Topic: Stand upgrade - taller / sturdier

[voltronic]

Right now I'm using the cheap Ravelli 10' stand after finding it recommended here.  It has generally been fine, but it's not totally stable at full extension.  I no longer feel comfortable with my original plan of adding height with an extension pole.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TM600U/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_1

I'm looking for something both a bit taller and significantly sturdier, especially for peace of mind when doing multi-mic setups.

This 12' Manfrotto seems to get a lot of praise here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/644444-REG/Manfrotto_1004BAC_Alu_Master_3_Riser.html

I'm also interested in these two variants of the Impact 13', although I'm not wild about the fixed 1/4"-20 stud - would prefer the added strength of 3/8"-16.  Never used an Impact product so not sure if it's a quality upgrade from what I'm using or not.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253066-REG/Impact_LS_13HB_Heavy_Duty_Light_Stand.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253065-REG/Impact_LS_13HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty.html

I've looked all through the other similar stands at B&H and they are either too expensive or I don't have any bearing on the quality of the brand.  Does anyone have experience with the stands I linked or others that are good?  I also considered pairing the shorter Manfrotto stand with a 099B pole to get around 15' tall for not too much more money, but then I have to carry two things with me all the time.  With my current stand, I'm always running it at max height out of necessity.

[2manyrocks]

Adding to the above questions--when you get up past 12', is it necessary to add weights to the stand for increased stability?

[JusTapin]

You wouldn't be at all disappointed with the 12' Manfretto.  It's solid, strong and great quality. Mine survived some pretty severe winds with 3 others clamped on at the Gorge this year.

I also carry the Manfrotto - 3-Section Extension Pole (35- 92") for a little more flexibility in setups and added height when needed.

[stevetoney]

I'd go for the manfrotto since you're specifically looking to upgrade and IMHO they have the best name in the business so you should be happy.  My only comment is why pay the extra 30 for the stackable design?  Seems like I've seen $70 or $80 13 footers from Manfrotto.  I have a 15' Manfro and it's really solid.  Blows the other three stands I have out of the wawa.

2manyrocks...I don't think added weights can ever hurt, but I'd say the quality of the stand, its footprint and its overall robustness are bigger factors to stability than weights.  I have a couple of stands that suck and weights won't help stabilize them.  They're on the junk pile of stuff I take to festivals for my emergency stands, but I won't sell them to anyone else even though they work fine because they're garbage...I wish others would do the same.  I bought one of these in the YS and I'm kinda bummed one person would pass this stand off to someone else on this list, but that's beside the point.   At indoor venues, duct tape is as effective as weights.  Outdoor, most people use stakes.  (If others are taping, please remember not to pound your stakes in until after the set is over.)

[voltronic]

I'd go for the manfrotto since you're specifically looking to upgrade and IMHO they have the best name in the business so you should be happy.  My only comment is why pay the extra 30 for the stackable design?  Seems like I've seen $70 or $80 13 footers from Manfrotto.  I have a 15' Manfro and it's really solid.  Blows the other three stands I have out of the wawa.

From what I'm seeing, the stackable design is the only way that stand is made.  I also am not finding any of the 13' stands you mentioned, and their 15' stand is over $300!  I would love to have a 15', but that's crazy.  Maybe you have a discontinued model?  If you let me know what it is maybe I can find a used one.

BTW, was your last sentence intended to be an inside joke for us here in PA?

[stevetoney]

OK you're right. Just checked and my stand is manfrotto 3364 which is a 13 footer.  They say the one you linked to is its replacement.  I didnt realize they'd gone to this price point.  Sorry for earlier misinfo...but yeah I do think this is a great stand.  Very sturdy and robust. If you did go with it I know you wouldn't be disappointed.

[voltronic]

OK you're right. Just checked and my stand is manfrotto 3364 which is a 13 footer.  They say the one you linked to is its replacement.  I didnt realize they'd gone to this price point.  Sorry for earlier misinfo...but yeah I do think this is a great stand.  Very sturdy and robust. If you did go with it I know you wouldn't be disappointed.

Thanks!  I just found two possible winners on eBay. 

Your 3364 (with a female thread stud?): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Manfrotto-Light-Stand-3364-/221631580254?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339a45885e
15' Calumet / Manfrotto 053B: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Calumet-053-053B-15-Light-Microphone-Stand-Made-in-Italy-by-Manfrotto-Used-/271698922788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f42848d24

The 053B looks very attractive for just over $50 shipped, but I'm wondering about the strength of those locking latches vs. the knobs.  The fact that Manfrotto no longer uses them on any of their stands seems significant...

[stevetoney]

^ I can't give you any insight on the Calumet other than that would be a concern of mine as well.  It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks to me like the Calumet wouldn't be in the same weight class, if you will, as the other one.  Looks like the top telescoping piece is fairly small diameter.  I don't want to bias your decision too much when its hard to see what's actually being sold, but one of the tall stands I have that I really don't like at all, has lots of telescoping sections...maybe 6 of them...and by the time you get all of the separate sections out, with the upper sections being kinda thin (i'd guess 1/2 inch in diameter), the mics just really aren't all that stable at the top.  When you put an umbrella up there, if there's any wind at all my mics are swaying way more than I want them to.  Last year, I had to bring my mics down below 10 feet.  I mean, even with the 3364, I will get a little bit of sway, but I'm not nervous about it coming down like I am with that other stand. 

The point here is that IMHO the taller the stand you want, the larger the diameter the sections I'd be looking for...and it's not necessarily better IMHO for a tall stand to fold down into a smaller, shorter package.  FWIW, I don't really don't have any problems with the size or weight of that 3364.

[voltronic]

OK, that sounds like good advice.  I think I might bid on that 3364 and if that doesn't work out, I'll go with the 1004BAC.  Thanks!

[aaronji]

I am using the Manfrotto 1004BAC and have been for some time now. It's a great stand, but you can get pretty substantial sway at the top, at least with a heavy load at full extension (like a 154B and a pair of mics, maybe a second pair in the center). Before the Manfrotto, I had a K&M 20811. That thing was rock solid and went well over four meters. I loved it, but it was really big and heavy (over twenty pounds, I think). I go to a lot of shows by public transport, so it was just too much, but the 1004BAC is a compromise. Manfrotto has a big heavy one too...I would consider the K&M if size and weight aren't constraints.

[myke2241]

OK, that sounds like good advice.  I think I might bid on that 3364 and if that doesn't work out, I'll go with the 1004BAC.  Thanks!

just a note: i purchased the Manfrotto 1004BAC three pack last winter. i love the stands but they shipped locked together and one of the tabs was damaged. So those tabs can break if they are dropped while locked together.

[voltronic]

^^^All great advice, thanks!  I actually just purchased the 1004BAC last night from an eBay seller (new) for a bit less than what they go for at the usual places.  I would expect anything but serious heavy stands like Atlas or Latch Lake to sway a bit with a heavy load at extension, but it sounds like the Manfrotto is still going to be an upgrade from what I have.

[voltronic]

Also, at some point I might pick up a 099B extension to get up to 20 feet.  Wouldn't do that with anything but 1 pair of mics though, and definitely not with the split omni bar.

[voltronic]

1004BAC came today, and the build quality is definitely a huge step up from what I was using.  I see where the locking tabs would be a weak point though, as myke said.  I won't get to try this out for real until mid-January, but so far I'm glad I made the purchase.

[stevetoney]

1004BAC came today, and the build quality is definitely a huge step up from what I was using.  I see where the locking tabs would be a weak point though, as myke said.  I won't get to try this out for real until mid-January, but so far I'm glad I made the purchase.

Glad to hear the good news.