Loon boom bits

[osa]

My beloved Loon took just the right hit today to snap the spud. Had since 2008 and it is wild to see it last this long. Curious if anyone knows if parts still exist somewhere or if another brand is a worthy replacement? I have some various brands of boom poles. I can try spuds when I get home.

 

 

[Wyatt Tuzo]

Do you have a set of calipers you can measure the diameter of the mounting plug with? This could more easily lead you to a working retrofit from another manufacturer.

Beyond that, you could bore that hole out just a touch more and thread a 3/8x16 nut up through the bottom (maybe with a dab of JB on the underside of the head to anchor it in place... *or a narrow bolt on the outside)

[osa]

This is great thank you. I have a bit of machining tools so i think i can drill n thread in a new stud and will also measure and see what size i might replace with via other manufacturers 

[Tobi A]

I replaced the tip of my loon with a PSC tip. Not sure what model my loon is but is a medium size and it fit perfectly! The bit inside the pole is actually a bit longer so it’s a bit sturdier. 

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/403968-REG/PSC_FBPTIP_FBP_TIP_3_8_16_replacement.html

[osa]

I got home and tried a PSC spud from an older pole I have and its a perfect fit. Even better than the original you are right the longer tube and seemingly stronger design at the threads is a perfect upgrade. I had troubles with the original Loon spud having a slight wiggle. This is totally solid now. Going to call around and see if I can find a few for backups and replace in my other pole. Thanks for the tips!

[r.paterson]

My loon has akways had movement at the screw in tip so I stopped using it, after seeing this thread I replaced the loon top with a spare vdb tip and it's a perfect fit and no movement, vdb replacemt parts might be easier to source. 

https://www.gothamsound.com/product/removable-top-screw

[osa]

On 6/17/2024 at 6:41 AM, r.paterson said:

My loon has akways had movement at the screw in tip so I stopped using it, after seeing this thread I replaced the loon top with a spare vdb tip and it's a perfect fit and no movement, vdb replacemt parts might be easier to source. 

https://www.gothamsound.com/product/removable-top-screw

is your loon pole cabled? I have a VDB as well, but I hadn’t considered trying it only because the cable output is configured differently at the top of the pole on my VDB.  Here is a photo of PSC on the left and my VDB on the right. In the past, I have had that rattle movement at the top that you speak of. I am curious if the cut out all the way to the top even on the PSC affects how tight the grip is. with my PSC spud there is just a very tiny bit of wiggle, but nowhere near as bad as it was With the factory Loon spud. 
 

 

[r.paterson]

I don't have my pole cabled inside boom, realised that after I posted. I have a psc as well, I'll try that tip later the vdb tip was rock solid but you are correct no cable exit for interior cable.. 

[rich]

i had been using a PSC tip on my Loon for many years, and it would always move slightly with a mic attached.
on reading this thread this week, i took the tip out of my VDB pole and put it in my Loon. it is much better than the PSC tip, but there is still a little movement of the tip.

[r.paterson]

3 hours ago, rich said:

i had been using a PSC tip on my Loon for many years, and it would always move slightly with a mic attached.
on reading this thread this week, i took the tip out of my VDB pole and put it in my Loon. it is much better than the PSC tip, but there is still a little movement of the tip.

I'll Test again. In the past I put a layer of ptfe tape around the tip before inserting into pole to help with the "wiggle". I tested with the psc tip earlier today and there is a bit of movement compared to the vdb tip.. I'll give the vdb tip another test using a big Rycote basket set up..i put the loon tip back in and a lot of play compared to the vdb tip.. 

[JonG]

Weird hearing this. I have three Loon poles, two purchased directly from Don within the last year or so before he passed, and one used. None of them have any movement from the tips. Rock solid. But glad to know there are workarounds if it does start happening. 

[osa]

PSC for the win! I ordered two replacements for this loon cabled pole and also another PSC pole i have.  I’m glad I did. They’ve changed the design a bit and it’s an absolute lock fit in the loon pole compared to the previous version:

 

 

 

 

[Chris Thueson]

On 6/23/2024 at 5:04 PM, JonG said:

Weird hearing this. I have three Loon poles, two purchased directly from Don within the last year or so before he passed, and one used. None of them have any movement from the tips. Rock solid. But glad to know there are workarounds if it does start happening. 

Jon, mine has the wiggle, but it’s most noticeable when you’ve got something heavy on the end, like a blimp with fur. I’m loving this info about the PSC tip fitting, I still run mine cabled, so this is perfect. Now I just need to figure out where I can get a similar internal coiled 14ft cable, mine is starting to have some issues. 

[JonG]

40 minutes ago, Chris Thueson said:

Jon, mine has the wiggle, but it’s most noticeable when you’ve got something heavy on the end, like a blimp with fur. I’m loving this info about the PSC tip fitting, I still run mine cabled, so this is perfect. Now I just need to figure out where I can get a similar internal coiled 14ft cable, mine is starting to have some issues. 

Drew from AD had some spare Loon internal coiled cable for a while but ran out. Unfortunately you’ll have to replace it with K-Tek or PSC cable, which does not have Don’s patented matte finish.