Las Vegas in April hosts the largest convention I’ve ever attended. It’s been that way ever since I can remember. The official count this year was over 89,000 people in attendance. Although 93,000 were expected, I wasn’t disappointed. And several of those who came were from Massachusetts, both exhibiting and viewing. I visually identified Tom Sprague from National Boston Video Center, Joe Maiella of CrewStar, Inc.; I know Karl Renwanz was there, although I didn’t get to see him, we exchanged cell phone calls. I did get to see long time Bostonian, Carol Nashe, who has now taken up residence in Las Vegas. Suffice to say, this convention takes up a lot of space and one could roam around for days and not see everything and everyone.
I did stop by the Glidecam Exhibit Booth, which was of sufficient size to display their new Gold Series and there was plenty of activity and interest. The Gold Series is designed for high level film, standard video, or high definition video production (cameras that weigh from 13 to 38 pounds). It is currently being used by the production crews on the Dr. Phil Show on CBS TV, NASDAQ Marketsite, CNBC Wakeup Call “Morning Show, just to name a few. And like all Glidecam products, the Gold Series is manufactured in the good ole USA.
According to Glidecam’s Thomas Howie, the response to the Gold System at NAB was excellent. “We were visited by a number of Hollywood's top operators and the reviews were spectacular,” Howie told me on the floor of the convention center. And altogether, the Glidecam Booth looked to be doing a brisk business and getting a lot of attention. The Gold Series System is priced at a NAB / Post-NAB show special price of $19,900.00.
The Gold Sled incorporates sophisticated engineering and precision machining to make it lightweight and strong. It is designed with the same look and aesthetics as the Glidecam Gold Arm and Vest. The Gold Series Sled is available with one of the various daylight viewable, LCD monitors that Glidecam also offers.
Here is some of the technical information of interest provided to me by Thomas Howie. The Base of the Glidecam Gold Sled has a three NP-1, Anton Bauer, PAG, or V-Lock style battery system that delivers 12 volts to the base (for the monitor) and delivers either 12 or 24 volts (switchable) to the head for use with video or film cameras. The Base incorporates one BNC Video out connector, one 12/24-volt power switch, three circuit breakers and two 4-pin “Lemo” style OB304 video/12 volt power out connectors. The Glidecam Gold Sled monitor-mounting bracket can be rotated 180 degrees, with no-tools adjustment so the monitor is viewable during low mode operation.
The precision, x-y adjustable Head assembly utilizes low friction “Teflon” which is incorporated into its hard coat finish. The Head assembly’s back panel has a 3-pin “Lemo” 1B303 style with switchable 12/24-volt power, BNC video in, and a 2 pin “Lemo” 1B302 style with 12 volt out. The front panel has a 2-pin “Lemo” 1B302 style with 12 volt out, two 4-pin “Lemo”OB304 style with video/power out and one 4-pin “Lemo” OB304 video/power in connectors. The head also has a custom designed video distribution amp installed for clear video signals. The Head also incorporates a drop in style dovetail camera plate for quick front to back balance. Very, fine tuning, ergonomic knobs control front to back and side-to-side balance adjustments.
The Sled’s “no-tools” precision Gimbal is made to top of the line quality. The Gimbal incorporates 4 bearings inside the handle to yoke connection (the tilt axis). There are 2 bearings on each side of the yoke, providing 4 bearings for the roll axis. There are 2 central main bearing for the pan axis. This doubles the Gimbal’s thrust capacity and creates less than a .0002” deflection off true center. All Gimbal parts are machined within .0005” accuracy and are hard coat black. A very tight knurling has been machined onto the Gimbal Tube to improve handling. An easy to replace soft foam covers the handle grip.
The Sled has a “no-tools” Telescoping Center Post. The top and bottom of the Post both have “no-tools”, 90-degree rotation, quick release connectors (bayonet style). This allows the Head and the Base of the Sled to be removed quickly. The custom, shielded, wire coil assembly inside the post has 8-pin “Lemo” style connectors on both ends for quick disconnect. The Center Post also incorporates an alignment pin as part of the “no-tools” clamp that controls the extension of the Telescoping Post. This pin keeps the upper and lower posts in alignment so the Head and Base of the Gold Sled are always parallel to each other.
For more information on the Glidecam Gold Series call 1-800-600-2011 or email glidecam@glidecam.com