Boom Poles: K-Tek, Ambient, or... (and cables...)

yoink · 17th October 2009

So I'm looking to get a boom pole. I've only rented in the past, and the company we use most often has a lot of Ambient and vdb poles. While I've always had trouble with the collets, that's more likely due to the poles having been used by those who tighten too much and then those who need to tighten more because some tightened too much...

That being said, I heard a lot of great things about K-Tek. The prices for K-Tek and Ambient are similar and the dealer that sold us our location mixer sells both Ambient and K-Tek. So, any suggestions, does it even matter?

More importantly, I've never used a boom pole that was cabled internally, but the idea seems truly wonderful. Then there's coiled cable vs. straight.

Any advice would be welcomed, even if it's stick with what you know.

Many thanks.

yoink · 17th October 2009

No input?

**Remoteness** · 18th October 2009

Give a chance; I sure someone will chime in shorty.

Don S · 19th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoink

No input?

Try this site. There are more boom operators and film guys that can help you.
Equipment
From my own personal experience, the mount makes the most difference. I've been using the new rycote mounts, a standard Beyer pole with a shotgun and am very happy.

tsvisser · 19th October 2009

I have two Ambient poles and like them very much. I can't compare it to the K-teks as I've never used them. I do note that Ambients aren't the most popular here, perhaps because they are a German company. The shorter of the two poles is internally wired with a coiled cable. When using a longer pole, you must use a straight cable. Internal wiring means more noise in certain circumstances. If you have to run with your pole, it is possible that the cable may slap inside or when you elevate the pole to near verticle position, you may hear cabling noises. Mounts and win protection do play a much more important factor in perormance in my opinion, but you should use a pole that you are comfortable with. In the event that you ever do need to de-wire the pole in the field, you can do it in 30 seconds or so by clipping the XLR off, unscrewing the end extension collar, removing it and pulling out the cable, and replacing with the standard end collar. I don't like the poles that have an XLR integrated into the bottom cap, the ambient poles allow the cable to come out the side and they sell an accessory to fix the connector in place along the side, useful for short poles with coiled cables.

zoom · 19th October 2009

I own two boompoles: a small one vdB S-CL (7'3"max length) and 2yrs ago I've bought an Ambient Quickpole QX5100 (length 13'9" - 4.2 m).
I hate the VdB and love the QX because of the handling of the VdB: I've hurt my fingers seriously several times. but anyway, I don't use the vdB very often, sometimes for an extra M/S pair for ambience recording.
The QX5100 is a relatively new series from ambient and I love it! Perfect lightweight, suitable length for nearly all purposes, no handling/cable noise (use the cable always outside twisted aound!). For me the best boompole on the market in the moment.

cheers
stefan

Audiop · 19th October 2009

What about the K&M boompoles, how do they stand up to the competition?

K&M 23750 Microphone Telescopic Boom - small, extendable from 635 to 1600mm. Weight 0.3kg

K&M 23760 Microfon-fishpoles, 950-3220mm, 3/8", color Titan, soft grip, weight= 0,89kg

/Peter

pkautzsch · 19th October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoom

I hate the VdB and love the QX because of the handling of the VdB: I've hurt my fingers seriously several times.

Funnily, I managed to hurt my fingers with a Quickpole recently, but have never had to complain about my vdB.
vdBs to me seem even less susceptible to handling noise than Quickpoles, but they bend more when on full length. Quickpoles seem to dislike rain less than vdBs d (but - Panamic are the worst I've encountered when wet).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audiop

What about the K&M boompoles, how do they stand up to the competition?

BAD handling noises, they feel a little cheap to me. I've heard stories of K&M poles break and fall down right in front of talent's nose...
untypical of K&M, their stands are really good.

drpro · 19th October 2009

Another pole company is Loon. Has a very nice line of accessories also.

David

thebri · 21st October 2009

Echo that on the K&M. They simply aren't durable. Great feature set, but they don't last.

Film types tend to avoid the internal cabling for noise reasons, but if you're an ENG-type then it is a God-send.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkautzsch

Funnily, I managed to hurt my fingers with a Quickpole recently, but have never had to complain about my vdB.
vdBs to me seem even less susceptible to handling noise than Quickpoles, but they bend more when on full length. Quickpoles seem to dislike rain less than vdBs d (but - Panamic are the worst I've encountered when wet).

BAD handling noises, they feel a little cheap to me. I've heard stories of K&M poles break and fall down right in front of talent's nose...
untypical of K&M, their stands are really good.

yoink · 22nd October 2009

It is mostly run and gun doc (ENG style) shooting. I think I'm going to opt for the K-Tek 152 internally cabled with right angle side exit XLR. If I ever to some film work that requires a longer pole, then I can rent at that time, but something like this will be much more useful.

Thanks for all your input... keep it coming if there's more!

17th October 2009	#1
yoink Gear addict Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 322 Thread Starter	Boom Poles: K-Tek, Ambient, or... (and cables...) So I'm looking to get a boom pole. I've only rented in the past, and the company we use most often has a lot of Ambient and vdb poles. While I've always had trouble with the collets, that's more likely due to the poles having been used by those who tighten too much and then those who need to tighten more because some tightened too much... That being said, I heard a lot of great things about K-Tek. The prices for K-Tek and Ambient are similar and the dealer that sold us our location mixer sells both Ambient and K-Tek. So, any suggestions, does it even matter? More importantly, I've never used a boom pole that was cabled internally, but the idea seems truly wonderful. Then there's coiled cable vs. straight. Any advice would be welcomed, even if it's stick with what you know. Many thanks.

19th October 2009	#6
zoom Gear nut Joined: Oct 2005 Location: bern / switzerland Posts: 146	I own two boompoles: a small one vdB S-CL (7'3"max length) and 2yrs ago I've bought an Ambient Quickpole QX5100 (length 13'9" - 4.2 m). I hate the VdB and love the QX because of the handling of the VdB: I've hurt my fingers seriously several times. but anyway, I don't use the vdB very often, sometimes for an extra M/S pair for ambience recording. The QX5100 is a relatively new series from ambient and I love it! Perfect lightweight, suitable length for nearly all purposes, no handling/cable noise (use the cable always outside twisted aound!). For me the best boompole on the market in the moment. cheers stefan __________________ http://www.audiobit.ch

19th October 2009	#9
drpro Gear Head Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 70	Boom poles Another pole company is Loon. Has a very nice line of accessories also. David

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18th October 2009	#3
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405	Give a chance; I sure someone will chime in shorty.

19th October 2009	#5
tsvisser Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Honolulu HI Posts: 1,852	I have two Ambient poles and like them very much. I can't compare it to the K-teks as I've never used them. I do note that Ambients aren't the most popular here, perhaps because they are a German company. The shorter of the two poles is internally wired with a coiled cable. When using a longer pole, you must use a straight cable. Internal wiring means more noise in certain circumstances. If you have to run with your pole, it is possible that the cable may slap inside or when you elevate the pole to near verticle position, you may hear cabling noises. Mounts and win protection do play a much more important factor in perormance in my opinion, but you should use a pole that you are comfortable with. In the event that you ever do need to de-wire the pole in the field, you can do it in 30 seconds or so by clipping the XLR off, unscrewing the end extension collar, removing it and pulling out the cable, and replacing with the standard end collar. I don't like the poles that have an XLR integrated into the bottom cap, the ambient poles allow the cable to come out the side and they sell an accessory to fix the connector in place along the side, useful for short poles with coiled cables.

19th October 2009	#7
Audiop Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,960	What about the K&M boompoles, how do they stand up to the competition? K&M 23750 Microphone Telescopic Boom - small, extendable from 635 to 1600mm. Weight 0.3kg K&M 23760 Microfon-fishpoles, 950-3220mm, 3/8", color Titan, soft grip, weight= 0,89kg /Peter

22nd October 2009	#11
yoink Gear addict Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 322 Thread Starter	It is mostly run and gun doc (ENG style) shooting. I think I'm going to opt for the K-Tek 152 internally cabled with right angle side exit XLR. If I ever to some film work that requires a longer pole, then I can rent at that time, but something like this will be much more useful. Thanks for all your input... keep it coming if there's more!