Action Products Raptor Offer: Only Good Until 3/22

[Carey Lee Coffey]

Here are some more questions answered for those who inquired about them:

1. What is the warranty on the Raptor?

3 years ActionProducts warranty for all machined parts and 1 year warranty on all electronics.

2. Is a Red power cable (LEMO), or any other cables offered?

There are two options you can choose from for this...

Option 1 - 8pin LEMO to 6pin LEMO (EPIC/SCARLET) power cable included in post = No extra charge

Option 2 - 8pin LEMO to 8pin LEMO power cable included in post (Recommended) = No extra charge, but extra adaptor charges are below...

8pin LEMO to 6pin LEMO (EPIC/SCARLET) Adaptor Cable = $209 extra

8pin LEMO to XLR 4pin Adaptor Cable = $105 extra

8pin LEMO to 6pin LEMO (REDone) = $180 extra

8pin LEMO to BMCC Adaptor = $105 extra

8pin LEMO to Open End (used to custom make any cable DIY) = $80 extra

Note: option 2 is strongly recommend for short and long term benefit. Not only do you have endless camera set ups you can adapt to, the 8pin LEMO standard will work with ActionProducts up coming break out box for the Raptor Option 1 will only work with the EPIC or SCARLET.

3. I would like my cabling to NOT carry the battery % so that I can use my global media pro batteries, is this possible?

Yes you can use that as is. Nothing will need to be changed. If % is supported it will work by default if it doesn't then it will not show, but will still power everything normally.

4. I'd like to know about the upgraded springs to (35 lbs) and is there an extra charge for them and if so, how much?

There are two options you can choose from for this...
Exchange Standard Spring Packages (28lbs) for Heavy Duty Spring Packages (35lbs) = $80 extra

Get both - included Standard Spring Packages (28lbs) and add extra swappable Heavy Duty Spring Packages (35lbs) = $680 extra
Option 2 would be recommend if you will need to fly very light set ups in addition to heavier. It only takes 1 minute to swap out spring packages.

 

[David Collard]

Can anyone suggest a rig monitor to work in conjunction with the AP Raptor rig?

 

[David Kellermann]

The great thing about these threads is that the truth always comes out in the end.

I guess that AP would not be happy if I openly post their mails to me, since it states in them clearly that what Justin wrote is false in many aspects (don't worry, I'll not post them). So I might disagree with "the truth comes out in the end".

 

[Brett Harrison]

Can anyone suggest a rig monitor to work in conjunction with the AP Raptor rig?

I started a thread for this purpose David

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?96611-Steadicam-Group-buyers-Accessories

We're working out the best option for accessories, so check that out, make any suggestions, pose your questions there.

 

[Carey Lee Coffey]

I guess that AP would not be happy if I openly post their mails to me, since it states in them clearly that what Justin wrote is false in many aspects (don't worry, I'll not post them). So I might disagree with "the truth comes out in the end".

That's something I have zero knowledge of David, so I can't speak on that.

I do, however, hope your group buy goes well with the PROLine as I think it's a great Product at an amazing price point. The main thing I wish for is that everyone wins... PROLine, Laing, AP and us Redusers. I truly mean that.

 

[Brett Harrison]

I think that they offer really great prices for such products, really great So, guys remember to spend your time and contact them.

Yeah, I was browsing the retail site and the prices there actually blew my mind.

We all need to show these rigs in action on the net, talk them up (not just AP, but all the manufacturers working with our forum) and reciprocate the gesture.

 

[Carey Lee Coffey]

Can anyone suggest a rig monitor to work in conjunction with the AP Raptor rig?

I hear good things about smallHD

 

[David Collard]

I started a thread for this purpose David

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?96611-Steadicam-Group-buyers-Accessories

We're working out the best option for accessories, so check that out, make any suggestions, pose your questions there.

Thanks Brett. It's certainly important since the rig monitor is an option as well as our choice of battery power.

 

[Justin R Goff]

The pictures of the 3.8 pound ActionCam Raptor Sled shows the function of the 2 step stage. Basically the stage it self allows you to mount your own mounting plate. On the one example you see a ARRI dovetail (AP ARRI Adapter Plate – optional*) mounted directly to the stage. This allows you to move the camera from you rig to the tripod very fast.
On the other example you see the clamp adapter (optional*) mounted. this gives you the same ability to mount a regular dovetail like on other stabilizing systems.


* This package will include either one (you can choose which one you want)

More information on the ActionProducts Blog!

 

[Phil Holland]

Justin, I won't be able to purchase this time around for this offer. I'm waiting on my investor. However, I did want to say that I will be purchasing a Raptor in the near future. This is clearly some of the most thoughtful design put into a stabilizer rig and you've got a purchaser in the chamber.

Remember guys, this is a hollowed post design. You can even string the Red 5.0" or 9.0" Touch down there.

 

[steven moreno]

That's something I have zero knowledge of David, so I can't speak on that.

I do, however, hope your group buy goes well with the PROLine as I think it's a great Product at an amazing price point. The main thing I wish for is that everyone wins... PROLine, Laing, AP and us Redusers. I truly mean that.

I agree with Carey, in hopes that everyone wins. There is something for everyone, on all levels...and I think that there is enough interest to make the numbers on all three offers work. And I, for one, would never have bought into either the ProLine or the Laing group buys, but this rig speaks to me. It looks like a work of art.

 

[Brett Harrison]

Justin, I won't be able to purchase this time around for this offer. I'm waiting on my investor. However, I did want to say that I will be purchasing a Raptor in the near future. This is clearly some of the most thoughtful design put into a stabilizer rig and you've got a purchaser in the chamber.

Remember guys, this is a hollowed post design. You can even string the Red 5.0" or 9.0" Touch down there.

Phil, would you recommend that ultimately - using the touch screen?

What is the significance of the hollowed-out aspect? Rigidity?

 

[steven moreno]

I hear good things about smallHD

SmallHD's upcoming High Bright DP7 looks like the answer to a great 1200 nit sled monitor. But at $2700, it's not exactly cheap.

Marshall has a 2 High Brights and a transflective that in the $1,000 - $1,500 range and would be sufficient, but I've read that you'd still suffer in direct sunlight.

 

[Justin R Goff]

Phil, would you recommend that ultimately - using the touch screen?

What is the significance of the hollowed-out aspect? Rigidity?

The post is an open system. It comes standard with our 8pin LEMO standard power cable with adaptors for cameras, but it will work with ANY cable. You could go to Best Buy down the street and get an HDMI cable and through it in there in seconds. Its quick to custom configure to your needs.

 

[John Brennick]

Whats the minimum weight capacity on both the 28 lb and the 35lb arm?

 

[Brett Harrison]

The post is an open system. It comes standard with our 8pin LEMO standard power cable with adaptors for cameras, but it will work with ANY cable. You could go to Best Buy down the street and get an HDMI cable and through it in there in seconds. Its quick to custom configure to your needs.

I was curious about the manufacturing process, but I guess boring out a solid post of carbon fiber is the only way to achieve it.

 

[Phil Holland]

Phil, would you recommend that ultimately - using the touch screen?

What Justin said. You can wire anything you can image through there.

I don't know if I'm recommending that "ultimately", but it is an option. Especially if you like..... having wireless video feed out to your focus puller/video village.

Lot's of possibilities. Most flyers I see out here have a dedicated on board monitor and leave the Touch on the body. Quick access to menus and if you're performing slower moves your focus puller can follow that monitor.

 

[Roy Rossovich]

What will the most noticeable benefits be for learning to work with a steady system on this rig over the proline? I have flown a few times a few years back so we can basically say I am starting from scratch.

 

[Tom Wills]

I was curious about the manufacturing process, but I guess boring out a solid post of carbon fiber is the only way to achieve it.

Carbon fiber begins as sheets of woven fibers impregnated with an adhesive - similar to an epoxy. The sheets are wound around a solid metal rod, coated with even more adhesive, vacuumed to remove any bubbles and compress the fibers, and then cured in an oven. The tubes, once removed from the metal rod, are then sanded down to a specific roundness and diameter.

Boring out solid carbon fiber would be a gigantic pain, and wouldn't produce a tube with as much stiffness, rigidity, or stability.

Hope that answers your curiosity!

Anyways, the reason they're talking about an open post is that many rigs, including many top-end rigs, have posts with internal cabling and connectors at the top and bottom of the post, but no way to run your own wires down the post. Action Products instead chooses to have holes at the top and bottom of their rigs, so end users can run their own cables up and down the posts. Each method has its own advantages, really.

 

[Phil Holland]

What will the most noticeable benefits be for learning to work with a steady system on this rig over the proline? I have flown a few times a few years back so we can basically say I am starting from scratch.

I don't know how it compares directly to the Proline, but I've used several other systems and what I would recommend for people to watch is the video of this rig flying compared to others. That stability and arm movement is saying a lot. Also, the Raptor is clearly very light. So less stress on your body.

Additionally, and something I personally like, is that the Actionproducts vest places the weight on your back/hips which allows for a bit more mobility and likely more comfort.