2026From a Facebook group: The Steadicam Group
Buying strategy for a 25,000 USD entry-level rig: used Artemis-1 with Flowcine X-Arm versus Rever-Evo Sled, and the case for learning on budget equipment first
Note (as of October 2026)Curt O. Schaller, the developer of Artemis and Trinity, has no longer been with ARRI since the end of 2025. To our knowledge, ARRI currently has no dedicated team and no official contact persons for its stabilizer systems. In our view, the future of this line is uncertain. If you are buying new, get written confirmation from ARRI beforehand on how long service and spare parts are guaranteed. Have used rigs checked by the manufacturer before you buy.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Most operators recommend a used Artemis-1 with a used Flowcine X-Arm over a Rever-Evo Sled setup, citing better resale value, higher payload capacity, superior build quality, and easier service access.
- Several operators do not regard the Rever Sled as professional-grade, citing risk of component failure and uncertain service availability.
- Artemis-2 over Artemis-1 offers primarily improved power distribution and heavier, more robust construction, but does not produce better images; the upgrade justifies itself mainly if the operator plans to move to Trinity-2 later.
- One teaching approach recommends that newcomers start with inexpensive used equipment such as a Pilot or A-15 paired with a lightweight camera, study the manual and training video, practice for several weeks, then purchase a rig matched to their intended camera rather than to budget constraints.
- Arm and vest are long-term investments; the sled can be exchanged later without compromising the core rig.
Depends on
- The learning-first versus professional-immediate choice depends on the operator's prior experience, timeline to revenue-generating work, and risk tolerance.
- Resale value and service availability vary by region and market conditions.
Gear in this thread
Same gear or parts
- 2026Rig setup for 180-degree immersive camera operation with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive: minimizing rig and monitor visibility in ultra-wide field of view.FacebookThe Steadicam Group
- 2026Operating a Steadicam® Zephyr without Volt: drop time, horizon control, and the effect of upper-rig weight distribution on balance.DisputedFacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Why a 150 Wh battery at the sled powers the camera for only ~20 minutes versus two to three times longer when mounted on-body, and how to extend runtime.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group
- 2026Repairing shorted BNC video lines in an ARRI Artemis 1 sled: interim workarounds and permanent solutions.FacebookSteadicam operators group