually around five. The XL2 takes about ten minutes due to it's unusual weight distribution.

Tery
Indicam
 
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