2015Vests forum
Exovest upgrade program and custom fitting adjustments
What the thread found
- Exovests manufactured before December 2013 or lacking scooped finger grips on the waist lever are eligible for free upgrades.
- Three upgrade options are available: receiving parts by mail for self-installation taking about an hour, shipping to Steadicam factory in California with covered costs, or using regional partners for the service.
- Some operators have found adding padding to the shoulder area or specific chest plate locations improves fit and lockoff stability without restricting the ribcage.
- Shoulder straps on all current Exovests have excessive adjustability and newer versions will be approximately one inch shorter, with a future compact version having an additional inch shorter.
- Shortening shoulder and waist straps through the manufacturer or with basic machining skills can improve vest fit for operators with smaller frames.
- Pad design in newer versions may have ergonomic improvements, though observed differences could be from manufacturing variation rather than intentional redesign.
Depends on
- The compact version details are limited to waist and shoulder reductions with optional rod length adjustments.
- Whether pad improvements were incorporated into the upgrade package is unclear and required individual assessment.
- Modifications like strap shortening work best when performed by someone with mechanical aptitude or access to machine shop equipment.
- The timeframe for upgrade completion from the factory was subject to workload variations.