Just goes to show...to each his own. ;)

Peter,

Would love some pics of the new ratchet buckles as well as a link or information where you got them...

Thanks,
Scott

Peter,

I agree with Scott and would really appreciate seeing a few pics and / or info.

Thanks.

David
DMS

I will get the info up eventually but have been swamped with a lot of different projects.

I look forward to the info as soon as you have a chance.

Hey Peter,

Any chance you can give some info on the ratchet buckles you are using? Where you got them? Pics would be a bonus.. I am hoping to upgrade a system soon.. any help would be great..

Thanks,
Scott

Got my pilot today and this velcro business is a pile o' poop! Seriously Tiffen. ITs the most fiddly, stick to everytyhing, noisy thing going. Glad I got a roll of seatbelt material, buckles and some velcro to make my own quick release clips.

I have a Glidecam smoothshooter vest which is metal and buckles and that feels more solid (but not as portable). So will be spending this week modifying the whole vest.

The actual unit is wonderful, really well done.

I have had discussion about the Pilot vest with various folks at Tiffen including Garrett.

The intent of the design was to make something that was extremely adjustable, very lightweight and simple, could fold flat to make transport easy and could be worn under other clothes (good for wedding photographers who have to wear a jacket, for instance).

They are aware that folks who don't have those specific concerns would like a vest that has "proper" buckles on it and, last I heard, are considering offering one as an option. However don't quote me on this, nor go calling them up and saying "Charles Papert said...".

I myself have never been able to get in and out of the thing without completely confusing myself or ending up holding a loose piece in my hand with no clue where it goes.

Haha, I put it on yesterday and ended up with a piece in my hand. I was worried I missed something and it was going to fall off :)

I instantly said "Uh Oh" when I put it down on my carpet and when I tried to pick it up I had to peel it from the carpet. My main concern is I work in quite close quarters sometimes at weddings and the last thing I want is for some exposed hook to catch somones expensive outfit and get a slap.

So I have a 10m roll of nylon (seatbelt) webbing, 4 meters of hook and loop velcro. 5, high quality buckles and a sewing machine at the ready. Im going to fully buckle this badboy and still maintain its ability to fit many sizes. Photos when done.

Danny-

If you have not looked at them yet, check out the modifications at the beginning of this thread. Peter Chung kind of got the ball rolling, and several of us have modified our Merlin/Pilot Vests.

I shoot in a lot of backstage environments, and boy do those velour drapes love to grab onto exposed Velcro hook!

I work in a Camera Strap factory by day, so I was able to cobble together some nylon webbing, Velcro taps and some side-release buckle style hardware to make replacement straps for mine. I have not looked back since!

Hi Frank,

Im actually int he middle of modding my vest based on your design. Difference being the shoulder straps will double back on themselves much like the side ones and I will use more velcro to secure in place rather than the triglide.

This is similar to the flyer and glidecam vests.

Just need somone to sew the velcro on now and both mum and the mother in law are on holiday.

I have now modified my vest to completely use quick release buckles and all mounted to nylon webbing for smooth changes to the size and added strength.

I mostly went with Franks design although added nylon webbing to the shoulder supports too. Also I opted to double back the webbing and use velcro to secure it which is much more like the flyers vest.

Also on the arm is a stitched piece of webbing for the arm stay.

I just bought a Flyer vest. Anyone wanting a spare Pilot/Merlin vest, make me an offer.

Nick - is that a Pilot with Merlin arm & vest or just the vest or ?? I may be interested

Just the Pilot Vest is for sale.
I will now be using the Pilot with the Flyer vest.

There is a famous Austrian fashionista who had this same problem. He didn't figure out a solution like you did, and he ended up losing his job.

Just had my gimble recentred by the very helpful James from Tiffen UK and he confirmed they are working on an upgrade kit for the pilot vest to give you adjustable straps.

He said my vest modifications were very similar to their own and he was keen for a look. Prolly just checking I havnt copied it exactly with stolen secrets or something :)

I know Charles said some time ago the upgrade was coming but it seems it cant be too far off now.

The velcro straps on the Pilot are easy to adjust. I tried the Flyer vests with the buckles in class - both the regular and the leather versions, and I found them much harder to adjust than the Pilot vest, especially making adjustments as you are wearing the sled.

The only issue I have with the Pilot is the velcro straps wearing out, but extra straps are are available from Tiffen, so I buy an extra set once a year. See my earlier post in this thread for details.

I can see how some people might not like the velcro straps, especially if you work around stage curtains, but implying that the straps that come with the Pilot vest are not adjustable is incorrect.

-) Try doing it after you have already been going for 12 hours, your exhausted, starving, dehydrated, the venue's lights are dimmed right down and the frigging straps have all peeled off when you picked the the vest up off the carpet! Just unwrapped the Flyer vest and love it.

How much was the Flyer vest?

Ratchet buckels
 

Peter,

Any word on those ratchet buckles and where you got them??

Thinking of giving the buckle mod another go.

Anyone heard anything from Steadicam about the mod they are meant to be coming out with? I emailed Mike Craigs a few weeks back but got no response.

Anyone got an email for Frank Rush as he was the last person i spoke to about it at SMPTE09? Would love to give him an email but have no contact info.

My velcro straps are slowly getting near the end of their life and i'd rather go buckles than buy more straps.

Try contacting Peter Abraham, he's always been responsive to me.

Just go a reply from Mike Craigs.

"As for the Pilot vest upgrade, we are so close to having them that I can almost hear the snap of the new buckles! We will make an announcement once we receive stock of them. I am hoping everyone is satisfied by the design.


Best regards,
Michael Craigs"

Not far now.

count me in!

Pilot velcro to buckles, here's my mod.
 

Here's my Pilot buckle conversion, it works so much better than velcro.

Paul.

Steadicam now has the buckle mod available for sale. Contact tiffen if interested. I just installed mine. I believe I was the 3rd person to purchase them. May require some trimming of the lower waist straps if you have a size 36 waist or slimmer.

VERY happy with it :).

Randy how much was the mod ?
Do you have a link ?
Do you have pictures ?

Paul.

Ditto.
Cant find anything on steadicams website.
Ditto.

If this upgrade isnt good enough i'll probably dump the pilot vest and get a flyer vest.

I'd still really like to upgrade to the flyer.. but i think its almost time for a refresh. NAB2K10 might bring some good news. Who knows..

Hey Randy. Would love to see some pics of the Tiffen one. As much as I love my own ones the official ones might be more secure or flexible.

I'll get some pics up within a few days.

Nice work Paul!

You are now officially a seasoned Steadicam Op :)

Not yet but i'm trying, off on a course in March, i've been doing a fair bit of practice though.

The buckle vest is so much better, i can get it on and tight in about 20 secs.

Paul.

Have asked my dealer to contact steadicam re the buckle mod.. however i'd like to see some photos before i make a purchase.. any chance Randy?

Just contacted Tiffen myself. I needed a new set of straps anyways, so I figured I'd go for the buckles instead of the straight Velcro. The New York office hadn't heard of it, but they're putting me in touch with the factory - I'll let you guys know if I can get them.

Just a quick update - I just got off the phone with Tiffen, the straps are available even though there's been no real press release or updates about them. They're a little expensive, but I think it'll be worth it. To get them, get in touch with Steadicam in Glendale at 818-843-4600 x7913 (as copied from their website). Michael Craigs over there gave me all the information I needed.

Sorry I've been slacking on the pics, I've been really busy shooting. It's calmed down so I'll have them up before the weekend.

Cheers

Cheers Randy, we all know how it gets! Thank you.

So how much are they?