Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head
The Bescor MP-101 motorized pan head fastens between any tripod head and video camera. Two motors allow independent smooth remote adjustment of vertical and horizontal panning motion. Auto Pan Mode allows continuous horizontal panning motion. Switch selector for either 45°, 90°, or 340° movements. Maximum horizontal angle is ±90 degrees; maximum vertical angle is ±15 degrees.
Power is supplied by 4x AA batteries or the optional PS-260 AC power supply.
- Panning speed adjustable via the remote control.
- The MP-101 pan head can support a camera weighing up to 6 lbs (2.72kg).
| Power Source |
4 1.5-volt "AA" batteries (optional AC power supply PS-260) |
| Dimensions | 5.8 x 4.5 x 4" (14.7 x 11.4 x 10.2 cm) |
| Weight | 1.69 lbs (770g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 71 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
98%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (44)
- Large range of motion (37)
- Attaches firmly (36)
- Strong clamp (19)
- Lightweight (5)
Cons
- Heavy (5)
Best Uses
- Video (31)
- Weddings (20)
- Landscape/scenery (19)
- Home (12)
- Sports/action (8)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro photographer (16), Semi-pro photographer (14), Photo enthusiast (12), Tech savvy (6), Aspiring film maker (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (32), Yes (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
Wonderful Unit!
I use this with a Panasonic DVX100B. It is very smooth and can pan pretty slowly if need be. The thing is, the heavier the camera, the slower the pan. The unit pans...Read complete review
I use this with a Panasonic DVX100B. It is very smooth and can pan pretty slowly if need be. The thing is, the heavier the camera, the slower the pan. The unit pans slower if I'm using my camera with a 35mm adapter and rod/rail system. Its perfect when shooting documentaries when dollies and cranes aren't possible. I do wish you could make it pan slower using a setting and that the remote control chord was longer without having to buy an extension.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Decent
Love this unit, but have had 2 go bad within a week of getting it, one right out of the box. I have 4 now and when they work love them, I also ...Read complete review
Love this unit, but have had 2 go bad within a week of getting it, one right out of the box. I have 4 now and when they work love them, I also have issue with the speed of the pan not being slow enough when zoomed in, also the tilt is slower than the pan (this also has to do with the weight of the camera) Overall, I wish they put a LITTLE more quality into the unit, otherwise I will have to stick with this unit. There is nothing close in the price range.
Reviewed by 71 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
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!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
- Weddings/Events
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Document panning
- Studio work
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
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!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Excellent value
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
- Short control cord
Best Uses
- School and church program
- Video
- Weddings/Events
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!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
It just works!!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
- Very poor construction
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Portraits
- Video
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...)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- No cons
Best Uses
- Video
- Weddings/Events
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
- Weddings/Events
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
Good speed, smooth
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
For the money, this is a great value. Works like a charm.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Low weight
- Smooth motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Battery action
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Smooth action
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Following moving objects
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wide panorama scan in aut
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
is a very inexpensive option for a motorized head, works nice!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
Practical, economical, excellent performance,
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
I love this product! It's great for any use. Would recommend to everyone. Only wish it was a lil smaller also I wish you could switch from auto to manual mode from the remote
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
i opened it up and snapped off a small plastic stopper and now it turns indefinitely...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Small Range
Best Uses
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
Great to have when payroll does not exist for a cameraman. Used for company lunch and learns.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Church
- Home
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Bescor MP-101 Motorized Pan Head:
This is a great product to help multitask between cameras both big and small.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Batteries & Chargers
- Price: $16.50
- GBP 10.43
System Extensions
- Price: $35.95
- GBP 22.72
Cables & Cable Management
- Price: $14.95
- GBP 9.45
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