I'm thinking about getting a gates housing for many reasons. One in particular is to use the gates pole. I'm often on a diverse array of boats, some with particularly high freeboards and the gates pole seems to be a much better solution than the home made pvc pipe polecam I've been using. Does anyone know the max length the pole can be extended? The site says it's customizable, but I dont see any other information. I'd really like to be able to use the pole extended to about 16' and have an external monitor at the surface. Has anyone used this? Anyone ever travel with one of these? It seems pretty awkward to pack. Any advice would be really appreciated!
thanks
Before getting the Gates Pole I used to use a paint pole with a stainless ratchet antennae mount at the end. I had to make a custom aluminum bracket to attach different Amphibico housings to the mount. This all worked very well until one day the latch/lock for the extension on the paint pole gave way. Thank fully I had a safety line running from the housing to the boat, something I now recommend for any pole cam set up.
I don't have my Gates Pole in front of me but I can tell you it is not 16' and I'm pretty sure it is fixed at one length, which is about 10', I think. I can measure my pole for you on Monday to give you an exact length if you want (the pole is at work). The pole comes in two sections which screw together and are held by a locking pin. For travel I break it down to the two halves and put it into a heavy cardboard tube. The tube is closed at one end and at the other I have a piece of closed cell foam that fits into the other end of the tube. I then tape over the end with gorilla tape or some equivalent. If I can, I wait until it passes security before taping. I have had them open the taped end at some airports to see what is inside. For and external monitor I have wired up a pair of those video glasses, MyVue are the ones I have. They are basically only good for framing but at least I can see what I'm doing and I can look over or under the glasses to see what is going on around me. I am using the Gates EX1 housing with the pole. Ideally I would like to modify the placement of the handle that comes out 90 degrees from the pole and tilt lever. The handle is not in the best position for me, but I think that is just personal preference. There is a little too much play in the tilt which allows for the camera to get jarred in rougher sea conditions. Both can be modified I just have to take the time to do it.
Hope this helps.
Matt
Hi,
I'm thinking about getting a gates housing for many reasons. One in particular is to use the gates pole. I'm often on a diverse array of boats, some with particularly high freeboards and the gates pole seems to be a much better solution than the home made pvc pipe polecam I've been using. Does anyone know the max length the pole can be extended? The site says it's customizable, but I dont see any other information. I'd really like to be able to use the pole extended to about 16' and have an external monitor at the surface. Has anyone used this? Anyone ever travel with one of these? It seems pretty awkward to pack. Any advice would be really appreciated!
thanks
Jake,
The Gates poles are completely customizable. Their general length is 8 feet standard, broken down into two 4 foot segments. I had a custom pole done for a customer with them 2 years ago. It was either a 12 or 16 foot pole....they make the poles in 4 foot sections so they are easily broken down for travel. One thing to note is that the pole is made to be used while a boat is anchored, or at least not in motion (even trolling speed). Since this is a custom pole, I believe their lead time is 4-6 weeks...and could be up to 8 from past experience.
What are your intentions for use with this? What housing will you be using (weight of course plays a major role)?
I travel with my Gates pole in a telescoping molded plastic fishing rod case. Only room for two segments and actuating rod though. I love my Gates pole and rarely leave home without it,
The Gates Pole cam was created, made, and developed by my friend and fellow founder of the San Diego UnderSea Film Festival, Bob Gladden who then sold them through Gates. Bob had many generations of poles and I have one of the first which is one long and excellent piece of work. I haven't used it in years however. They were individually made with great care by Bob and I thought he should get some of the credit. Bob moved to Hawaii a year ago and has since stopped making them himself. A shame he does not get royalties for what really is his invention.
Steve
Jake,
I Spoke with Gates today, they are no longer doing any custom poles, the guy that made them moved away. They now only have standard 8 foot poles.
Hi Jake,
I am the person that use to make the Gates Poles. I have moved and no longer make them, but I have a couple of extra PoleCams that I can sell. They are different from the Gates Pole, in that they are expandable, from 6 ft. to 11 ft. They are made to the same standards as the Gates Pole. If you are interested please reply, and I will sent you some more information.
Bob
Hi Jake,
I am the person that use to make the Gates Poles. I have moved and no longer make them, but I have a couple of extra PoleCams that I can sell. They are different from the Gates Pole, in that they are expandable, from 6 ft. to 11 ft. They are made to the same standards as the Gates Pole. If you are interested please reply, and I will sent you some more information.
Bob
Dear Bob,
Do you still have the Gates poles, I am seriously interested in buying one. Let me know.
Regards,
DAVIDE VEZZARO
www.davidevezzaro.com
I have a brand new one in box still if you are interested.
