Varizoom Flowpod and DV Sportster Review

After messing with the flowpod I deduced it was for wedding guys. That is not an insult but rather a testimony to its versatility and quick adaptation. It did not do well at all with the XL2 and I found it generally just average with the DVX. I got a used Hollywood Lite GT, same unit as the demo footage from the Varizoom GT above. It only has a single arm but it is very sturdy and is great at flying the XL2. I will get getting a Merlin as well to fly my DVX and I am willing to be it gets used 10 times for every time I pull out the HLGT $3000 unit...



ash =o)
 
VariZoom

VariZoom

This is Tom McKay from Varizoom. I wanted to address some of the points made in these posts.

Re: Weight of handhelds

Yankee's comment about weight of handhelds really should be addressed. (Mikko you could have beaten Pookie on this one)

The weight of a handheld support of any kind is insignificant until it is loaded with a camera. Even if a stabilizer weighs nothing and you put a 5 pound camera on top you will be adding a few pounds of weight underneath to counter balance the camera.

Yankee's examples of various handheld stabilizer weight would be much different and more valid if they were fitted with the same cameras and were properly counter balanced. The stabilizers that weigh nothing would require more weight then the heavier ones.

In the end they would all weigh very close to the same weight once fitted with cameras and counter balanced.

The FlowPod which has a built in monopod (my patent) is going to require very little additional weight because of the weight of the monopod.

Re: Merlin

The Steadicam Merlin which is very similar to the Sachtler Artemis I bought 7 years ago can also be mounted on a Dv Sportster. My Artemis worked fine and I am sure the Merlin will too.

Re: Sportster

The DV Sportster is a very strong and sturdy little arm it is more than adequate to support the cameras and small handhelds it was designed to be used with.

It is a $799. product that has sold very well ever since it was introduced and has been problem free. We have a heavier unit called the Navigator that is $1499. and is also upgradeable to a $3,000. system called the GT. Beyond that we have Dual arm stabilizers that range from $3,800 up to $7,000

These stabilizers are tools and not everbody can afford the best model so we make different grades and capacities to make a little money and TRY to make everyone happy.

If you have to bust out a slab of concrete you can do it with an 8 pound sledge hammer for $10.00 or you can rent or buy a $2,000. jack hammer or a $40,000 backhoe. If you don't have the money to get the heavy equipment you can bust it out the hard and cheap way with the 8 pound sledge.

It is the same with stabilizers and other tools. You don't have to buy the biggest and best to get some benefits.

We got a big booth at NAB 2006 and everyone is invited to come by and try out all of our gear.
 
Ash,

This is Tom from VariZoom. The FlowPod should never have been recommended to you for the XL2 as it is far too heavy for the FlowPod. If you have time please call VariZoom and ask for me. I am interested in your comments about use with the DVX.
 
Tom,

I really appreciate your comments regarding some of the concerns I have with this unit. For me right now I have just been on the fence. I like your analogy regarding the concrete, but the fact is that with all the different models not only available from your company, but also from competition a stabilizer is a very big purchase and something to be looked at from different angles. I like the fact that your flowpod design is a very affordable product, but more importantly I like the fact that it seems to join together several great functions into one. For the price point I think it is a great value.

I do wonder how the flowpod with the vest compares to the $3000+ units.
 
Glad to see a manufacturer adding to a thread.

Nice to see you Tom.

There is a problem with the "blurb" for lack of a different term in your, and in fact almost all stabilizer manufacturers info. A single arm rig is not going to give you the type of shots people associate with "Steadicam" type shoots. They will give very nice results within a specific range of usage, but not, as most buyers would assume, all uses. In order to achieve a true "Steadicam" result, you can only get it with a double articulated arm, not a single arm. This small but important fact is never mentioned, and I do find that to be a confusing fact for people looking to buy. If someone sees a $1200 stabilizer, obviously a tempting offer when conpaired to needing to spend $6000-$40000, they will expect the same "type" of results, albeit at a lower quality etc, and they're going to become increasingly frustrated at their inability to recreate that look. Given that a savings of $5000+ will indicate some lack of features, the difference does need to be explained up front. I would not want to see the reactions of people buying a single arm rig, and (assuming) they could use it as a running rig, the build of both the arm and vest would not support that use for long before failure. A hand held unit, being an actual double articulated arm rig (biological version) would actually give better results than a single arm rig used as a running rig. It would be nice to see these small but important details pointed out by all manufacturers.
 
TheYankee said:
Tom,

I really appreciate your comments regarding some of the concerns I have with this unit. For me right now I have just been on the fence. I like your analogy regarding the concrete, but the fact is that with all the different models not only available from your company, but also from competition a stabilizer is a very big purchase and something to be looked at from different angles. I like the fact that your flowpod design is a very affordable product, but more importantly I like the fact that it seems to join together several great functions into one. For the price point I think it is a great value.

I do wonder how the flowpod with the vest compares to the $3000+ units.
Click to expand...
well I'll try to get clips up and you will certainly see ity in action during zombie fest ( I hope)
....

I'm surprised we haven't had a bitter post yet, though, about how which one is better or what's "sufficient enough" doesn't really matter as buying stedicams and 35mm adaptors and hi def cameras will not make your 24pa video truly look like film and that content is king and buying that stuff won't make you orson wells ... come on ... hahaha .... somebodies asleep on the job here, lol!
 
pookie said:
...A hand held unit, being an actual double articulated arm rig (biological version) would actually give better results than a single arm rig used as a running rig. It would be nice to see these small but important details pointed out by all manufacturers.
Click to expand...
that's interesting -- so you could still use the vest for walking and general steadiness and then take it off to run down the hall for short takes with rest inbetween.

I thought that the single arm provided "some dampening" while principally gaurding against fatigue -- are you saying that because it has a limited range of motion do to its one jointedness that that will actually hinder smoothness while running rather than just helping what you can do with your arms and body a little bit more?
 
pookie said:
Glad to see a manufacturer adding to a thread.

Nice to see you Tom.

There is a problem with the "blurb" for lack of a different term in your, and in fact almost all stabilizer manufacturers info. A single arm rig is not going to give you the type of shots people associate with "Steadicam" type shoots. They will give very nice results within a specific range of usage, but not, as most buyers would assume, all uses. In order to achieve a true "Steadicam" result, you can only get it with a double articulated arm, not a single arm. This small but important fact is never mentioned, and I do find that to be a confusing fact for people looking to buy. If someone sees a $1200 stabilizer, obviously a tempting offer when conpaired to needing to spend $6000-$40000, they will expect the same "type" of results, albeit at a lower quality etc, and they're going to become increasingly frustrated at their inability to recreate that look. Given that a savings of $5000+ will indicate some lack of features, the difference does need to be explained up front. I would not want to see the reactions of people buying a single arm rig, and (assuming) they could use it as a running rig, the build of both the arm and vest would not support that use for long before failure. A hand held unit, being an actual double articulated arm rig (biological version) would actually give better results than a single arm rig used as a running rig. It would be nice to see these small but important details pointed out by all manufacturers.
Click to expand...


Well maybe someone can answer. What is the real difference between the single and dual arm? Does it just come down to being able to adjust the height of the camera? Just doesn't really make sense to me I guess...
 
Yankee,

The more you spend the better it gets. For $1,250. your a step above handheld but certainly not as good as a unit costing 2 1/2 times more. But you can use it get the hang of the walk etc. Later if you ever want to sell it on Ebay you can probably get 75% back of what you paid 2 years down the road.

So if you look at it that way you can get a unit and use if for 2 years for $300.

Send me an email with your location and maybe I can find a user or dealer near you that can let you try one out.
 
A double articulated arm is better able to dampen motion and depending on the design, it can also be capable of a wider range of motion.
 
If you use a double arm rig, you can literally run with it, and the camera will remain entirely isolated from the users movement. So running, going up and down stairs etc is possible.
A single arm rig, used it the same way, will basically shake both the camera and the used to death.

A simple example. Hold your camera in your hand, and walk around keeping the shot as smooth as you can.
Now, do the same shot, but this time, keep your upper arm held tight against your body, again walking around keeping the shot as smooth as you can.

Now repeat both, but this time running, or going up stairs.

One is smooth, one isn't.

Thats the single vs double arm difference.
 
I agree with the single versus double but the double arms are very expensive. Nobody recommended the Flowpod for the XL2, I just tried it out. As far the DVX, I have not found anything that will fly it really well for a long time. My best luck has been with the arm handle type units but those get tiring. I dont dislike the Flowpod at all, just didnt work for what I needed.


ash =o)
 
Arms

Arms

Pookie,

I don't think anybody expects a single arm to perform as well running as a double arm. I think it is obvious when a customer looks at a price range of $500- $7,000. they can figure it out. The more you spend the better it gets.

Ash has a post up above where he seems very pleased with the performance of his used single arm GT. He could just as well be talking about a single arm "Steadicam".

You seem to make the assumption that everyone wants to "run" with these things. We sell these units everyday and many people calling want to track at a walking pace or better. We tell them if that is all they want to do they can get by with a single arm just fine.

If they want to run get a Running Rig, Black Hawk, Aviator, Steadicam Flyer, Pro Rig

I think because you are dedicated Steadicam operator with a keen eye you tend to hold the bar a little high for the videographers that are just getting started with the stabilizers. I think most start out with a less expensive rig. Did you start out with the best dual arm stabilizer?

Even in my latest ads we have "good" "better" "Best" best being a dual arm stabilizer. I think this points out the differences very clearly.

I think many people already know that Ned and Garry that build all of my arms and vests use to build them under the Hollywood lite name. Prior to that they both worked for Cinema Products and were involved in the manufacturing of the Steadicam arms for years.

I appreciate your attention to detail and one size does not fit all. People should always try to compare products before they buy.

We have plenty of detailed pictures, close ups, on our web site so people can see what they get.

For the record two arms are better than one.

I know you are a knowledgable guy Pookie and I enjoy reading your posts where you share your experience.













pookie said:
Glad to see a manufacturer adding to a thread.

Nice to see you Tom.

There is a problem with the "blurb" for lack of a different term in your, and in fact almost all stabilizer manufacturers info. A single arm rig is not going to give you the type of shots people associate with "Steadicam" type shoots. They will give very nice results within a specific range of usage, but not, as most buyers would assume, all uses. In order to achieve a true "Steadicam" result, you can only get it with a double articulated arm, not a single arm. This small but important fact is never mentioned, and I do find that to be a confusing fact for people looking to buy. If someone sees a $1200 stabilizer, obviously a tempting offer when conpaired to needing to spend $6000-$40000, they will expect the same "type" of results, albeit at a lower quality etc, and they're going to become increasingly frustrated at their inability to recreate that look. Given that a savings of $5000+ will indicate some lack of features, the difference does need to be explained up front. I would not want to see the reactions of people buying a single arm rig, and (assuming) they could use it as a running rig, the build of both the arm and vest would not support that use for long before failure. A hand held unit, being an actual double articulated arm rig (biological version) would actually give better results than a single arm rig used as a running rig. It would be nice to see these small but important details pointed out by all manufacturers.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Tom,

I'm not trying to pick on you at all.

I just have run into students who buy a single arm, not knowing (or wanting to accept) the differences, and are very frustrated. I do follow these things are ackward to describe and sell, esp. to raw beginners who want to make their "break-through" feature....LOL.

I just thought I'd throw it out to you, to take as you may.
 
I'm one of those beginners when it comes to stabilizers and I can say that of all the threads that have existed on this board, this seems to be THE thread for this topic. It is interesting once you start looking at the different models available and the functionality between them.

This has turned into a great discussion, and I don't think anyone is bashing Tom's product, just trying to get down to the grit of what will work best for them.
 
Yes.. we have some talent here. Pookie is probally the biggest Stedicam operators most of you guys will ever get a chance to talk too, and Tom Mckay mr. Varizoom himself.

Its nice to sit back and take it all in, some very good info going back and forth.
 
*sigh* I hate time zones. I go to bed on page 4, and wake up 2 pages later.

I agree this is some really good info in here. - I look forward to trying out the varizoom gear when I get the chance (missed you guys at IBC this year..)
I am really glad that a lot of people are asking questions and there is comparison going on. And that the differences are beeing explained. Mis-information is, as Pookie mentioned, the enemy.

Interestingly enough: the Merlin handle has a hole in it too (just like the JR) - so the Sportster should work fine with the Merlin :-)

Tom, great information, though I don't know if I agree with your statement of the weigth of the bare rig beeing insignificant.
It's very true that a sled that is heavier at the bottom will require less counter weights, but any extrta weight above the gimble, like in the camera mounting stage, will go agains't you.
And either way, it's still extra weight that adds to fatigue.

What I'd like to see if a comparison of the wights of the systems fully loaded to shoot - see how they compare then.


Pookie, grate example about the double arm holding your arm to your chest.

Any steadicam operator will agree that a hand held rig is by far the most versitile, as you can move it totally freely with your arm. Pity cameras are so heavy we have to put a mechanical arm in there.


Oh and the rumor about the Merlin not beeing available untill January. Not true at all. They should be available in stores very soon now (days).

- Mikko
 
 
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