VariZoom DV Sportster for XL2 ? at DVinfo.net

Anders Risvold · September 9th, 2005, 03:35 AM

Hi all

A while back ago I made what i believe is the biggest bummer buy ever, I bought a glidecam 4000 pro. I did not get a chance to try before buy, and I was worried the rig would be too heavy for me to carry as Im not that strong.

So, after testing it a bit I found myself to never use it. It took too long to balance, and when done I was not able to shoot for more than 30 secconds before it became too heavy for me.

Now I see that varizoom has made this vest, but before I order one I'd like to hear if anyone has any experience with it. Will it cover dust next to my glidecam, or will it finaly make me able to use it for something ?

John Steele · September 9th, 2005, 05:14 PM

Have you looked at the glidecam smooth shooter which is an arm and vest designed to be used with the 2000 and 4000 Pro. I've not used one myself but have heard it's very good.

It might be worth checking out before going with the dv sportster.

John.

Anders Risvold · September 12th, 2005, 01:27 AM

Hi, thanks for the tip.

I will look into that

Vishad Dewan · May 9th, 2007, 09:52 AM

Actually, I made that same mistake. I ordered the DV Sportster because the advertisement said it works with the Glidecam 4000 Pro. Unfortunately, I assumed it would also carry the XL2's weight along with it. Nope. The camera itself is about 8 pounds; add a monitor, battery pack, and other do-dads, and the camera itself is about ten pounds...plus the sled...equals a lot more than what the Sportster can handle.

The price is very enticing, but, to be quite frank, I'd rather spend $700 more and get the Smooth Shooter (which IS designed for the XL2 and 4000 Pro) than risk my $5000 camera equipment on my cheapness.

September 9th, 2005, 03:35 AM	#1
Anders Risvold Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 72	VariZoom DV Sportster for XL2 ? Hi all A while back ago I made what i believe is the biggest bummer buy ever, I bought a glidecam 4000 pro. I did not get a chance to try before buy, and I was worried the rig would be too heavy for me to carry as Im not that strong. So, after testing it a bit I found myself to never use it. It took too long to balance, and when done I was not able to shoot for more than 30 secconds before it became too heavy for me. Now I see that varizoom has made this vest, but before I order one I'd like to hear if anyone has any experience with it. Will it cover dust next to my glidecam, or will it finaly make me able to use it for something ?

September 9th, 2005, 05:14 PM	#2
John Steele Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 216	Have you looked at the glidecam smooth shooter which is an arm and vest designed to be used with the 2000 and 4000 Pro. I've not used one myself but have heard it's very good. It might be worth checking out before going with the dv sportster. John.

September 12th, 2005, 01:27 AM	#3
Anders Risvold Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 72	Hi, thanks for the tip. I will look into that

May 9th, 2007, 09:52 AM	#4
Vishad Dewan Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Yuba City, Ca Posts: 126	Actually, I made that same mistake. I ordered the DV Sportster because the advertisement said it works with the Glidecam 4000 Pro. Unfortunately, I assumed it would also carry the XL2's weight along with it. Nope. The camera itself is about 8 pounds; add a monitor, battery pack, and other do-dads, and the camera itself is about ten pounds...plus the sled...equals a lot more than what the Sportster can handle. The price is very enticing, but, to be quite frank, I'd rather spend $700 more and get the Smooth Shooter (which IS designed for the XL2 and 4000 Pro) than risk my $5000 camera equipment on my cheapness.