Varizoom Flowpod and DV Sportster Review

I'm goign to share Pookie's basic line on this one.

I agree that it is a good review (thanks Barry, Jarred), albeight a couple of typos (2 t's in Garrett and it's "Steadicam" - with an 'a' [and an I not Y engr]) and as a really compact carry around rig "that will do" in a pinch I'm sure it's fine.

Though I've never tried it, the Flowpod does seem like an intersting solution, a monopod that stabilizes with a gimble too if the need arises.


TheYankee said:
Furthermore, I don't know the differences between these units.
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Unfortunatly that pretty much sums up what so many companies rely on for selling their product.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not docking varizoom or their rigs, I've never flown one. But I am saying that be sure to always do your reasearch. It's still a couple of grand however you swing it.

The demo video looks intereting.. it actually says a few decent things about the rig, as it is full of "newbie" mistakes (so that statement about using the rig for only a week could be accurate), but the footage doesn't show many signs of vibration and large jaring or bumps (all signs of a poorly built rig).

Bottom line:
As a monopod with stabilization capability I'd seriouly consider the Flowpod.
But for an mainly handheld rig I'd go for something much lighter (like the Merlin, which will fly the DVX, and possibly (hopefully) the HVX).
For a full rig I'd definatly look to spend a little more an a beefier system, with a dual arm with a proper spring system and socket block.

"bang for your buck" is great, but don't forget that you still "get what you pay for". :beer:

- Mikko
 
OK, this is what really bothers me about this. We have Mikko and Pookie, bother experienced flyers with lots of knowledge of the products available from handheld to vest. I think what would be most beneficial to most of us would be something along the lines of a complete BIASED anaylsis of these models. I know it is asking for a lot, but for many of us here, dropping $1000 is a lot of money. I would like to hear the opinions of the stabilizer devices from the Glidecam 2000, 4000, and their vest systems, the Steadicam Merlin to the vest systems, and the Varizoom products. I think if something were organized just by price and features it would help a lot of people to see where the money is really going when you are investing $3000+, plus the difference in results.

The general consensus is that handheld systems are a nice toy, but because of the weight and no one wanting to turn into the Hulk they are not the most logical purchases. Well, at that point, what becomes the most logical purchase? The Steadicam Flyer is not an option for most people coming in at what? $6000? $8000?

I guess I am just asking for an opinion on the available units out there. I know it's a lot to ask for, but still, that is what would benefit me the most and most likely a lot of people here.

From my reading it looks as if Pookie and Mikko are in the opinion that this Flowpod, even with the vest system, is limited in what it enables you to do because of the arm. Well at what price point do you get into a steadi-type system that is functional as well as practical for real world applications?
 
I havn't used this System, its Barry's review so I dont have an opinion to if it works or not..

But i think there are two markets we are talking about here, and its important not to get them confused.

The Sportster isnt trying to pretend to be a Stedicam, as pookie pointed out it can't compare. What the Sportster, and the Glidecam Smoothshooter, are trying to do, is offer low cost solutions to the problems people have with gimble type monopods. This vest isnt gonna make you shoot smoother video than you could with a Glidecam 2000.. its just gonna make it less painful.

So i think you need to look at all these single arm solutions just as back savers and not Flying rigs.
 
Right -- so If I have a sense of what a hand held unit can do, via my home made poorman's steadicam, I should be really pleased with the upgrade to a flow pod, and the body vest will add at least some dampening which will make it even smoother, and will keep me from getting fatigued, which will make it smoother still.

I have the walk pretty good I think as well, since my fig rig shots are acceptably smooth -- at least to me :) and that's all arms and legs, period.

EDIT: Tom Mcaky at VariZoom has been great BTW. he was cool about letting me use my prize value as a credit from Zombie Fest to get a great deal. :beer: woohoo!
 
Jarred,

I see your point, and I understand that pretty much what we are looking at here is a handheld stabilizer without the arm strain. I think that the two markets cross though especially when you are looking at how close the options can be in price range and then the discrepency in functionality.

For what it is, the Flowpod looks interesting to me (plus I'm thrilled to see hardware accessories reviewed). I just want to know what the actual results of my $1000 would be with it when compared with investing twice the dollar figure into a different unit.
 
the yankee said:
For what it is, the Flowpod looks interesting to me (plus I'm thrilled to see hardware accessories reviewed). I just want to know what the actual results of my $1000 would be with it when compared with investing twice the dollar figure into a different unit.
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remeber that it would actyually be $1250 or so ... I got that 1K price by getting credit for the Rock DVX zoom that I won in Zombie Fest.
 
I use the Flowpod regularly, I love it. Like any piece of equipment, there's a learning curve, but it's definitely worth it. Nothing better in this price range.
 
Ok well if Curugon digs it then I'm back to looking forward to it arriving on Wednesday again ... whew
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Well, lets
look at a stabilizer in terms of "most" shooters, including DVXUser members.

Do you actually "need" a full rig...:undecided

No.:)

Do you shoot continuous running scenes...:undecided

Not likely.:)

Do you shoot "short" shots (1 minute or less)...:undecided

Probably.:happy:


What stabilizer is the best "bang for the buck" you ask?:shocked:




The Steadicam Merlin.:thumbsup:


99+% of the people wanting a full rig, are never going to use it enough to ever get a return on the investment. Given that even in "Hollywood" movies, at best, being very generous here, it's maybe 5% Steadicam work. Mostly, the shooting is tripod, lockdown, dolly, handhead or vehicle mounts, so you've got to want to shoot Steadicam before spending the big bucks. At the moment, the only serious "entry level" Steadicam rig, equipped properly will run $6-8 thousand, so a $800 Merlin is a deal. Bwt, a Glidecam 2000 or 4000 is also a good buy.
 
Good post Pookie. I actually agree with your points through and through, but I guess my question is, since the Merlin can only hold 5lbs. if you use a large capacity battery, have the mic mounted on camera, and use a matte box ... well isn't the Merlin ruled out?

EDIT: I just looked at the item specs on these units and it is pretty astonishing, so I guess you do get what you pay for: The merlin weight 12.8 OZ. The Glidecam 4000 weights 3.1lbs (without counter balance weights), and the Flowpod weighs 4lbs. (without counter balance weights). I guess that sums up the price difference.

My question still remains, can the DVX with a high cap battery be used with the Merlin though? Seems to me like too much weight.
 
Thanks guys, I think there's some good comments here. There's a lot of choices in the stabilizer market these days, but I think the FlowPod/DVSportster occupies a fairly unique niche in terms of the price and functionality. It's not a full on Steadicam rig, so it won't offer the complete range of movement and damping that a double -articulated heavy metal rig has--but, it offers a nice chunk of that functionality, plus some functionality a dedicated Steadi-type rig doesn't have.

The ability to detach the FlowPod "sled" and use it alone as an unsupported stabilizer and a high quality monopod open up some nice options for lean and mean filmmaking--typical DVXuser type stuff. You can't underestimate the value of having a compact, lightweight, and flexible rig. I've only used a full Steadicam rig once, and it's a whole other world. Big, heavy, and a serious committment--I'll leave it to the pro operators. :)

The DV Sportster alone would be great for someone that already has a Glidecam and wants to keep it, but doesn't want to spend a lot of extra money on a completely new rig. The Merlin looks like a work of art, but it only flies a 5 pound camera package--and it's unsupported. I think it'll be cool for what it is, but it's a different niche. All in all it's nice to have some choices, and I think the FlowPod/DV Sportster is a piece of gear worth considering.
 
I remember when your choice was between Steadicam and Steadicam.

Much easier to choose your manufacturer.

But, as with all things, it depends on the bank account, and/or the wife.....
 
I've been my self looking for camera stabilizer options and for now I haven't seen something better constructed, versatile and better "equiped" for my needs than the Steadicam Merlin which by the way is in the <1200€ range and that's basically going by byer's instinct, I know nothing about camera stabilizers.

Just a small heads up to everyone, though the merlin brochure, manual and pricing are available on the tiffen website, tiffen has not started mass producing or selling any merlins and will not start before mid-late january.
 
Too many damn options when you start into these accessories. I have researched everything and all it has gotten me is a nasty headache. Right now the $4000 Steadicam mini set up sounds like the best option, but since I'm not a pro that seems like a complete waste of money... I hate this crap.
 
well that's another plus for the dvsporster master kit-- get ALL the options for $1250 so you don't have to hurt your head picking them out, lol.

well ok maybe not an lcd monitor for low mode but that's about it!
 
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