Panther Husky or Losmandy Spider...

[C.H.Haskell]

Hello comrades

Anyone have experience using either the Panther Husky dolly or the Losmandy Spider Dolly?

I know this much...Panther is built to last, cost more. I like that it can fold up and used as a grip dolly and has several wheel options.

Spider Dolly from Losmandy is nice and light weight, seems to pack up small and is cheaper (fully loaded cost about 3490). Site says it can handle 400 pounds but I am curious if anyone has used a fully loaded set up and my main concern is if its a sturdy ride etc.

I am ready to pull the trigger on one or the other...any advice?

Thanks!

http://www.porta-jib.com/spider_dolly.htm

http://www.panther.us/cms/en_fe_huskydolly.html

[Benjamin Rowland]

How much is the Panther?

[C.H.Haskell]

I am still trying to figure that out...I am guessing in the ball park of 6k.

[Mitch Gross]

We have both for rental (and sale) in our New York office.

The Panther is a more robust and simpler to use device. It is also larger and therefore more stable. If you're ever in NY and want to come check them out let me know.

Mitch Gross
Technical Director of Rentals
Abel Cine Tech

[C.H.Haskell]

Hiya Mitch...yeah I spoke with Charlie yesterday about swinging by, I do most of my business with you guys. I am leaning towards the panther myself, seems like the husky is just small enough for micro shoots but big enough to last.

Are you in sales there...glad someone from Abel is here, welcome.

[BASSAM MSSALATIE]

Hello comrades



HI where are you from, :holloween: i start doubt
i remmember that song back to the USSR

[C.H.Haskell]

haha...I am from VA but my wife is from CUBA and no she is not a communist!

SOoo about those dollies...I am going to pull trigger on Panther Husky, any last recommendations? Looking for lightweight and mobility but built to last.

cheers!

[Nick Gardner]

I recommend anything made by these guys

http://www.premierstudioequipment.com/

They make well thought out well designed products that are affordable.
If you are going to buy a dolly, you might as well buy a dolly. Both the options you listed are glorified skate board dolly's (which work great, just for the money they charge, buy a piece of plywood, and a bazooka, and some skate wheels and make your own).

Cheers,

Nick

[Mitch Gross]

Hiya Mitch...yeah I spoke with Charlie yesterday about swinging by, I do most of my business with you guys. I am leaning towards the panther myself, seems like the husky is just small enough for micro shoots but big enough to last.

Are you in sales there...glad someone from Abel is here, welcome.

Happy to be here. I'm in the Rental Dpt. but often consult with Sales.


Mitch Gross
Tachnical Director of Rentals
Abel Cine Tech

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hi Mitch
One question about the Husky.

On what kind of floor is it possible to shoot with the pneumatic wheels, I'm talking especially interiors floors you would commonly find in houses, how even does it have to be.

Also what would be the lightest rails to shoot on the Husky.

Thanks

Emmanuel

[Jim Exton]

I recommend anything made by these guys

http://www.premierstudioequipment.com/

They make well thought out well designed products that are affordable.
If you are going to buy a dolly, you might as well buy a dolly.

I agree. This dolly is top notch. Really professional built. I think it is the best buy for the money, certainly better than the Losmandy dolly (price wise).

Easy to set up, weighs about 125 lbs. I love the jib arm on it. Has about 3 ft of travel.

Really great dolly.

[Mitch Gross]

The Husky has three wheel options. Hard rubber wheels for smooth floor, pneumatic tires for uneven surfaces (I've used these successfully on NYC streets & sidewalks) and track wheels for standard steel track. I'm not sure what you mean about the "lightest rails" as most track is a pretty standard thing, although there is heavy duty track for cranes but that's way over scale. Regular track would be just fine. So would speedrail and probably thick-wall PVC pipe as long as you get the correct diameter.

If you're looking for a very small footprint dolly with some (but certainly not all) of the versatility of the Husky, you might want to check out the Panther Roller Plate. I prefer the Husky but I think for many applications you might like the Roller Plate over the Losmandy Spider.

Mitch Gross
Technical Director of Rentals
Abel Cine Tech

[C.H.Haskell]

I agree, they are just that..."Glorified skate board dolly" I was thinking about re-designing the skatewheel dolly I made already, adding a bazooka would solve most the problems I was having with my home built system.

I did speak with Richard over at Premier, nice guy and filled me in on there PD-1 which I am very interested in...seems like its in the same budget I working with (5k), designed to pack small in the trunk of your car.

They seem to be selling this system as fast as they are building them so I know they are popular and built well...anyone have some experience with the premier PD-1?

http://www.premierstudioequipment.com/

[C.H.Haskell]

What I like about the Husky is in its pneumatic tires that can be used on uneven surfaces, I have also gotten away with some NYC sidewalks and just uneven flooring of bars, homes etc.

The PD-1 from Premier looks like you have to use track unless you have extreme hard and flat studio flooring...they are only 6 inch tires.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Thank you Mitch.

I take good note of your post, but I need to know more about the behavior of pneumatic tyres upon tiled floor and plank floor.

Emmanuel

[Nick Gardner]

Whats wrong with track? There is a reason we use it. Ive never seen anything that was both stable, and could take the bumps out of a floor, thats why they use dance floor.......

Nick

[Mitch Gross]

Thank you Mitch.

I take good note of your post, but I need to know more about the behavior of pneumatic tyres upon tiled floor and plank floor.

Emmanuel

If I was on tiled floor I would probably bring in a sheet of wood and roll on that. But small variations and dips in an old floor would pretty much disappear when using the soft tires.

Mitch Gross
Abel Cine Tech

[Benjamin Rowland]

Is the Matthews Round-D-Round Doorway dolly any good?
http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=product&cat=422&products_ID=26698

[Mitch Gross]

It's fine but not as solid as the machined-metal Husky.

[John Lizzio]

Photo Huskey in Use.
Hope its helpful.

[John Lizzio]

Photo of Huskey in Use.
Hope its helpful.

[C.H.Haskell]

Thanks Lizzio...Husky certainly seems like a great option, I am kind of phasing out the Losmandy Spider dolly now cause I am leaning towards the beefier quality of the panther or premiere systems.

Anyone know where I can get a PD-1 on the east coast/NYC area? I could have premier build one new but still several months out before it would be ready and I take a hit on shipping from west coast. Thanks for sharing everyone.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hey you guys may want to check this by GFM:
http://www.g-f-m.net/camera/dollies/lite-dolly/filmdolly.html

the GF-Quad looks nice to:
http://www.g-f-m.net/camera/dollies/gf-quad-dolly/filmdolly.html

Emmanuel