V-25 Vest Modification - Tightening the bottom strap

[Tom Daigon]

I find that trying to tighten the bottom strap on the vest  involves reaching awkwardly around (after buckling - I love the buckles on the vest) to yank on the strap which really stresses out the rotator cuff of my right arm. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can add some kind of tightening device (ratchet or ?) to make the tightening process more effective and less painfully awkward. I really like that belt nice and snug.

[Phil Kindred]

Your best bet is to replace the buckles with ratchets.  I've had both on my vest and I swear by the ratchets.  You can get a nice snug fit.

[Tom Daigon]

Nice vest       The ratchet sounds good, the problem is the placement.  The buckle connects in the back and if I replaced it (somehow?) with a ratchet, the problem is still getting comfortable accessibility to the ratchet to tighten it.
The placement on your rear mount vest is great, but I don't have any idea how that could be implemented with the Glidecam V-25 vest...do you?

[Phil Kindred]

Check out Charles front mount vest and you will see what I mean.     Full Rigs section.

[Tom Daigon]

Phil, Ive searched the site and havnt found any Full Rigs Section. Can you be more specific?

[Charles King]

If you look here in this same forum under the title modding the efp vest you will see it. Or here you go: http://hbsboard.com/index.php/topic,2691.0.html or here: http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=4219

[Tom Daigon]

Thanks Charles. Man, you sure are handy in the DIY realm. I can see that adding a ratchet is beyond my ability or desire. Oh well, I can make due with the contortion approach to tightening ;-)

[Vladimir Korshunov]

Hi Tom! The Full Rigs Section is on the front page:

http://www.homebuiltstabilizers.com/

[Tom Daigon]

Thanks Vladimir. Wow Charles. What a wonderful rig! I am very impressed !. It is a real thing of beauty. I bet it functions as nicely as it looks. Nice job!

[Charles King]

Hey Tom. Are you still going to upgrade to Ratchets? Tiffen has them for cheap. Also it should not be hard to do the upgrade. It makes a huge difference.