2005Arms forum
Comparison of stabilizer arms: ProGear arm versus Pro arm, Rig Engineering, and other designs
21 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- The ProGear arm is a copy of a patented design and differs from the Pro arm in mechanical behavior and build quality.
- The ProGear arm performs smoothly at its midpoint balance but requires significant lift force (approximately 10 pounds) when pushing or pulling away from center, compared to isoelastic designs that require no lift adjustment.
- The ProGear arm consists of heavy metal construction with parts that can detach easily, though repairs are straightforward.
- ProGear as a company has been reported to have severe customer service issues including non-delivery of ordered equipment and poor support, making purchase risky despite the arm's technical functionality.
- Rig Engineering arms are praised for excellent customer service, fair pricing, and reliable performance as an alternative to more expensive options.
- The Baer-Bel arm offers similar performance and weight characteristics to the Pro arm at a lower price point.
- The Steadyrig arm and Zero-G arm from ActionCam are mentioned as viable alternatives with good compatibility and pricing.
Depends on
- One person's direct experience using the ProGear arm for one year before upgrading.
- Discussion spans many years with some posts from 2005, so current product specifications may have changed.
- The patented design reference is claimed but not verified in the thread.
- Lift force requirements for ProGear are estimated rather than precisely measured.
- No detailed comparative testing data provided between all mentioned arm types.
Gear in this thread
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