Polaroid Video Chest Stabilizer Support System

R

robotsound

Well-known member
Polaroid made an under-publicized DSLR handheld support system. It's $60, made out of aluminum, and looks very similar to some other competing systems I've seen for up to ten times the price.

This thing looks like an awfully good deal, especially considering what some of the other companies charge.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MRXPE4/

I've ordered one, so it should be here in the next few days.
 
I received the camera stabilizer today.

First impressions: totally worth it!

It's definitely not made to the standards of a "luxury" product. You could certainly buy a better quality stabilizer for a lot more money. When I tried the Zacuto Striker at CineGear Expo, the fit and finish was unquestionably better. It's definitely a budget product, and is not as refined as, say, my Manfrotto tripod.

However, think about what this thing is actually supposed to do. It has metal rods, and it holds the camera in place. By this standard, it's an unqualified success. For $60, it's a steal. It's all metal (except for the hand grip), and it does exactly what I thought it would do. It's not flimsy, and everything works as it should.

It's awfully hard to beat this for the price. Get 'em while they last! The one I linked to above is sold out, but you can still find a few of them on Amazon or eBay if you search.

I wonder what the story is behind this. My current hypothesis is that Polaroid made this, didn't tell a soul, decided it wasn't worth their time or something, and sold the whole lot to this DB Roth reseller company at fire sale prices.
 
about the explanation: my understanding is that nowadays, polaroid is just one more OEM that places its brand on items made by others; they found a cheap Chinese manufacturer making this for very little money, they liked it, they sell it
 
Thank you for that report robotsound. How does it compare to the Cowboy Studios one for $21? I think Nathyn has a video of the Cowboy Studio stabilizer over in the "User" section. Other question: can you attach rails to this somehow? One person on Amazon, in the reviews claimed they bought 2 of these and somehow put them together, but he never explained what exactly that accomplished...
 
I have the cowboy one, and this polaroid can't be below that in quality: yes, the cowboy works, but its construction is as cheap as can be
 
I've come across this thing by accident. It costs 60€!!! Great!

One question though to those who already have this great little support rig: can you remove the quick release and put a different one on it? If so, how is it done?

Thx

Br
S
 
I got a Manfrotto quick release plate, and just stuck it on top of the existing quick release plate. It seems to work well enough.
 
The chest attachment point is actually a better design than that painful plastic chip from Zacuto. As long as the hardware stays secure, this looks like a great deal.
 
That is correct. It's not completely ideal, but it seems to be working for me.

There is a way to pull the built-in quick release plate off of the underlying mount on the rod using some sort of hex screw, but I haven't tried that. I suppose someone handy with DIY stuff could do more with it.
 
I see. It would probably get dangerous if a bigger rig was fitted onto this.

Thx for the answers. The pictures aren't all that descriptive:)
 
I'm using a Canon T2i with small prime lenses, so it's more than sufficient for that. I suppose if you tried to put an FS100 on here with a big zoom, you might run into more trouble.
 
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