Glidecam VistaTrack 10-48 Slider Dolly Review

Slider dollies are quickly becoming the support accessory to own if you’re a budding cinematographer. We no longer have to haul heavy track and dolly systems around to add dramatic camera movements to our stories. With the Glidecam VistaTrack 10-48 slider dolly, you’ll be able to capture complex shots with a tool that is small, light, and can mount onto your existing tripod or use the included adjustable legs on many different surfaces.

 

The Glidecam VistaTrack 10-48 is certainly a smooth-looking piece of machinery. The presentation screams professionalism with its black anodized aluminum finish and precision adjustments for the included legs and mounting plates. Fortunately, the looks aren’t the only thing that’s smooth.

The sliding mechanism, powered by a roller bearing system, is the real star of the show here. With minimal effort, we were able to push our 6-pound camera back and forth at variable speeds with no noticeable stops or snags. We could even aggressively push the camera and let go, only to have it rocket across the track and slow to a stop naturally at the other end. The video captured from the slider dolly was free from vibrations or stuttering, giving credit to the well-designed ball bearing system employed and good fabrication practices. While we feel that the amount of resistance on the slider mechanism is pretty good, it would be even better if the drag was adjustable to fine tune the control further for heavier or lighter equipment. Having a full 48 inches of movement is also a refreshing change from the usual 24-36-inch length of other slider dollies. However, this increased length could be problematic for some as the VistaTrack is not collapsible in any way, so make sure you bring the car with lots of room in the back when you need to transport it. Speaking of transporting, a case is not included either, so you’ll want to get a nice long case if you’ll be traveling with this slider dolly a lot.

 

The Glidecam VistaTrack 10-48 comes with two quick release plates.  One is used to mount your camera or pan/tilt head to the slider head and the other is to mount the track onto a single set of tripod legs. If you purchase an additional quick release plate from Glidecam, you can triple the load capacity from 10 pounds to 30 pounds by mounting the VistaTrack on two sets of tripod legs. It’s worth noting that these quick release plates are a little larger than the common size that comes on most lightweight tripod heads. The plate that mounts on your tripod can be moved to many locations along the track and attaches via a 1/4-inch-20 or 3/8-inch-16 connection.

Using the VistaTrack 10-48 on a tripod is very easy and produces fantastic results. The head can be moved at a constant speed along the track with just a few fingers. While the design is slim and lightweight, the track holds its form very well under load. Even having the camera resting at the extents of the track, the amount of sagging is minimal. To help make moving the rig easier, there are two lock screws on the slider head which are used to prevent it from sliding when you relocate the VistaTrack 10-48 to a different position.

 

The included legs at each end of the VistaTrack 10-48 can adjust a multitude of ways to allow the slider to sit on any solid surface whether it is level or not. Each end of the VistaTrack 10-48 has two separate 5-inch legs that can be adjusted in addition to the rubber ball bases that can be pivoted 360 degrees as well. Since each leg can be adjusted independently of the other three, you can place the VistaTrack 10-48 on an uneven surface and get the track as level as needed. The hard rubber balls on each leg prevent the track from slipping while in use, giving much of the same stability as while it is mounted on the tripod.

Having the supports for the track at each end provides plenty of strength and the center does not sink when the slider head is in the middle of the track. Being able to put the VistaTrack 10-48 directly on the ground or other surfaces allows you add new perspectives to your work without much effort and is a feature that will undoubtedly get a lot of use.

 

While static shots on a tripod can look good, adding even just a small amount of movement to a shot can really add the extra cinematic touch that videographers everywhere are looking for.  Slider dollies have really helped bring this ability to the masses thanks to their small size and low cost. With the Glidecam VistaTrack, you are getting a lot for $699.  The VistaTrack 10-48 allows stable, vibration-free images to be captured either using a tripod (or two) or using the included legs on any solid surface. It’s easy to set up and take down and it won’t throw out your back hauling it around.  If you’d like to own a slider dolly that gives you a full 48 inches of movement without breaking the bank, the Glidecam VistaTrack 10-48 is a great buy.

 

www.glidecam.com

$699

Load Capacity: 10lb. (30lb. using two tripods)

Total Length: 50.5”

Rail Length: 48”

Sliding Drag: No

Sliding Lock: Yes

Adjustable Legs: Yes

Collapsible: No

Leveling Bubble: No

Mounting Plate: 2 Quick Release Mounts

Tripod/Pedestal fitting: 1/4”-20 and 3/8”-16

Material: Black Anodized Aluminum

Weight: 12lb.

With its huge sliding capability, flexible support options, and a low price, the Glidecam VistaTrack 10-48 is a great addition to any video professional’s gear collection.