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Skater: Can this be used for current RED Camera ?

JosephArthur

JosephArthur

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A typical red set up is not 52lbs...

Yes the PS Technik skater dolly works great using either the dovetail rocker/dovetail plate or the Steadybag...

There is a cheaper alternative... stand by while I find it.

Cheers

PS- This will get you in the ballpark of features that may need without the price tag.

http://omni-tracker.com/home.html

PSS- Here is a great thread by Lee Dashiell who was kind enough to post photos... Hope this helps.

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20696&highlight=awesome
 
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Michael Lindsay said:
I use the skater often with Red... very recommended!

the designer of the skater also has a red camera and is on this list...
Click to expand...

Yes I am glad the RED is being used on the Omni-Tracker or for that same matter the Skater as well. I really will be using this for our Indian Archives and Artifacts library and collections. I dont make money after what I am doing and its more personal for helping out my native community. But I will be glad to know what price to tell those whom ask who do shoot with their own cameras (still or digital).
 
I also own and use the P+S Skater, used it two days ago on a shoot. It is a tank and will easily hold a fully loaded RED. A couple of thoughts. If you have the ET bridgeplate, then look at getting the 30º rocker, allowing you to switch from tripod, to Skater. Also, one of the best features of the Skater is the laser pointer allowing for quick aiming of the wheels. A friend has the Junior Mini that he uses with his RED and uses the Steadybag (bean bag) that P+S sells, allowing for dutch angles. He also purchased the smooth gear module which is a flywheel that gives some resistance to your pushing/pulling, for even smoother shots. That can be used on either the Skater or the Junior.

Do I like it? Very much so. Is it overpriced? Absolutely. It is, after all, a glorified skateboard. That bean bag is ridiculously overpriced. But the Skater does make for some very smooth moves at super low angles. I also have the leveling supports, but think you'd be just as well off with a couple of saw horses or sand bags or apple boxes, etc., for your surface board. The leveling supports are nice enough, but require a turtle base or similar setup, meaning more stuff to lug around or have on hand. Overall, a fantastic product, made to last a lifetime.
 
Mark Phelan said:
I also own and use the P+S Skater, used it two days ago on a shoot. It is a tank and will easily hold a fully loaded RED. A couple of thoughts. If you have the ET bridgeplate, then look at getting the 30º rocker, allowing you to switch from tripod, to Skater. Also, one of the best features of the Skater is the laser pointer allowing for quick aiming of the wheels. A friend has the Junior Mini that he uses with his RED and uses the Steadybag (bean bag) that P+S sells, allowing for dutch angles. He also purchased the smooth gear module which is a flywheel that gives some resistance to your pushing/pulling, for even smoother shots. That can be used on either the Skater or the Junior.

Do I like it? Very much so. Is it overpriced? Absolutely. It is, after all, a glorified skateboard. That bean bag is ridiculously overpriced. But the Skater does make for some very smooth moves at super low angles. I also have the leveling supports, but think you'd be just as well off with a couple of saw horses or sand bags or apple boxes, etc., for your surface board. The leveling supports are nice enough, but require a turtle base or similar setup, meaning more stuff to lug around or have on hand. Overall, a fantastic product, made to last a lifetime.
Click to expand...

WOW thanks for the indepth information (absolutely appreciated). So I have the RED and a Satchler Tripod (hoping the head will work with this dolly) and I also have the ACTIONcam Red-Edition ( http://actionproducts.ch/actioncam/red-edition.html ) on order from Switzerland. With the Skater or the Omni-Tracker, I'll have some smooth shots when I can.

Also I just ordered the Black Phantom Spyder (and Kit) http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/Share/C...ter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Newsletters -- So I am going to attempt a steadicam / tripod mount on the rear
Image.ashx
 
Just watched the wonderhowto video and have some comments. His price of $250.00 is obviously much better, BUT, the Skater has a few features his knock-off is lacking. First, no way to lock the wheels at the desired angle. Second, no brake. This is pretty important as the dolly is a loose cannon just waiting to roll off of a ledge with your very expensive camera. The brake will not lock it down, but it does create enough friction to keep things from getting out of hand in a hurry. There are some important features on the original that don't appear on any of the variants I've seen.
 
Mark Phelan said:
Just watched the wonderhowto video and have some comments. His price of $250.00 is obviously much better, BUT, the Skater has a few features his knock-off is lacking. First, no way to lock the wheels at the desired angle. Second, no brake. This is pretty important as the dolly is a loose cannon just waiting to roll off of a ledge with your very expensive camera. The brake will not lock it down, but it does create enough friction to keep things from getting out of hand in a hurry. There are some important features on the original that don't appear on any of the variants I've seen.
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw his price for his system and seems to work reasonably well. But also the Omni-Tracker is in San Jose California, and would be more easier to attain than one from Germany - I am already still waiting for the Action Cam from Switzerland probably for another 2 weeks. (but am faithful to actioncam's endeavors). Although for $250.00 it could prove to be a good secondary tripod Camera B if risen to the project.
 
I didn't see the Omni-Tracker until after I purchased the Skater. I do like it a lot, especially the price, much more in line. I probably would have gone that route if I had known about it.
 
Yeah I saw the Skater model and all its awards. and i was like WOW this thing really is cool. But then i saw the price tag of the Skater, cause prices really dont deter me from getting something more often than not I'll take the suggestion from the folks at Silverado Systems for Erik , Ryan, and Torrey's suggestions.

But I am so glad i found the Omni-Tracker for that price point. (which made my decision for me)
 
It appears that there's no way to use the Omni Tracker without a head. I've always viewed that as a huge benefit to the Skater... that you can knock another 3-6" off of your lens height. When you need it, that distance makes all the difference in the world.

Unless I'm wrong... which I'd like to be for that price.
 
Brook Willard said:
It appears that there's no way to use the Omni Tracker without a head. I've always viewed that as a huge benefit to the Skater... that you can knock another 3-6" off of your lens height. When you need it, that distance makes all the difference in the world.

Unless I'm wrong... which I'd like to be for that price.
Click to expand...

I'm in the same opinion as you Brook. I have a skater and love it although I think they're foolish selling it for that price.
 
Brook Willard said:
It appears that there's no way to use the Omni Tracker without a head. I've always viewed that as a huge benefit to the Skater... that you can knock another 3-6" off of your lens height. When you need it, that distance makes all the difference in the world.

Unless I'm wrong... which I'd like to be for that price.
Click to expand...

Yeah i have use a Satchler tripod (fluid head) and its a pretty wide diameter. I can have a base machined for me (which for me it does not cost anything) and raise a collar 5 inches from the base of the Omni-tracker. Or I can sandbag it (filled Buckwheat or Ricebag) and not use a tripod head formally.
 
Table top

Table top

I ordered a omni-tracker recently, (it's not here yet)

and am wondering what's the best lightweight, sturdy, and smooth surface to build a support with.

Paul that almost looks like masonite.

Steve
 
Paul that looks pretty nice (on masonite as Stephen says?). I like the small form factor of the Skater and Omni-Tracker. I also plan to get a high hat machined onto a backrest or the part of a Can Am Spyder, Till then I am hand holding it at a very very slow speed. Any options for a motorcycle mount or at the end of a Spyder CANam?

I gotta work out the follow focus , the mounted tripod, and power source (for charging the batteries in the front trunk). I have a Transformers Film Screening next week. So I have to work fast to get down there from Northern California to Hollywood area.

(like the Snowspeeder turret in Empire Strikes Back?)
picture4.png
 
Hi I've used the skater for a film at Tunisia, The Results were amazing, imagine a dancing girl, Red on mini skater, and a normal+Slow motion sequence with hair flying, it was great.
I'll post some photos of that.
 
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