2013Cases/Carts/Stands and Transport forum
Compact stands for traveling with Steadicam rigs
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Collapsible C-stands with turtle bases sold by Tiffen pack into small travel bags suitable for transport.
- C-stands tend to flex excessively when carrying full-sized rigs and may feel unstable under heavy loads.
- American Grip combo Steadicam stands have wider bases and greater rigidity compared to standard C-stands, reducing flex with heavy rigs.
- American Grip Steadicam stands are heavy enough that sandbags may not be necessary for stability on level ground.
- American Grip stands can be disassembled by loosening three Allen screws, allowing the telescoping section to separate for compact packing into Pelican cases.
- An American Grip stand disassembled into two pieces fits into a Pelican 1630 or 1650 case, making it easier to transport than bulky tripod cases.
- American Grip stands can be wrapped with padding and stored in tall Ronford tripod cases for travel.
Depends on
- The comparison assumes knowledge of what constitutes a full-sized rig.
- The stability advantages of wider bases and weight may not apply to lighter Steadicam configurations.
- Packing methods described are specific to American Grip stand design and may require adaptation for other stand models.
- No direct comparison of weight between collapsible C-stands and American Grip stands was provided.