Finally got a chance to see just how much video gear I could stuff into (and on top of) my E.
Lights, stands, mics, monitors, camera, sticks, etc. It all fit! Even my favorite bull-horn. (Quiet on the set!!!!!!!)

It's kinda hard to see, but I've got it loaded all the way up to the front seats with gear piled up on one side and stands and cables laying along the other. Some of the gear is pretty heavy, but I'm not, :roll: so I think the weight limit was okay.
I left the rear seats in, and just hung them up to the sides.

http://www.epod.homestead.com/files/P2140132.jpg

Bonus! Notice just behind my left hand is my blue-clad iPod (which I got knowing my Fiji E was coming...how geeky is that!)

i haven't put the rear seats up since realizing that when the right one is up against the wall - there's no visibility out the right side of the vehicle!

[quote:ec45c4d57b=" "]i haven't put the rear seats up since realizing that when the right one is up against the wall - there's no visibility out the right side of the vehicle![/quote:ec45c4d57b] That's what the side mirrors are for on your trucklet. You got side mirrors, right?

And Yoda, yes, that is geeky.

Hey Yoda, that's quite a lot o' gear there! Is that some high-end "hobby gear" or do you do video stuffs for a living? Kudos on choosing the Fiji Blue!!

duh! of course i have side mirrors - but that doesn't take the place of looking over your shoulder as you back up, parallel park, etc -- the placement of the seat over the window blocks it!

It does take some time getting used to having the seats up when you look over your shoulder .

Yes, when the seats are up they do block quite a bit of the side windows, but as has already been pointed out, the E drives more like a VAN than a car so good mirror placement is essential regardless. If your mirrors are properly aligned, you dont need ANY side windows. (cept the ones you look through to see your mirrors. :wink: )

And yes, I do TV for a living. I'm a Director/Editor here in Denver. I still do a lot of my own shooting, which is another reason I thought the E would be a great fit for me.

the mirrors are always "properly aligned" - that doesn't eliminate the need to turn your head to look out the side/back window to park -- it's another of the many design flaws --

...it IS possible to safely back up, park and otherwise maneuver using only the mirrors. I drive a truck/van at work every day that has no rear-side or rear windows. The main adjustment that is needed is to train yourself to accept using only the mirrors as guides.

To be fair, my work truck has a larger mirror assembly with separate small convex mirrors. (Which is why the small convex mirror add-ons may be one of my first purchases when I finally do get my E) But, the advantage the Element has is that it actually has a center "out the back window" mirror to use.

It is really hard to learn to rely just on mirrors, I have many co-workers who insist on opening the driver side door (it's a slider) and leaning out to look back as they back into parking spaces. I personally think this is much more risky than using the mirrors...

On another note, many people have noted the blind spots caused by the E's A pillar. The E has nothing on my work truck however, as the blind spot on it seems like it can hide the Grand Canyon at times....I'm actually looking forward to the increased visibility out of the E.

rockin setup, that blue rocks.are you using the stock rack on top? i have a thule i am gonna install, as soon as it stops rainin. :D


http://www.gear-boy.com/michelintest04/pages/mich0006.htm

yoda... i lvoe the E for exactly the same reason... :)

http://www.e-shen.com/element/elegrip.jpg

Looks like you even had to remove those pesky rear seats to make enough room, Shen. :)

And yes, Gearboy, that is just the standard roof rack. I had if bungeed with some PA speaker stands, and tripods. Nothing too heavy or high.

I had a 929 I loved until I had to pack my gear in it. I'd strap camera, monitor, stands. lights, and grip kit on to my cart, roll it out of the studio, out to the car, unload it off the cart into the car, drive to the job, reload the cart, load in and unpack. Drove me nuts :evil: . Then I saw the element in Car and Driver and thought this could work. Dragged my cart down to the Honda dealer, opened the back and the damn thing just fit through the door. I was driving it in three days. Everytime I load that cart in and out I sing hallelujah. It truly is a cameraman's car.

Oh Cameraman! You life saver! We are actually going to be purchasing some new carts at our station... what model is your cart. I think I would love to get one that fits in my E. :)

Lemme know, thanks.

YodaMac, can yo post a picture of your modified ipod?

My iPod isnt "modified" really. It's in a case from Marware.
http://www.marware.com/Overview_iPod.html

It's their Sportsuit Convertible model. And their Blue color seemed remarkably close to Fiji Blue. I bought it, in fact, before I even got my E. hehe, so I'm glad it matches so well. :)
http://www.marware.com/Media/convOPENSMALL.jpghttp://www.marware.com/Media/COLORSblue.jpg

Now if only I can find the perfect way to mount it.....
(see my post in the Mobile Electronics thread)