Looking for extra Amvona light rail track

[klynam]

I'm looking for more of this track...

http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2825

Obviously Amvona sells it, but I can't help but think the track is available somewhere for some purpose at a significantly lower price.

Anyone have a source for something like this?

[GH_ATL_GA]

I doubt you'll have much luck finding anything truly compatible. About 3 - 4 years ago I was in the same situation & finally gave up & purchased a couple more of the complete rail kits via ebay. Back in those days Amvona very routinely had these up for auction & winning bids were all over the map. I recall seeing 4 panto / 3X rail kits going for winning bids of just over $100 up to the full Buy It Now price. IIRC I won my first kit (4 panto / 3X cross rail) for around $400 but won a 2nd one later for around $200 & a 3 panto / 2X rail kit for around $125. I think you're out of luck catching such bargains on ebay now as I haven't seen them up for auction in quite some time.

The $279 price for 2 single + 2 double rails with mounting hardware included is actually a good deal, especially if you compare it to the 'big name' products. You may have some luck calling Amvona directly to inquire about purchasing just the rail parts you want. I seem to recall some folks had luck with this.

If you just need a single track rail, e.g. to lengthen the fixed rails a bit, I have 1 uncut section plus about a 5 ft section that I'd be happy to give you just for the shipping cost.

George

[klynam]

Thank GH...

Since I posted this, I've continued looking for the rails because the Amvona website says "out of stock". I found a couple of extrusion companies that sell something very similar, and one (here in Dallas actually) that would duplicate the extrusion exactly if I pay $800 for the dies. Then I (or anyone else) could buy as much as they want. I also think I found the source of Bowens tracking system (a company they used to own but sold to an offshore conglomerate.)

So you have one 10' section, and one 5' section (??) are those the single (top, ceiling mount) rails, or the lower (double) rails?

I'd be glad to pay shipping, though I wonder how those would fair through the shipping/handline process. What do you think...???

[symbolphoto]

Kevin,

Be a bit careful with Amvona. They are based up here near Boston. (They are just a warehouse, no storefront and i can't even go pick things up) They are good for some things, but not for others. Their backgrounds used to be the best deal going, but they hiked the prices up on ebay. And some of their softboxes are ok. Anything beyond that, i'd be weary....

Though how can you screw up rails right?

Just my .02

[Titus213]

Kevin,

Be a bit careful with Amvona. They are based up here near Boston. (They are just a warehouse, no storefront and i can't even go pick things up) They are good for some things, but not for others. Their backgrounds used to be the best deal going, but they hiked the prices up on ebay. And some of their softboxes are ok. Anything beyond that, i'd be weary....

Though how can you screw up rails right?

Just my .02

While I agree with most of your comment the rails weren't screwed up. They just cost more than the OP wants to pay, a common problem I've had on more than one occasion.

[FlashZebra]

The OP may not want to pay what Amvona charges, but it will be very difficult to find another vendor with this sort of thing for less cost.

In general, Amvonia was charging far less than their competitors.

Enjoy! Lon

[GH_ATL_GA]

Both rail sections I have are the single channel fixed (top) rail type. The 5 foot is a remnant from a rail I cut in order to extend my rail system length a bit.

I probably have some tubes remaining from old seamless rolls that I could use for packing that would provide reasonable protection. The shipping cost might be prohibitive due to the length, which I think exceeds both UPS & FedEx normal shipment limits. I would be shipping from Roswell GA if you want to explore shipping options & check costs. You can PM me for more discussion about this or e-mail me at my screen name + yahoo.

It's too bad Amvona doesn't have the rails in stock. They seem to have the complete kits in stock (currently 2 types) far more often than the rail-only kit. Maybe they have the rails only when they break open a kit as a source for warranty replacement parts. :) You may have some luck persuading them to break open a kit for the rails, or there's always the option of buying a kit & trying to recoup part of the cost by selling the pantographs if you don't want to keep them.

Anyway, hopefully you don't have to resort to having that custom die made!

George

[FlashZebra]

I have purchased replacement parts from Amvona, not on rail systems, but for other items they sell.

Enjoy! Lon

[GH_ATL_GA]

About the only vendor I know of that even comes close to Amvona's price on a rail system is Delta & their kits at B&H are appx 2X the cost of a comparable Amvona system. The Amvona systems, particularly the pantographs, won't match what you get from a Bogen or Photogenic system, but their system is quite adequate for many users.

The problem comes in that Amvona doesn't make the individual components available, so when you need something like a rail section or a carriage then you're possibly out of luck, short of purchasing one of the kits they offer. If the OP had a Photogenic system & was looking for just one dual channel rail section he could buy that for $90 at B&H. (But he'd have paid appx $3000 initially for the Photogenic kit. :)) That said, a call to Amvona may get you what you're looking for...

[klynam]

Kevin,

Be a bit careful with Amvona. They are based up here near Boston. (They are just a warehouse, no storefront and i can't even go pick things up) They are good for some things, but not for others. Their backgrounds used to be the best deal going, but they hiked the prices up on ebay. And some of their softboxes are ok. Anything beyond that, i'd be weary....

Though how can you screw up rails right?

Just my .02

Yeah - I suppose they just used eBay to build the business because there were (occasionally) some REALLY great deals to be had on Amvona stuff (DynaPhos, DynaTran, etc.) Got my tripod there for something like $20-$30 and it's pretty darn good - definitely not a Gitzo or Manfrotto...