dustylense
Veteran
Later I will write up a in depth opinion of the slider+. How I think it can be used and where I think it will fail...
Slider+ XL now available from Edelkrone
- Thread starter traviswears
- Start date
mattharris19
Member
Dusty, does the slider lock off well? It looks like the only way to keep it from sliding is to lock the geared pulley, which seems like it would have some play in it. I lock off sliders sometimes and us them like a normal tripod with a fluid head on top, so thats why im interested.
keylight
Veteran
No. Edelkrone was the first to say travel is 1.3 feet. I didn't know how long it was, so I went to their site to look. I'm not sure what the "lens center" has to do with anything since the lens center moves the same amount as the entire platform, except that I guess I can understand how you made your error with the "at least 2 feet" statement by measuring from the back of the camera on one end and the front of the camera on the other. Of course, one could make the error in the other direction and claim the slider has a shorter travel length than it really does. WAIT A SECOND!!! Maybe that explains how Edelkrone made the mistake on their site (not really, but it's fun to speculate):
Nothing. So we have your 1 foot 9.5 inch measurement. Still different from from what Edelkrone says on their site. But I'll take your word for it unless someone else who owns one tells me otherwise.
I have no problem admitting that the information I quoted was wrong. I'm not to really to blame for the wrong information since it came straight from Edelkrone, but I have no problem admitting that what I quoted from them was wrong.
And I have certainly have no gripe, point, concern....
Please do recall that your first post in this thread called me out for being wrong. Then you provided wrong information in an effort to rebut. I responded to your question about my source (Edelkrone). If I hadn't, I'm thinking you probably would not have gone and measured your SliderPLUS+.
And I can certainly empathize with how you must have felt upon learning that your slider was 10-15% shorter that what you originally thought. And that certainly doesn't (or at least shouldn't) take away from how much enjoyment you get from using it.
Peace.:beer:
EDIT: I updated my graphic to show a more accurate method of measuring. The original graphic I posted was an equally correct way to measure, but not as efficient as measuring from plate center to plate center. I've kept the original graphic attached below.
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dustylense
Veteran
Locking is one of the issues...
First, I like the slider. It's innovative for sure. Innovations like these only advance into better better products down the line...
I bought the slider as a portable solution for getting small slide shots. Cameras I had in mind are DSLR cameras rigged lightly. I have a Cineslider so I didn't expect the Slider+ to support as much. The slider moves really well. It's kinda fun to slide it. For light cameras it's quite nice. By light, I mean barebones camera. I had to make some adjustments to the slider to tune it though.
THe locking system... You see on the site that it has the tension knob. They make it seem like it locks super solid. It doesn't they was it ships. Even with you light cam setup on the slider, if you plan on locking and just going to pans off a mounted head, there are problems. It slips side to side. So if you centered the sled and went to pick up the tripod say on your shoulder, the camera will slide to the low end even locked up (*****as it ships****). We contacted Edelkrone as to why there was slippage and they sent us this youtube link:
It shows taking out a rubber washer in the locking mechanism. I did the adjustment and yes, it will lock, but still has play. Sort of a wiggle coming from the belt. Then if you lock with more might than I'm comfortable forcing things, you can still push the carriage and make it slip. So heavy rigged out cameras for me in this thing is out of the question and I will confirm that if you planned a 10 pound rig on this and being able to move fast for shot to shot, not the slider you're looking for. I'd even say that if you mounted a fluid head and the weight of 5d MK2 /24-105 and small external monitor on the sled, when you pick up the tripod, you will HAVE to brace the camera. Let's just say I won't mount a Gh3 on a fluid head and pick up the camera without securing the head
It's still a cool slider. It's very very small. Built really well, nice engineering. But it is what it is, a small compact slider for smaller cameras. I have a floor dolly with Mole tracks, a Kessler cineslider, and some konova sliders (2 ft. and 4 ft.). I thought the Slider+ would replace the Konova sliders portabilities. I would take the Slider+ on a hike and pack it on my back or in a shoulder bag. But for more set up shoots where a slider is used and moved around from shot to shot while staying light and portable, I'll probably use the Konovas.
There is nothing wrong with the movements of the Slider+. It slides really smooth. THe advantage is that if you have a tight space or delicate space, you can get a sliding shot without fear of knocking something over. Also, if 2 ft is your thing, a push/pull slide on the Slider+ is great! No slider rail to work around. I think what I will do with this Slider is for sure make it a quick mountable go to solution and have a tripod dedicated for it (for a moving set or project, say a corporate shoot or something). I shoot a lot of architecture which requires moving from space to space. I'll have this slider on stand by if the space requires it. But it won't be my main slider for even 2 foot movements. All because I don't feel secure with the locking system....
I did however make a super light run and gun package. Slider+ mounted in a Kessler low profile ball head for leveling, then mounted to some carbon fiber travel sticks. Whole setup without camera weighs maybe 8 pounds. FOr Keylight I'll say 8.2 pounds. Now this is where the Slider+ justifies it's purchase. Here is a picture of the set up. Although I changed the head since.
But even this is rickety. But if you're hiking or off in a remote path by walk, I see this slider in the bag.
Is it worth $499???? Or $699 for the XL??? No,I don't think so. I like a good slider to lock down tight and the carriage to be secure. I think the Konova 2 ft. slider is better just because it has a good lock down system. At even 6 lbs camera weight, if you're looking to run around the beach and not dismount the slider, you might not have a good day. Just that little slip when locked off for a panning shot might give you headaches. ANd then to pick up and move with the worry of more slipping, the slider is bound to wear out and not lock at all eventually. $499 will get you a better solution and be just as potable (the Konova 2 ft slider).
Scale 1-10
Innovation:10
build and materials: 9 (locking mech!!!!!)
design:8 (it's like an Apple product, just looks good)
slide smoothness:9
Portability:9
Stay on tripod and lock off pan: 6
Move around on tripod: 6
Price for performance: 6 (Konova 2ft is wiser).
Do I think it can take a beating?: Not sure. It's wonderful to look at and play with, but so are boobs. Eventually they're bound to break down.
Overall: 7
Do I regret buying it? No. It will get used.
Suggestion if you don't have a slider and are looking for a small portable first slider: Look around at other options.
dustylense
Veteran
Whats your point with the diagram Keylight? I have them too...
traviswears
Well-known member
Great review dusty, sounds like a promising slider that might be a little more functional in version 2. Decisions, decisions...
Sol M.
Veteran
I'll call your "I OWN THE DAMN THING" and raise you "EDELKRONE MADE THE DAMN THING". And yet, it appears that they are susceptible to making mistakes when providing measurements...
Keylight is only "wrong" because he's putting stock in what the manufacturer stated. Think twice next time Keylight, geeze...
Keylight, just wanted to say good form. And very good form for the internet. Polite, clear, concise, helpful & you attributed your source (multiple times). Then when faced with contradicting information, you kept your good form.
I wish that up vote thing worked her on DVXUser & I would give you an upvote, but "You must have a post rating of at least 50 to rate other posts." So, so much for that. At the very least, thanks for acting well on the internet.
I take Keylight's point as a civil discussion with the information presented as clearly as possible & the information attributed to the source it came from.
If Edelkrone posted incorrect information on their site, I don't fault Keylight for quoting that information, (since if anyone should have correct information it should be the people who make the product).
Once you posted detailed information that goes against Edelkrone's information, Keylight made a clear graphic which attempts to determine where & why we have three different measurements for the same thing.
Since you added cats (& this is of course the internet), I take it you're in good spirits, have no harsh feelings & added the cats for an extra dash of humor.
Keylight, just wanted to say good form. And very good form for the internet. Polite, clear, concise, helpful & you attributed your source (multiple times). Then when faced with contradicting information, you kept your good form.
I wish that up vote thing worked her on DVXUser & I would give you an upvote, but "You must have a post rating of at least 50 to rate other posts." So, so much for that. At the very least, thanks for acting well on the internet.
I take Keylight's point as a civil discussion with the information presented as clearly as possible & the information attributed to the source it came from.
If Edelkrone posted incorrect information on their site, I don't fault Keylight for quoting that information, (since if anyone should have correct information it should be the people who make the product).
Once you posted detailed information that goes against Edelkrone's information, Keylight made a clear graphic which attempts to determine where & why we have three different measurements for the same thing.
Since you added cats (& this is of course the internet), I take it you're in good spirits, have no harsh feelings & added the cats for an extra dash of humor.
Lastly, nice review. Very well done.
traviswears
Well-known member
Is anyone from Edelkrone watching this thread? Perhaps they could chime in or be made aware the specs on their webzone are off a bit.
keylight
Veteran
I wrote to them last night about the error on their site (and included a link to this thread). They haven't updated the information on their site yet or replied back. I'll certainly let people know if they do.
Cheers!
keylight
Veteran
One other thing I don't understand is why on the Edelkrone website they say:
Neither of the sliders is 2 feet long. Dustylense (good review by the way) says the smaller model is 14 inches (Edelkrone says it is 15.1 inches). And the larger model is 21.5 inches (if Edelkrone measured it correctly). So BOTH models are under two feet. Not only the quote wrong on the size, but also on the number of sliders in the world that can fit in your backpack (since they are sort of implying that under 2 feet is backpack fitting).
I have to say that I am AMAZED they actually are able to make such a products when they're so bad at math! I just hope that the 1/4-20 and 3/8 inch threads on there stuff are right! :evil:
Neither of the sliders is 2 feet long. Dustylense (good review by the way) says the smaller model is 14 inches (Edelkrone says it is 15.1 inches). And the larger model is 21.5 inches (if Edelkrone measured it correctly). So BOTH models are under two feet. Not only the quote wrong on the size, but also on the number of sliders in the world that can fit in your backpack (since they are sort of implying that under 2 feet is backpack fitting).
I have to say that I am AMAZED they actually are able to make such a products when they're so bad at math! I just hope that the 1/4-20 and 3/8 inch threads on there stuff are right! :evil:
dustylense
Veteran
to pack the slider you will need at least 16 inches for it to fit and a bag. Thats an outside to outside measure with 1/2 inch to spare. Once the Slider+ is "tripod" mounted you get the 1 foot 9 inches travel length out of the slider.
Cory Braun
Well-known member
Well said. Was going to say something along the same lines, but you beat me to it.
Zephyrnoid
Veteran
One thing. They can't possibly have a patent pending without stomping on my prior
Besides, I get bye just fine with a 12" Igus ( 1 foot ) for all the hooplah EdelKrone are making .
I love their concept, but what's novel about it?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/zephyrnoid/portadolly_ani.gif
Besides, I get bye just fine with a 12" Igus ( 1 foot ) for all the hooplah EdelKrone are making .
I love their concept, but what's novel about it?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/zephyrnoid/portadolly_ani.gif
Cory Braun
Well-known member
I wrote them about their Pocket Rig and received a detailed answer within 12 hours.
traviswears
Well-known member
Hit them up on twitter. I asked a question a few days ago and got a response in a few minutes from twitter.com/harunyuc perhaps your message got lost in the shuffle or was received by the wrong party. I'm very curious as well because I plan on buying either the normal slider+ or the XL version next month. I want to make sure I get the right one the first time 'round.