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I bought the Zoe (Lanc) controller for my XL-1s this summer. When I ordered it (from ZGC), I made sure they knew it was going to be used on the 16X Manual Servo Lens. They told me it would work fine, except there wouldn't be any focus control. Fine with me... I didn't want it for focusing. The gadget works nicely, for the most part.

But there are a few issues. The first is it came with no instructions. Just the gadget inside the box. That seemed peculiar. Then there's the on/off issue: I keep my Xl-1s in the Standby Mode, oftentimes; but if I have the Zoe controller hooked up, it automatically brings the camera back to life in 10 seconds. So I have to unplug it when I want to remain in Standby. Another thing is sometimes left pressure zooms out, and right pressure zooms in. The next time I plug it in, it might work just the opposite. So I find myself "testing" often, just to make sure I don't go the wrong way when I need the shot. This issue makes me nuts. Sometimes, if I hit the zoom rocker too soon after plugging in the connector, the zoom doesn't work at all. The fix is to unplug and plug it back in. But my biggest peeve is the skanky little screws they use to mount the thing to the bar. They're thin and long, and sometimes they catch on things because they stick out so far. And, aesthetically, the gadget doesn't look like something that costs over three hundred bucks.

Other than these things, I'm okay with it. But I'd probably trade it for a Manfrotto (I have a couple of their tripods & heads, and I'm pleased with them), if someone wanted to.

No thanks, I tried the Zoe and returned it even without the problems you mention. Just didn't care for the feel (and the look) for the money.

But your issues seem like warranty issues. And there was a little instruction sheet in my box. You have to be wondering, as I am, whether that might be a unit already returned once for those problems.

I would suggest Charles forward a copy of his post to 16x9inc, the U.S. distributors of the Zoe product line, and see if you get a response from them concerning your problems. Let us know what transpires. If you spend the amount of money a Zoe costs, you deserve to have a reliable device, and yours seems suspect, as Fred pointed out. BTW, the Zoe has a 2 year warranty, so you should be in good shape. I would assume 16x9 will want you to return the unit to them for investigation, but let's see what happens.

As far as those long screws, I'm sure there are a lot of users that like them becuase they allow the device to be mounted to a variety of pan bars, jib handles, steadicam-type devices, etc. Guess you can't please everybody, but I found the Zoe to have the most professional-like feel and performance available in the market. But that's just my opinion.

Please contact 16x9inc.
Tel: 818-972-2839
James Lee
Technical Support Manager/Sales
jamesl@16x9inc.com

HTH

Wayne Orr, SOC

My first post reads more negatively than I intended. I should have said that I personally didn't like the feel, and for that much money one needs to be satisfied, so I returned it. Someone else might not like the feel of the Manfrotto I wound up with.

Regarding the possiblity that this unit was a previous return, any seller who accepts returns necessarily fills some orders with goods that have been returned. The previous buyer, if there was one, might not have even mentioned any problems.

Well I'll admit to being a babe in the woods when it comes to the retail business.... but it seems to me that if you ordered a new unit you should have received one. One that was refurbished or returned should be flagged as an "open box special" from my experience. Your mileage may vary...

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Wayne:

I took your suggestion and forwarded the post to James.

FYI, I'm like many consumers... too lazy to be responsible and follow up, sometimes. The gadget works, so I just put up with the issues I discussed. To be honest, it didn't cross my mind the thing might be broken. I just thought the species (zoom controllers in general) might be a bit... sensitive, since I've never used one before.

And the screws... I knew that's why they were so long. They could have been a little beefier, however. I have worried I might bend them by catching them on things.

Fred:

I actually have no complaint about the "feel." It zooms nicely, in my opinion. It still think it doesn't look like it should cost over three hundred bucks. And the comment about the Manfrotto one is simply because my experience with their tripods and heads has been pleasant. I've never had a single problem with either of mine. Well, except for the time I dropped the big one straight down on my toe, and, of course, I was wearing sandals and it hit the one with the ingrown toe nail; but that wasn't Manfrotto's fault.

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Wayne:

Reply from James (per your request):

"Dear sender,

I will be out of the office from August 19th and returning
August 29th. If you have an urgent request, please contact our office for immediate attention. Our office telephone
number is ( 818 ) 972-2839.

Thank you."

I don't mean units that were returned as defective. But if an item is returned simply because the buyer changed his mind, even B&H will put it back in inventory after checking it over. That's why they say returns must be in pristine condition with all the original packaging.

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Well, I've not heard back from 16:9's James; and now I'm not sure whom I need to contact if I, indeed, have a warranty issue.

I noticed when I was using it this weekend there were a couple times when I would zoom in or out, and it would keep doing that after I let go of the button. I would have to unplug it to make it quit.

I'm not too thrilled with this Zoe zoomer.