Are The Low Cost Articulating Arm Stabilizers Any Good? at DVinfo.net

David Ziegelheim · April 3rd, 2005, 01:40 PM

Some history: First, I bought a Glidecam 2000. Are to both get it balanced and hold it stably. The added their forearm support and quick release assembly. Now the camera could be stable longer. It was also easier to balance, clamping the forearm support to a table. And the camera could be mounted and removed without disturbing its mounting position.

Now, Varizoom is offering the DV Sportster for $800 and Glidecam has the Smooth Shooter for $1500. Both work with the Glidecam 2000.

Are these any good? Are both ok? The Varizoom unit is much less expensive, however the Glidecam looks so much better in the pictures.

Thanks,

David

Glidecam Smooth Shooter:
http://www.glidecam.com/smooth_shooter.html

Varizoom DV Sportster:
http://www.varizoom.com/flowcam/dvsportster.php

Charles King · April 3rd, 2005, 10:33 PM

Without trying either of them I would go with the Glidecam without any hesitation. I still say you should test drive both but knowing the characteristics of the design of the Glidecam shooter I'll take it over the Varizoom any day. This is simply because I've been using the Glidecam shooter spring design a long time before it became available. So I know the system should work.

Chris Hurd · April 3rd, 2005, 10:38 PM

See my write-up of the VariZoom DV Sportster here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsu...sportster1.php

We'll have a full working review of it soon.

John Sandel · April 3rd, 2005, 11:44 PM

Chris, that's a great piece. Do you plan to include rundowns on any competing rigs?

Charles Papert · April 4th, 2005, 01:14 AM

I'm hoping to blast through all of the products of this type at NAB this year, perhaps I can memorialize my thoughts on them for the Watchdog.

John Sandel · April 4th, 2005, 01:28 AM

I wish you would. Your experience would add real value to even brief reviews.

April 3rd, 2005, 01:40 PM	#1
David Ziegelheim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warren, NJ Posts: 398	Are The Low Cost Articulating Arm Stabilizers Any Good? Some history: First, I bought a Glidecam 2000. Are to both get it balanced and hold it stably. The added their forearm support and quick release assembly. Now the camera could be stable longer. It was also easier to balance, clamping the forearm support to a table. And the camera could be mounted and removed without disturbing its mounting position. Now, Varizoom is offering the DV Sportster for $800 and Glidecam has the Smooth Shooter for $1500. Both work with the Glidecam 2000. Are these any good? Are both ok? The Varizoom unit is much less expensive, however the Glidecam looks so much better in the pictures. Thanks, David Glidecam Smooth Shooter: http://www.glidecam.com/smooth_shooter.html Varizoom DV Sportster: http://www.varizoom.com/flowcam/dvsportster.php

April 3rd, 2005, 10:33 PM	#2
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Without trying either of them I would go with the Glidecam without any hesitation. I still say you should test drive both but knowing the characteristics of the design of the Glidecam shooter I'll take it over the Varizoom any day. This is simply because I've been using the Glidecam shooter spring design a long time before it became available. So I know the system should work. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

April 3rd, 2005, 10:38 PM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	See my write-up of the VariZoom DV Sportster here: http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camsu...sportster1.php We'll have a full working review of it soon. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 3rd, 2005, 11:44 PM	#4
John Sandel Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: stately Eldora Road Posts: 386	Cool! Chris, that's a great piece. Do you plan to include rundowns on any competing rigs?

April 4th, 2005, 01:14 AM	#5
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	I'm hoping to blast through all of the products of this type at NAB this year, perhaps I can memorialize my thoughts on them for the Watchdog. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

April 4th, 2005, 01:28 AM	#6
John Sandel Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: stately Eldora Road Posts: 386	I wish you would. Your experience would add real value to even brief reviews.