Mounting a monitor to the Kessler Pocket Jib

[ChadN]

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience mounting a field monitor to the Kessler Pocket Jib.
http://www.kesslercrane.com/product-p/pocket_jib.htm

I've got the jib, swivel mount and k-pod tripod. I'd love to mount a monitor to the swivel mount so i can see the screen as i swing the jib horizontally. Yet i wouldn't really want it ON the jib because as you move it vertically, well, the screen tilts so you can't see it. Maybe i'm over thinking it, but it would seem there's got to be a way to attach it to the swivel mount rather than the tripod or jib.

 

[Michael Carter]

I've got the 8' Kessler crane, but essentially it's the same goal - if you have to, say, go into a deep crouch, you want the screen to keep aimed at your eyeballs.

So, ID which parts of the back of the crane are rotating, swiveling, whatever along with the movement. In my case, I unscrew the handle (I never use the handle, I like to grab the whole rear) and stick an L-bracket with a drilled hole in there, and use the handle to attach it. Other leg of the L-bracket gets a hot shoe mount or articulated arm. Kinda like this:



So, you have to get a little creative - in the case of the 8', the handle swivels when the crane moves - really extreme moves will really tilt the screen, so an arm helps get it away from the crane bars (those cheapo eBay 7" arms from china have worked fine for me). Fiddle with your crane and ID which pieces align themselves to the crane movement. I have gigs where I work the crane all day long - it's a killer high-tripod, it can do dolly moves, etc... sometimes once that ***** is set up, ya just have to use it all day.

But anyway, a home-depot L-bracket and some creativity may set you up. I'm just amazed kessler et al haven't addressed this, it's a basic and absolutely necessary need. Sure, some moves are minor enough that you can just stick the screen on a stand, but it seems to me that part of setting up a jib should be sticking a monitor on the damn thing without a second thought.

I gotta say, for stuff like this - getting a 1/4-20 tap and the correct drill bit is awesome. You can tap threaded holes and use t-handles to attach things. A harbor freight drill press for $99 is icing on the cake - and I am in no way a metal worker...