Top 5 New Gear Picks for Your Store
In our last blog, we revealed how to become a ‘Big Spender’ and secure funds for your next round of equipment purchasing. But what best to buy? Connect2’s recent trip to the BEA Convention and NAB show, gave us the opportunity to seek out the most exciting and intriguing new product launches. From this we’ve compiled a Top 5 list of items that schools might consider adding to their inventories.
All items are selected for their standout appeal. No doubt they will have the potential to stimulate your students’ interest while also adding to the attractiveness of your school to prospective students. Read on for some inspiration!
Insta360 8K Action Camera
This latest action camera from Insta360 can now capture footage at 8K and 30 FPS (frames per second). It comes with a new lens guard, larger touchscreen and longer battery life.
A new integration enables users to watch 8K 360º videos from the camera directly on the Apple Vision Pro headset – capability and hardware that is sure to grab attention and create interest on campus! The camera retails at $499/£499.
Blackmagic PYXIS 6K
If you’re one of many fans that desired a professional “box” form-factor camera from Blackmagic, then here it is!
The PYXIS has a 36x24mm full-frame sensor and thirteen steps of dynamic range that allow for shooting in all kinds of different lighting scenarios.
Priced at only $3000/£2,600, this camera sees potential for students to gain real experience with building rigs off of box-style cameras, which will serve them well later in their professional careers.
Read more news from Blackmagic in our recent blog: NAB Breaking News from Blackmagic Design – Connect2 Software
SmallRig Tribex
This self-setting tripod uses a hydraulic system, shooting the legs out so it’s deployed and stable on the ground far faster than a conventional model. It has 77lbs holding capacity.
The tripod helps students get set up quickly and enable swift adjustments for different camera shots, ensuring production focus stays on the action. No doubt, it will all lead to incredible results!
Read more news from SmallRig in our blog here: Technologies Making an Impact at NAB: SmallRig – Connect2 Software
Freewell iPhone Sherpa Gold Mega Kit
Get cinematic effects from your iPhone with this new kit. It includes the phone case, magnetized filters, 1.33X aspect ratio gold anamorphic lens, plus a multifunctional bluetooth grip.
The case slips onto the phone and wraps the lenses with a metal magnetized plate. Filters include VND1-5, CPL and Snow Mist 1/4 – all futureproofed for potential changes in iPhone dimensions. Kits are available for iPhone 13,14 or 15.
It’s available at around $380/£340.
Maono PS22 Audio Interface
While this audio interface is perfect for a number of uses, we liked its 2 combo input potential for podcast interviews and flexibility for other podcasting formats. It comes in at a low price for including this feature at only $120/£100. Podcasting is seeing a rise in Higher Ed, with more studios and equipment being offered and greater use of the medium in coursework and assignments.
Of course, as we discussed in our last post, equipment fundraising tends to take time and persistence. But key advice is always to have desirable items in mind for when opportunities for new funds arise. It ideally involves items that will raise your department’s profile without breaking the bank, and we hope the above list offers some inspiration. Wishing you all the best for your fundraising, budgeting and purchasing for the next academic year ahead.
