Tray vs mono pole pros and cons

[burrito]

I have neither pole nor tray so maybe my opinion doesn't count (I have an original gopro hd with a head mount strap, it was horrible for scuba!) But I was thinking of getting a new gopro and a pole setup for two reasons, selfie shots and getting close ups of sea life with less chance of scaring them away, like a turtle for instance. As long as a fully retracted pole is reasonably small and can attach to a D-ring, I think I'd prefer it over the tray IMO.

 

[jaccoermers]

I have both. I use the tray with lights to film my general dive, I can have very stable footage, aim my lights, get nice and close. For shots to include myself, I have a pole. It also helps for getting close to scary wildlife if the light is good. They both serve a purpose. I can easily balance a tray on sand or a rock (I use SRP tary). Both have a clipon gopro system, so if needed I can switch real quick.

Usually I only bring one or the other down to the blue world.
-Want to film the scenery: Tray with lights
-Want some selfies: Pole

 

[Z Gear]

I have neither pole nor tray so maybe my opinion doesn't count (I have an original gopro hd with a head mount strap, it was horrible for scuba!) But I was thinking of getting a new gopro and a pole setup for two reasons, selfie shots and getting close ups of sea life with less chance of scaring them away, like a turtle for instance. As long as a fully retracted pole is reasonably small and can attach to a D-ring, I think I'd prefer it over the tray IMO.

I think its a great intro item, I like using it. Perhaps I got used to it, or I'm not ready to go the tray route. I'm just trying to see if others have considered the pole to film with and why they would consider this over a tray.Its obviously a less expensive purchase and it does offer some different advantages in some areas, over the tray in my opinion.

---------- Post added January 8th, 2015 at 09:34 AM ----------

I have both. I use the tray with lights to film my general dive, I can have very stable footage, aim my lights, get nice and close. For shots to include myself, I have a pole. It also helps for getting close to scary wildlife if the light is good. They both serve a purpose. I can easily balance a tray on sand or a rock (I use SRP tary). Both have a clipon gopro system, so if needed I can switch real quick.

Usually I only bring one or the other down to the blue world.
-Want to film the scenery: Tray with lights
-Want some selfies: Pole

Good comparisons I'm glad you like to use both. They both have their good points, do you you think the pole is a good choice to start with, since it is a item that is less expensive?

---------- Post added January 8th, 2015 at 10:01 AM ----------

See what I mean? It is about center of mass. So somebody tells you this and now you are back to using two hands on it which is opposite of what you were trying to promote before.

The person in the photo was using the mount as a handle. It probably helped with the weight distribution. I see nothing wrong with that if you want to use a light with a mono pole. If you can put two hands on the mono pole this should help you in stabilizing your shot as it does when using the tray. It is an option that does not have to be used all the time but you can resort to it when getting close or you want to really focus on some thing.

I am trying to point out some benefits of the mono pole which you are obscuring quite diligently with your remarks. Trying to knock down some good aspects of using the mono pole is not going to work. Remember you are the one that brought up the question, that you didn't believe there was a means of putting lights on a mono pole. I just was trying to answer that for you, I guess in your eyes I was not supposed to that. Why would having a light on a mono pole be a bad thing? I am very puzzled by the remarks, and tone. Lets try and to be objective, both items have their good points as well as limits or price differences. I don't like being judged on my intentions, so lets see if I can work with you on a more friendlier level.

 

[nimoh]

I am trying to point out some benefits of the mono pole which you are obscuring quite diligently with your remarks.

You mean like comparing it to a two light tray setup and then calling it less bulky?

Or, claiming that it is less expensive, when simple trays go for as little as $10.

 

[Reidkon]

Although I will not use my brand spanking new Hero 4 Silver for the first time until our Bonaire trip in March, I decided to purchase a Quikpod Sport pole. And now, thanks to this conversation, I also just ordered an SRP tray. I hope my CFO/Dive Buddy goes easy on me when she finds out.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

I have a GoPole and a Backscatter tray, and I use the pole just slightly more often than the tray.

I found the pole to be easy to slide into a gear bag for snorkeling trips on the beach, and the pole is just awesome for hiking. I managed to climb down a steep hill to a waterfall in the mountains very easily thanks to the pole, great hiking stick. But that's all stuff where I don't need a light, and I'll be honest, I still use it for pictures a lot of the time, so the stability isn't as much an issue.

For carrying the pole, I've got a boltsnap where the camera mounts and another at the other end, and I clip it off just like a stage bottle.

But when you are filming with lights, such as for cave diving, a tray is very, very handy. Though, there I have found that I like to put it on top of my slr rig, the more mass and stability, the better for long video clips.


I think what really grinds people's gears is when a manufacturer or reseller starts a topic where they just want to argue why their product is the best. The truth is, your product could be awesome and it still won't be for everyone, so you get a lot further if you don't go out of your way to promote yourself and instead connect in a more "organic" way.

 

[TONY CHANEY]

Let me try again. I stated that I find that there is no way that a pole with two quality video lights and a camera at the end with be more stable than a tray due to center of mass. Look at it like this: which is more stable a shovel full of sand close to your body or a shovel full of sand extended away from you body? Now if you had a bungee cord attached toward the camera end that attaches to a D ring then it might help. I think that a pole with a camera might work great for the boat crew handing it down to you after you splash. That is a good point. Getting closer to animals is more easier...another good point. Now if you really want to see what a pole camera can do check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owa7zUy1QGc He is a great freediver but loves himself in the video and I have yet to see anything with great drakness. Also the pole setup is much easier to take a selfies...if you are into that. See, I am not a pole hater but feel that the tray is more stable, able to handle bigger and better lights and easier to handle with one hand.

---------- Post added January 8th, 2015 at 09:37 PM ----------

I think what really grinds people's gears is when a manufacturer or reseller starts a topic where they just want to argue why their product is the best. The truth is, your product could be awesome and it still won't be for everyone, so you get a lot further if you don't go out of your way to promote yourself and instead connect in a more "organic" way.

Actually Z Gear has in the past. I had the pleasure of beta testing his BC adapter for the GoPro. i have nothing againt him and really did not even notice the Mfg. until it was pointed out. So I gave a very honest opinion. I just call it as I see it.

 

[Z Gear]

I have a GoPole and a Backscatter tray, and I use the pole just slightly more often than the tray.

I found the pole to be easy to slide into a gear bag for snorkeling trips on the beach, and the pole is just awesome for hiking. I managed to climb down a steep hill to a waterfall in the mountains very easily thanks to the pole, great hiking stick. But that's all stuff where I don't need a light, and I'll be honest, I still use it for pictures a lot of the time, so the stability isn't as much an issue.

For carrying the pole, I've got a boltsnap where the camera mounts and another at the other end, and I clip it off just like a stage bottle.

But when you are filming with lights, such as for cave diving, a tray is very, very handy. Though, there I have found that I like to put it on top of my slr rig, the more mass and stability, the better for long video clips.


I think what really grinds people's gears is when a manufacturer or reseller starts a topic where they just want to argue why their product is the best. The truth is, your product could be awesome and it still won't be for everyone, so you get a lot further if you don't go out of your way to promote yourself and instead connect in a more "organic" way.

Thanks for pointing out some of the good aspects on the mono pole, I don't sell the mono pole but I still think its a really practical item.
You mentioned you like using your tray on cave dives would say its the same in wrecks as well, or would you consider going through it using a mono pole? Hope I'm not grinding any gears, I'll start using the clutch.

PS That's strange, I should be really "organic" that all I try to eat!

---------- Post added January 8th, 2015 at 08:05 PM ----------

Let me try again. I stated that I find that there is no way that a pole with two quality video lights and a camera at the end with be more stable than a tray due to center of mass. Look at it like this: which is more stable a shovel full of sand close to your body or a shovel full of sand extended away from you body? Now if you had a bungee cord attached toward the camera end that attaches to a D ring then it might help. I think that a pole with a camera might work great for the boat crew handing it down to you after you splash. That is a good point. Getting closer to animals is more easier...another good point. Now if you really want to see what a pole camera can do check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owa7zUy1QGc He is a great freediver but loves himself in the video and I have yet to see anything with great drakness. Also the pole setup is much easier to take a selfies...if you are into that. See, I am not a pole hater but feel that the tray is more stable, able to handle bigger and better lights and easier to handle with one hand.

---------- Post added January 8th, 2015 at 09:37 PM ----------



Actually Z Gear has in the past. I had the pleasure of beta testing his BC adapter for the GoPro. i have nothing againt him and really did not even notice the Mfg. until it was pointed out. So I gave a very honest opinion. I just call it as I see it.

Must give you a thank you response back. I appreciate you coming back with this response, it really helps out. I want to side with you on the point you stated that a pole with two lights, will not be as stable as a tray. I will even go further as to say that the tray system is by the most stable platform to use when filming under water, this I gathered from reading the over whelming support for this item.

I think what I am getting out of all this ( information wise) is that most who have chimed in refer to the mono pole as primarily just good for selfies. I guess I disagree. While I want to take this time to clarify that I do recognize the tray's superior aspects as a filming plat form, I can't ignore the versatility I have using my mono pole. I want to master filming with it this thing. I want to come back and perhaps I could post a video and demonstrate how you can achieve the optimum steadiness with this rig.

I apologize to you and any one who feels I have stepped out of bounds on this topic, but I do like to discuss topics on the forum. At the end of it all I always come out learning a lot of new things, I guess that's do to all you guys chiming in.

Frank G

 

[MikkelBC]

Take a look a typical tray set up with two lights and take a look at the mono pole rig, are you saying the pole is still bulkier?

It makes no sense whatsoever to compare a setup with two lights mounted far from the camera to a setup with one light mounted close to the camera. No matter whether the camera and lights are attached to a pole or a tray, the advanced light setup will be more bulky than the primitive light setup. In your example it is the light setups that make the difference, not pole vs. tray.
Anyone who knows about photography lighting (above or under water) will understand that placing the lights far from the camera is the only way to get beautiful light and reduce backscatter.
I use a pole for my GoPro and the only advantage I can see is the selfie aspect. I find it very difficult to hold the camera steady with the pole, even holding it close to me with both hands.
I have tried holding a Sola 2000 video light next to the GoPro by hand and the recording was useless due to backscatter. The distance was comparable to where your clamp places the light.
Placing the light under the camera will result in shadows that look unnatural, because humans intuitively expect light to come from above. You might solve that by holding the whole setup upside down and using the GoPro upside-down setting.

Mikkel

 

[tridacna]

I use a pole with the Z-gear clamp placed above. I used to use a tray but like the ability to get really close for some pics by extending the pole. It really is a personal thing and the pole just works better for me. The Z gear clamp is a very piece of equipment. I've used it on about 40 dives and it has never given me a hint of a problem. Quite solid.