Here is a cheap rig you can build yourselves...Ive been pimping out my rig. Wanted share some photos.. This is one i built from tent poles from Academy $7 dlls and plug wire clamps from ebay $15 bucks. .....I now have added neoprene and cant be happier with the way it looks and feels. I went to the local good will and got a neoprene laptop bag for $5.99 and cut it to pieces. I first started to sew it but realized quick it would take forever. I then found out the super glue held it together unlike anything i could imagine. Absolutley inseparable. I realized the with the super glue my option and ideas were endless with the neoprene. So here are some before and after shots... I still have a few things to finish..almost done.

has anyone else used the gliders rig? there don't seem to be many user reviews of them.

Don't forget the cheap Opteka rig. I've attached contra-weight, bought in a diving centre and it works great if you do not attach too many accesoires.

I find it hard to criticize the Cowboy Studio considering the impulse buy level price tag. It is made of plastic, but the core piece is pretty rigid so I have no concerns about it breaking anytime soon, even under high load, and it gets the job done.

Aside from what's been mentioned above--such as it's tendency to pick up movement from your breathing--the only major downside for me is that it's a bit uncomfortable because it's really "one size fits all", and clearly not made for talk people like me--I'm 6'5" (about 2 meters).

No, it will not allow you to tilt position of the cowboy/Polaroid on your shoulder. The offset will bring the camera back to the middle so you can possibly eyeball the LCD, look through the EVF, move the camera forward/back from the pivot point the offset is affixed to on the shoulder component of the rig.

You can not adjust the unit, to my knowledge, to allow you to rotate the camera much above horizontal. Squat as low as you can retaining horizontal position of the camera, or take the camera completely off the rig for that. Otherwise, you would probably want to add something like a ball head at the camera mounting position that can take the weight of your camera and attached accessories if you want various different tilt angles, as you suggest. Something like this might work, although I am not sure what weight this could take:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/767365-REG/Cambo_99212396_38mm_Ballhead_for_CS_M8.html

Alternatively, drop your lens down from 50mm (50mm x 1.6x) to, say, a cost effective wider lens, and move closer to the subject you're recording. This may reduce some of the hand held issues, if they concern you. I have my rig setup on a quick release plate, so I can a go to an el cheapo steadicam device, tripod, etc. I find the affixed tripod plate great for hand held, especially low shots, as it widens my hands position from the camera, smoothing things out, it would seem. I do, however, use AE Warp-Stabiliser sometimes in post. Not much more I can add, good luck!

@brianluce - Also can the CowboyStudio be positioned differently, rather than straight - so for example looking up tilted a bit, which would help if I'm doing a low angle shot.

You can't go wrong with the Cowboy. The only reason I went with the Polariod is I have two GH2's and often find myself running two cams hand held. With the shoulder strap you will have both hands free -- I filmed a concert and reception for a pianist friend, having both hands free allowed me to shoot and take advantange of the delicious hors doeuvres!

Cheers for the feedback. I also intend to use it as my run-n-gun' setup, though I won't have any of the additional equipment you have - mattebox etc.

For purely the GH2 and a 50mm prime lens, the CowboyStudio should be fine straight out of the box though right?

I understand you swapping parts to make it more efficient for your extra equipment, I won't be using anything additional though. What's your thoughts?

I'm close to ordering it right this second.

@WhiteRabbit Some good information on your process there. I think using the CowboyStudio straight up should be fine for me, I'll only be using it for small adverts that will be shot for competitions.

How well would you rate it's stabilisation?

Haha Merry Christmas @brian luce

Going to order it tomorrow, the non stable handheld look is annoying me!

Okay decided to use an uber cheap rig for the time being - The CowboyStudio - http://www.amazon.co.uk/CowboyStudio-Shoulder-Support-Camcorder-Camera/dp/B005FSS7DE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323806911&sr=8-1

Is that the correct one in the link? It states "CowboyStudio Shoulder Support Pad for Video Camcorder Camera DV / DC" - Sounds like its made for DV cameras, is this what people use for HDSLRs?

My favourite light "rig" is using a monopod or a tripod as a shoulder pad.. (just mount the cam the "wrong" way to the base-plate.. tilt down and make the handle of the tripod/monopod work as a the handle of a gun. Quick, simple.. does the job very well. I've found that it works better with tripods that are not too long / heavy, as there is a pretty specific "steady" position - where handling works optimally.

I'm going to get a robust rig sometimes, too - to accomodate for the added weight of mattebox e.t.c..

I've tried out Swedish Chameleon for instance.. But I found it way too expensive for what I get, not really light / quick / easy enough for run and gun, not really sturdy enough to work as a complete rig.