What happened to CarrySpeed?

I find it strange to see all the hate for BR over this patent. They patented the idea, they still make and sell the product. For once, we have a good invention (sliding on a sling) that is clearly superior in many ways to traditional fixed straps. I understand that there is some debate regarding prior art, but in this day and age, if you have an invention that you want to capitalize on, you have to protect it.

Is the BR the best implementation of a sling strap? Surely not, but as it stands, they own the idea. Luma and CS copied someone else's claimed invention and were taking market share from the inventors.

I find much less distasteful about this patent story than many of the software patents I read about every week, especially the troll companies who buy IP just to sue in El Paso, and have no other related business.

waterrockets wrote in post #16898943
I find it strange to see all the hate for BR over this patent. They patented the idea, they still make and sell the product. For once, we have a good invention (sliding on a sling) that is clearly superior in many ways to traditional fixed straps. I understand that there is some debate regarding prior art, but in this day and age, if you have an invention that you want to capitalize on, you have to protect it.

Is the BR the best implementation of a sling strap? Surely not, but as it stands, they own the idea. Luma and CS copied someone else's claimed invention and were taking market share from the inventors.

I find much less distasteful about this patent story than many of the software patents I read about every week, especially the troll companies who buy IP just to sue in El Paso, and have no other related business.

They didn't patent the idea or create the concept. The idea originally originated from gun slings which was already patented. Just so happens that they were granted the approval which some are shocked.

Here is more information about it - http://luma-labs.com/pages/loop

Taking market share or not, its called friendly competition. This also pushes companies to innovate. Luma opted to redesign and innovate their product. CS opted to fight the ridiculous patent but can't afford the legal fees. There's Sun Sniper, Custom SLR and others who all have sling straps but each vary in style, function and creativity.

None of these companies are a threat to BR (or even come close to it). These companies are making a product for consumers, something they love to do and making a living to support their family. Same reason as BR or any other company. It's one thing to sue a company for producing a product that looks identical in every way where it may confuse consumers thinking they are buying a BR strap but don't sue over a concept they didn't invent.

I never owned a BR strap, but I did at one time, own a SunSniper strap. I eventually sold it off and went with an Op/Tech neck strap that I converted into a sling. I now use the Custom SLR C-Loop with it.

http://www.amazon.com …ohs_product?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

1KIND wrote in post #16899004
They didn't patent the idea or create the concept. The idea originally originated from gun slings which was already patented. Just so happens that they were granted the approval which some are shocked.

Here is more information about it - http://luma-labs.com/pages/loop

Taking market share or not, its called friendly competition. This also pushes companies to innovate. Luma opted to redesign and innovate their product. CS opted to fight the ridiculous patent but can't afford the legal fees. There's Sun Sniper, Custom SLR and others who all have sling straps but each vary in style, function and creativity.

None of these companies are a threat to BR (or even come close to it). These companies are making a product for consumers, something they love to do and making a living to support their family. Same reason as BR or any other company. It's one thing to sue a company for producing a product that looks identical in every way where it may confuse consumers thinking they are buying a BR strap but don't sue over a concept they didn't invent.

I hadn't seen that Luma summary. It does indeed suck that BR was granted the patent based on the prior art that Luma highlighted. Hmm.

waterrockets wrote in post #16899050
I hadn't seen that Luma summary. It does indeed suck that BR was granted the patent based on the prior art that Luma highlighted. Hmm.

Yep, thats why some aren't happy with BR.

Yep same reason I am not a BR fan. I sold my Black Rapid Strap and bought an ebay knock off.

BR products are nicely made. I just don't like their business tactics towards smaller businesses and taking advantage of them.

Yes, I will not purchase any product from Black Rapid for their legal stunts. It is one thing to create something actually new and unique which you then patent and defend, but to do it with existing tech that you put next to no effort into improving over what competitors are offering? No thanks.

that sucks, my CS is the most comfortable don't even realize it's there camera carry tool. I think I'll get me an other one.

1KIND wrote in post #16900419
BR products are nicely made. I just don't like their business tactics towards smaller businesses and taking advantage of them.

i dont think they are all that. Typical outsourced production quality in my opinion. The quality of the components is average at best. I had to go through two before I got one that didnt slip, and actually held its adjustment. Their customer service is decent though. I will never buy a product of theirs again.

Wow, it's crazy how fast a company with an innovated idea with their products can just disappear from a lawsuit. I literally bought a CS strap w/the folding plate right when it came out and still use it till this day. That was around a littler over a year ago too.

Spent about 4 hours walking around today with my carryspeed with 5dII and 100-400 attached. Never even knew it was there, soooo comfy. I do tend to look it over every time i use it because of earlier problem some folks have had. So far so good. They are still in business. Look on ebay, or if your in Canada Henry's and Vistek sell them.

I loved my CarrySpeed until the ball and socket failed from being to soft a metal and my Canon 6d with a canon 70-200mm zoom crashed to the trail I was walking on. The lens bent at the zoom ring junction. Cost $350 to repair! I liked the strap so much I bought 2 Joby camera teachers and attached them to the 2 regular camera strap metal mounts on the camera body and hooked the metal rings on the CarrySpeed strap. Works pretty good and have 2 points of contact. Had to saw off the Carry speed ball joint. Did it to both straps I own.

I just bought the CarrySpeed Prime FS PRO Mark III off of ebay. Talked with who described himself as a distributor in Germany in another forum. He basically told me the problem with the ball-n-socket was fixed when they went to stanless steel and redesigned the attachment. He the problem was mainly with their CS line,... those and older attachments used a thredded lock to secure the ball into the socket. The newer 2015 FS line dumped the softer gunmetal colored metal and switched from the thredded lock to a more robust and safer push-n-twist locking mechanism to secure the ball into the socket. Still,... he recommended periodically introducing a little machine oil or silicone lubricant into the mechanism. FS Pro Mark III also comes with a safety that's tethered to one of the camera's strap loops and attaches to the systems main strap at the other end in case of ball-n-socket failure. The one I just bought also comes with a secondary strap that simutaneously attaches to the tripod foot of any long lens. And lastly,... the new stainless steel sockets that are on the main strap end, can be replaced if worn. If the ball, which is attached to the redesigned F2 plate, is suspected of wearing to the point where it's no longer snug when in the socket, it also can be replaced. Here's the link:

http://www.ebay.com …c0e80c:g:ZjQAAO​Swh-1W2Soz

The seller I bought from didn't stock these replacement Carry Speed components, but emailed me the name of a Canadian retailer who does. I'll scrub thru my emails and post the retailer's contact info here in case anyone is in need.

Shame on Black Rapid! Will never any of their products after hearing this.

I was lucky enough to get one of the last of the original Luma Loops before they were shut down by Black Rapid.
I've carried my 1Ds MkII for hundreds of hours on that strap and its been extremely comfortable and durable.
I recently bought a Luma Loop 3 - same high quality and comfort but I still prefer my old Luma Loop 1.

I thought the tactics that Black Rapid employed were pretty despicable. The hardware and components of the Luma Loops is vastly superior.