Frequently Asked Questions
How does the system work?
The Sea to Sky Cam is referred to as a one-dimensional rig, other names include; A to B, single axis or point-to-point system. A trolley carrying the camera zooms along two support lines on a horizontal, sloped or vertical plane while being pulled by a single winch located at one of the two anchor points. This winch drives a third rope that acts like a “clothes line,” as a continuous loop of rope that connects to either side of the trolley. Transmission of video, audio and control of the camera is through radio frequency, enabling faster speeds and a smaller and more portable system than using fiber optic cables. Power requirement for the winch and trolley control, located at one of the anchor points is by high amperage batteries. At live events these batteries require 115V AC power. Support and drive lines are made of our custom Cable Cam Tech Line (lightweight high strength rope) and are adjusted quickly and easily even during filming by quick adjust winches connected to one of the anchors.
What lengths can the Sea to Sky Cam reach?
Anywhere between 10 feet / 3 meters to 1000 feet / 300 meters. Want it to go longer? Ask us about options.
What speeds can it do?
Very smooth crawl to 45 miles/hr or 70 km/hr. We have developed systems to obtain 130 km/hr and obtain complete servo (closed loop) programmability. Ask us about options.
How long does it take to set up?
In a simple location (example: across a parking lot) one person can set up the Sea to Sky Cam in 30 minutes. The most dangerous and inaccessible locations (example: across a class 5 river canyon and accessed by a 8 km hike) have taken a maximum of one day to set up with four people. Live events though take a full day with two people to set up as they require added considerations.
How safe is it?
The Sea to Sky Cam uses three 6000 pound / 2700 kilogram (breaking strength), 1/4 inch / 6.5 millimetre high tech and lightweight synthetic ropes. If two ropes were to fail the third rope would easily hold the entire rig and still maintain a 15/1 safety factor. Since the trolley and camera weighs at the most 60 pounds / 30 kilograms, it generates under 800 pounds / 360 kilograms of force on it’s anchors. This force is a small enough amount that it is possible to use ballast such as vehicles, trees, concrete blocks, water barrels or existing building structures without the need for added engineering or expensive structures.
What cameras can it operate with, what camera heads?
The Sea to Sky Camera Head can carry any camera up to 40 pounds / 18 kilograms and has a maximum camera height of 14 inches / 35.5 centimetres. Experienced camera operators will know that cable cam systems require a gyro stabilized camera head to operate properly. The Sea to Sky Camera Head can operate stabilized in most conditions (high winds excluded) without the need for these expensive systems and this is what makes the Sea to Sky Cam so unique to other cable cam systems on the market. For ease of mind we have added a standard Mitchell / Moy fitting to enable any wireless Scorpio Head, Libra Head or Flight Heads to connect to the Sea to Sky Cam Trolley. Ask us for stabilized camera head pricing.
Focus, zoom or iris control?
Yes. Depending on the camera and head chosen we have various options for maximum control of the camera.
What kind of mobility does your Sea to Sky Cam Head offer.
Full 360 degree pan, 360 degree tilt and roll.
Wired or RF?
For scripted film making we include an SD RF transmission for monitoring. For live events and TV we offer the new RF - HD Boxx Meridian technology at 1080i with no latency or dropped frames. See our Rates page for pricing details.
How much does the whole system way? Shipping costs?
The entire Sea to Sky Cam system weighs under 300 pounds / 130 kilograms. It is shipped with it's technicians through economy air travel with only 7 bags and normally costs no more than $500 USD one way to any international airport.
