SteadiHub
2013Steadi-Newbies forum

Compatibility of Merlin and Pilot kit vests and arms

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

What the thread found

  • The vest and arm assembly is identical between the Merlin and Pilot kits, with the only difference being the arm post configuration.
  • The arm post is cranked on the Merlin version and straight on the Pilot version.
  • The arm post can be swapped between Merlin and Pilot configurations in seconds.
  • Putting on the vest and arm can be accomplished in under a minute with practice, typically within 30 seconds.

Depends on

  • The exchange time for the arm post was described informally as 'a few seconds' without precise measurement.
  • Setup time estimate of 30 seconds was informal and based on practice, not formal testing.

Parts

Arm Post

Same gear or parts

  1. 2026Recommended upgrade priorities for a GPI Pro steadicam rigSteadi-Newbies
  2. 2026Vest drops: what lowering the arm socket actually buys, and what it costs at the topOperator practice
  3. 2026Rocket Arm (elastic band arm) versus traditional spring arms like the G70x: performance, weight, build, and design dispute.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group
  4. 2025Differences between M-1 and M-2 gimbal designsGeneral Discussion
Read the original threadAsk about this threadThe answer cites the archive