Sport Scope vs. Hi-Pod
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Not too long ago, we compared Sport Scope Video’s 30’ Automatic Endzone Camera with Endzone Video System’s EVS25. Today we have prepared a comparison between the Sport Scope 30’ Automatic Endzone System to Hi-Pod’s R31 end zone camera. Here’s what we found:
Warranty
Sport Scope provides a ten year warranty on their high quality, heavy duty 30’ Tower. They offer this warranty claiming “we believe in the resilience and structure of our tower and we know it will stand the test of time.” On the other hand, Hi-Pod only offers a five-year warranty on structural components and a one-year warranty on electronics with the purchase of their end zone camera system.
Customer Service
Sport Scope has demonstrated a high level of caring customer service in a number of ways. First, their staff are easy to contact and readily available to help with any troubleshooting that may occur. Further, replacement parts from Sport Scope (though they rarely need to be purchased) are consistently offered at lower prices than their competitors selling the same pieces. In some cases, Sport Scope will even help customers find the parts they need on their own terms, accepting a loss of profits in exchange for a happy customer.
Manufacturing
Not only are Sport Scope’s end zone camera towers custom engineered for elevated outdoor use, they are also manufactured in the United States. This grants them assured quality and quick turnover. Hi-Pod custom designs several components of their towers, but the majority of the parts come from overseas manufacturers.
Bonus points: Sport Scope’s towers are made with four legs, providing more balance than Hi-Pod’s three legs.
Pan and Tilt
Hi-Pod uses a third party product from Bescor as their robotic pan/tilt component. This means that servicing the pan/tilt head can be difficult as it will come from an outside source. Sport Scope’s Pan/Tilt heads are custom designed and manufactured in house. Because of this, there is an added element of quality, trusted service and repairs (if ever needed) and a product designed to work seamlessly with the other Sport Scope end zone camera components. Sport Scope’s joystick and iPad controlled end zone cameras provide an additional boost in ease of use and accuracy.
Ease of Use
Hi-Pod’s tower is assembled of two separate pole pieces and an additional base plate. Each of these pieces is connected via a series of ratchets and knobs that keep everything together. Sport Scope, however, has a one-piece tower that holds their end zone camera. Simply pull out the four supporting legs and tighten four knobs, then slide up the telescoping pole and clamp down to hold.
Transportation
Travel is a big part of the sports for most teams. This means your end zone camera system should have a protective and easy to transport carrying case. Sport Scope proves to be the most portable end zone camera system on the market. All components aside from the electronics fit easily into a rolling travel bag designed specifically for Sport Scope towers. An additional waterproof hard case will house all valuable electronics and easily connects to the tower’s travel bag, meaning moving the cases is a one-hand job. Hi-Pod’s camera systems require three carrying cases of varied sizes. One holds the main poles and base, the next holds tower accessories and the third bag holds electronics. We found this divided travel arrangement difficult to get around.
Premium Remote
Currently Sport Scope is the only end zone camera solution that utilizes Sony’s premium tripod remote commander, the VCT-VPR1. This remote informs operators as to whether or not the camera thirty feet above them is on and recording, has a sturdy and comfortable handle, and also has a toggle switch for zooming in and out with accuracy. Hi-Pod does not use this level of quality in their remotes.
