Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

G

gossamer

Active member
I'm trying to decide between the two kits below:

Bogen 503/525
or
Vinten Pro6DC.

Does anyone have any experience with these? I'm interested in a sturdy set of legs, and a good head. I can't seem to find any comparative information. I've read a lot about the Bogen but very little about the Vinten. The Vinten is about $200 more but if it's worth it I'm fine with that.

As long as the sticks are stable for my DVX the most important aspect is the quality of the head. I'm looking for smooth tracking for both pan and tilt.

Thanks for your input
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

No experience with the Vinten Pro6DC, but I own and use the Bogen 503/525. It works great, easy to set up, etc. etc... Coming from the "still camera" tripod and head I used to use, it's light years ahead. I looked up the Vinten on B&H and they look almost exactly alike. I'm sure someone who owns one will chime in.

Specs for Vinten setup.
Load Capacity 13.5 lb
Mount/Base 75mm 3" Half Ball
Balance Plate Yes, 2-Way 4" Sliding Range
Pan & Tilt Range 360° / ± 90°
Pan & Tilt Drag Infinitely Variable
Leveling Bubble/Illuminated Yes / Illuminated
Material Aluminum
Leg Stages/Sections 2/3
Minimum Height 21.11"
Maximum Height 66.26"
Folded Length 21.16"
Weight 16.3 lbs
Includes head, tripod, spreader and soft case

Bogen 503/525 specs.
Load Capacity 13.2 lbs
Mount/Base 3/8" Female Thread
Balance Plate Yes, Sliding
Pan & Tilt Range 360°, -60/+90°
Pan & Tilt Drag Continously adjustable from 0 to max
Leveling Bubble/Illuminated Yes / Non
Material Aluminum
Leg Stages/Sections 2/3
Minimum Height 16.7"
Maximum Height 65.6"
Folded Length 32.1"
Weight 11.0 lb
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

That's funny, I just went through this exact same decision today. After speaking with Rush, I went with the Vinten. The heads are nearly identical, but the legs on the Vinten are much better.
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Rush is definitely the guy to consult on these things. After considering your responses and the costs I think I'm going to go with the Vinten. $150ish between the two systems isn't much.

After just dropping $1k on a new audio I/O I'm in that "let's make damn sure I'm spending the money wisely" mode.
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

That's the mode I'm in too. Everytime I try to cut corners and get the cheaper thing I always end up getting screwed.
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Links;num=1101074119;start=0#6 date=11/24/04 at 12:31:11]"Buy the best, and you only cry once."[/quote]

Good advice. It cost me a lot of money, over the years, to find that out. (and not just in video stuff ! :P )
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Links;num=1101074119;start=0#6 date=11/24/04 at 12:31:11]"Buy the best, and you only cry once."[/quote]
That is one of the truest statements I have ever been privy to. :)
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Links;num=1101074119;start=0#6 date=11/24/04 at 12:31:11]"Buy the best, and you only cry once."[/quote]

love that one!  hmm, who can I use that on?

let me add, if it is not too late..the 503/525 combo is sweet. Not my personal favorite tripod, but it does all the tricks, pretty well. if the heads are similar, what edge does the better legs give you?
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

The thing that bugs me most about my Bogen legs is that they always seem to loosen up, and I'm constantly having to tighten the clamps. The Vinten has a system where they don't loosen.

The Vinten head has an illuminated leveler too. 8)
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

what are you doing that they get loose all the time?

if that's the case..try the vinten and report back, young man!
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

;D

I'm not doing anything other than normal use! I swear it! When it comes in the mail I'll let ya know how GREAT my new tripod is. ;)
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

In case you didn't know, you can RETRIEVE your deliveries from UPS in the morning, that way you don't have to wait till the end of the day to get your goods. All the UPS delivery people know me and my car. I know their route, also. ;)
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

[quote author=TC link=board=Links;num=1101074119;start=0#13 date=11/24/04 at 17:51:26] ;D

I'm not doing anything other than normal use! [/quote]

Whatever that is. I have to replace ONE tripod shoe ( the pad/rubber cup on the bottom). Why only one, I can't figure out. It is $1.20.
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

[quote author=TC link=board=Links;num=1101074119;start=0#10 date=11/24/04 at 17:32:19]The thing that bugs me most about my Bogen legs is that they always seem to loosen up, and I'm constantly having to tighten the clamps. The Vinten has a system where they don't loosen.

The Vinten head has an illuminated leveler too. 8)[/quote]

The "illuminated leveler" caught my eye too. That's too cool. At night, on my telescope, we sometimes set up the little red LED's around the tripods feet so people won't run into it. I went to a star party once and they were everywhere. It was pretty neat looking. (Geez...that sounded sorta like "One time at band camp..." ) ;D
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

If I ever go to a star party I'm going to put on a blind fold and run into as many telescopes as I can.

So then next year they will say:
"Hey, want to have another star party?"
"No, that jack ass might show up again."

Just kiddin. ;)
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

It's funny because just yesterday I was wondering when somebody would post "One time at band camp" on this site. I'm pathetic, I know...
 
Re: Bogen503/525 vs. Vinten Pro6DC??

[quote author=Jim Brennan link=board=Links;num=1101074119;start=15#18 date=11/24/04 at 22:01:05]It's funny because just yesterday I was wondering when somebody would post "One time at band camp" on this site.  I'm pathetic, I know...[/quote]

Well...I'm the one who posted it...so...well...er ah.....I guess I know I'm pathetic...hehe... ;D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top