Categorizing levels of Stabilizer brands - Part 1

[Charles King]

The purpose of this post is to give you all an idea of the different levels of stabilizer available today. Now, being that we are all different in terms of needs, preference and most of all - Budget; there is going to be differences in the type of rigs we will purchase. About 80% (not official) of all final decisions are based on the budget factor. So I decided to put down what I think the levels or classes of stabilizers as it pertains to our purchase power. Please remember this is article is solely my assessments. So I hope this will shed some light on how to narrow down your purchase to getting exactly what fits your needs but most of all, your pockets. The different lists below are in no chronological order:

Top of the line - High-End  systems without compromise

This is where you definitely get what you pay for. Quality and technological advancements in the field that is your business. If you are a full-time operator with big budget films and documentaries to your long list of clientèle then you will need a system that shows the customers you mean business. This is where you leave no room for errors. As an operator you need your equipment to be top notch, ready to handles pretty much anything that is thrown its way. So quality gear is the norm for you. Your choices are easy:

Steadicam
Pro GPI
MK-v modular option
XCS Inc.
Klassen Vest
Jerry Hill products - For the sled adapter battery base.

Mid-Range systems that offer stabilizing setups for the buck

This should work for new aspiring operators just getting started:

Steadirig
Glidecam
Baer-Bel
Sachtler
Actioncam
Movecam

Low Range systems that offer a somewhat reasonable cost for novice and indie film-makers:

Flycam
Basson
Handyman
Cam mate

For the Hobbyist wanting a smaller system then the handheld will probably work in your favor. These are the only two systems I can recommend. There are others which I haven't tested yet:

Steadicam
Glidecam

Now for all the above systems, there are pros and cons which you will have to decide for yourself. Each brand name have options that are either the same or different than their competitor. You will have to decide on what you need or is important to you and your operation. My next post will be Version 2 which will categorize the individual preference of rigs.

PART 2

[trung dau]

Very useful information Charles. I think the best suitable rig for beginner is Glidecam V-25 , only 8000 for a full rig. That sound very cheap for professional, but not for me 

[Tom Wills]

Charles, Baer-Bel isn't what I'd call mid-range by any sense of the word. I'd say that they're up there with the other "Pro" manufacturers. I know that Baer-Bel Dovetails, Quick release adapters, gimbals, vests, and accessories are used all throughout the biz. Plus, I own some Baer-Bel gear myself.

[Charles King]

I understand but can you get a complete high-end  package mentioned  for the price of a Baer-Bel?? Another thing, Have you tried the Baer-Bel rig? Compare it to the those I mentioned then let me know what you think. Again , as I said in the beginning of the post, it's my assessement, so naturally if you feel different then by all means There's no doubt that they offer really good rigs but trust me, there is a difference with the baer-Bel rigs compare to all those high-end rigs I mentioned.

[Joe Sanders]

Hey Charles,

As you are very aware I know absolutely nothing about commercial rigs.  Never even had one on.  I saw some at the NAB 2000 but that was it.

In fact the only rig I have ever worn is the one I built, so I couldn’t tell you if it was the rig or operator error that made my videos so terrible (probably a little of both).

Anyway what is it that makes the “Pro” rigs so much better than the mid priced ones?

[Tom Wills]

Ah, so you're doing it based some more on price. Personally, and as you said, this is all opinions, I'd put Steadyrig and Baer-Bel somewhere between Pro and Mid-Level, but hey, if one's gotta pick one, it's a 50/50 shot! Other than that, I think that this is a really great list, and a great idea to be able to tell people where their current gear fits into this spectrum.

[Charles King]

Ah, so you're doing it based some more on price. Personally, and as you said, this is all opinions, I'd put Steadyrig and Baer-Bel somewhere between Pro and Mid-Level, but hey, if one's gotta pick one, it's a 50/50 shot! Other than that, I think that this is a really great list, and a great idea to be able to tell people where their current gear fits into this spectrum.

Tom, please don't misunderstand me. Read through my post again. It is certainly not based on price but the quality and performance of these equipment. The steadirig, which I've tested had some very bad performance issue. Maybe it's just that particular one but there are others who prefer the higher-end rigs because of one simple reason - Performance. That's the key. It's the quality of the performance of a rig that makes it or breaks it.

I bet you if you place all the arms available today on a table and you were asked to test them out you will see what I have been talking about. It's really hard to convince someone when they havn't tried it themseleves. That's why I always say, I can always give you a review on things but in the end it's the buyer who decides. He must test out the different systems to understand the performance difference with these rigs.

The mid-range system may not exactly be MID-RANGE but the performance do tell them apart from the rest.

Joe, I think this should also answer your question

[Charles King]

Joe, I hope I answered your question? 

[Joe Sanders]

Thanks Charles,

It’s hard to describe esoteric, concepts with words.

If a picture can tell a thousand words, than strapping it on can tell a million.

[Charles King]

Thanks Charles,

It’s hard to describe esoteric, concepts with words.

If a picture can tell a thousand words, than strapping it on can tell a million.

Exactly! That's what I've been trying to convey here, especially to Tom. You really need to test these rigs out to get a feeling of what I am trying to say. I think alot of operators will tell you the seem. Mikko and Job will verify that easily.

[MikkoWilson]

This is very easy.

(yes, I just verified the above comments. You have to try a rig to know how it performs.)

Interestingly, the best rigs normally take longer to try out as you can push them furthur. A crappy rig will present it's flaws quickly when tested by an experienced operator.

- Mikko

[Tom Wills]

Well, yes, I do agree that you have to try these rigs to truly know where they sit. I just was basing my comments on what I've seen (and used) of Glidecam's rigs, and how my Baer-Bel gear performs. Sure, I don't own a full rig from either company, but still, I guess I was basing my opinion entirely on the parts I do own, and not on the System as a whole.

[Wade Francom]

There is a reason why the pro companies charge what they do for their product.

And...on the same note... there is a reason why an operator is willing to to pay that price for that product.

Tom, put a couple more years of experience running rigs underneath your belt...then come back to this thread and re-read it. You'll probably come back, probably having trashed your current rig several times over...having opted for new expensive parts or even a full rig that has cost you a fortune. Why?

Because others like you have come along, tested it out, put their time into it, put their craftsmanship into it, worked out all the bugs, and have made the rig a work of art...all so that we, the operators, don't have to worry about squeaks, scrapes, tweaks, dings, and all the other technical or mechanical malfunctions that may come along.

When you begin to pursue steadicam operation as more of a career than as a hobby, you'll start to understand.

[Joe Sanders]

Tom, put a couple more years of experience running rigs underneath your belt...then come back to this thread and re-read it. You'll probably come back, probably having trashed your current rig several times over...having opted for new expensive parts or even a full rig that has cost you a fortune. Why?

Yes it’s an amazing day when you find out your Dad knew what he was talking about all along.

[Job Scholtze]

The list charles made is about right. The bear bell isnt that good. The arm sucks( very limited boomrange), the vest sucks and the gimbal, well the ones i tryd where not good. The sachtler same story. Its what mikko says, you can push a rig so much further than you can possible think.

You cant comment about it IF you are not working with it on a daily basis.  You cant comment about it based on pictures. And you simply cant comment about it if you didnt try them. Its as simple as that.

Regards