Group Buy: L'Aigle Exoskeleton

[Ned Wilson]

Ronin / L'Aigle

Ronin / L'Aigle

Okay I've done two days in a row with the Ronin / L'Aigle combination. Here's my mini review. L'agile absolutely rocks. It has some drawbacks but overall I've been going 15 minutes to half an hour before taking it off my back. The God send is the lumbar support pump. Genius and a true back saver. There are times in tight spots I had wished for a smaller profile. What can I say ? It's a bargain you strike for other benefits, such as insane smoothness. I love the fact I can hold the rig, give direction to my crew with a cup of coffee in my hand. I'm also not an an exhausted DP. Previously the Ronin without is a workout and without a dedicated op, by lunch you want to cash in. Meanwhile with the Exo, the Ronin behaved beautifully. We were in a rush and every now and then had to settle for a less than ideal balance. The motors muscled through. One of the few hiccups with the Exo, one of my arms makes a squeaking sound as if it were begging for WD 40. I'll investigate. If it were a drama this squeak would be too much. I'll just look at the silent arm and see what's the story.

So here's a result of our first test. When I test a new product, I like to simulate a shoot. So some friends and I cobbled together a sketch. Forgive the less than perfect framing as I knew what the talent would do about the same time they did. So in a sense, improv is a good stress test for any camera support. Unpredictability, makes gear sink or shine. I'd like to thank Scott Devitte, fellow Red User, for shooting some excellent BTS footage.

Enjoy.

https://vimeo.com/132793490

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

What is the benifit of having the metalplates around youre waist instead of a broad belt? It would make it so much faster to get in and out of the exo with broad softer belt.

I think i will try it with a broad soft belt instead of the two plates at the front. But thats going to be a little later.

 

[Onno van Ameijde]

First attempt at 'flying' my camera with the help of the Exhauss exoskeleton.
The shots were made on bumpy (and sometimes slippery) terrain. There are walking shots in high and low mode, some reveals using the exo-arms and my body to lift and move the camera, and running shots at the end. For a first try I'm pleased with the result, especially since the rig was quite heavy. I was shooting for 40 minutes straight without a breather. All shots are without digital stabilisation, except for the three running shots at the end.


Equipment used:
- FS-700
- Odyssey 7Q
- Nikon 24 mm
- DJI Ronin
- Exhauss exoskeleton


Filmed and edited by Ovamus - film & music
www.ovamus.nl


Music: Jean-Féry Rebel "Les Caractères de la danse" by Combattimento Consort Amsterdam

 

[David Callahan]

Nice looking shots. I was really impressed with the running shots at the end. I would love to see what it looked like without the digital stabilization, but it looked great!

 

[troyword]

I received the single piece arm as well.

 

[troyword]

One of the few hiccups with the Exo, one of my arms makes a squeaking sound as if it were begging for WD 40. I'll investigate. If it were a drama this squeak would be too much. I'll just look at the silent arm and see what's the story.


https://vimeo.com/132793490

I had the same issue yesterday when I set mine up for the first time. I had a close look at the alignment on the dampeners to make sure they were straight and then I noticed a rubber bushing on the upper shaft where the spring attaches inside the arm. The eye of the spring needs to ride on that bushing(mine weren't). It made a huge difference. Now they are both pretty silent.

 

[troyword]

It works well so far. Took a bit to refine the set up. Mainly dealing with squeaks in the arms and testing the resistance settings. Packing the arms in one piece will be a bit of a challenge. But there will be a big savings in set up time if you can avoid breaking them down. Overall it seems pretty amazing.Will try and shoot some footage today.

 

[David Dvir]

First attempt at 'flying' my camera with the help of the Exhauss exoskeleton...

Nice video, Onno! One trick I've found to be useful in walking/running shots is actually to leave a little extra weight in my hands. As in reducing the tension on the exo-arms. Keeping a load there really helps me stay steady. Say like 5 pounds or so worth of weight instead of next to nothing. How much tension were you using?

 

[David Dvir]

*PLEASE HELP*


Myself and some others are being denied our units by Exhauss. I am wrongfully being accused of public insult and am told I will not receive my remaining two Exoskeletons.

I’d like to outline some details and I hope my peers on reduser will urge Exhauss to honour their commitment.

I signed up for a group-buy of an (at the time) untested prototype item which was offered at a cost and included a hard-case/stand. I understand many changes were made I believe we are ALL grateful for the end product! My point is at the time of my commitment we were dealing with a less sophisticated version which I decided to support fully as I saw great potential!

I paid for THREE units through an initial deposit and then final payment in full. Making up for a hefty 1/25th of the total group-buy.

I ordered a fast-track unit after being told that we were waiting on hard-cases and since we’d have to double-ship (the unit and then afterwards the case) there was a cost. I accepted this cost and paid for a fast-track unit. About $500 CAD.

I received a fast-track unit. It was/has been wonderful. I have continued to promote it like crazy to all of my clients and reserve it for myself whenever I am shooting. Today it’s out on a rental and it is out at least 4 days a week, in fact. I am still gathering content and comparisons as well as tips in the form of video however I have not released any due to the current situation I find myself in. That said, Exhauss has much to be proud of with this product and regardless of everything I am happy for them.

We were told that the hard cases would now be an additional cost. I was offended at this change as it came without apology or remorse and in fact the email insinuated (at least to me) that somehow this was the Reduser’s fault. I was upset since $2000 CAD is a lot of money (the cost of 3 hard-cases) and I had not expected to incur that additional cost. Additionally as a rental house we simply MUST have hard-cases.

I also wondered what happened to my fast-track payment? Where does that money go if there is no longer a double shipment being made? What did I actually pay for? I felt somewhat robbed.

I spoke out with my personal thoughts and was met with contempt immediately instead of tactful discourse. I felt under attack and in my disgruntled state I fought back and replied with equally contemptuous words. **At no point did I actually make ANY insults however.** I expressed my displeasure with the situation although I must admit I could have been more cordial.

I am ashamed of my actions and wish to apologize to the community for exposing everyone to such manner. I am sorry to all of you to force any distasteful actions on you. I do sincerely wish I had bit my tongue but what’s done is done. Anyone who knows me personally can attest to my character and professionalism.

Up to that point I had never said anything negative and had been advocating the group-buy the entire way through.

At this time I am very displeased with the state of the group-buy. It seems myself and some others are being singled out in an attempt to avoid completing the group-buy order in full. Although I could be wrong. I hope I am.

I have been ignored by our vendor and am at a loss on how to proceed.

Certainly legal action is a path NO ONE wishes to endure. I am however losing income on these two remaining units every day while having sent my payment long ago and am also having to endure the never-ending sorrow of checking in with this group-buy and hoping for some positive news. Legally speaking I am entitled to my two units. Exhauss absolutely has the right to deny service to anyone however not after agreeing to terms/accepting payment. Thus I know there is precedence. Again that is truly not a path I am in any way interested in taking.

Simply put I wish to receive the two units I am entitled to. I am even willing to forego/overlook the issue of the fast-track/hard case although I would very much like to hear some sort of explanation regarding that matter as well.

In my support of this group-buy through committing to three units I feel I have demonstrated no reason to be denied now. I hope you all will aide me by helping in any way you can to resolve this matter.

Thank you for your time.

David Dvir

 

[Poi Boy]

Your post is a little confusing to me. I'm familiar with all the back and forth with egos, attitudes, cases, re-designs, language, mis-underastandings etc, but are you saying that you paid for the two additional units and are not receiving a refund ?
A

 

[David Dvir]

Your post is a little confusing to me. I'm familiar with all the back and forth with egos, attitudes, cases, re-designs, language, mis-underastandings etc, but are you saying that you paid for the two additional units and are not receiving a refund ?
A

Apologies. A refund has been offered for the two remaining units. However not at my request. No offer on the fast-tracked unit.

Cheers,

 

[Nick Morrison]

Apologies. A refund has been offered for the two remaining units. However not at my request. No offer on the fast-tracked unit.

Cheers,

It does appear you were a major backer of the group buy, and were promised hard cases. Sad to see it end this way. Fingers crossed this all works out! By all accounts, this Exo looks like a terrific product, and Exhauss looks like dynamic and compelling new company.

PS - are you getting a hard case for the first EXO?

 

[David Dvir]

It does appear you were a major backer of the group buy, and were promised hard cases. Sad to see it end this way. Fingers crossed this all works out! By all accounts, this Exo looks like a terrific product, and Exhauss looks like dynamic and compelling new company.

PS - are you getting a hard case for the first EXO?

Nick, It is an awesome product! Hands down the only way to support a gimbal in my opinion. We've been using it with Dragons and Angenieux zooms + 2 channel wireless FF's all with ease! Easyrigs translate too much movement and the slingshot, while innovative, has a poor dynamic range of support and lacks the ease of use/mobility of the Exo.

As of now I am not getting for the first exo, no.

Cheers,

 

[Poi Boy]

The major backer part of this doesn't really hold water but seems to me you really need to work this out with Pierre on a personal level, not in public. Best of luck.
Aloha
A

 

[Nick Morrison]

The major backer part of this doesn't really hold water but seems to me you really need to work this out with Pierre on a personal level, not in public. Best of luck.
Aloha
A

True. This does seem best resolved privately...

 

[Ned Wilson]

It works well so far. Took a bit to refine the set up. Mainly dealing with squeaks in the arms and testing the resistance settings. Packing the arms in one piece will be a bit of a challenge. But there will be a big savings in set up time if you can avoid breaking them down. Overall it seems pretty amazing.Will try and shoot some footage today.

As much as I love the hardcase, I'm leaving mine built until travel forces me to break it down and pack it. It sits on a stand in my living room next to the bar cart. Looking for a bag, soft case alternative for local gigs instead of the back seat of my Honda. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[David E. Rogers]

Spares

Spares

Pierre I would like to know if it would be possible to order a spare pair of the nuts and bolts that attach the lower arms. I can see a time when one is outside in tall grass or the woods and dropping a part and not finding it.

Regards,
David

 

[Maz Mawlawi]

hi Pierre,

I was wondering if the few of us who took the fast track are still going to get our soft case mailed to us?

 

[Pierre Davezac]

Sure Maz.

David, yes, you can order spare parts. Let's deal with this via direct email.

 

[Pierre Davezac]

And here is Riz Wadan from BEYOND HD, UK reseller for Exhauss, with an ARRI A65 on Double Helix.

... Not humanly possible without EXHAUSS!