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Miller Compass 25 sticks?

Joshua Hoareau

Joshua Hoareau

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Location
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www.cinestudios.com.au
Hey all. I'm buying a Miller Compass 25 but am still stuck on which sticks to buy for it.
The main 4 sets that come in kits with the Compass 25 are these:

Toggle 2-ST Sticks $3603
http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/p/...toggle-2-st-tripod-system-mi1851.html?cat=200

2-Stage Allow System $3830
http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/p/22177/miller-1852-compass25-2-stage-alloy-system-mi1852.html

Solo ENG-3 Stage Carbon Fibre Sticks $3868
http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/p/...stage-carbon-fibre-system-mi1857.html?cat=200

Sprinter II - 2 Stage Carbon Fibre Sticks $4915
http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/p/...stage-carbon-fibre-system-mi1854.html?cat=200


Now the last set being the most expensive is really pushing my budget, but what is the main differences between the first two sets and last set?
All I can find is that carbon fibre is lighter. I don't really care about hauling around heavy gear. I'm a big guy and do that most of the time anyways.
So I'm happy to spend less for heavier gear. But are there any other factors that can explain the big price gap?


Thanks!
 
Hi Joshua, I got the Miller factory tour here in Artarmon, they really know their stuff. The price gaps are in the various materials used and the procedures they use to assemble each rig and test it. The special carbon grease is 1000 bucks per small tin!

I've got the Miller Compass 15 from the 2nd production run here in Artarmon 4yrs ago, love it.

I bought the carbon fibre Solo sticks, my total Canon camera weights might be lighter than yours, hence the 25 I guess?

Here's what I found, the CF sticks didn't *seem* that lighter than the aluminium to me, but in use, CF resists twisting a tad better. When new, all my 15 head drag controls were stiff and over time they've loosened up as designed.

With the 15 I always dial 0 on all the drag controls before I put it away in the supplied bag so the drag is released and the controls get 'used' when I set it up each time.

I stuck a strip of white adhesive tape on the lower left side of the camera with balance marks on it for the positions for the various camera attachments when balanced on the sticks. The Solo sticks lower to nearly ground level. After 1yr I took the whole rig into Artarmon and they serviced it, checking the head etc. All Ok.

For a hard case, 4yrs ago, Miller USA had a better case and price than the local one, check that out.

With the 2-St, there's 2 other users in Melbourne, when they sniff a sale the Videoguys might give
you their phone numbers :)

Cheers.
 
Thanks for the info Allan! Yeah I'm going for the 25 as I'm running an Epic rig kitted up. Though I can't afford the O'connor tripods. So really not much difference in the usability of the sticks apart from the materials used?
 
Joshua, yep I'd say so but I'm not really ofay with the usability of those sticks you listed. Try contacting the 2 guys who bought them in the Videoguys customer reviews.

Make sure you can run it with your tricked out Epic minus the ground spreader, it would worry me, needs to be on level ground, aka a studio floor. And its got a standard Euro plate.

Take your time because camera bodies come and go, but a good tripod will last a lifetime.

Cheers.
 
I bought the Manfrotto 536 sticks for my Miller Compass 25. Tom Lowe uses them and if they are good enough for Tom, they are EASILY good enough for me. They are carbon fiber, 4-stages and work well.

$3,500 total for below
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/556158-REG/Manfrotto_536_536_4_Section_Carbon_Fiber.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/721712-REG/Miller_1038_Compass_25_Fluid_Head.html

Tom's post
http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?55949-Tom-Lowe&p=788830&viewfull=1#post788830
http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?55949-Tom-Lowe&p=788815&viewfull=1#post788815
 
Ohhh they look very strong! The only thing is what are the advantages of having a tripod with mid level spreader and what not? Because if I'm using a big rig and want to adjust the legs this tripod looks like it would difficult to do so with a heavy rig ontop?
 
Joshua Hoareau said:
Ohhh they look very strong! The only thing is what are the advantages of having a tripod with mid level spreader and what not? Because if I'm using a big rig and want to adjust the legs this tripod looks like it would difficult to do so with a heavy rig ontop?
Click to expand...

You're right about that. I can't do it by myself. Or if I am by myself, I use my quick release and set the rig down.
 
I've been using the Miller Sprinter II CFs (with a Compass 25) for over a year now and I love them. They're strong and stable. Personally, I like the reassurance that comes with a mid-level spreader. Haven't used the Solos yet, but I've heard they are great, too.
 
Got the Compass 25 head which is great. The Toggle legs are rubbish, the plastic around the clamps cracks making them unable to lock. Repaired under warranty, yes, but what happens when the warranty runs out and they crack again?

Sprinter legs, on the other hand are solid, and have a different clamping system. They come in alloy as well as carbon fiber, and ground spreader is an option. You'll probably have to give Videoguys a ring and see if they can put together a package for you as I don't believe it's a normal Miller "system package"

Andy Roberts showed me some pictures of a neat adapter plate he had made up to go between the Compass head and RED dovetail (eliminating the Euro plate and forward/aft adjustment plate on the Compass head, performing balance adjustments with the dovetail instead) - never did that with mine but I like the concept.
 
Just bought the Miller 925 HD Carbon Fibre Sticks from Chad Lancaster! Looking forward to testing them :) Look like amazing sticks! Waiting for my Compass 25 to come in as well :P
 
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