Gimbals for GoPro

[_Paz_]

I know I'm not going to be able to hold my GoPro steady so I've been looking for solutions and have come across 'brushless gimbals'.

I know about hair brushes, paint brushes, pastry brushes, but nothing about gimbal brushes. What difference would it make if a gimbal had brushes or not?

First I came across the Feiyutech 3 axis gimbal:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNR ... YWPJGJVXK1

After searching here I saw Sidd had mentioned the Funnygo:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QN3 ... JKC6MYVCWW

I admit, I liked the Feiyu. Pretty blue. Cheaper. But then I watched this comparison video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBzSPdsVfpY

Funnygo did not drift, it has a wider range of movement, the handle is adjustable, the wiring is concealed. But the pretty blue...

Then I watched this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SThZ0v_K7dk

And the Feiyu has an extension pole!!! But... the FunnyGo has a bluetooth accessory that can allow you to control the movement of the camera on the gimbal without you having it in your hands. Game changer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xI3tQ2BqnA

So... the bluetooth adapter will work with Android phones and tablets, not i stuff. Since I don't have either, not that big a problem of me, but I really don't want to pay hundreds for a smart phone and years' worth of network plans, so I looked at tablets. With an Android tablet and the app you should be able to 'see' what the camera as well as control the movements of the gimbal.

The Amazon tablets are Android:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IKPYKWG/ref ... _i=desktop

But they all say they do "NOT support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks, so I guess they are out. Bummer. Low price and with one of those I could view Amazon Prime movies on it.

Anyone know much about Android tablets in general? Is supporting ad hoc connections unusual?

thanks,

Paz

[TreeTopsRanch]

Some discussion on this subject here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/stabilizers-steadicam-etc/525741-gopro4-black-feiyu-g3.html

[sidd finch]

From the research and reading I have been doing I think the FunnyGo is the better of the two. This includes quicker and more reliable shipping. but at over $320 it seems like it is a bit too expensive. Just be aware that there are fakes of this brand too.

I have made my own brush less gimbal for approx $75 I will post some pictures of it soon. It is a little Frankenstein looking but the footage is really smooth.

Sidd

[_Paz_]

Thanks for that link, TreeTops! Yes, lots of information there, including a 2 axis vs 3 axis gimbal.

This really impressed me. Second time out with the FunnyGo, straight out of the camera:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxiGLUAT3-g[/youtube]

[_Paz_]

From the research and reading I have been doing I think the FunnyGo is the better of the two. This includes quicker and more reliable shipping. but at over $320 it seems like it is a bit too expensive. Just be aware that there are fakes of this brand too./

I agree. WAAAAAY too expensive. OTOH, I won't be likely to get anything worth having without either a tripod or a stabilizer that works. I'm not surprised to hear there are fakes.

I have made my own brush less gimbal for approx $75 I will post some pictures of it soon. It is a little Frankenstein looking but the footage is really smooth.

Waiting with bated breath!!!

[sidd finch]

How to tell if Genuine:

The GENUINE PilotFly FunnyGo has PilotFly Logos on the motor end cap and can only be purchased direct from http://copter-rc.com

Sidd

[_Paz_]

Some relatives sent me rather generous checks along with their Christmas cards this year.

So I broke my piggy bank Balanced the checkbook. Thought about it for a while. And ordered the FunnyGo from copter-rc. gulp


I decided I simply don't have the skills to assemble a 3 axis gimbal, get it balanced 3 ways, write the software, figure out how to get it to talk to bluetooth, etc.


Thanks for the info and link, Sidd. Can't wait to see your your gimbal !

[Ron Hunter]

Dave Dugdale just put up a video on a 3 axis gimbal he is reviewing. (Other bloggers are reviewing it too.) It is pricey at $699 but it can handle GoPros, smartphones, and even smaller DSLRs. His review isn't finished but it looks promising. I'm interested in it for my GH4.

Here is his review:

http://www.learningdslrvideo.com/nebula-4000-lite-1/

[_Paz_]

Thanks for posting that link, Ron. I began watching and see that it is a long video. I'll have to come back to it later.

He begins by saying it was hard to set up a the small iphone camera... he suspects it may be overpowered. Makes sense to me. Hopefully he'll figure out how to make it work with various weight cameras.

I wound up spending a good bit of money on the home-made flashlight - universal joint stabilizer I assembled and it never was worth the trouble of using. I always had side to side swing because my video cam was too light. I had enough trouble with my wrist trying to hold the flashlight at a sort of angle with the video cam. I never tried it with my Canon 7D because it is pretty heavy.

If this one can work with different weight cameras that will be great!

[_Paz_]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytr3Um3bsQg[/youtube]

[sidd finch]

The results are pretty amazing. Especially when you think that you are pretty steady without one. The brushless gimbal works better than any mechanical stabilizer. Video looks good. I also notice that the new Hero 4 seems to have a more realistic color range. The 3 series is balanced a bit warm.

Sidd