Comfort arm
And
Vest
The flypod 5000 eliminates the stress and lets you concentrate on your shot.
The flypod 5000 is a vest and articulating arm assembly which is compatible with a wide variety of camera stabilizers including the glidecam 1000 through 4000 series, steadicam, and the flowpod and ultralite.
The flypod 5000 displaces the weight of the entire camcorder and stabilizer combination over the operator's body.
The mechanical system of a vest and articulating arm alleviates the physical stress that's otherwise placed upon you by manhandling a stabilizer on your own. If you've ever used a stabilizer, it's a great tool to have for walking shots, but even after a short time it becomes very tiring. The fatigue that's induced by carefully holding a stabilizer and camera at arm's length for extended periods will eventually impact your shooting in a negative way, because the more tired you become, the more attention you're devoting to that feeling of physical stress. A vest and arm system removes that problem, enabling you to simply "wear the camera" and go all day long.
Vest support
The padded support vest has four attachment points for its suspension system plus a wide lower "belt" secured by velcro. The lower portion including the position of the articulating arm mounting socket can be adjusted vertically by several inches.
Basically, you'll spend a few minutes the first time you put this thing on in order to get it comfortable. Once you've tightened all the straps, you shouldn't have to change anything (unless somebody else wears it)... Just use the quick-release buckles to slip it on and off. The articulating arm slips right out of its socket, so you're not stuck with that thing banging around when you're taking a break between shots.
Articulating arm
The arm incorporates eight precision bearings within its machined aluminum structure which allow arm to pivot and boom very smoothly with virtually no noise.
The arm has a manually adjustable tensioning spring which maintains the position of the stabilizer depending on the combined weight of whatever camcorder and stabilizer you're using. The arm itself articulates on eight sealed bearings, is very light in weight and easily removed from the vest. There's a universal stabilizer mount which is inserted and locked into the arm without the need for tools.
They key to using a stabilizer effectively with any vest and articulating arm is to practice, practice. It's sort of like learning a new, special way to walk. The stabilizer and arm combination basically means that you're wearing the camera. Developing the techniques required for smooth movement while shooting requires the devotion of some time with the rig.
