FS-Pro -SM1

[Luis Sinibaldi]

Hi,
Has anyone ever tried the FS Pro-SM1 stabilizer. I've been contacted by a user named Emanuel regarding buying it as a group and getting a discount, but I'd like to hear from someone that has used it. (or see in) seems like its an out of the country purchase, and I'm always afraid when purchasing from an unknown company from another country.
Thanks.
http://www.fsprostabilisateur.com/english/index.htm

[Charles King]

Unfortunately most of the users here havn't tried it but there seems to be some buyers who have purchased their system and are satisfied with the results. Why not contact some of them that they have posted on their site? Just a tip. Or maybe someone will answer this post.

[Luis Sinibaldi]

Thanks Charles,
I'm just being cautious. Its difficult to plop down this kind of money on a purchase that is being done through paypal, overseas, and with not information on how good the product is.
I'll try to contact some of those people, but I hope someone on this board preferably in the LA area might reply.
Thank you again.

[Charles King]

Thanks Charles,
I'm just being cautious. Its difficult to plop down this kind of money on a purchase that is being done through paypal, overseas, and with not information on how good the product is.
Thank you again.

I understand completely. It's always the tough choice if you havn't tested it out yourself. May I ask your budget?

[Luis Sinibaldi]

hahahah. that's funny Charles, budget, haha. (Oh, I guess I better explain. There is no budget, in fact the budget is in the negative) Its just that Emanuel was trying to get a group of people to buy this item in a group and I thought that I would eventually buy a stabilizer unit. But if he can get between $300 to $600 off the price now, then maybe I can plop down one of my credit cards, and plan to do most of my shots with the rig, rathern than spending 500-700 on a dolly, and 300-500 on a shoulder mount. Since the unit is not as expensive as the others, I could justify it.
Why do you ask?

[Charles King]

I ask because I was thinking of recommending a system for the money. That's the reason.

[Luis Sinibaldi]

ahh, thanks Charles. I've been looking at these types of systems, but at $2300 there really seems to be nothing able to handle over 14lb. and according to the discount, this could be between 300-600 less. So that's why I was interested in purchasing even though I can't afford it yet. I know the SteadyCam Flyer? (is that the model?) is the way to go, but the Glidecam V25 is not bad also. But all these are around 5k and above. The idea of a stabilizer under 2k that could handle up to 20lb. sounds great. So I'll see. I sent an email to Emanuel, and to Frederick from FS-Pro. We'll see what happens.
Thanks again.

[Charles King]

So I'll see. I sent an email to Emanuel, and to Frederick from FS-Pro. We'll see what happens.
Thanks again.

Good luck in getting more info. Let use know when you do decide to get it. Then you could put up a review

[Luis Sinibaldi]

Hey Charles,
Seems like you and I are both night owls.  If I do decide to get it, I'll definetly write a review, though I've never used another rig to compare it to (i've only done research.) but I would be happy to even hear of someone that has even seen the unit at a trade show or something. I'd just like to hear that it is real 

[Charles King]

Well it's morning on this end, around 9.32 to be exact.

BTW, it's finally good to hear people are willing to test out a product first before they buy.   Good choice. Make sure you try and test all available systems then you will see the difference between the stabilizer manufacturers out there. Yes, even try the most expensive ones then you'll understand the difference the pros are talking about. Also you'll get a better understanding of a truely well built device.

[Emanuel A. Guedes]

Unfortunately most of the users here havn't tried it but there seems to be some buyers who have purchased their system and are satisfied with the results. Why not contact some of them that they have posted on their site? Just a tip. Or maybe someone will answer this post.

Exactly. As Luis already knows, here are some user testimonials or hints and contacts:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=809209&postcount=6
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=627331&postcount=22
http://boyadjy.canalblog.com/
http://www.production24fps.com/
http://www.productionsvideoms.com/
http://www.tayaout-nicolas.com/
http://www.fsprostabilisateur.com/english/testimonials/testimonials.htm
http://hbsboard.com/index.php/topic,2259.0.html

I've been in touch with the manufacturer and here are the tests* made where were tested 35 pounds as full maximum load on the arm with suspensions:

-6 pounds for the stabilizer;
-8 pounds of counterweight;
-21 pounds for the camera.

* Two tests over a period of 10 hours and non stop each.

[Tom Wills]

Can't quite believe that I missed reading this thread. Personally, although I admire your efforts Emanuel, I wouldn't be using my post as a recommendation. I outlined the reasons why in an edit I made to that post. I've never flown that rig, I only "recommended" it because it was the closest thing to what the person who started the thread wanted (something I've now learned generally isn't a good practice), not because I truly believed it to be significantly better than other products. (It might be, I don't know.) So, I'd appreciate my post not being part of a pitch to people for future reference, okay?

[Emanuel A. Guedes]

I wouldn't be using my post as a recommendation. I outlined the reasons why in an edit I made to that post. I've never flown that rig, I only "recommended" it because it was the closest thing to what the person who started the thread wanted (something I've now learned generally isn't a good practice), not because I truly believed it to be significantly better than other products. (It might be, I don't know.) So, I'd appreciate my post not being part of a pitch to people for future reference, okay?

Your post wasn't especially picked up 'cause your reference or its content either. Only the thread. One reason: it provides some info on the subject (as simple hint and it is above-mentioned).

If that thread's link includes your input, this is beyond any prior intention.

Just for clarifying any doubt.

[Tom Wills]

Thanks Emanuel. I hope you understand that I was just making sure that I wouldn't be giving advice that I wasn't qualified to make. Good luck on the venture!

[Emanuel A. Guedes]

No worries there. 

As matter of fact, Luis bought it. We're just handling with the shipping issues.

Here is another open thread related to:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=85261