2009Steadi-Newbies forum
Evaluation of Glidecam V.16 stabilizer as a beginner learning tool
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- The Glidecam V.16 has a single arm design with difficult adjustments for camera fore/aft and side-to-side positioning, and challenging drop time adjustments.
- Removing and reinstalling the camera on the V.16 requires tools and repeated balancing, consuming significant time on set.
- The V.16 cannot achieve perfect static and dynamic balance, limiting its performance capability.
- Beginner operators may benefit more from investing in higher-end systems like the Steadicam Pilot or Flyer rather than budget models, especially if intending a professional career.
- Some users found that purchasing an inexpensive system led to later renting professional alternatives, suggesting the initial budget purchase was ultimately wasteful.
- The V.16 is less refined compared to other Glidecam models available at the time.
Depends on
- The thread dates to 2009 and reflects equipment available then.
- Participants had limited direct experience with this specific model; some had only observed it in use or knew of it secondhand.
- The decision to invest depends on individual career intentions and budget constraints, which vary by user.
- One user's experience with an unnamed small system cannot be definitively attributed to the V.16 model specifically.