Topic: Bogen 3373 how much do you chop off...........

[RobC]

I just got a Bogen 3373 to use as a FOB low profile stand, and know many guys chop down the legs to make a smaller footprint.

I was wondering how much you chop off?

[Brian Skalinder]

I just got a Bogen 3373 to use as a FOB low profile stand, and know many guys chop down the legs to make a smaller footprint.

I was wondering how much you chop off?

IME, good blocking (usually just me and Jen) precludes any leg-chopping.  I haven't chopped mine at all.  Works great as far as I'm concerned.  I suggest running it a few times unchopped to see how it goes.  Might as well make sure it's something you want to do - once chopped, the legs won't grow back.

[Mic D]

Just run it with the legs flat. You'll have to tape it down good but it works perfectly. No need to chop off the legs.

[Joe w.]

Just run it with the legs flat. You'll have to tape it down good but it works perfectly. No need to chop off the legs.

I agree. flat is the way to go. Keeping the full length legs will allow you to run it at full height when your not being low key. I own a 3373, and a clamp. all you need.  

[wboswell]

eggsactly...  much better imo.

[brianp]

dont chop it! you'll regret it later. Its not that big of a footprint anyways, and you may need the full 7.5' at a later date.

[RobC]

Ok, not chopping

[Cooker]

i have thought about chopping mine many times, but have shied away from it. i've seen some chopped ones run in the field, and at an ampitheater show it will save you lots of hassles, and there is no noticeable loss in stability - but just like these guys said, it is my only stand now and i occasionally like to run it at the full 7.5'

if you have another stand to run in the section, go ahead and chop about 8" off each leg. if it's your only stand leave it as it.

[mhibbs]

I chopped mine off, and don't regret it at all.  I don't need the extra few inches, and the smaller footprint and the fact that it folds flatter is well worth it.  I cut mine off just enough that the legs would fold flush against the main tube under the bottom tightening screw.  I'm not sure exactly how much that was, but I am guessing probably 6"


mitch

[Tim]

I'd cut it down exactly as Mitch has described.


hey mitch - ran into your brother again at moe/galactic in Denver, good kid!

[Brian Skalinder]

I chopped mine off, and don't regret it at all.  I don't need the extra few inches, and the smaller footprint and the fact that it folds flatter is well worth it.  I cut mine off just enough that the legs would fold flush against the main tube under the bottom tightening screw.  I'm not sure exactly how much that was, but I am guessing probably 6"

I happen to have mine here at work and looks like you chopped about 7" based on your description of them folding flush against the main tube just under the bottom leg-tightening screw.  But I'm having trouble visualizing how it "folds flatter"?

As for footprint, my stock stand's narrowest footprint is 12" between each leg (12" each between leg A-B, B-C, and C-A).  If I visualize chopping 7' off, it only cuts my footprint down to 8-1/2".  I've always run a clamp and an extension for amphitheater shows, or had no problem running the stand stock, so I haven't needed to chop it.

Mitch - do you find the 8-1/2" footprint that much more convenient than 12"?  Curious to hear your experiences...

[Cooker]

it's not about the footprint at it's narrowest, brian, it'a about the footprint at it's widest.

cut stands when run flush to the ground, fob, will not really protrude past the area that one person would take up.  when i run my stand flat the footprint is very wide.

[Brian Skalinder]

Ahhhh...I get it, now.  I've never run my stand flat so didn't even think about it that way.  Thanks, Cooker.

[Tim]

it's not about the footprint at it's narrowest, brian, it'a about the footprint at it's widest.

cut stands when run flush to the ground, fob, will not really protrude past the area that one person would take up.  when i run my stand flat the footprint is very wide.

+T for saying what a few of us were dancing around!

[mhibbs]

Yeah, I was about to echo cooker...I typically run mine almost completely flat against the ground w/ typically only about a 2inch tall "triangle" if you will in the center.  FOB, that allows you to set your bag across almost 2 legs right up against the stand and allows you to get really small and stable.  The stand also folds a bit flatter when the legs can slide under the bottom tightening screw rather than going up around it towards the top.  Granted, we're not talking about a lot flatter, but I can easily run mine up the sleeve of jacket to get down front...and you can't do that nearly as easily w/ the stock leg config.


mitch