AVIATOR- new from varizoom

[Eran Dan]

Is any one tried the new AVIATOR from varizoom and have any comment about it? looks like the flyer visually.
thanks

[Tom Wills]

Wow, looks scarily similar to the Flyer. Wonder if they got the isoelasticity right (or at least the amount the Flyer has). The only real redeeming quality I can see that would make it different than the Flyer is the adjustable post. It's all about how it flys though, and I really don't have much experience with Varizoom in that arena.

[MikkoWilson]

Hmm..  looks like a super lightweight version of the Archer, similar shap base, single telescope, and a SK/mini/Flyer type stage.
Wierd gimble with that big handle on it.
Arm looks like ust another spring lamp arm. - Might have decent bearings hard to tell, but it's not Iso, not evne close. - Same old one spring across the diaganol trick.
Vest looks prety decent, pity it's only a pin to hold in the arm.

Jsut my coments from looking at the pictures..

Njaah, it looks like an usable lightweight rig, i've seen what looks MUCH better on HBS though.. I certainly woudlnt' pay $4500 for it.  looks like it's out there to contend with both Flyer and SS, looks a bit like a flyer, but for less, same price as the SS but does more.
"Aviator"  ..beacuse "Flyer" was taken?
I await someone's actual review of it...

(in my personal oppinion) varizoon should stick to zoom controlers. Why does everyone have to build a stabilizer?

- Mikko

[Charles King]

Mmm, what images are you all looking at? I do not see it in the post?

[Charles King]

Is any one tried the new AVIATOR from varizoom and have any comment about it? looks like the flyer visually.
thanks

Okay had type in varizoom.com to go to the site. Eran. That is not new. It's the same rig that they took over from Hollywood lite when they went bankrupt a couple of years ago. The name has just been changed while still keep the  'GT' insignia from the old company. It was called Hollywood Lite. So it's not new. In fact the guy who design it worked with cinema products before he left to market his own design.

Here is an old link I found still on the net:

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=brands&brand=Hollywood%20Lite

[Eran Dan]

Charles:
have you tried this one yet? looks like the flyer no?
usually you try most of them 
thanks
eran

[Charles King]

Unfortuanately I have not tried it. Personally I do not like the look of the arm. It reminds me of the old mini shich I do not like. Personal taste. If you have tried the mini than there is no difference. It was made to compete with the mini at the time or so it would seem.

[Job Scholtze]

Why does everyone have to build a stabilizer?

Well, i have to say this, THANK GOD FOR THE COMPETITION. Otherwise we all drive a lada

[Charles King]

Totally agree Job. Mikko, compitition is inevitable. The market needs it. Not everyone can afford the high end. If I could I probably won't have started HBS in the first place. Of course not every company that comes out with a stabilizer means that are of top quality but it's the end user who decides.

I know you are totally pro steadicam and that's good. I too love steadicam but development will always move forward with someone else making it better, even for the steadicam system.  Go Garrett

[MikkoWilson]

I totally agree, competition is great. - but a flooded market damages everyone.
Back when there where just a few stabilizer manufactureres thre was a choice for everyone, and for some even GC is the choice (happy now Job?).
Today it just seems that everone want s apeiece of the cake, and there are too many rigs out there. Take Sachtler as an example (and nothing more) They make excelt tripods, and kick ass pedestalls (I work with both) .. But why did they make Stabilizer? Why not just stick with what they are good at?
Varizoom has the Flowpod, inovative, clever, cool.. But do they need to offer all the same stuff that eveyone else is too?
Lada makes a car that is about the most reliable car in winter conditions. They coudl make a SUV, or a sports car, but what's the point, they have soemthign great, why spoil it?
Glidecam makes cheap stabilizers, for the most part that's what they do (ok, so they have a jib too.. again, why?) and they are getting prety darn good at it to. Good for them for stickign with their product and striving to make it better. From the V16 "it does everything a real steadicam does, just as well, but for less" BS, to the V25, they have come a long way.

I'm not going to bother arguing over who is better and why (we all know.. it's the rig that works for you)
I'm just saying that there's a lot of rigs our there that really are nothing more than a copycat that does nothing to improve the product, but to saturate the market, hurting manufacturers and operators alike.

- Mikko

[Tom Wills]

I'll second some of what Mikko says, especially the part that some competition is good - it drives markets to develop and innovate. But, I know that for every Glidecam, there are 10 "Steadypod"'s or whatever they feel like calling themselves out there. Those things and their false advertizing make anyone believe that picking up a stick with a camera on one end and a weight on the other makes you a professional operator.

Now about Job, I completely understand your need to debate, but sometimes you come off a little angrier than I think you intend.

[Job Scholtze]

Because i get a little tired by people making statements about products the know very little on.
Not angry

And for some GC is even a choice? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Man you crack me up

[Leigh Wanstead]

Why not let the market to decide instead of talking down to other non steadicam product? At least 30 years old patent already expired and that is what patent to have an expiring date for 20 years.

Regards
Leigh

[Leigh Wanstead]

By the way, Tiffen originally make filter too FYI.

Regards
Leigh

[MikkoWilson]

Because i get a little tired by people making statements about products the know very little on.
Not angry

Agreed.

And for some GC is even a choice? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Man you crack me up

I thought you'd like that.

 - Mikko