Status update and Rant

I think there are a few things to clarify:

1) CAME IS NOT THE MANUFACTURER

Joey from CAME has not responded yet to my email including the modifications and the question whether he or LAING is the manufacturer. On the other hand, the communication with Tracy from Laing is wonderful. Do you really want to order from someone who is probably lying to sell his stuff? Right now, it seems pretty obvious that CAME is NOT the manufacturer, but here is a quote from a mail he wrote me:

"We are manufacture who producing steadicam, but we do not produce stands and monitor, sorry we can not supply stand and monitor to you." 02/01/2013

2) CAME IS PROBABLY TRYING TO CLEAR THEIR STOCK

Laing who obviously is the manufacturer was already working on a new model which they will now redesign according to our needs. That means that the product life cycle of the M02 model is nearing it's end. CAME probably still hasn't expected a new version so fast is now trying to clear their stock.

3) LAING WILL DELIVER SOON

Some quotes from LAING:

"I've recorded all the requirements that you've sent to me and reported them to our technicians. As you will test our M-02 this Sunday, I think all your suggestions and requirements will come out during the next week. So, if no exception, we can start to design and produce in two weeks. That's great. We are looking forward to it:-)" 02/21/2013

"Thanks for your updated information. I will discuss it with our technicians tomorrow. I will reply you in details then. Please feel free to contact us if there is any other requirements. I will keep you informed of every step." 02/28/2013

In contrast to Joey from CAME, who stopped communication / hasn't replied yet after I requested the modifications, LAING sees this as a great opportunity for both parties.

4) IF YOU NEED A UNIT, PLEASE DON'T THREATEN THIS GROUP BUY! PURCHASE AT LAING

If you need a unit really soon, which is completely understandable when having a deadline for a project, please order from LAING. We can probably add this early orders to the group buy. You will get the M02, just not from the reseller CAME but from the original manufacturer.

5) THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS

I personally think that this custom LAING reduser steadicam will be amazing. Still, I can understand people who want to buy into an established product or company. I'm in contact with PROline, MOVcam and L'Aigle who also want to send me their offers (including new unrevealed products which could be very interesting for us). They know our price limit and are still interested. But... none of these products will probably feature the amount of cables and customization the LAING system offers.

6) TIMELINE

Ok give me a break here. We tested the unit on Sunday. The reviews were out on Monday and Tuesday (thanks again Mike and Kwan), the list with the requested modifications was sent out on Thursday morning and we already got a reply from LAING that they are working it through with the technicians today. Things take time. LAING wants to move on as fast as we do (hey the market is tough), but we can't probably expect to get our systems before early April. WHICH STILL WOULD BE AWESOME!!! You can't want a complete redesign, not really pay for it and want to have it done yesterday.

I'll post a wiring diagram and some more information later. Please don't order at CAME and threaten the group buy. You can get the same system now and still be member of the group buy in the sense that your unit counts to the total ordered amount of units.

Cheers
David