Out of the box:
This is my first slider and I was impressed with the slider right out of the box. Construction feels very sturdy, looks great, and is quite rigid though I only use on two tripods. I mounted the Manfrotto 502 Video Head MVH502AH pan fluid head to it and had a lightweight dslr and small lens attached. The slider sled comes a little loose from the factory (expected) and tightening is required before use (Please read more on that below).
Smoothness:
Once I had the bearings tightened, the slider operates smoothly and I was able to get very good shots with my pan fluid head. Using it does require practice however. This is my first slider, chosen after extensive research, and controlling the motion without jumps and starts isn't easy. I've seen suggestions of using a rubber band to pull the slider but it didn't work for me and that might be the result of the bearings being too tight or the pan head being a little heavy. I wasn't able to get any shots completely smooth however, but Premiere Pro has a warp stabilizer and that smoothed them out well for the most part.
Improving the Smoothness:
I've seen suggestions to lubricate the rails and I will be trying some graphite on them next time I get it out. I also realized that the locking screw on the side of the sled could be adjusted to apply a little drag on the slider and that might help smooth out the travel as well. Not sure about that, and haven't tried it, but wanted to mention it. Maybe a little graphite there as well. Thinking more, loosing the bearings just a touch and using the locking screw to gently help prevent wobble (I mean very slight wobble) might be another option. I will be experimenting.
As I said above, you will need to practice and adjust the bearings a few times to find the optimal smoothness of travel. I was filming objects very close to the slider (miniatures) and making long sweeps with almost 180 degree rotation in the pan head. I don't think you can make a more challenging shoot on any non-powered slider. For a long shot, it would be much, much easier.
Adjusting the Bearings:
There are no instructions included that guide you through adjusting the bearings, nor a url directing you to a video. A YouTube search will turn up one quickly however. The sled requires partial disassembly to access the bearings and they are rotated to increase/decrease spacing between the rails (after removing a locking screw). Rotating the bearings is quite difficult; they are very, very stiff. This stiffness makes fine tuning the bearings challenging as they jump between too tight/too loose quickly. One star removed for this.
Bearing Warning:
I adjusted the bearings a few times at various points along the slider during an evening of use -- trying to find the optimum balance between tight and smooth travel - and because considerable force was required to rotate them, the bearings caused small dents in the rails. While these dents were very small, I could easily feel them while moving the sled. I contacted Imorden about the problem and sent a photo showing the dents. Imorden was very responsive to my email and accepted the return along with a discount code for the purchase of a replacement. I did repurchase it as I think it is an excellent slider. Going forward I will only be adjusting the bearings at the extreme end of the slider so any possible denting will not affect it's use.
Replacement Note:
The replacement slider I purchased came with it's own dent right out of the box. It was quite significant and appears to be caused by handling at the factory -- something fell on it. Luckily it is located at the extreme end of the slider so it doesn't affect it's use. I buffed it down a bit and I'm o.k. with it. I believe this is a fluke event and I would be surprised to see another slider arrive with a dent in the rail.
Should I have wanted to replace this one also, I feel confident that Imorden would work with me to correct the situation. I'm that impressed with their customer service. Can't say enough about it.
Conclusion:
I don't believe I could fine a better slider in this price range, especially at 48" in length. It's solid construction and bearing sled make it an excellent first slider in my opinion. I do wish adjusting the bearings was easier and I have made a few suggestions to Imorden regarding that. Importantly, Imorden needs to include adjustment instructions with the slider, as well as proper technique to avoid rail damage. Adjust the bearings at the extreme end of the rails and there shouldn't be any problem.
I'll say again that Imorden's customer service is excellent. After purchasing the replacement, they contacted me (unprompted) to see how it was working for me. Who does that these days?!?
Overall, I recommend the slider.
By Mike
IMORDEN Customer
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