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New Gimbal head to seriously consider
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Mar 13, 2013 18:39:10   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Acountry330 wrote:
Mine is on the way. For only 40 dollars how can you loose.


No kidding. I was so impressed that I just got off the phone and ordered a second one to stick in the closet just to have it!
I hung my 800mm F5.6 and a D800 body on it yesterday just for the feel of it and this head handled that 20 pounds of camera/lens combo just fine. I don't think I would do it a LOT, but its nice to know the capability is there. It's almost like it was made just for the Bigma series of lenses though, pretty much a perfect match at those weights.

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Mar 13, 2013 20:08:48   #
snogost67 Loc: dayton, montana
 
Ordered mine today and will be setting it on a Manfrotto 3021N. Hoping this is just what I need for birds in flight. Thanks for the review!

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Mar 18, 2013 08:15:47   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
MT Shooter wrote:
mborn wrote:
Say MT
Just got the Gimbal head in, Great value. Now, I agree with you the base need some grease. How would you do that?
Thanks


I finally got a minute to take a look at it. I could not remove the top, not sure of the assembly process there yet. But a look at the bottom showed 3 very small allen head screws. I removed these and was very surprised to find a Torrington style flat roller bearing, pricey little thing too. The bearing and spacer race just sit there so it was easy to see that all I needed to do was add a little lube to the bearing and re-assemble. That was when I found out the 3 little screws are tension adjusters. If you tighten them up the bearing will drag heavily. After some experimenting I found that taking them to just snug, and backing off 1/2 turn, left that bearing turning smooth as silk. (All I used for lube here was sewing machine oil, a thick grease might make the head have a "fluid-dampened" feel. I may experiment with that later when the weather outside is warmer.) I re-installed the head and is just spins now, no resistance and no hesitations anywhere. The swing pivot was very smooth and free when I received it so I am not doing anything to that one for now, maybe if it ever needs it. I am pretty sure the swing pivot has a Torrington bearing in it as well. I have no idea how they can sell these heads for only $40, but I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. (You can probably tell by the first pic that I have been using this head a lot, I have had it on 3 sets of legs testing it. So far I like it best on the Bogen 3246 (Manfrotto 028) legs, they pair up quite well!
quote=mborn Say MT br Just got the Gimbal head in... (show quote)


MT how did you get the bottom plastic piece off?
Thanks

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Mar 18, 2013 08:24:01   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
mborn wrote:
MT Shooter wrote:
mborn wrote:
Say MT
Just got the Gimbal head in, Great value. Now, I agree with you the base need some grease. How would you do that?
Thanks


I finally got a minute to take a look at it. I could not remove the top, not sure of the assembly process there yet. But a look at the bottom showed 3 very small allen head screws. I removed these and was very surprised to find a Torrington style flat roller bearing, pricey little thing too. The bearing and spacer race just sit there so it was easy to see that all I needed to do was add a little lube to the bearing and re-assemble. That was when I found out the 3 little screws are tension adjusters. If you tighten them up the bearing will drag heavily. After some experimenting I found that taking them to just snug, and backing off 1/2 turn, left that bearing turning smooth as silk. (All I used for lube here was sewing machine oil, a thick grease might make the head have a "fluid-dampened" feel. I may experiment with that later when the weather outside is warmer.) I re-installed the head and is just spins now, no resistance and no hesitations anywhere. The swing pivot was very smooth and free when I received it so I am not doing anything to that one for now, maybe if it ever needs it. I am pretty sure the swing pivot has a Torrington bearing in it as well. I have no idea how they can sell these heads for only $40, but I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. (You can probably tell by the first pic that I have been using this head a lot, I have had it on 3 sets of legs testing it. So far I like it best on the Bogen 3246 (Manfrotto 028) legs, they pair up quite well!
quote=mborn Say MT br Just got the Gimbal head in... (show quote)


MT how did you get the bottom plastic piece off?
Thanks
quote=MT Shooter quote=mborn Say MT br Just got ... (show quote)


The plastic piece does not need to come off. The base pivot on the Flashpoint comes apart from the bottom.

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Mar 18, 2013 09:49:39   #
Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA
 
I am with mborn. I see no screws on the bottom. So I also think the bottom plastic piece needs to come off.

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Mar 18, 2013 09:54:20   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Acountry330 wrote:
I am with mborn. I see no screws on the bottom. So I also think the bottom plastic piece needs to come off.


Please post pictures of what you have, the base of the Flashpoint has no plastic other than the small round name plate.

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Mar 18, 2013 09:58:25   #
Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA
 
I will sometime today. I have to prepare for my eye appt.

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Mar 18, 2013 10:13:34   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
MT Shooter wrote:
Acountry330 wrote:
I am with mborn. I see no screws on the bottom. So I also think the bottom plastic piece needs to come off.


Please post pictures of what you have, the base of the Flashpoint has no plastic other than the small round name plate.


Here is the photos





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Mar 18, 2013 11:13:16   #
bigd7200
 
The chrome ring is a thin washer that is lightly glued on. Pop it off and the allen head screws are revealed.

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Mar 18, 2013 13:07:45   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
mborn wrote:
MT Shooter wrote:
Acountry330 wrote:
I am with mborn. I see no screws on the bottom. So I also think the bottom plastic piece needs to come off.


Please post pictures of what you have, the base of the Flashpoint has no plastic other than the small round name plate.


Here is the photos


The chrome ring was not on mine, but there was room in the recess for one. I would suggest trying to pry it off, I doubt it is terrible secure and should come off easily. The screws are sure to be underneath it.

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Mar 18, 2013 14:04:50   #
Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
 
You're obviously looking and talking about two different models. Your pic is the "FP" GH2 while MT is talking about the "D" GH2. You guys remind me of my oldest son, every thing he buys he tears it down to either make improvements or just to see how it works. Me on the other hand (not mechanical at all) if I have to tear it down and fix it before I can use it I generally will pass and look for something that's spot on when I take it out of the box.

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Mar 18, 2013 14:32:18   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
mborn wrote:
MT Shooter wrote:
Acountry330 wrote:
I am with mborn. I see no screws on the bottom. So I also think the bottom plastic piece needs to come off.


Please post pictures of what you have, the base of the Flashpoint has no plastic other than the small round name plate.


Here is the photos


My second head just arrived and after taking it out of the box I see it does have the chrome ring in place. A quick pick with the pocket knife popped it right off and the screws were underneath. The ring (washer) was apparently just missing off my first one for some reason.


EDIT: I just went back to the box that my first Flashpoint DG2 came in and took the foam packing out, and there was the chrome washer! Looks like it fell off in shipping. Doesn't say much for the adhesive ability of that Chinese glue they used on it.

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Mar 18, 2013 14:35:03   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Pepper wrote:
You're obviously looking and talking about two different models. Your pic is the "FP" GH2 while MT is talking about the "D" GH2. You guys remind me of my oldest son, every thing he buys he tears it down to either make improvements or just to see how it works. Me on the other hand (not mechanical at all) if I have to tear it down and fix it before I can use it I generally will pass and look for something that's spot on when I take it out of the box.


No, these are the exact same head. The FPGH2 is the tag designation that Adorama has placed on the head itself. The DG2 is the Triopo factory designation for the head, and also the designation that Adorama uses on their webpage listing for the head. The Flashpoint products are simply re-named Triopo products. This is exactly what Opteka does with the Beike BK-45 Gimbal head that they sell, except Opteka adds on $50 to the selling price hoping to fool people into believing they are getting a superior product to the Beike unit, which they are not.

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Mar 18, 2013 14:45:38   #
Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
 
MT Shooter wrote:
Pepper wrote:
You're obviously looking and talking about two different models. Your pic is the "FP" GH2 while MT is talking about the "D" GH2. You guys remind me of my oldest son, every thing he buys he tears it down to either make improvements or just to see how it works. Me on the other hand (not mechanical at all) if I have to tear it down and fix it before I can use it I generally will pass and look for something that's spot on when I take it out of the box.


No, these are the exact same head. The FPGH2 is the tag designation that Adorama has placed on the head itself. The DG2 is the Triopo factory designation for the head, and also the designation that Adorama uses on their webpage listing for the head. The Flashpoint products are simply re-named Triopo products. This is exactly what Opteka does with the Beike BK-45 Gimbal head that they sell, except Opteka adds on $50 to the selling price hoping to fool people into believing they are getting a superior product to the Beike unit, which they are not.
quote=Pepper You're obviously looking and talking... (show quote)


And once again I stand corrected. Thanks MT

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Mar 18, 2013 14:54:37   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
Price is now up to $169

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