Steadicam Pilot - Which Battery to Get?
 

I am buying a Pilot sled upgrade for my Merlin arm and vest.

The Tiffen price page recommends the E-7s (v-mount) battery.

However, I have a Dionic 90 (AB mount) battery that I was planning to use.

Why is the E-7s battery recommended? What reasons would there be to buy this battery (and the v-mount sled) instead of using my Dionic 90 (and buying an AB mount sled)?

Here is the Tiffen product/price page:
http://www.steadicam.com/images/cont...ed_PL42009.pdf

Side question: how long can I expect a Dionic 90 to operate the Pilot monitor?)

maybe it's because Tiffen has some sort of deal worked out with IDX but since you already have the ABs why change?
As for time it'll run well since the battery is 90W and the monitor pulls say 10W(I'm not sure of that it could be more it could be less but lets assume 10) the battery will run it for 9 hours if you run it all the way down (not recommended)

Arnt the AB's a bit heavy? If it is you may have balance problems if the AB on the back is heavy but the monitor is light. The weights can be shuffled around to compensate.

Also yeah, tiffen sell the ES7 as part of their package so do recommend them.

the Dionic 90s weigh in at 1.7 pounds the IDX are very close to that so weight shouldn't be an issue-keep in, mind that the ABs are 90W and the IDX are 71 so there's a big difference there-of course there is also a big difference in pricing about $165 each with the ABs being more than the IDX (plus the charger) BUT since Jack already has the ABs I'd run them. Why start with a 2nd battery mfg, when you already have one thats proven to work.

The E-7S is actually around 1/2 pound lighter than the Dionic 90. On the Pilot, this makes a difference. It's not a problem, just something you have to adjust for.

For Pilot owners, I would highly suggest springing an extra $40 for a postal scale:
Product: USPS 10lb Digital Scale
The Pilot seems to be more stable with more weight, so I weigh everything to get right at the 10-pound limit (camera, camera accessories, & Pilot battery). I also bought extra screw-on middle weights to get the weight up to 10 pounds:
Steadicam | 801-7920-05 Middle Balance Weight with | 801-7920-05

Hope this helps.

Jack,

To answer your side question: The 5.8" Pilot monitor has a 12V 9W consumption. You should expect at least 10 hours using the 90WH Anton Bauer Dionic, and since the consumption rating is a maximum I'd expect 12-14 hours.

There is a remote for the display if you want to actively preserve battery life and don't want to poke the on/off button.

One cautionary word: The different battery adapters are not cheap. It'll cost about $400 to switch your Pilot from IDX to AB -- the adapters are interchangable, but there is a cost to it.

Personally, I'm an AB man.

Thanks!

It makes sense to use the AB Dionic 90 since I have it and the charger. The higher capacity also means I probably only need one for what I'm doing, whereas with the smaller battery I might need two.

I see the remote on the price list. Is this included with the original package, or must it be purchased separately?

Here is the price list:
http://www.steadicam.com/images/cont...ed_PL42009.pdf
(The LCD remote control is next to the last item under "Power Supplies."

I can't find current pricing on the battery adapters.

I run EX1 and Pilot monitor from one 7S non stop for 6 hours, Dionic has larger capacity, so I'd expect around 8 Hrs of power for camcorder and monitor, don't know though what you're flying

Canon XH-A1, probably using its own battery. I haven't looked into powering the camera off the sled battery, but for my use, I don't think it's necessary.

You have to purchase the remote separately.

The adapter pricing can be found by calling Tiffen; the part numbers are on the last page of the Pilot manual. With your AB batteries, I don't imagine you'd need an adapter for a Sony or for AAs, though.

Dana,

Thanks! I will order the AB version and the remote.

Cool, happy to help.

As an aside, if you haven't picked up a copy of Amazon.com: The Steadicam® Operator's Handbook: Jerry Holway, Laurie Hayball: Books, I highly recommend it. It's not specific to the Pilot, but has the best exercises extant on how to become a proficient operator.

Thanks! I did get the book. I went into to Tiffen and they had some slightly damaged ones they were selling at a discount.
(I also got the monitor remote.)

And today I ordered the Pilot Sled with with the AB battery. I believe it's going to work out very well for what I'm using it.