Wooden Camera Cable-less or V-Lock Expander?

[Christoffer Glans]

So I've tried getting the pros and cons together on this since but so far haven't gotten much input on it. At the moment I'm out of a power solution for my Weapon 6K. I've got the Base Expander and the Top Handle. Now the Top Handle mounted as it should is not compatible with the Red Bricks when using the V-Lock expander, so that is a problem and will not be solved with new batteries in my case.

So, here's my pros and cons between these two solutions.

The WC Cable-less Link

Cons
1. Not from Red, meaning there can be compatibility issues, like when upgrading the camera firmware, it's not part of the lineup of accessories attached and might corrupt something.
2. Plastic? Isn't as battle proof.
3. Isn't as reliable, based on the same point as (1).
4. Doesn't obstruct, but block a bit of the air moving out on the bottom of the camera, might be a problem when it's really hot and a lot of air needs to be moving through. It also blows the hot air on the bottom of the battery.

Pros
1. It puts the battery lower so all Top Handles and adjustments on top of the camera works.
2. It cost less than half that of the V-lock expander.
3. If the mount fails, you can plug in power to the base expander. (On the V-lock expander if the module fails, there's no power option as a backup).
4. Form factor gets more into a uniform shape rather than boot-shaped with a very high top handle (V-Lock expander).

The V-Lock expander Link

Cons
1. Puts the Red Brick in an incompatible position with the DSMC2 Top Handle.
2. Portrudes the battery into a high position, Forcing any bigger Top Handle solution to be very high up to work.
3. For a low handle height you need the Universal Handle which is small and not as robust while holding the camera and filming.
4. Cost more than twice as much as the WC power solution.
5. Uses up a bit portion of the accessory credit which could be used on other things like extra LCD, media or other.

Pros
1. Native Red accessory, warranty and compatibility is assured.
2. Better built, magnesium rather than plastic.
3. Has a USB power as well.



Please debunk or agree with these points, because I really need to decide which route to take. I have the accessory credit so I could just order the v-lock expander but then I loose quite a portion of that accessory credit which I could use for other things, while the WC mount cost less but will cost me anyway. I'm not sure if anyone has actually field tested the WC mount either. So I'm not sure how good it actually is or how it affects the camera.
The main thing is that the WC mount makes every problem with top handle options go away, while the v-lock expander feels like a more secure way to power the camera, but any top handle solution will make the camera very high.

Any help would be of great help

 

[Neil Dearman]

I have the Blue Shape one and love it!!! Only issue is that sometimes the batteries feel like they are loose so just use some gaffer tape and you are golden!!!

 

[Christoffer Glans]

I have the Blue Shape one and love it!!! Only issue is that sometimes the batteries feel like they are loose so just use some gaffer tape and you are golden!!!

Haha, well, this isn't really a good point for WC
Thing is I need it rather robust, especially if I rent it out, I don't want it to fall apart.

 

[jordan levy]

the WC costs less but the vlock expander is two things in one, so you really have to compare the price as WC battery plate AND the regular red expander versus the vlock expander, which comes out to be cheaper.

also the battery being next to the exhaust is one thing that makes me hate the alexa mini setup, the battery gets hot exhaust blown on it and it heats up everything behind the camera. though i dont know if the new weapons get as hot as the mini.

then on the other hand, with the vlock expander you cant put any modules in btwn if you ever want to, like the omod, or anything else that might come along.

i have one question for whoever might know, if you get something like a dji wireless follow focus or something else that needs power, how do you power it? is there a power port from the vlock expander am i missing something?

 

[Christoffer Glans]

the WC costs less but the vlock expander is two things in one, so you really have to compare the price as WC battery plate AND the regular red expander versus the vlock expander, which comes out to be cheaper.

also the battery being next to the exhaust is one thing that makes me hate the alexa mini setup, the battery gets hot exhaust blown on it and it heats up everything behind the camera. though i dont know if the new weapons get as hot as the mini.

then on the other hand, with the vlock expander you cant put any modules in btwn if you ever want to, like the omod, or anything else that might come along.

i have one question for whoever might know, if you get something like a dji wireless follow focus or something else that needs power, how do you power it? is there a power port from the vlock expander am i missing something?

All valid points but one... the base expander was included in the upgrade program so I already own it, this is only about replacing that with the V-Lock expander or using the WC cable-less mount, so I'm not adding other costs to the equation.

 

[jordan levy]

All valid points but one... the base expander was included in the upgrade program so I already own it, this is only about replacing that with the V-Lock expander or using the WC cable-less mount, so I'm not adding other costs to the equation.

ah, but you can sell the base expander and get the vlock for almost nothing too.
but then again im not sure when the vlock will be available ala carte since they cant seem to fill the packages as of yet.

 

[Matthew Quinn]

Base expander wins for me for multiple reasons. mainly more flexibility and if the contacts on the v-lock expander get melted ur pretty much screwed until it can be repaired

 

[jordan levy]

Base expander wins for me for multiple reasons. mainly more flexibility and if the contacts on the v-lock expander get melted ur pretty much screwed until it can be repaired

too bad red doesnt have its own v-lock plate to attach to the base expander. with such a new system you think they would to combat compatibility issues.
still asking is there a way to power accessories like a wireless follow focus from the vlock expander?

 

[Björn Benckert]

too bad red doesnt have its own v-lock plate to attach to the base expander. with such a new system you think they would to combat compatibility issues.
still asking is there a way to power accessories like a wireless follow focus from the vlock expander?

The Vlock expander has has Dtap, no?

Then The good thing not mentioned here with WD plate is it comes of with no tools. I find my self screwing on and off my XL module quite a bit. Having the Base I/O and be able to just remove the Vlock when using the gimbal is not bad at all. Fiddling with torx screws feels worse then the finger screws Wooden camera has.

The Blue shape coming of, is not SD thats blue shape, their batteries are kind of famous for not sticking to any Vlock plate if you don't jerk them quite hard to get them to snap the lock.


I would like to have both the red and the WD but I ordered the RED vlock.... and I ordered it when it came out paid for it and still have not got it... I emailed my bomb guy at red europe like 20 times, still don't have it. Hurts a bit to see the scarlet guys having theirs as they ordred about half a year later.

 

[jordan levy]

The Vlock expander has has Dtap, no?

Then The good thing not mentioned here with WD plate is it comes of with no tools. I find my self screwing on and off my XL module quite a bit. Having the Base I/O and be able to just remove the Vlock when using the gimbal is not bad at all. Fiddling with torx screws feels worse then the finger screws Wooden camera has.

The Blue shape coming of, is not SD thats blue shape, their batteries are kind of famous for not sticking to any Vlock plate if you don't jerk them quite hard to get them to snap the lock.


I would like to have both the red and the WD but I ordered the RED vlock.... and I ordered it when it came out paid for it and still have not got it... I emailed my bomb guy at red europe like 20 times, still don't have it. Hurts a bit to see the scarlet guys having theirs as they ordred about half a year later.

so the d-tap can power a wireless follow focus, like the dji one? and i guess there is only one, so if you do that then no AC monitor powered too. well, if it can, atleast there is one.

 

[Björn Benckert]

so the d-tap can power a wireless follow focus, like the dji one? and i guess there is only one, so if you do that then no AC monitor powered too. well, if it can, atleast there is one.

Or you make a cable splitter... but possibly that is taking to much toll on that Dtap port but you can always get Vlocks with dtaps on them, I got blue shape they got 2 Dtap ports.

 

[jordan levy]

Or you make a cable splitter... but possibly that is taking to much toll on that Dtap port but you can always get Vlocks with dtaps on them, I got blue shape they got 2 Dtap ports.

ok got it, yes the battery has one too, good.
i wasnt aware that a wireless follow focus could be powered off a dtap, that's good! thank you!

 

[Christoffer Glans]

I'm not sure if I'm any closer to making my choice haha
There's pros and cons all over the place. Which would you all recommend and why?

 

[Matthew Quinn]

Honestly I think your good to stick with the base I/O for a while man. I was all amped about the v-lock but I got some good advice from a few friends and my rep which helped me stay with the base I/O

 

[Christoffer Glans]

Honestly I think your good to stick with the base I/O for a while man. I was all amped about the v-lock but I got some good advice from a few friends and my rep which helped me stay with the base I/O

What advices?

 

[Matthew Quinn]

Well that it was more flexible with future expanders, that it would be easier to repair, and that I will want to keep a battery further back for my handheld setup rather than having a battery slapped directly on the back all the time. It also works better for my current gimbal set up.

 

[Daniel Reed]

Anyone know if it is possible to use Lemo to HDSDI cables to fit and work for sending the image signal out of RED's 16pin Lemo sockets?

The idea being, using a non-red monitor via the Red side lemo adaptor w/out the base expander and just the "WC Cable-less" for power.

for example, I've seen a few 7pin lemo to HDSDI cables for steadicam use.

 

[Christoffer Glans]

Well that it was more flexible with future expanders, that it would be easier to repair, and that I will want to keep a battery further back for my handheld setup rather than having a battery slapped directly on the back all the time. It also works better for my current gimbal set up.

So you recommend going with a third party mount like the WC? What brand do you use? I'm still a little uninformed on the quality of the WC mount since there's so few out and tested. I'd rather not brick my camera because of low quality modules

 

[Stephen Lovett]

Hi Christoffer, I can't speak to this directly yet as the electronics for the Wooden Camera battery module aren't shipping yet, I have the quickback which is light but strong. I've had very good luck with WC gear over all, only their first EVF mount was marginal, and they upgraded that later. I'm using a standard IDX plate at present, wired of course but have the blueshape plate and electronics on order. WC has Red's blessing on the design, so I don't think there should be any issues.

 

[Matthew Quinn]

Right now I'm using this http://www.switronix.com/products?p...age=flypage.tpl&product_id=229&category_id=51

i have it bolted to my shoulder pad. I WILL be getting the WC backplate. But even when I do I will prob use the jetpack for balance on the shoulder.

Even a Lemo-d-tap cord could work with a v mount adapter bolted onto the camera someplace. Once again my biggest fear is someone jamming a battery on wrong and frying the whole expander.

Also dont forget nab gonna prob spawn a whole new set of ideas