David,

After a lot of research I purchased an 8' Kessler crane with the Kpod system and Hercules head. I am very pleased with it.

The only problem I discovered is that to really use a crane for event videography (in my case weddings and musical acts in clubs) you really need a good motorized pan tilt head. That is my next purchase.

However playing with the crane controlling it from the front with the camera mounted on my Satchler head I can get some great shots that if I were doing scripted work where you could do take after take the shots would be fantastic.