Re: PD170 shoulder mount

Its not the mount that's the problem. You want it to be COMFORTABLE and place the camera at the best position for you to operate it.

You nailed the real problem when you said the LCD screen was too close to see properly.
(And, of course, the camcorder's "view-finder" is totally in the wrong place for you to use THAT when the camera is on a shoulder-mount.)

I have to wear reading glasses when I shoot with a shoulder-mount and the LCD screen.

Just go to the drugstore, Walmart, etc. and try out some "off-the-shelf reading glasses" while holding the camcorder at the distance you would use it on the mount.
You can buy these glasses for under $10 a pair.
Basically, I like "half-size" glasses so I can easily tilt my head and look OVER them to view the "real-world" while I'm shooting.

Recently, I have actually started buying all my low-power reading glasses at the "Dollar Store".

I just try as many as I want in the store and then buy a "sack-full" at $1 each.

I keep extra pairs of glasses in my camcorder bag (each pair in its own slip-case).

These close-up glasses come in handy if I need to see tiny type (or details of any kind).

As to the mount: I like to use one that sits on my shoulder AND has a "strut" that connects from below the camera down to (and clipping ONTO) my belt.
I can then just "hang" my hand on the camera's zoom area and not use my arm to actually SUPPORT the weight of the camera and mount. (The weight is supported by my belt and mid-section.)
Its very sturdy, steady, and I can shoot for extended periods without fatigue.