How did you come up with the idea for the STASIS FLEX support system?
Well, the first stabilization product we came out with for small cameras was the EgripZ. The EgripZ helps the camera spread the weight down to the forearm away from the wrist and provides some stability. That helped to some degree. As these cameras have developed into different shapes and different sizes, it became obvious that they needed some way to get an extra point of contact, a focal point, such as your shoulder. The STASIS FLEX design allows almost any of the smaller size cameras, wherever your lenses, wherever your viewfinder, whatever your battery system, to get your camera fully comfortable to your body. You have a chest plate that’s fully adjustable. You have a design of it that allows you to put it up high for high shots, down low…. We talk a lot in terms of it being comfortable, but comfort means you can get a steadier shot for a greater period of time.

How have you upgraded the STASIS FLEX from the STASIS four years ago?
The FLEX is a totally new product. The STASIS had a very metal-oriented, rigid structure. The Flex is exactly that, flexible. It can go anywhere. It can fit up to a 6 pound camera and always get the right position.
How can you adjust the FLEX?
Release the cam level. Put it where you want it. Lock the cam lever. You’re done. So, it’s very, very simple and flexible. With our units and our previous unit, you have multiple joints that you have to adjust… one at a time. With the cam lever, you just release and the entire thing becomes liquid. Lock and you’re rigid again. This makes it very effective for quick transitions.
How does the EllipZ fit in with the STASIS FLEX?
The EllipZ is a 7.2 volt battery system. We’re not selling a battery, we’re selling a system. The traditional 7.2 volt batteries that come with the cameras… they’re very small consumer-based batteries and they do a fine job as that, but they’re not going to give you the longer run times, the same consistency and lighting capability. You can take the EllipZ battery and put it on the back of the Flex to get a better weight distribution.
So, do you sell the Flex and the Ellipz as a joint product?
We actually give the customer the ability to use either our snap-on Gold Mount or the EllipZ, but both will work on the same Flex. Definitely a systems approach. Somebody could buy the Flex and not use one of our batteries systems. But, I think if you try to fix one part of the problem, you’re not going to fix enough.
I know you've recently launched the FLEX, but can you give us any hints about the next version?
You know, it’s funny, we’re working on that now so the answer is not yet. We’re still gathering a lot of feedback from the first ones that are out there. We like to continually work on honing our products.