New and Noteworthy: Week Two
June is all about video equipment at the moment, and we are trying to highlight some new (ish) pieces of equipment that have a lot to offer. There is never a lack of new equipment pieces hitting the market, which inspired this series. We kicked off last week with the Osmo Pocket, which is a compact 3-axis stabilized handheld camera. Particularly useful for bloggers and background footage, the small device boasts a lot of features such as MotionLapse, ActiveTrack, and 4K footage. We discussed some of its best features and the areas where it excels. We intend on covering several pieces of equipment through this series, though, and today we want to venture away from the physical recording devices.
So, next up, is the Rhino RŌV Pro. This piece of equipment is actually a motorized slider for DSLR/mirrorless cameras and phones, and yes, it also hit the market at the end of 2018. We also might add in some information here and there about the Rhino RŌV Mobile, which is intentionally made for use with a mobile device.
So, what should you know about the Rhino RŌV Pro?
Features
-Available in the Everyday model (8”) or Traveler model (16”)
-24-hour battery life
-Weighs all of 1lb 5oz for the Everyday model or 1lb 7oz for the Traveler model
-Everyday model size: 17" L x 4.5" W x 1.5" H; Traveler model size: 25" L x 4.5" W x 1.5" H
-App-controlled
-TimeLapse capabilities
Where It Excels
Compactness
This slider is conveniently compact as you can probably tell from the features listed above. Both versions only weigh a little over a pound, and it can easily fit in a backpack. The everyday version is a little over 17 inches long with the slider having an 8-inch length of travel. Even the traveler version only measures out at 25 inches long with its 16-inch length of travel. It’s less than five inches wide, and it does not require a tripod for use. As I mentioned in our last blog, all of us who use video equipment on a regular basis are tired of bulky equipment pieces, so this motorized slider is perfect for travel and a quick setup.
Usability
The RŌV Pro is incredibly easy to use, and as we’re going to talk about with the inclusions, it takes no time at all to set up. From there, everything is controlled in the RŌV Motion app, which is available for IOS and Android devices. From the app, you can control the direction and speed of the motorized slider as well as the timelapse feature as long as you have the shutter release cable. It’s also easy to control and capture footage through the app, especially since the smartphone mount comes with the slider.
The Inclusions
This is a small point in the grand scheme of things, but whenever you purchase the RŌV Pro, you get a little more than just the motorized slider itself. It comes with an Interchangeable RŌV Quick Release Ball-head, which makes setting up seamless and quick. It also comes with an Interchangeable RŌV Smartphone Mount for your mobile device. Once you connect your camera to Lightlapse and pair the RŌV from the settings, then you also get free access to the Lightlapse app. The only thing is does not come with is a shutter release cable, but the cable only costs around $10. Overall, the slider comes with almost everything you would need to get started.
Price Point
The Rhino RŌV Pro finds its price point at $400 for the everyday model and $450 for the traveler model. They do offer a monthly payment option through Affirm, which doesn’t help with the price but might make it a more affordable purchase.
Also, if you are only planning on using your phone to record footage, then it might be helpful to know that the Rhino RŌV Mobile rings in at $300.
In conclusion, the Rhino RŌV Pro is a viable option as an ultra compact motorized slider that is easy to use. The seamless footage it captures is pretty incredible for the price tag, and it has been well reviewed since its release.
Next week we’ll continue with one more new and noteworthy piece of equipment, and if you have any questions about videography, feel free to check out our website here.
