How To Set Up Your Glidetrack

Maintaining Your Glidetrack Hybrid Slider System

Glidetrack Instructions

With every purchase of a Glidetrack, we include an instruction leaflet that details basic assembly instructions and maintenance information. If for any reason you've misplaced or lost it, or simply want to look at how to assemble a Glidetrack, here is a pdf version for your convenience:

Glidetrack Instruction Leaflet

Shipping and Delivery

Q - Where do you deliver to?

A - ANYWHERE!

Q - How fast is shipping?

A - We use FedEx International Priority Service for all non UK deliveries. Generally this will mean your Glidetrack arrives in between 2-3 days. Regional differences will occur resulting in some deliveries being quicker and some slower. We always try and turn orders around for the next business day.

General

Q - How difficult is it to use?

A - It's NOT! In comparison to say, the likes of a camera stabilizer, or crane setup, the learning curve for getting used to the Glidetrack is tiny. You can literally hand this to someone, and they will be producing gorgeous shots in seconds.

Q - Any tips?

A - Foreground objects are your friends. The use of foreground objects really accentuates the Glidetrack move. Use them to reveal the subject or to add depth and feel to the shot.

Q - Why do I need a Glidetrack?

A - Look at any film and watch for the shots with movement. All of a sudden you will realise that even just a tiny amount of movement can suddenly bring an otherwise dull shot to life. The Glidetrack does this in a beautifully simple, elegant and compact way. Plus, how many other pieces of gear have you bought recently that have had you grinning like a big kid when you reviewed the footage?.

Q - Can I get away with the smaller model?

A - If you are thinking this, please spend the little extra and go for the larger model. Having some extra capacity/tolerance to load, is better than trying to push a lesser model too far..

Q - What are the bearings made of?

A - The bearings are made of a maintenance free self lubricating plastic that runs smoothly and quietly on the extruded aluminium rails.

Q - Does it need any maintenance?

A - In normal use, the answer is NO. Part of the beauty of the Glidetrack is its simplicity. We have deliberately gone for the keep it simple approach. You possess the amazing talent of hand eye co-ordination, and we simply offer you a method of delivering that with a degree of control that has amazing results!

Q - Is the full amount of rail available for travel?

A - Yes! Due to the way we have machined the feet, every inch of the rail is available for travel. The feet also make for a nice hand grip when performing the glide.

Q - Do you do specials?

A - Yes! We are more than happy to discuss one offs and specials to meet our customers' needs/requirements. Just get in touch!

Mounting Options

Q - How much weight can the Glidetrack take?

A - This is not an easy question to answer, as it is dependent on a whole host of contributory factors e.g. make/model of supporting tripod, distance from centre, and single or dual tripods used.

Q - What do you recommend as being the best setup?

A - Ideally, you should look to buy a quick release plate and a second tripod head to live permanently on the Glidetrack carriage. If you buy ones that match your existing setup, then you can drop the Glidetrack in/out of your setup VERY quickly. Additionally, this approach opens up interesting possibilities in as far as you can then run the track at an angle for inclined shots. To us this is the simplest approach to making the Glidetrack work well with your existing setup.

Q - How long does it take to setup?

A - Quite literally a few seconds. For my own wedding shoots, I have a Glidetrack HD Compact permanently mounted onto a Velbon tripod. By choosing the same quick release bracket, the camera I use for this, I can jump between my Merlin steady cam and the Glidetrack or going handheld, which instantly gives me LOTS of creative options. If I see a nice shot, I reach for the Glidetrack, clip on, and start shooting.

Q - Which tripod head do you recommend for the SD's?

A - For the smaller models, I have to say I really like the Velbon PH-368. You can pick them up for not a lot, and they actually have a pretty nice fluid action. In addition their compact size makes them very manoeuvrable whilst panning. They just seem to work!

Q - Which tripod head do you recommend for the HD's?

A - The Manfrotto 501 is a great choice as it has a nice feel to it and has a flat mount base which again keeps everything nice and low.

Q - Do I need one or two tripods?

A - The compact models come with a single set of 1/4 and 3/8 tapped holes on the rail for single tripod mounting. These are the two most common sizes. The SD and HD models come with three sets of 1/4 and 3/8 tapped holes so that you can either use one tripod for run and gun situations or (if total stability is key) two tripods. The XD model is only suited to twin tripod mounts due to its size/weight. It does still come with 3 sets of 1/4 and 3/8 tapped holes on the rail so that you may use a single tripod in conjunction with additional end supports/light stands.

ALL Glidetrack models can also be operated at floor level due to their support feet fitted with non-marking rubber dots that help provide grip on slippy surfaces. This also means that without the need for a tripod, you can film in, through, and around objects.

Q - I have a Bowl Mount tripod, what are the options?

A - Manfrotto make a nice half bowl adapter that will give you a flat base onto which you can mount the track. This comes in 75mm or 100mm versions. Then, for the tripod head that the half bowl has replaced, you can look at the Manfrotto Bowl Interface. We would however recommend that you read our suggestion for what we consider to be the best setup before going down this route.