Base expander and v-lock module VS the V-lock I/O expander

[Cicero A]

Drawbacks of the v lock i/o expander? Didn't want to spend the money now so I ordered the v lock battery module which I was charged for but never shipped the past couple days. Got my bomb squad rep looking into this. My question is, although I don't want to should I just go for it? What are the drawbacks of the V-lock I/O expander other than just getting the v-lock module now and having to spend the extra money ($445 to be exact) later and adding the base expander

Any major negatives of getting them together as one unit over getting them separately?
any cheaper alternative modules to get some of the outputs(like hdmi/headphone/power) with the v-lock battery module add on would be nice to know as well

 

[Matthew Quinn]

hey Cicero.

I have been having this discussion with a few people lately.

At the end of the day it really boils down to user preference and flexibility.

Personally, I really like the options that open up by having the base expander and v-lock separate from each other for basically 2 reasons.

#1 flexibility: using the standard base I/O expander allows for different battery plates, future moduals, and at the same time allows for breaking the camera down for even tighter spaces,gimbals, etc.

#2 repairs/trouble shooting: RED did an amazing thing with the new camera body. by making the system even more modular, they made things like fixing/replacing things like hdmi ports and other things like bad contact pins etc much easier and keeps cameras out shooting. on the old dsmc body the hdmi port was in an awkward spot and was the cause of things like hdmi cords snapping off under the camera.. if that needed to be fixed the whole camera had to be sent in. I didn't even realize how significant this was until i had a discussion with someone who actually repairs the cameras.

by keeping the parts separate if one thing goes wrong with one piece, you can usally just keep going by changing it out while the wonky part gets looked at.

HAVING SAID THAT...

RED also did an awesome thing with the base I/O V-lock expander.

Many shooters do not need to make lots of changes for their set ups, and this option is more affordable so it is very attractive. and works great!

now. I hear your question.

If money is an issue right now and you can get away without external monitors for a little while, getting the v-lock plate and saving for a base expander would be great.

but! keep in mind you will be without some important features while you wait, including a way to plug the camera in..

 

[Cicero A]

hey Cicero.

I have been having this discussion with a few people lately.

At the end of the day it really boils down to user preference and flexibility.

Personally, I really like the options that open up by having the base expander and v-lock separate from each other for basically 2 reasons.

#1 flexibility: using the standard base I/O expander allows for different battery plates, future moduals, and at the same time allows for breaking the camera down for even tighter spaces,gimbals, etc.

#2 repairs/trouble shooting: RED did an amazing thing with the new camera body. by making the system even more modular, they made things like fixing/replacing things like hdmi ports and other things like bad contact pins etc much easier and keeps cameras out shooting. on the old dsmc body the hdmi port was in an awkward spot and was the cause of things like hdmi cords snapping off under the camera.. if that needed to be fixed the whole camera had to be sent in. I didn't even realize how significant this was until i had a discussion with someone who actually repairs the cameras.

by keeping the parts separate if one thing goes wrong with one piece, you can usally just keep going by changing it out while the wonky part gets looked at.

HAVING SAID THAT...

RED also did an awesome thing with the base I/O V-lock expander.

Many shooters do not need to make lots of changes for their set ups, and this option is more affordable so it is very attractive. and works great!

now. I hear your question.

If money is an issue right now and you can get away without external monitors for a little while, getting the v-lock plate and saving for a base expander would be great.

but! keep in mind you will be without some important features while you wait, including a way to plug the camera in..

Pretty much my thoughts :-(. Bought the v-lock expander. was supposed to ship last week, never did. Red has my camera right now for technical issues. not sure if i can quite push the extra funds for the v-lock I/O, and maybe the ability to swith up/remove battery plates will come in handy in the long run. not to mention the cost savings at this moment