Hello everyone. I am looking at getting a stabilizing system for my HM 700. It weighs about 8 pounds without a wide angle and wireless. I can't see me adding a lot more to it then that. There are a few rigs out there that look like they would work by a few companies. What would you guys recommend for this camera? Thanks in advance.

Steadicam Flyer LE:
YouTube - First Look at the Steadicam Flyer LE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7GHwt4Ckus)

The Steadiam Flyer and Pilot are the best in thier respective weight class, hands down. You're not just paying for the name. With the lower end handheld stabilizers, CMR is giving Steadicam real competition. And then again at the high end (with real film cameras), PRO GPI and MK-V are giving Steadicam real competition. But from 5 to 19 pounds, Steadicam wins easily. There are cheaper rigs out there, but nothing comes close in quality.

The Pilot says it goes up to 10 pounds, but the practical limit is around 8 pounds since you have to include the battery and some bottom weights for pan inertia. Also, if you're working with anyone else, you'll probably want to add an inexpensive wireless video transmitter for monitoring, otherwise people will crowd you trying to look at your monitor.

You can also read the reviews for some other stabilizers here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/article/production/camsupport/nab2009-stabilizer-wrap-up.html

Hey Dave, what is a reasonable price wireless video transmitter?

Hey Dave, what is a reasonable price wireless video transmitter?
Check out this site.
RangeVideo!, Wireless video solutions. (http://www.rangevideo.com/)

Thanks for the info on the Steadicam. A friend of mine had mentioned a varizoom system so I didn't know how any of them compared.

Check out this site.
RangeVideo!, Wireless video solutions. (http://www.rangevideo.com/)

Thanks Dave, but one thing though. They talk about using goggles??? Also. I'm looking at the pic and it has 3 cables. In this case the video output is all one needs. So this is just a matter of connecting to one of my output contacts on the sled, right? Also, it states using 12v batteries a no no...