Comparative weights of different steadicam sled models and factors affecting weight measurements

2004Sled forum

22 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

Steadicam Ultra with one BFD weighs approximately 20.5 pounds without battery and 24.5 pounds with battery
PRO Lite with Preston MDR weighs approximately 14.5 pounds without battery and 19.5 pounds with battery
Ultimate with MDR, onboard electronics, power and run cables weighs approximately 19 pounds and 23.5 pounds when including Trimpac and ProFormer battery
PRO 2 sled alone weighs approximately 18.25 pounds according to factory specifications
Weight distribution matters significantly because the Ultimate places its center of gravity low due to intelligent power supply design, allowing operators to fly the gimbal further from the camera stage compared to the PRO where the junction box stays closer
Battery type and weight varies significantly even within the same model, requiring rebalancing after each battery change
Sled weight alone provides limited practical information because working configurations include monitors, batteries, cables, motors, transmitters, and accessories that vary by job
On-set adjustability features like motorized tilt stages and telescoping posts can increase weight but may provide operational benefits through faster setup between shots
Operator capability and comfort with carrying weight varies, making sled choice dependent on individual needs rather than absolute weight figures

Scale used for measurements was from a camera rental facility and may have accuracy variations
Weight measurements include different accessories and configurations making direct model-to-model comparison difficult
Monitor type significantly affects total weight but was not consistently documented across all measurements
Battery weight varies between units of the same model
No standardized baseline was established for comparing rigs with identical accessories and batteries
Practical working weight differs greatly from sled-only weight due to cameras, monitors, batteries, cables and accessories that are job-specific
Data collection for comprehensive weight table across multiple sled models remained incomplete in the discussion