recommended boom pole length?

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davidnssbm

Active member
I'm ready to buy a real boom pole, and I've narrowed it down between the KTEK 102, 152 & 202. The only difference is the max length of 8.9ft vs 12.8ft vs 16.1ft.

I'm mostly doing freelance projects and shortfilms, and money isn't too big of a factor.

Also, is it really worth the extra bones for the side exit XLR? It's only 50 to 100 more, but can't you just use a right angle XLR on the bottom to rest between takes? What am I missing here?

Thanks!
 
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Go for the largest one if you can. They telescope out so it won't end up being too long, and it's never fun to find out your boom won't quite go where it needs to make the shot.

As for side exit, I don't personally see why that would be worth the added investment.
 
16ft. since money isn't an issue.

Side exit XLR isn't necessary, but could benefit during situations that require you to mount a wireless Tx from side exit so that the Tx's body is parallel to the pole.

Yes, you can just have a right angle XLR connected to the bottom of the pole. When in doubt the connector goes bad or wears out, you can solder a new connector or make a new right angle without having to dismantling your pole. Extra money for side exit? If this is the primary pole that you're using, it's worth it. Bottom line the LENGTH is going to be an afterthought if you need it, but don't have it. While collapsed, the size of the pole is also a factor to consider. Would you want to carry a long-collapsed pole from set to set or a smaller one? Mind as well have two right, but if sticking with one pole go with the LONGEST and/or LIGHTEST you can afford.
 
My 2 cents says: get the longest pole so you can cover wide shots, otherwise you're putiing yourself into a position on some shots. I also like the side connector so one can rest the pole w/o smashing up a connector or cable.

Check out the Loon Penta: http://loonaudio.com/index.php
 
I just got a loon boom 16ft with wing and coiled cable...it's a thing of beauty as the boom doesn't sag as much as other booms and they even use a proprietary process to make the cable so it won't make nearly as much slap noise if you whip it around...but then that's not proper boom use anyway
 
If the side XLR is only $50 extra then I'd get it... I also gotta' say go long... it's likely that later on you'll get a second, short pole. (9 + 16, but 16 first).

I almost made this my signature... said it a long time ago about boom poles... I'd rather have length I don't need then need length I don't have.
 
I would say it depends on application.. For example, I often work one-man-band kind of jobs (eng, reality, doc) where I rarely use the boom pole all day (lots of radio mics). In that case I'd prefer to have a shorter, more manageable, stick strapped to my bag to use when I need it. (btw I would never go without it because u just never know) A 16ft stage pole would be dragging on the floor, too hard to use in tight spaces, and just a bummer all around for 90% of the work I do.

That said I think the best option is to have multiple poles for different purposes. A 7-9ft coily cable pole is great for the doc and eng stuff but you'll need that 16ft+ beast for dramatic productions. May also want that pole to have a straight cable. For eng I think coily cable is the only sane solution.

So to sum it up... it depends what kind of work you do. Bigger isn't always better :shocked:
 
She actually said "width"... or don't you listen to radio commercials?

But I don't care how wide my boom pole is... as long as I hear what I want to hear.
 
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