It really is a better swivel ...

This is old news having originally been brought to the forum's attention by Rob several months ago. However, I have only recently gotten my hands on a Cheetahstand umbrella swivel and have been so pleased with its performance that I thought it deserved a renewed mention.

The Cheetah swivel is much like the Bogen/Manfrotto "Lite-Tite" but with one very significant improvement: The mating surfaces in the Cheetah swivel's joint are toothed and will not/cannot slip once the locking handle is tightened. You can put very heavy loads on the swivel with complete confidence:

Looks like a cool set up

Dave, can this handle an alienbee with 22" BD?

reason i asked is because there are times when i dont want to use a boom and would like to set it up that way. but tilting it is kinda limited.

jeromego wrote in post #10723275
Dave, can this handle an alienbee with 22" BD?

reason i asked is because there are times when i dont want to use a boom and would like to set it up that way. but tilting it is kinda limited.

I can actually try the setup with my Einstein tomorrow, Jerome, but I already know what the answer is: yes, it can handle it. Easily. The setup seen in my photo is actually pretty close in weight to what you're asking about. The 22" Speedotron dish I use weighs more than the 22" PCB dish and the bracket and mounting hardware has some weight to it as well. The configuration shown is absolutely rock solid.

Dave F.

I've done a Google search and can't find any info or a retailer.....
Do you have a link to info/specs and where these can be purchased?

Thanks!

The Loft Studios wrote in post #10723339
I've done a Google search and can't find any info or a retailer.....
Do you have a link to info/specs and where these can be purchased?

Thanks!

Apologies for the oversight:

http://www.cheetahstan​d.com …el-Umbrella-Holder/Detail

Dave F.

tetrode wrote in post #10723309
I can actually try the setup with my Einstein tomorrow, Jerome, but I already know what the answer is: yes, it can handle it. Easily. The setup seen in my photo is actually pretty close in weight to what you're asking about. The 22" Speedotron dish I use weighs more than the 22" PCB dish and the bracket and mounting hardware has some weight to it as well. The configuration shown is absolutely rock solid.

Dave F.

Thanks for the info, Dave.

Hmmm. A metal bracket with interlocking teeth, I need to get these as well. Great review.

I've been using these since I originally mentioned it and it's about time Dave!!!

The swivel is very strong. The Bogen is also very strong and has never slipped on me but there are times that it can be very difficult to loosen even when you don't think you've overtightened.

The teeth at the joint of the Cheetah swivel are a fantastic idea and I'm surprised that Bogen hasn't produced an adapter with the same design.

I've tried many different combinations of strobes with modifiers and Speedlight's, brackets and modifiers and there's no indication that it's not completely safe and secure.

The LumoPro swivel also has teeth. I thought all swivels had them.

The LP is also all-metal.

TMR Design wrote in post #10723471
.....The Bogen is also very strong and has never slipped on me but there are times that it can be very difficult to loosen even when you don't think you've overtightened.

Very true.....
Do you use the one with the rubber friction grip?
I have one by Bogen and two by PhotoFlex and find them AWESOME.

TMR Design wrote in post #10723471
.....The teeth at the joint of the Cheetah swivel are a fantastic idea and I'm surprised that Bogen hasn't produced an adapter with the same design.

Bogen and PhotoFlex use a rubber friction grip instead of teeth which I find better, but the price is $30.oo and I would like several more..... Just thought the Cheetah would be significantly cheaper, but it's really not. So I guess I'll just stick with what I have and continue to buy a few more.

Seanzky wrote in post #10723723

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http://www.mpex.com/br​owse.cfm/4,11776.html

But this one doesn't have teeth.

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http://www.mpex.com/pr​odimg/LUM5085.jpg

Now the one with the teeth seems very interesting, especially for the price..... and it already comes with the cold shoe!!!
Thanks for all the info guys!

Yep, just realized and forgot that I need the large heavy duty ones like the Bogen or PhotoFlex because I usually attach large softboxes to them and I need that "long" shaft or neck..... so the MPex one with the teeth wouldn't work for me, although the other one would, but it definitely needs some sort of grip like the rubber friction or the teeth, for my needs.....

But THANKS again!

What it boils down to is that simple umbrella swivel adapters are meant for light to mid duty jobs.

If you're going to start using heavy modifiers, arms, and additional grip hardware then you're probably better off going with something that is designed for heavy duty use.

Anything with an umbrella mount is more than likely not intended for heavy duty applications.

Dave what is that bracket holding the flash and CyberSync?