Storm Chasing Gear and Equipment

Vortex Media LLC is a professional weather documentation agency operated by storm chaser Caleb Elliott. Our storm chasing rig is engineered for one purpose: the acquisition of broadcast-quality, high-fidelity severe weather data. From global shutter imaging that solves the "lightning problem" to M4-powered mobile editing suites, every piece of gear in our manifest is field-proven to survive and perform in the world’s most violent environments.

SYSTEM: OPERATIONAL

VORTEX MEDIA LLC // 2026 MANIFEST

AUTHORIZED OPERATOR: CALEB ELLIOTT

Sony Alpha 9 III Features the world’s first full-frame global shutter, eliminating lightning artifacts and rolling-shutter distortion during high-speed intercepts.
Canon EOS R6 Mark II A 24.2MP hybrid powerhouse used for high-speed secondary documentation and 4K/60p redundancy.
Sony FDR-AX43 UHD 4K Dedicated camcorder utilizing B.O.S.S. stabilization to keep footage steady during intense wind intercepts.
GoPro MAX Captures spherical 5.6K documentation, ensuring a 360° record of storm evolution.
iPhone 15 Pro Max High-bitrate mobile capture for real-time reporting and secondary field b-roll.
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 Art Ultra-wide, weather-sealed glass designed for edge-to-edge sharpness of massive storm structures.
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Primary G-series optics used for versatile, stabilized field acquisition.
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Professional L-series zoom providing reliable performance in extreme weather conditions.
Canon RF 100-400mm IS USM Telephoto optics used for long-distance debris signatures and distant storm features.
DJI Mavic 3 Pro Flagship triple-camera aerial platform for multi-focal length storm mapping.
Potensic ATOM Lightweight 4K GPS drone used for rapid scouting and quick-deployment aerial visuals.
NEEWER 74" Video Tripod Heavy-duty fluid head system (TP37) providing critical mass for steady shots in inflow jets.
RadarStack Concurrent use of WeatherFront, RadarScope, and RadarOmega for deep meteorological interrogation.
Raynic 5000 Radio Solar/Crank NOAA emergency hub providing critical alerts when cellular infrastructure fails.
iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4) Mobile editing workstation utilizing the Ultra Retina XDR display for field-accurate grading.
DaVinci Resolve Professional NLE used for cinema-grade color and rapid broadcast delivery from the field.
LVYUAN 500W Inverter DC-to-AC conversion to maintain 24/7 power for all mobile studio components.
Wildpeak A/T4W Tires Falken 265/75R16 all-terrain durability for unpaved backroads and mud shedding.
Lexar 160GB Gold CFexpress High-speed 900MB/s media for cinema-quality 8K and high-bitrate data.
SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO Reliable UHS-I backup media for high-resolution field photography.
Sony Gold VPG 400 Rated storage ensuring zero frame loss during professional broadcast capture.
VORTEX MEDIA LLC // © 2026 // ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

TECHNICAL FAQ

Common inquiries regarding the Vortex Media LLC operational stack.

The best camera is one that handles high-contrast lighting and extreme motion. We utilize the Sony Alpha 9 III specifically for its Global Shutter. This eliminates the "jello effect" common in other cameras during lightning strikes or rapid tornado evolution.

Speed is vital for news delivery. The iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4) with its Ultra Retina XDR display allows us to grade 4K footage in DaVinci Resolve and deliver to news desks before we even leave the intercept site.

Reliability is the priority. The most critical upgrade we run is our Falken Wildpeak A/T4W tires. They provide the mud-shedding and puncture resistance necessary to survive unpaved backroads and debris fields.

We use a multi-redundant Radar Stack. When cellular networks fail, we rely on our Raynic 5000 Weather Radio for solar/hand-crank powered NOAA emergency alerts to maintain situational awareness.

Absolutely. We deploy the DJI Mavic 3 Pro because its triple-camera system allows us to stay at a safe distance while using the telephoto lens to capture high-fidelity close-ups of storm dynamics.