Kessler Pocket Jib Traveler, Aviator, or Trapezist? Anyone using one?

S

Sheldon Charron

Well-known member
I'm looking to get a jib for some remote nature work and need something light for packing in. Since these were introduced, there seems ot be little info outside of the release and initial review videos. I read one mini review that said the Pocket jib traveler loosed up after a couple of weeks and got squeaky and wobbly, and Paul Joy stated he wished it had a monitor arm mounting point like the other two, but that's it. I see a couple of the aviators sold on here. What gives? Are none of these worth considering? Is anyone using one and can provide some real world input as to if it's worth picking one up?

Thanks.
 
The Pocket Jib Traveler is a really nice piece of gear. Personally I don't miss a monitor arm mounting point, as you should operate the jib from the middle of the jib anyway, which gives you a good look at the camera's LCD.
I think it really depends on what camera you are planning to use with the Jib in case of the Pocket Jib Traveler. The C100 stripped down is the maximum weight it supports without getting to wobbly. It's still very usefull with a little bit of post-stabilization, but a DSLR is definitely the best way to go.
Also a small ballhead is absolutely necessary to control the framing of your shot.

And one more thing: it is so damn light and small to transport, it's crazy.
 
I picked up the carbon fiber aviator for $800 and tried it this weekend. I mounted a manfrotto a500 head and a Cnon 6D with 24-105. I bought 3x 2.5 pound weights and discovered it needed all three, but wouldn't take three weights. I had to return two and get a 5 pounder so I only had two plates on. It was wobbly as hell. After a move it would sit there and wobble like crazy. I had to wait, or dampen it somehow. It bowed a TON. The swivel mount is stiff and junky. The up down tension adjustment won't do anything but MAYBE hold the jib from moving around but is Metal on metal, and will not dampen or allow tension adjustment at all. It also squeaks and grates badly if you leave it on anything but totally loose.

If any of you remember the gini rigs from Korea, it looks like they were made but the same guy, and works the same way. The levers want to fall out. The thing was also hard to level as well. Mine came with twisted mounting plate that was hard to level. It was also a chinese puzzle to get back in the bag. It didn't come with a manual either. The one thing good it has going for it is it's light, but for the price, it reminds me of a Ravelli tripod from Amazon. Very low quality Chinese junk. It should be about $250-300 max. Not $800. Mine is going back to BH Photo. I think most of the people reviewing it have been paid or got free product, or are trying to sell the one they bought and couldn't return. Save your money and get something else.
 
I've been really curious about the lot of the travel/pocket jibs like this, but am worried about the wobble.

Can you post some footage from yours?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Good info to know
 
Sheldon, you are going to have a difficult time finding a jib that it lightweight and not wobbly under load. I shoot nature stuff and my budget for a jib was much lower than yours. I bought a 4 foot rigid one piece Glideshot jib for my hpx170 and have been pretty happy with it. I use it on a dedicated tripod that can hold about 37 lbs. The trick to making if wobble free was careful counter balancing for 1 finger operation, and using the camera remote for start/stop. My setup uses a fiesol panning base and Manfrotto 577 quick release between the tripod and jib. Since my counter weight is about 14 lbs I carry two empty 1 gallon plastic jugs to fill up with water if available on site. Usually it takes 2 trips to get all my gear to a location.

Looks like Glideshot has a new 4 foot colapsable jib that looks pretty rigid.
 
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i've had a generic 4' one piece for years, and it's solid and doesn't wobble, but it's heavy, and doesn't pack down, but it still fits easily into a backseat. one of the bearings busted after a long while, just replaced it with nylon washers and it's back to normal.

on the ultra portable side, i decided to try this one out. i wouldn't expect it to be as robust as the aviator or pocketjib, but considering your negative experience with the aviator, im curious how this one compares:

 
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