Scarlet physical security

[Stephen Gentle]

I was just thinking about how I can secure my gear when travelling overseas (mainly to the US and Canada). Obviously the best thing would be to have my Scarlet and other gear with me at all times, but unfortunately that's just not practical all the time, and my gear is inevitably going to end up unsupervised in hotels.

Now, since laptops have security slots, I can get a Kensington lock and chain that to something solid. But is there any chance of getting a similar compatible slot somewhere on the Scarlet body to be able to do the same thing, or some other way of locking it to something?

It's not super secure, and you could probably cut through it if you had the tools, but the cables look thick enough that you'd need some pretty big boltcutters to get through it, which is probably not something the casual criminal preying on tourists would have.

 

[Martin Weiss]

Just put the camera in a Pelican case, and lock that one.

 

[soren k jensen]

hide the data, let them steal the cam

hide the data, let them steal the cam

When I have filmed on my one-man docs for a day or two, my data is more valuable than the gear, so if I don't have a backup yet with someone else, or fedex'ed hdd's home, I leave my laptop lying around, the camera not so hidden and the data hidden as best I can. Gear is insured, data isn't :-(

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Try to stay at nicer hotels or ones with a little better security. This can be difficult when traveling to new places or going to areas where such a thing doesn't exist. Try to pack your gear in ways that it does not draw attention. Few things scream "steal me!" more than a locked Pelicase. Laptop cable locks, and most padlocks are a joke and a waste of time. Same with any TSA lock, which is even worse since they open with a TSA key, which is available at most luggage stores or online. But regular padlocks can be cut with compact bolt cutters or busted with a small hammer in a matter of a second or two. Security cables can be cut with decent wire cutters that will fit in your pocket. I can cut a common laptop security cable in a nanosecond if I have one of these. Or maybe a second longer with some common heavy gauge wire cutters that fit in any average pocket. Besides, what are you going to tie that cable to? The bed?

What Soren says is absolutely right. Your data is your most valuable item. Unless you have some serious lens kit or something, maybe. And thieves will steal your footage and the next thing you know, it's all over youtube and everywhere else you don't want it to be.

Best thing to do is pack your gear well and in ways it doesn't draw attention. Keep the most valuable items with you. Don't send gear ahead to be received by the hotel. Don't alert the hotel of your extra valuables or a need for more security. Most hotel thefts are usually perpetrated by hotel employees. Try not to draw excess attention to bringing gear in and out. Business travelers come and go all the time and often bring extra bags with them, so it's not that big of deal. If you pack your gear right, they will have no idea if you're carrying $1M in camera gear or $500 worth of shower curtains.

Worst thing you can do is show up with flight cases stamped with brand names or labeled as to what's in them. I see people all the time with big ol cases complete with a stupid padlock on them and the case has a big label on it saying "CAMERA".

A Scarlet kit to be operated by a one or two man crew is going to be small. It's not going to be a whole lot bigger than a photographer bringing his SLR kit.

Also don't make a huge habit out of bringing stuff with you that could be easily rented where you're going. That means, in most cases, lights and other grip equipment.

 

[Zac C]

I'm going to super glue a rape whistle on the top of the Scarlet, people just know I'm for real then

 

[Martin Von M]

Simple GPS chip inside would solve many problems.