C-Stands

[Mathieu Benoit]

Alright, I've decided that I'm buying a pair of C-Stands. Can anyone suggest makes and models? I know how excited Andrew is right now...

[Mathieu Benoit]

These guys look reputable:
http://www.americangrip.com/century.asp
What am I looking for in terms of the model though? I'm not sure on the details.

[macrae11]

These are the ones that we use: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... l#features

They also come in black which are nice.

Probably getting a kit would be best: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... ntury.html

You'll also need a couple of sand bags.

Friggin right I'm excited.

[Mathieu Benoit]

So the kit includes the gobo and stuff, right? I'm assuming that is the difference. Also can we get sandbags from the same company or do we have to find those somewhere else?

[macrae11]

Yeah the kit includes the grip head and a 40" arm. You may not always need the arm, so that's a judgment call. You'll also need two threaded mic arms to actually screw the mics clips on too. You could either steal them from some stands or I'm sure you could pick a couple up cheap somewhere.

Sandbags?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N= ... _PRICE_2|0

[Mathieu Benoit]

Yeah, I remembered that from yours. I still need the "mic stand" component. Maybe LD has some old stands that are worn out but the arms are still good.

How much weigth do you think I should have available for each stand?

[macrae11]

I always use the bigguns cause we have them, but unless your extending the arms way out you shouldn't need more than 5 lbs. If you ever did need more than that you can just chuck some other stuff on there.

[Malcolm Boyce]

You guys favour CStands over a studio boom?

I've always liked the Atlas models:

http://www.atlassound.com/ProductCatego ... 589&pI=305

The Latch Lake ones are definitely hipper, but priced accordingly:

http://latchlakemusic.thomasnet.com/cat ... collection?

[Mathieu Benoit]

C-Stands are almost half the price of those Atlas stands though...

[macrae11]

We definitely prefer C-Stands for us because they're so multipurpose, and way more flexible. Wanna put a mic right by the beater on the inside but running out of short stands? No problem with C-Stands. Also the self locking grip heads(when used properly) are a god send when someone doesn't tighten things up quite enough.

Also as Matt said they're cheaper, and they can fly way higher than just about anything. Need more height? Just add an extra arm. It would be nice to have wheels though, but generally once these things have their feet planted you can extend them as far as you could possibly want without moving them.

I'd love a Latch Lake, but in no way could I justify the price.

[Mathieu Benoit]

We definitely prefer C-Stands for us because they're so multipurpose, and way more flexible. Wanna put a mic right by the beater on the inside but running out of short stands? No problem with C-Stands. Also the self locking grip heads(when used properly) are a god send when someone doesn't tighten things up quite enough.

Also as Matt said they're cheaper, and they can fly way higher than just about anything. Need more height? Just add an extra arm. It would be nice to have wheels though, but generally once these things have their feet planted you can extend them as far as you could possibly want without moving them.

I'd love a Latch Lake, but in no way could I justify the price.

I'm sold. Alain is looking into getting some today. He thought they were more expensive which is the only reason we never got a pair before.

[Malcolm Boyce]

... He thought they were more expensive which is the only reason we never got a pair before.

I have to plead ignorance on this too. I assumed CStands were of the pricey variety.

[Mathieu Benoit]

Here's the landed Canadian total, with the breakdown.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/243964-REG/Avenger_A2033FCBKIT_A205SCBKIT_Century_C_Stand.html

Sub-Total:_$307.90USD
Shipping:__$100.70USD (UPS Worldwide Expedited 2-4 Business)
Total:_____$408.60USD
Exchange:_(*1.0690)

Total:_____$436.79CAD

It's really reasonable. Just about $220.00 Landed.

[macrae11]

Seems like a lot for shipping. We usually get stuff sent to our PO in Houlten and pick it up ourselves. Usually about a 1/4 of the price.

[Mathieu Benoit]

Are you offering?

[macrae11]

I think you can use our PO box, but you'd probably have to go get it yourself.

[Mathieu Benoit]

I think you can use our PO box, but you'd probably have to go get it yourself.

You're no fun at all. By the way, you'll thank me next time you are up here trying to set up overheads.

Actually, the shipping to Houlton is about a third of the shipping to Saint John, but for all the hassle, I think I'll just have it shipped direct.

[Jef]

I could probably help you out with a US address in Calais if you want.

[Mathieu Benoit]

I could probably help you out with a US address in Calais if you want.

I'm listening...

EDIT: Going to Calais makes good sense for a couple of reasons. I save $70 on shipping and probabaly $40 in UPS Brokerage fee, so I'm definitely interested. Houlton is a bit far but I can deal with going to Calais. Even after gas I'd still be saving nearly $75.

[Jef]

..I'm listening

sent you a pm

[Mathieu Benoit]

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll go pick it up in the states. In total including gas and taxes it'll be about $400.00 for the pair. So I'm saving about $100 in brokerage and shipping.

[Mathieu Benoit]

Picked them up last night (Thanks to LarryS). They are pretty awesome. Alain was pretty happy and wants to buy another pair. He's gonna have some extensions made out of aluminum and threaded at the end so that we don't have to use booms from existing mic stands.