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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

[resolved] Very disappointed with Cinema Oxide V-mount battery plate

Josh Beadle,

Thanks for providing a comparison of the rods. A lot more goes into engineering carbon fiber rods other than just wall thickness. The orientation of the fibers, the exact outer diameter tolerance, surface finish, layering of the fabric, UV reaction, weight, among other factors. These factors also relate to the overall strength of the rod, which can be tested by a simple stress test. Our rods were tested to hold 350 lbs across a 3-foot span, so unless you are putting more than that on your camera, you will be fine. If you include your 500% safety level, then that equates to 70 lbs. That is still well above what camera equipment weighs. For those that are skeptical, we also offer an XLT line of carbon fiber rods
http://www.cinemaoxide.com/carbon-fiber-19mm-XLT.php

XLT rods are tested to hold over 1000 lbs. In fact, we're so confident about these rods that I'm about to release a "Carbonite Challenge" where members of the community can try their hand at breaking them. If they succeed they will win a big prize. I would be honored Josh if you would be the first to accept "the Carbonite Challenge"


Josh, if you could please compare those other factors it might make for a much more informative review of our product. And unfortunately the most important test, is a stress test which requires breaking your rods. But its important to remember that when comparing carbon fiber rods, strength-to-weight ratio should be highly relevant.

Keeping the wall thickness to the right balance of strength and weight was a consideration we made early on. Doubling the wall thickness simply makes the rod heavier with no end benefit to the user unless he is loading the camera with over 350 lbs of gear.

We are aware that RED sells very expensive Carbon Fiber rods, and we are not going to try to compete with them on that level. I'm sure their rods are EXCELLENT. Tapering the ends was not an option on a thin wall -- it would create a "knife edge" on a thin wall which is neither stronger nor safer.

In fact, one of the advantages of using our rods is that CinemaOxide rods come with a 1-year warranty. If your rods should break for any reason, we will replace them. To my knowledge no other company on the market has provided such an offer to their customers. This is an example of how we stand behind our product.

As far as the plugs on the end of the rod, the manufacturing of plugs would add an additional expense onto rods and a lot of customers have expressed their gratitude at keeping our prices low for carbon fiber rods. Adding plugs to the carbon fiber rods would raise the price and not provide any significant strength whatsoever.

We will gladly accept your return and will issue you a full refund. We stand behind our products and All of our products have a 7-day return policy. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, we will always offer a 100% refund on your purchase price if returned within 7 days. I'm also happy to report that we've only had 3 returns so far and one of those customers bought the product back from us after he returned it! :-)
 
@Jason
The end caps are necessary to prevent damage and splintering if, strike that, when the rod is dropped. Didn't even think to check if CO had the plugs since they are basic. Cost is about $.25 in quantity. Could have in with a custom CO logo in about 4 weeks out of Hong Kong. There are rapid molding shops all over SoCal that can make as well. Meantime maybe there is something off the shelf:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#plastic-finishing-plugs/=gx9bv9

I appreciate your efforts and passion for the new business you are starting. Stay at it using Jobs and Jannard as role models: Quality succeeds like nothing else.
 
Josh, we've already tried mcmaster.com but we found that the plugs lacked the tolerance necessary for the rods to quickly slip into a rod holder or accessory. As you said, quality succeeds like nothing else, and we don't want to ever send something out the door that doesn't perform well.

We are an East Coast company so we don't know the shops in SoCal. As far as China, we exercise some of the same models as Jobs and Jannard, by using American personnel and factories we help our local economies grow. I would like our customers to know that our products are made 100% in the USA.

Since you visit CinemaOxide threads quite frequently, I'm hoping you will be one of the first to take "the Carbonite Challenge". Perhaps one of the challenges you can try is dropping one of our XLT rods from a tall building and seeing if it weakens the rod in any way.
 
Thanks for the links Josh. I don't mean to dodge your concern, but we've already approached many plastics companies and in the near future I can't promise plastic plugs. The decision is mainly due to cost. Perhaps in the future we will be able to offer plastic plugs and we will certainly send them out to all of our existing customers.

In the meantime, I am going to offer you a 100% refund on your purchase price and appreciate the opportunity you have given me to educate the members of the community the engineering that goes into our carbon fiber rods. If the only weakness our rods is the plastic end caps, I am very proud of our team at CinemaOxide for their level of commitment to carbon fiber engineering. And don't worry guys, many more Carbon Fiber inventions are coming. We're only scraping the tip of the iceberg!
 
To all of our valued customers and forum members--UPDATE:

We promised IDX plates and are happy to fulfill the promise to our customers. Ahead of schedule. Overnight shipping proved to be invaluable for our upgraded IDX plates, as well as a big thanks to our staff for putting in the long weekend hours to upgrade all of our plates. I now present you with the new face of the OXIDE plate --

1.jpg



2.jpg
 
Hey Buddy,
I'll be returning the "Pittsburgh" wrench set as well. It appears to be Made in China stuff from Harbor Freight. When able, I like to support those companies that still make products in the USA.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-folding-ball-hex-key-set-98523.html

Doesn't seem right when a foreign company takes the name of a proud, historical American city and use it as a brand name. Wouldn't you agree?
 
Hey guys, while you're checking in to see all of our updates and I wanted to say how great its been to have this level of direct contact with our customers. I can't think of a better way to top it other than to meet all of you in person at NAB. I'm throwing a party, I got a big hotel room penthouse, we'll have drinks, chips and dips, some music, and everyone is welcome to show off their rigs. I want everyone to come and hangout. We'll be having the party from 1pm to 5pm right before the Reduser event. So I guess its a bit of a pre-party party :-)

If you're interested please check out more info on this thread: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...-NAB-Want-to-meet-people!&p=976510#post976510
 
FYI, we have sold Switronix V-mount plates for RED cameras for years and use them extensively in our own Rental Department. I'm the guy who asked Switronix to get into the RED accessory business as we had the need. Plastic battery mount plates are standard in our industry in both V-mount and 3-stude AB mount. To make them from metal would present all sorts of shorting issues. Anything can be made cheaply or poorly and I can assure you I've seen some awful items in my time. But the Switronix as well as the IDX plates are fine and we've not had issue with them after years of service. Just sayin'.
 
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