i seen one on ebay while looking for a camcorder. http://www.shopsunshine.com/images/steadystick.gif
has anyone used one before? ive been using the homemade steadycam and i was wondering if this was better.

if you could get footage from it, we'd be able to say if its better than the handmade steady cam. i doubt that it is though.

Umm, it looks interesting, but I'm not sure how steady it would be. Any movement - your waist, your belt moving downwards, your hand, walking, etc. would cause unwanted movement.

Just my opinion, but I don't have any experience with it!

It seems it would limit your movement more then help it. Just stick withthe steady cam, that will be a lot better. That or build a shoulder mount.

for being called a steady stick it sure don't look steady.

I don't know why but i have a serious aversion to choppy animated gif's used to emulate video...tacky. That alone would stop me from buying it lol. But i think Mark hit it on the head about hip movement. Don't try walking with that thing. What do they charge for this wonderous device (which appears to be a monopod and a nifty belt)?

yeah, i agree with jeff. that is one ugly ass animated GIF. i like the 14 dollar steadycam. for some reason, the 'steady stick' reminds me of one of the bizarre gadgets inspector gadget had.

I also agree with the animated gifs. If the darn thing can't create a decent enough video to sell itself. . .

As for the price, that's another pet-peeve: "Call for Price" ie: it's either too high to list or they want to really give you the business and try to sell you some crap!

I have a Steadi-Tracker and love it. I also bought a used shoulder brace from B and H Photo for like $15 and I use it more than anything else! You're supposed to hook it up to a monopod, but I use it for handheld against my shoulder.

Looks like it'd be uncomfortable if you were moving the camera a lot for a long period of time.

Looks like an okay idea, if you're standing still and shooting something close-up and need to get different angles on it...no jiggling or sudden tilts.

On a superficial level...I feel uncomfortable enough walking around with my nose in a camcorder in public...I think I'd look like a total goof if I was wearing a "steady stick" at the same time.

I'm considering a shoulder mount for my camcorder though...it's too difficult to try to juggle a light & battery, a mic, a camera, a gear bag and conduct a meaningful interview. All the while my muscles are starting to shake with fatigue from holding the entire weight of the camera & light for hours.

In fact, I lost a key interview last weekend because my finger brushed the REC button as I bobbled the camera/light back up to eye-level in one hand, while holding a mic in the other. Didn't realize the camera had stopped until I was reviewing the tapes.