Glidetrack Hybrid SD
Back at the beginning of 2011 I reviewed Glidetrack’s new Hybrid HD slider which I’ve been using ever since along with my trusty Shooter SD which I take with me on overseas trips or anytime when travelling alone and I need my kit to be portable.
The Hybrid HD has improved my results so much that I started to feel quite hindered when using the non Hybrid Shooter, especially as mine has been all over Europe with me and in that time has suffered some wear and tear along the way making it less reliable.
So when Alastair from Glidetrack contacted me a few months back and asked if there’s anything more I’d like from my Glidetrack systems my single response was to have a Hybrid SD model so that I could still benefit from having a small, light and easily portable slider and also be able to achieve the silky smooth tracking shots that the Hybrid HD provides. At the time Alastair replied with a simple ;)
Today a small brown box turned up on my doorstep containing the brand new Glidetrack Hybrid SD. The SD Hybrid provides all the benefits of it’s bigger HD brother, a hybrid bearing / sleeve carriage with a locking screw, adjustable feet that can be easily attached and removed and of course those famous balls!
The difference between the new Hybrid SD and my old shooter is like night and day, it has the same response as the Hybrid HD in that by just tilting the rail up slightly the carriage starts to roll under it’s own weight. I’m looking forward to getting a camera mounted and trying it out.
If you have an existing SD system the Hybrid parts are also available as an upgrade package for £205.20 which includes the Hybrid carriage and a pair of feet. This can be used to upgrade an existing Glidetrack SD system or any Igus system that uses the 10-40 rail.
The Hybrid SD is available now from Glidetracks website. The 0.5m version that I use costs £312, with a 0.75m version at £336 and a 1m version at £358.80.
For more information visit the Glidetrack website.
And a few pics of the box being opened this morning, I’ll be posting a video review in the very near future once I’ve had chance to get out and put the new Glidetrack SD Hybrid to use.
Just as a side note, I’m very impressed with the iPhone 4s camera which was used for all of these pics!
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your reviews that really helped me to choose my glidetrack. I finally opted for this 0.75m Hybrid SD. I think it’s worth the 100 pounds more than the classic SD.
I will use it with a 550d/t2i and I wondered if I should get manfrotto Xprob tripods or velbon DV-7000 could be enough? I’d like to use the glidetrack on different angles and vertically (manfrotto ball head necessary then)
I plan to use it on a long term while travelling/hiking and I try to not spend too much money.
Thanks for any advices you could give me on this!
Pierre
Hi paul, Thanks, going to look into it now pref the 80cm one
Hi paul, hope all is well, just wanted ask if u can recommend any bags for a 0.75 glidetrack
Many Thanks, Kunaal
I carry mine in a Manfrotto tripod bag along with my tripod.
Lol yes they fell out of the box, I just put them on feels 100% stable now.
Thanks for your help, brilliant slider. Very recommended to those who follow you.
Hi paul, all sorted arrived today,awesome piece of kit, any how i noticed something in box there were 4 plastic curved shields of some sort are they sopposed to stay in the carrige? On the video it shows the 4 attached?
Thank you ever so much for the info
Kunaal
They sound like the liners that go in the carriage. There should be a set of four in the grooves that that run over the rails, I’m not sure if they fell out or you got a spare set?
Hi paul, do you have an alternate number for glide track i cannot get hold of them!! I ordered my ds hybrid yesterday i have no update on delivery
Many Thanks, Kunaal
I only have the email address that’s on the website. Maybe give them another try tomorrow, they normal reply pretty quickly.
Hi Paul,
What length is the one shown in the photos? do you think this sd version will support a 5Dmk2 with at least a 24-70mm lens?
Hi Michael. Mine is a 0.75m (shown in the photos) and it definitely supports those, I’ve used mine with a 70-200 IS before. With longer lenses you just have to be careful about balancing them so that the whole thing doesn’t tip over.