Topic: Why is it so hard to find a mic stand?

[acidjack]

I've used the 4m and 2.4m Impact light stands that B&H sells and they work just fine for me.  Monday night I had a 1m boom attached to the top of the 4m stand, with $5k of mics hanging on the end with no worries.  I did bungee cord the base to the end of the pew, and camped out next to the stand to deflect wookiees.  (In most of the concerts I record the wookiees are little old ladies with a touch of dementia.   However, they can be just as destructive as Big Dumb Dude with Beer wookiees.)

       

[ashevillain]

imo, it's not a good idea to extend a stand to it's full length as they get wobbly.

The only stand I have is the Bogen 3373 and I routinely run it at max height with a Shure Vert Bar and full bodied SDC's and in the wind. Never bothered me one bit. I do want to get a stand that will go a few feet higher though.

[alpine85]

I picked up one of these a few months back & am quite happy with it:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/calumet_13_5_air_cushioned_light_stand/mf6065

[su6oxone]

Yeah I don't ever raise it to its max height. Even with small mics I never feel comfortable with that.

Cheaply constructed stands tend to be more flimsy and wobble a lot in the wind when raised high.  But my $200 Avenger stand is extremely sturdy (albeit large as well) and has minimal sway even when raised up to 15' so I would say go with something sturdier if you want to go high.

[OOK]

I picked up one of these a few months back & am quite happy with it:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/calumet_13_5_air_cushioned_light_stand/mf6065

Is there a trhead stud on top of the stand you have....

[stevetoney]

Rather than worrying about what hardware you need on the top of a stand, just buy a Windtech C clamp (or two or three) and clamp that to your extended stand.  This gives you the versatility to clamp to something else or someone else's stand if you need to.  They're only $15 or so, which might be less than you spend for the hardware you'd need to customize the top of a stand.

[darby]

plus I have seen the stud bend or break on stands where people try to use adapters

[alpine85]

I picked up one of these a few months back & am quite happy with it:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/calumet_13_5_air_cushioned_light_stand/mf6065

Is there a trhead stud on top of the stand you have....

Yeah, it came with a 3/8"

The Calumet stand is a little heavier and bulkier than the Manfrotto one I have, but to me it's worth it to have the air cushioning.

[acidjack]

plus I have seen the stud bend or break on stands where people try to use adapters

I assume you don't mean you've seen a stand break with a rapid adapter on it...?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546494-REG/Manfrotto_014_14_014_14_Rapid_Adapter.html

I've found that thing to be nothing but rock solid.

[darby]

but not as versatile as a "C" clamp

you can't use a rapid adapter on a railing or hold an umbrella

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I assume you don't mean you've seen a stand break with a rapid adapter on it...?

The studs are often pressed in, and held with a crimp.  There may also be a retention screw.  Stand quality varies greatly.  That stud could pull out or, or the thin wall tubing could crack without warning.

My cheapo $28/shipped Dynatrans has held up well (good luck getting parts), but it is not as well constructed a good bogen/manfrotto.  My Gitzo is rated for 39 lbs of gear.

When I load up the dynatrans, the legs usually aren't out, and I'm clamping with a couple of superclamps, etc.

[NSL]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253074-REG/Impact_LS_8A_Air_Cushioned_Light_Stand_.html

This is the only stand I have and it works great for me.  Usually just add a little duck tape to it to keep it steady if bumped.  Think I payed $30 for it.

[Shadow_7]

I've just got a radio shack tripod based one and a proline boom arm.  Goes a good 9'.  If it's windy you really don't want to go higher than that.  And having the boom arm to bend to favor the incline of the land is a plus.  Plus the clutch to drape cords over or use as a tie down point.  But very wobbly in wind, plus top heavy, and I rarely exceed more than 2/3 extension on all segments +/- depending on wind.  I'd recommend a good light stand.  Designed for heavier gear and way cheaper than mic stands.  Wider base, and other things.  A good clamp too.  Maybe even a wooden dowel to fill in the top tube to avoid over clamping.  If you're cheap a stereo bar ($10) and a couple hose clamps ($0.50) to rig up to the stand.  If you need something cheaper or lighter, I'm sure there's a way to rig something up with PVC.  Although at that height you'd need a good diameter pipe, and other issues.

[Barry Shoop]

The Shure S15 or S10 are the best out there for taping. Both are aluminium telecoping stands with adjustable foot print tripod base. The 15 is 15' and the 10 is 10'. Honestly, I'd get the 15 as you can always make it shorter but extra lenght is a real problem if you need it and do not have it. Also the 15 is MUCH sturdier. They run about $150 but will last a lifetime if you take care of them and don't strip the t-bar threads at the top. (It IS aluminium so use some care and make a little cap to protect when not in use!) 

[F.O.Bean]

I bought mine for $180 back in 1999 from Sonic Sense. Seems expensive, but its lasted this long and aint going nowhere anytime soon In fact, Id rather use it than a newer stand, because mine has proven reliable time and time again