Anyone have any experience with the Shooter Scooter? Best Dollies out there? at DVinfo.net

Justin Sammarco · March 19th, 2006, 02:03 PM

I am looking for a reliable and dependable dolly for our production. I have looked into all kinds and even considered building my own. I have looked at the microdolly, some Chapmans, Fishers, etc. Then came across the shooter scooter.

I checked both of their videos on demonstration and how it holds up but can't tell much without using it. So has anyone had any experience?

How'd it go? :)

thanks

Justin

James Emory · March 20th, 2006, 12:36 AM

Looks like it's around $2500 for the basic kit and around $5000 for everything. Here is a link:

www.vfgadgets.com/SScooter.htm

Justin Sammarco · March 21st, 2006, 12:50 PM

James,

That's the link I was on that showed me the videos,but I was still wondering About experience and its reliability from anyone who's used it.

Thanks tho

James Emory · March 21st, 2006, 02:38 PM

Oh I know. It's always helpful to post a link when mentioning something so I did it. It's nice to be able to see what someone is talking about. I had never heard of that before.

Nick Jushchyshyn · March 21st, 2006, 02:54 PM

Have you used a JL Fisher dolly?
I'm not sure how it's remotely possible to compare home made or this scooter to something like a Fisher Model 10 (other than it's should be much much less expensive to rent).

If you can get one of these with accessories for a shoot, life is good. :)
http://www.jlfisher.com/dollies/mode...olly/index.asp

Ralph Keyser · March 21st, 2006, 04:45 PM

I recall a favorable article on this dolly in American Cinematographer from last spring sometime. It isn't part of their on-line archive though, as far as I can tell.

I would put this in the class of a western dolly or doorway dolly though. The Chapman and JL Fisher dollies are in a different class both in performance and cost.

Justin Sammarco · March 21st, 2006, 08:37 PM

Thanks guys for the insight and advice.

I am going to look into the fisher dolly and a grip company around here is looking to sell a Chapman hydrolic dolly for a very reasonable price.

Thanks again.

Justin

Tim Le · March 21st, 2006, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Sammarco

I am going to look into the fisher dolly and a grip company around here is looking to sell a Chapman hydrolic dolly for a very reasonable price.

I didn't know you could buy a Chapman dolly. I thought all JL Fisher and Chapman/Leonard equipment was for rent only and technically they all belonged to them.

Justin Sammarco · March 22nd, 2006, 02:52 PM

I've never heard of that.

I called today to confirm they still had it and they do.I am going down tomorrow to check it out and get the model info too...they want upwards of 12k for it.

Dan Selakovich · May 4th, 2006, 09:49 AM

I've played on the shooter scooter, but never done a real shoot on one. It's a solid workable dolly. Since it uses tires, you might have to lay down dance floor on uneven or bumpy surfaces. As for Fisher; you can only rent. I'm not sure about Chapman, as we always used Fisher's, but I thought you could only rent the actual dolly, but could buy extras like the jib arm. Guess I'm wrong since someone has one for sale! As someone mentioned, they are a completely different class of dolly. Keep in mind that the Fisher & chapman are extremely heavy dollies. You'll need a truck with a lift gate or 4 Arnolds to get it in and out of the truck. Make sure you get some kind of warranty if you get that Chapman. There is a lot that can be wrong! My advice is if you want one of these top drawer dollies is to rent then hire a professional dolly grip to work it.

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Joe Carney · September 4th, 2006, 09:50 PM

Where would be a good place to get quality pnuematic wheels?

Dan Selakovich · September 5th, 2006, 08:40 AM

I don't know how quality they are, but the seem to hold up for me, and they're dirt cheap. Harbor freight:

http://da.harborfreight.com/cpisearc...atic&Submit=Go

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com

Joe Carney · September 5th, 2006, 01:10 PM

Thanks, just bought your book, looking forward to using it.

March 19th, 2006, 02:03 PM	#1
Justin Sammarco Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NY Posts: 57	Anyone have any experience with the Shooter Scooter? Best Dollies out there? I am looking for a reliable and dependable dolly for our production. I have looked into all kinds and even considered building my own. I have looked at the microdolly, some Chapmans, Fishers, etc. Then came across the shooter scooter. I checked both of their videos on demonstration and how it holds up but can't tell much without using it. So has anyone had any experience? How'd it go? :) thanks Justin

March 21st, 2006, 02:54 PM	#5
Nick Jushchyshyn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA Posts: 548	Have you used a JL Fisher dolly? I'm not sure how it's remotely possible to compare home made or this scooter to something like a Fisher Model 10 (other than it's should be much much less expensive to rent). If you can get one of these with accessories for a shoot, life is good. :) http://www.jlfisher.com/dollies/mode...olly/index.asp __________________ Nick Jushchyshyn Matchmoving, Compositing, TD imdb

September 4th, 2006, 09:50 PM	#11
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	Where would be a good place to get quality pnuematic wheels? __________________ Boycott Guinness, bring back the pint!!!

September 5th, 2006, 01:10 PM	#13
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	Thanks, just bought your book, looking forward to using it. __________________ Boycott Guinness, bring back the pint!!!

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March 20th, 2006, 12:36 AM	#2
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Looks like it's around $2500 for the basic kit and around $5000 for everything. Here is a link: www.vfgadgets.com/SScooter.htm

March 21st, 2006, 12:50 PM	#3
Justin Sammarco Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NY Posts: 57	James, That's the link I was on that showed me the videos,but I was still wondering About experience and its reliability from anyone who's used it. Thanks tho

March 21st, 2006, 02:38 PM	#4
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Oh I know. It's always helpful to post a link when mentioning something so I did it. It's nice to be able to see what someone is talking about. I had never heard of that before.

March 21st, 2006, 04:45 PM	#6
Ralph Keyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Posts: 287	I recall a favorable article on this dolly in American Cinematographer from last spring sometime. It isn't part of their on-line archive though, as far as I can tell. I would put this in the class of a western dolly or doorway dolly though. The Chapman and JL Fisher dollies are in a different class both in performance and cost.

March 21st, 2006, 08:37 PM	#7
Justin Sammarco Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NY Posts: 57	Thanks guys for the insight and advice. I am going to look into the fisher dolly and a grip company around here is looking to sell a Chapman hydrolic dolly for a very reasonable price. Thanks again. Justin

March 22nd, 2006, 02:52 PM	#9
Justin Sammarco Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NY Posts: 57	I've never heard of that. I called today to confirm they still had it and they do.I am going down tomorrow to check it out and get the model info too...they want upwards of 12k for it.

May 4th, 2006, 09:49 AM	#10
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	I've played on the shooter scooter, but never done a real shoot on one. It's a solid workable dolly. Since it uses tires, you might have to lay down dance floor on uneven or bumpy surfaces. As for Fisher; you can only rent. I'm not sure about Chapman, as we always used Fisher's, but I thought you could only rent the actual dolly, but could buy extras like the jib arm. Guess I'm wrong since someone has one for sale! As someone mentioned, they are a completely different class of dolly. Keep in mind that the Fisher & chapman are extremely heavy dollies. You'll need a truck with a lift gate or 4 Arnolds to get it in and out of the truck. Make sure you get some kind of warranty if you get that Chapman. There is a lot that can be wrong! My advice is if you want one of these top drawer dollies is to rent then hire a professional dolly grip to work it. Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com

September 5th, 2006, 08:40 AM	#12
Dan Selakovich Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 220	I don't know how quality they are, but the seem to hold up for me, and they're dirt cheap. Harbor freight: http://da.harborfreight.com/cpisearc...atic&Submit=Go Dan www.DVcameraRigs.com