Comments on: FresHDV Test Bench Video Review - VFGadgets Pro Gripper Quad

By: Matthew Jeppsen

Matthew Jeppsen — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:42:30 +0000

I believe that the unit has been beefed up since we reviewed it. Best to contact the manufacturer directly with your camera rig weight specs and get an answer from them. As to rentals, I believe a number of rental houses offer car mount rentals, though I don’t know if they offer this particular version…

Best of luck,

-MJ

By: Lucas

Lucas — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:37:58 +0000

Hey guys,
Thanks for the review! extremely helpful.
I am a film student shooting a thesis short film soon. I am trying to find a versatile car mount that can help me get several shots without having to spend too much money. As far as I’ve researched, this one seems like the appropriate mount but I still have a few doubts you can help me with…
-Would this camera support a HVX with 35mm lens converter and the lens?
- If I am trying to get a CU on an object that sits on the passenger seat (flowers) can I mount it on the inside and put it on the whindshield? or would it fall off?
-Do you know of anyone in the NY area that could rent one out? As every student film, we don’t have a lot of money.

Thanks Much

By: ryan

ryan — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 02:41:59 +0000

i’ve used the vf mount quite a bit. you can take a lot of shake out by purchasing another suction cup, robo arm, and mafers clamp. i clamp the bottom screw knob w/ the mafers (its plastic, so it bends) - play w/ it a bit… if you support just beneath the camera the VF arms don’t have as much leverage during road shake… has worked well for me.

By: John Pozadzides

John Pozadzides — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:52:10 +0000

Guys,

First of all, the review was very informative. Thanks for that.

Secondly, the video review it’s self is just a work of art. I mean seriously, I loved everything about it. Cool music, engaging dialog, nice transitions…

Being a completely rank beginner at videography I hope that I can one day produce content as professional as yours.

Thanks,

John

By: VFGadgets Pro Gripper Quad Review at FresHDV - Digital Camcorder News

VFGadgets Pro Gripper Quad Review at FresHDV - Digital Camcorder News — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:15:07 +0000

[...] Link Related Posts:Intel’s ‘Clovertown’ Means Quad-core ChipsNew Lenslight LED Ringlight SystemFinal Cut Pro Top 10 TipsUsing the Panasonic AG-HVX200 With Apple’s Final Cut ProHigh Quality DV MOV Playback in Quicktime [...]

By: Josh Oakhurst Official Site

Josh Oakhurst Official Site — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:38:50 +0000

[...] I’ve been looking at pro-sumer cam car mounts for quite some time and recently Matthew Jeppsen at FresHDV posted a video review with Kendal Miller chronicling their useage of a Pro Gripper Quad Vehicle Mount. The unit produced some nice low angle shots but lousy two-through-the-window footy. [...]

By: Matt Jeppsen

Matt Jeppsen — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:02:21 +0000

I’ve heard it mentioned before, but didn’t know they had the “Director” package with all the major accessories and options included. I’d like to see it in use with a larger camera.

By: Kenn

Kenn — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 05:12:45 +0000

Hey Matt, check out this site for another car rig solution

http://www.stickypod.com/osc/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=30

It’s called the StickyPod Director. Have you heard about it?

By: Kenn

Kenn — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:11:00 +0000

Containers?! Where did that come from? Fasteners is what I meant.

By: Kenn

Kenn — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:09:00 +0000

Thanks Matt! It’s a shame about those plastic containers, but what can you do.

By: freshdv

freshdv — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:48:00 +0000

This rig would probably work fine then, assuming you aren’t loading the HVX down with tons of accessories and weight. The manufacturer has clearly communicated with us that this rig is intended for the consumer and pro-sumer market, and it works best within that operating envelope.

I wouldn’t personally want to load this particular rig up with more than 10 lbs or so, simply because the plastic knuckle joints don’t instill a ton of confidence in my mind. They tighten down pretty good, and they do what they are intended to…support a small, relatively lightweight camcorder. Oh, and be careful with the tool-less racheting tighteners, as they tend to strip in our experience.

It works good on low mounts, and side-mounts in close to the car. It’s a dream for hood, roof, or trunk-lid mounting options. The classic “two-shot through the window” is a little tougher to get right, and we never could get all the shakes out (as evidenced in the review footage).

The suction cups are really tough, and when mounted properly form a very strong grip. The fiberglass/composite arms are tough and lightweight. I just wish the plastic knuckles were metal, or toughened in some way so you could lock them tighter. It would change the whole dynamic and capabilities of this rig.

Note: For a few dollars at the hardware store you can easily modify the rig with washers so that you can use wrenches to REALLY lock the joints down when you need that extra security for risky side-mount shots. We found that helped a bit (and it’s how we overcame our errant funky joint that slipped past QA at the factory). This also solves the stripping issue referenced previously.

So…bottom line: for $500 this rig is very useful. It will enable shots you can’t get otherwise. It’s very configurable, though obviously it must be used within it’s limits. I’m not personally aware of a lot of rigs that in this price range, particularly that offer so many mounting options. I’d say that for under $800-1000 you’d be hard pressed to find a better alternative.

Hope this helps.

-Matt Jeppsen

By: Kenn

Kenn — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:23:00 +0000

I have an HVX. And I want to use it to shoot cable commercials and my own features.

By: freshdv

freshdv — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:51:00 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, Kenn.

What is the specific application you had in mind for the vehicle mount? What camera, how much weight?

-Matt Jeppsen

By: Kenn

Kenn — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:40:00 +0000

Hey Guys, great video review! If you guys were gonna buy a car mounting system would this be the one or is there another. I can spend up to $1000 or so.