Some history: First, I bought a Glidecam 2000. Are to both get it balanced and hold it stably. The added their forearm support and quick release assembly. Now the camera could be stable longer. It was also easier to balance, clamping the forearm support to a table. And the camera could be mounted and removed without disturbing its mounting position.

Now, Varizoom is offering the DV Sportster for $800 and Glidecam has the Smooth Shooter for $1500. Both work with the Glidecam 2000.

Are these any good? Are both ok? The Varizoom unit is much less expensive, however the Glidecam looks so much better in the pictures.

Thanks,

David

Glidecam Smooth Shooter:
http://www.glidecam.com/smooth_shooter.html

Varizoom DV Sportster:
http://www.varizoom.com/flowcam/dvsportster.php

Without trying either of them I would go with the Glidecam without any hesitation. I still say you should test drive both but knowing the characteristics of the design of the Glidecam shooter I'll take it over the Varizoom any day. This is simply because I've been using the Glidecam shooter spring design a long time before it became available. So I know the system should work.

See my write-up of the VariZoom DV Sportster here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsupport/dvsportster1.php

We'll have a full working review of it soon.

Chris, that's a great piece. Do you plan to include rundowns on any competing rigs?

I'm hoping to blast through all of the products of this type at NAB this year, perhaps I can memorialize my thoughts on them for the Watchdog.

I wish you would. Your experience would add real value to even brief reviews.