Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

I use this product on top of a 24ft manfrotto tripod for real estate high shots, its fantastic! Its very smooth and precise! works well with the extension cable. The Build is very solid and a great looking product!

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

This motorized pan and tilt head is just what I needed to be able to control one of my video cameras in a multi-camera training presentation. I just need to be able to keep the camera pointed at a relatively localized area, so it doesn't need to move fast for me. If you need something to do fast pans or track action, this might not be what you need. I was also pleased to find that it will work with just batteries (4 AA) or the included A/C Adapter. I also bought the wired remote extensions. As always, I appreciate B&H's fast and dependable service. I'm especially grateful that they mail to overseas military addresses USPS Priority mail. I had my item within 10 days.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

THIS IS A VERY LIGHT CAMERA EQUIPMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE A LESS THAN 3 KG DESPITE GREAT WORK MAYBE that would change would be to put a button instead of Jostick

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

works good, but it doesnt tilt down far enoghh

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

Very useful to solve my unsteady hand

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

Here's a few random notes about it, useful to any hacker types considering this mount:

- Before modifying it it runs on 6V DC and is only controllable via the handheld remote.
- It has variable speed (uses a linear regulator) but is pretty slow at its highest speed (my guess is that this is mostly to limit gear train noise for filming), though is plenty fast for most filming purposes.
- It's also a bit asymmetric in terms of slewing speeds in different directions.
- It's fairly smooth but the pan axis has a fair amount of inertia (the whole assembly rotates) and much more gear slop than the tilt.
- It has an auto pan mode that moves it in 30,60,90 degree movements so I'm pretty sure it has some hall sensors that could be put to good use.
- We broke out the motor leads and have directly controlled both motors with a 10V pwm (they're brushed DC motors obviously).
- Overall its not bad for the cost, it has more muscle than the jinky pan tilt mounts people make with hobby servos and is easily modified.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

I would reccomend this to anyone who needs to remotely record an event. It's quiet, smoothly pans and it can pan and tilt at the same time which is immensely helpful when your subject is rapidly moving. Bravo USA!

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

I use this as part of a multicam setup and it works flawlessly! Pan and tilt action is very smooth and it stops without any jerk. I would pay twice as much for one like this that has more tilt range. This is well worth the price.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

I can't imagine using my manual pan head again. The action is so smooth and the results are much better than when panning by hand. It is well made and has an automatic mode where you don't have to be pressing a button. The only reason for a four star and not a five is it is a little too fast at the slowest speed. A lot of people complain about this, and I wrote Bescor and complained but they didn't return my email...boo! Too bad a better company doesn't market this device and listen to the customers. I couldn't find a fix to slow the pan down, although many people want such. But that is the only downside to the MP-101. I would highly recommend getting the extension and AC power unit which are reasonably priced and greatly enhance the video experience if more than a few feet away. With a remote extension and Canon Vixia HF M40 remote control it doesn't get any better. It seems that originally the MP-101 only did a 180 degree pan, but the one I got does a 340 degree pan...maybe an upgrade seeing that so many hacks were on the internet showing how to remove an internal clip to make it pan 360 degrees.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

This is a great product, certainly affordable and easy to use. The only drawback i feel is that the remote cable is rather too short and needs an extension to go with it otherwise i love this product for the buck!

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

Good choice for us. This unit has taken the jerkiness out of our amateur videos. I like the variable speed control. I like the battery option for non-studio work. I don't need more than its +/- 15 degree tilt. I don't mind the slight motor noise when panning (no one can hear it but me). With a good video switcher, 2 more HD camcorders, and two of these fine motorized pan heads, I'll be all set!

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

It just works!!!

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

I just got one, the pan works but not the tilt. I have to send it back to USA, while I am in France. Costs for RMA, waist of time.

I cannot trust the gear even I want one! A pain...

Also, the remote is such a poor construction. The remote cables (extention)

are cheap quality. Too sad to have a wonderful product that is made of very cheap elements.

Very good when it works. Bescor should perform and work a bit more on it as it is a good product for that price... (No competitvity ?)

Would be very nice to able to carry to carry over 18 Ibs. (I can dream...)

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

I have 2 MP-101 Pan Heads that I use to video Church Services & Weddings. I use 3 cameras with a mixer & record to a DVD harddrive. One camera is hand operated & has a remote zoom on the handle. The to on the pan head also have remote zoom next to the pan head remote. I use the pan head cameras to set a scene then switch to them.
One man can do it all. The hand op camera is my follow cam, so I don't have to worry about the seed of the pan not being slow enough.
I would reccomend this unit. I am considering a 3rd one so I can have 4 camera's going at once.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

Works better than expected. Using as pan/tilt head on my home made crane. Also bought the 20' extension cord for remote, it also comes in lenght of 50'. Good product, great price.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

We use this item to remotely record events each week.
The head is very responsive and smooth.
The remote set to reverse direction for tilt...so it takes some opposite logic to utilize.
Regardless, we're planning on purchasing two more in the near future.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

Good speed, smooth

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

For the money, this is a great value. Works like a charm.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

Easy setup, works on battery or AC with adapter.
We use it in conjunction with our Jib it works great.

Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:

This device is very good. It mounts easily on my SLIK Video Sprint portable tripod. It is well made and smooth in operation. However, I have three minor issues. In order to start auto scan you need to move a switch on the unit. This can disturbs the unit, there should be a start/stop on the remote. The slow speed setting is not slow enough when the camera is zoomed. And three, there is no bubble to level the horizontal pan plane.