Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

Carrington Benz

Carrington Benz

Well-known member
HI Guy's

I have now just checked out the steaditracker at promax site & it seems to have some amazing reviews from people.
I am now in this battle between a glidecam 2000 or 4000 & a steadytracker - its a nightmare  ???
I dont have these products in my area at all so I only have the online reviews & feedback.

So please any steadytracker guy's & glidecam guy's please give your much needed feedback.
I want something I pick up & use alot - all I have read is people saying that the gc 2000 is too light for the dvx & the gc 4000 is way too heavy & is less motivating to use if used at all ?
I then read that the steadytracker is great & can be mastered with great results within half an hour after purchase.
All I want to recreate is the sand crusier thru the woods scene from "star wars" & other famous steadicam shots like the tricycle going thru the hallway in " the shining "

So is the steadycam something to roll with or should I opt for the gc ?

cheers ;)
 
Re: Steadytracker or Glidecam ?

Re: Steadytracker or Glidecam ?

Just keep in mind, with the Steaditracker, as it has no gimble, you become the gimble.
 
Re: Steadytracker or Glidecam ?

Re: Steadytracker or Glidecam ?

I just ordered the Steadytracker after considering the Glidecam for some time. The reasons behind my decision were as follows...

1. It seems much easier to set up and use. From what I have heard the Glidecam takes an age to set up and an even longer time to master.

2. The Steadytracker website has actual footage shot using the Steadytracker whereas the Glidecam website doesn't. Seems kind of strange not to have a demo of your product.

You may want to check out the Skateboard demo shot with the Steadytracker and also watch the vids that show you how to set it up. I should be getting mine soon so I'll let you know what I think in a few days time.
 
Re: Steadytracker or Glidecam ?

Re: Steadytracker or Glidecam ?

hey pookie - so is that a bad or good thing ?
does the human gimbal give you more freedom or less ?

Hey hienben,

I am tempted by the steaditracker xtreme - I still haven't heard any negativity about it whatsoever so Im very curious to know what your user feedback is - cheers :)

Ithought I had it narrowed down to a gc 2000 pro or steaditracker but I keep seeing good feedback on the abc's handyman 100 also which you can add weight to also. Not only that - I saw something called a dvrig pro which also looks great but somewhat a little more complex .

I guess Im looking for simplicity & something that isn't gonna slow me down while preparing for a shoot.Kinda grab & go vibe cos im very impatient ::)

The dv rig pro + lo kit looks great for lo to floor shots also but im wondering if the gc or steaditracker could do the same ?

anyway the hunt continues - I hope this stabilizing equip Is something get into & not just sits in the corner collecting dust after one shoot.

cheers for all the help guys :)
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

Yeah I've seen it - it looks ok but the glidecam footage on thier site looks very smooth indeed - this is why I would luv to see some footage here or more user feedback on this.
The dv rig pro looks very good also but I really want running /walking & floating up stairs shots & apparently it doesn't fair too well for these shots from the feedback Im reading here.
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

Wow this is slowly turning into a desicion nightmare ???

I have been looking into archives of 3 of these stabilization devices for hours upon hours in various diff forums & it is more harder to choose than before.

The dvrig pro has had wonderful feedback, nothing but praise but the shots are ( apparently ) less float like & not as smooth as the glidecam.

Now the glidecam 2000 pro seems very mixed in user feedback - It seems to be heavy as hell & usable for about 5mins max before deforming your arm & is limited in terms of weight - alot of peeps were complaining of constant setting up & hypersensitivity like, just pulling the flip screen on the dvx can cause another 20 min setup to balance.
Of all tho the - gc2000 has the best footage I've seen by far in terms of the gliding on butter effect Im looking for.

Now the steadytracker has had almost 99% very happy /satisfyed user feedback but the footage looks far less " glide like" on thier video demo but nothing but praise & setting up time is lightning speed ( apparently)
It does not look up to the job at all but the user feedback on various forums has been surprisingly very positive - Im intrigued but there has been the odd negative comment about the " no gimbal " design

I just don't know - all I want is to create gliding smooth shots like when shooting a fight scene - I want to have quick pans & glides plus I want glide up stairs & glide thru the woods like in star wars with those land cruiser shots.

I have seen alot of user's selling their gc2000's also which doesn't exactly provide the confidence in buying one.
The dv rig pro looks like its more suited to replacing certain static tripod shots rather than running moving shots ( but correct me if Im wrong ) I haven't seen any footage of it anywhere & the dvtech site seems to be down also.
I have the gc2000 leading at the mo judging by the cool footage I've seen but like I mentioned - it seems to have the most negative feedback out of all 3 like the weight issue & learning curve plus sensitivty & long setup time.

Please all you stabilizer guy's help a bro out - i really want to start moving my production level up for my next projects.

Or anyone who by any chance has had all 3 units I would greatly appeciate your wise words
;)
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

You keep asking for "help" deciding.....you keep getting answers.....then you keep asking for "help" deciding......
 
exscuse me ?

exscuse me ?

Well Hey pookie - I haven't had that much in the way feedback from anyone in this thread.
You are not in favour of the steadytracker so what do you have ?
& hienben is in favour of the steadytracker yes, but that's it  - no comparrisons to the glidecam 2000 & dv rigpro (lately) for which im seeking to help aid my purchase - I'd rather post a few hundred posts then waste a few hundred pounds£ & make a bad desicion.

By the way hienben :2.
The Steadytracker website has actual footage shot using the Steadytracker whereas the Glidecam website doesn't. Seems kind of strange not to have a demo of your product.
Click to expand...

They have plenty of glidecam footage on the glidecam site just click videos - its there I got enticed by the demos.

Hey pookie - you need a chill pill - I'll ask what I like  - when I like until im satisfied - Ive been searching the forum & although there is sufficient feedback on the glidecam there is no real user feedback clips on the dvrigpro or steadytracker which seems odd since there is tons of great feedback. There are alot of gc clips but no dvrigpro clips & only 2 steadytracker clips which let the unit down in my opinion.

I know how it works & people keep asking to delve back into the archives - thats all well & good but sometimes its good to get the latest feedback from people who may have changed thier mind on the product mentioned .
I have read some great post's but they were generally from people who had just purchased the units - I just like to hear from people who have had these units awhile to get the real deal on performance etc.
Thats why the gc is very mixed - quite a few people had sold it on or took it back to the store so my 'q's are: whats the deal now ? what do you use now ? & did you regret the sale etc.
There are no shops with demo's of these units in london that I can find - so I have to rely on investigating here there & everywhere - been bitten too much in the past::)

cheers
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?


its not a top priority but a stabilizer for moving shots is on my list of gear.

the dvrig doesn't look very well suited for running shots?

i know i certainly wouldn't feel comfortable running up stairs while draging that thing around.

the glidecam 2000 is too light, the 4000 doesn't seem that much different from the steadytracker and the steadytraker is a bunch cheaper.

the biggest problem with the stabilizers is that unless you are going to use it all the time the serious ones are just too expensive.

i'm probably going to get a steadytracker (the heavier one) and play with that.

i have a short i'm doing and running with a camera just became neccesary.

matthew
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

HI Carrington

I'm in the UK too - I think I was probably the first over here to own a SteadyTracker - certainly the first to order one through Promax (They were great by the way). I also own a DVRigPro.

So, the DVRig Pro is a great, great bit of kit. It is at its very best when you need to be adaptable over long takes. Drama, documentaries - film all day with no need for physiotherapy after - great! As long as you are moving slowly/smoothly the takes look like handheld with a big, heavy camera. (Think Eternal Sunshine, Lost in Translation)

The SteadyTracker, on the other hand is at the other Xtreme (pun intended  ;)). It is crap if you are standing still. The faster you are moving the better the SteadyTracker becomes. If you want to move fast and get creative throwing the camera all over the sky and still have footage that is watchable - then the SteadyTracker is the way to go.

The things to watch out for are these: The SteadyTracker's lack of mechanical gimbal is, of course, a compromise and your arm/wrist/hand combination has to take on the job of ironing out the bumps and jerks. Now I have practised and practised but I have never achieved shots tht are as smooth as those obtainable with a gimballed device. BUT, you'd have to be LOOKING for the difference to notice. If you've got a strong arm that you can remain reletively relaxed at the same time as supporting the weight of the SteadyTracker and camera (forget a monitor and battery), you'll get some impressive shots. The reason I say that it works better the faster you are going is that at slow walking speeds I have never been able to eliminate a lateral 'twitch' from being transmitted to the rig with every footfall - but maybe that's just me. However, the faster you are going, and consequently the more action and dynamic that is going on in the frame, the less noticable any twitches and bumps are to the viewer. That is why the skateboard footage works so well.

But I would warn you if you intend to do longer, controlled takes. The SteadyTracker will completely knacker your arm. It is far more stressful to use in these circumstances because you get so anxious about not ****ing the shot up in order to aviod another take because you are already in so much pain doing this one! And the more anxious you are the more tense you are and the less smooth the shot and you begin to wonder why you bought the wretched thing in the first place!

In a nutshell, I guess the DvRigPro is not the rig for you. If you want reliably smooth, floating shots at any speed get a proper bodymount fully gimballed rig. If you want fast high/low/flying/spinning/upside down wildness and you've got Popeye's arms - get the SteadyTracker. It's much more fun, robust, adaptable and quick to set up than a gimballed hand held like the Glidecam.

All the best

Michael
 
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Hey Pookie - cheers for the links but I have checked those out already.
They had none in stock to demo plus they are very far out of london.
Maybe I just need to keep searching - for a place in the city.
Believe me I wouldn't be here typing if there was a place to check these stabilizers out.

Matthew & Michael

Cheers for the feedback - have you guys actually checked/played with the gc2000?
The steadytracker does sound good but there are alot of people who think the dvx + a mic & matt box,max is great with the gc2000 & the 4000 is a little overthe top.
This is why Im being swayed easily from one to another ( apologies )
The dvrig pro is def off the list - so its now between
the steaditracker & the gc2000 or this handyman100 which looks very easy to handle.
http://www.abc-products.de/english/HM_ueber_e.htm

If anyone has any info on the handyman - please chime in.
cheers ;)
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

No, I don't have any experience with the Glidecam. But I think, if I understand you right, that you need to be as smooooooth as you can be on a budget, then you should get the 2000. The SteadyTracker is fun and has it's place at the wilder end of camera support solutions but I don't think it can ever be as smooth as a gimbal mounted support.

There is another suggestion, though - have a look at this site http://www.laigleparis.fr/. This seems to be an excellent support system and considerably cheaper than the Glidecam. Good luck!

Michael
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

I can't seem to figure out the price on this French page... Do you have any more info on this product?
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

Hi Carrington ... i live in the Uk too...and like you had no where to go check out any equipment..so by luck when i was in Toronto this yr i went to a firm called Vistek and tried it out there (very helpfull ) anyway i ended up getting the glidecam 4000 as the 2000 wont handle the weight of a dvx and ive used it on 3 jobs now...yes it does make your arm ache after 5 mins or so...but it produces the shots your looking for...floating !!..very smooth indeed...cant compare with steady tracker but to me glide cam is the one....
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

Astroanalyst

by my workings out, price of the basic hand held Aigle is about £230 = $415, the advanced hand held is £337 = $607 and a complete system with arm and body harness is £1370 = $2464.

Those prices look really good to me for what seems a fine piece of kit ...

Michael
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

So Carrington, at the end, what was your final choice for a hand held device. ???
 
Re: Steadytracker / Glidecam or Dv-Rig Pro ?

i brought the GC2000 - I hired this other thing called a " handyman100" I didn't like the feel too much & the dvrigpro is not really syuited to run & gun so I opted for the gc2000 pro.
Its a ***** to balance right now - Im trying get my head around the axis etc but judging by the look of it in my hand - I like the design alot better then the others.
I may exchange it for the 4000 if Im close to the bone - I''ve just brought the century optics .7x wide angle so - its at the limit for sure.
The feedback from here & others have been the that the 2000 is fine even with the 8 hour battery & wide angle so - lets see.

Im just about to start another thread on quick release plates for this thing so - once I locate that & get the balance sorted - I'll try & go shoot my own floating shots & post feedback.

cheers ;)
 
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