Beware of Cotton Carriers!

[Chuck Nakell]

I bought a Cotton Carrier to lighten the load on my back while transporting heavy lenses during avian photography.

I soon found the item's fatal flaw: There is a thick velcro strap that keeps the barrel in place. Once you move to detach it (no matter how gentle you are) the ripping sound scares away any bird within 50 yards. I contacted the company about the issue, but they were utterly unresponsive. I eventually had to pay a shoe repair place a good bit of money to fashion a quiet clip release in its' place.

How stupid of Cotton Co. to release a product, used 50% by nature photographers, with a screaming loud safety strap.

Buyer beware!

[Tony Hansford]

I think that's a bit harsh. A fatal flaw would be if your camera fell off. If it's no use within 50 yards then just unclip it outside 50 yards.

[Chuck Nakell]

1) The company is absolutely aware that a great deal of its' product users employ their units with a wildlife focus.
2) No one can always predict (and thus "unclip" early) when a bird shot may come before them. Have you been out birding before?
3) "Fatal Flaw" refers to the demonstrable inability of a given product to be successfully used for its' intended purpose. The velcro, which is essential to stabilize a large lens, defeats the key reason the avian photographer is out there in the first place.
4) If "fatal" is too dramatic a word for you...I will substitute "essential" in its' place.
Sorry if I sound a bit harsh (it's not personal, I assure you), but my aim is to make other wildlife photographers aware of the real situation with this item before they purchase. I only wish someone had done that for me. I really do.

[Chris Ober]

Why not just return the product to where you bought it from rather than pay extra money to 'fix' it? Was the velcro use not obvious from the product literature and videos they have or when you first received after initial inspection?

[Chuck Nakell]

I did not return it because i wanted to use it for its' intended purpose, so I made the adaptation. It's just crazy that I (and so many others) have had to make the adaptation. Enough said.....

[Chris Ober]

It's crazy to knowingly keep a product and bashing it because it didn't quite suit your personal needs. Their literature mentions and demonstrates that velcro is used. That alone should have triggered the light bulb over the head. I can't recall ever seeing a silent velcro version anywhere, on any product. It's not a manufacturing flaw. Where is it mentioned that it's intended purpose is a silent way to approach potentially shy subjects. Maybe you need to work on your approach techniques? If you have unstrap a long lens in a hurry for a sudden shot, then you're not going out being prepared enough. If action is happening that quickly, perhaps you should modify they way you prepare and ready your equipment.

So many others? Where? Sources? The only reference to this 'fatal flaw' is from you.

My tripod is fatally flawed as well -- It starts to hurt my shoulder after carrying the legs plus camera equipment slung over my soulder for an extended period. Epic fail on Gitzo's part by failing to notify me or providing adequate padding on the legs to keep my tender shoulders safe and comfy.

[Jory Griesman]

Thanks for the warning, Chuck. I feel Chris's second post was far too harsh and unnecessarily sarcastic. Certainly not in keeping with the intended spirit of any of the forums.

[Doug Schurman]

Jory, I think Chris's post is fine in response to the rather extreme comments from Chuck.

Chuck makes some comments that really are not fair judgments about the product. Sure it is perfectly valid to Chuck to mention that he doesn't like the Velcro strap and would prefer some other mechanism and to give a warning to other nature photographers.

The strap is really only necessary when you are moving longer distances and need extra stability. They have videos of people riding a bike, skiing and even doing a back flip on a trampoline. If you are in a place where wildlife might be and you are on alert you are not going to be moving very fast and you would probably already have camera in hand. I've used it and many times while hiking I don't have the strap fastened.

If Chris was sitting face to face with Andy Cotton I really don't think he would make such a harsh statement like

How stupid of Cotton Co. to release a product, used 50% by nature photographers, with a screaming loud safety strap.

I'm glad someone like Chris is there to hold Chris accountable to his statements.

[Chuck Nakell]

Appreciate your willingness to comment, Jory.

CN

[Chuck Nakell]

Doug,


1. This is key: You may notice…they are not doing backflips on trampolines wearing the big lenses that birder usually use. Try that with a 500mm and no strap used. Or rather…please don't try that.


2. If I was sitting face-to-face with Andy Cotton (and I'd love to), I'd ask him why he never bothered to ask (during prototype phase) a single bird photographer how his product worked with 400mm-600mm lenses in birding environments. They are half his market. And, yes…frankly I would verbalize my disappointment with the carrier just as I have here in this forum.

[George Cottay]

Extreme thread titles are not at all helpful.