Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

BeSteady FOUR Thread

Hi Bérenger - as I said a few posts back, I have mine, #17 on the old BeSteady list.
 
Received the batteries for my unit today, fired it up and calibrated it using the OSD. I must say that the screen on the back is a brilliant idea, as well as some of the voice prompts. Build quality is the best I've seen having used the Ronin, M10 and gStabi H14. It's definitely heavier than the Movi though which I found to the lightest of all the Gimbals I've used.

In terms of stabilisaion - if I have Pan/Tilt/Roll all ticked in follow mode the unit works flawlessly. If I untick the Roll axis in Follow mode, the roll is then off by about 3° (The unit says it's at 0, but when I roll the shelf level manually the screen indicates that it's at 3°). The other thing I find odd is with the Pan axis physically staying stationary while on the stand but the screen indicating that the unit is panning. Does anyone know where I can download the software for calibrating the gimbal?

A quick video of what I'm talking about - http://youtu.be/PDlbG5Zi4xs
 
Hi Pavitar,

Did you tried gyro calibration just before taking unit for a spin? It is crucial to perform this operation each time when:
1. temperature will change (going from indoor to outdoor enviroment during cold days, working on helicopter, fast moving car etc);
2. unit will be moved from one location to another (different city)
Otherwise ususally unit will have minor drift and/or slightly wrong horizon level (visible perfectly on roll axis).

Unit must be completly immobile during this operation. Camera shelf position isn't critical - so it may have completly wrong horizon during this operation. Gyro calibration takes around 1 minute or less to complete.
PC/Mac software has got only one more option than OnBoard built-in OLED Manager. Those are RC controls. If you will be using regular MZ-12 provided with The Beast - you have "default RCU" option visible on Control menu as well. It sets everything for Pan/Tilt operation on sticks, Roll on potentiometer and 3-way switch acts as a command channel (switching profiles on the fly).

If you need assistance please get in touch with our support (support at acr-sys.com) or directly with me (max at acr-sys.com).

Best regards!
 
So today i received the long awaited package from ACR Systems and guys, this is the most amazing device i used in a long time (well maybe besides the russian arm)

I took me some time to set all up and familiarise myself with all the parts, especially the procedure with charging batteries was new for me, LiPo are a bit more maintenance heavy than Revolts or V-Mounts.
First try was with my 5D and a Canon 16-35mm /2.8 Lens, setup was aprox. 1 kg. Balancing is a breeze, no tools needed and adjusting each axis is simple and easy. As i turned the unit on i got a very nice greeting from a female voice telling me the unit is starting up.
After a few seconds the unit started to move and then i got shocked by the buzzing sound and vibration the unit started to make. I turned off the unit immediately. After a short recap what i read so far, i guessed that the power on the motors must be to high in default settings to balance this lightweight camera setup.
So i turned the unit on once again, ignored the buzzing and went into the perofomance menu, and there we go, i turned the power down from 50% to actually 10% on the roll and pan axis and after a few tries even down to 3% on the tilt axis. No more buzzing and a perfectly levelled camera.
Now back into to menu, to activate the pan and tilt axis in follow mode, a few clicks and the setup is done.
Time for the first flight :)
Took it out in the garden around the car, running around some surprised kids from next door, it works flawlessly and without making any noise.
After my arms are starting to fall off i returned back in with the Beast and took a look at the footage, i shot abut half with 16mm and half with 35mm focal length.
Watching it on my 27´ screen i was blown away, the only thing i can complain about is my lack checking focus before starting to record, so thats why i won´t post this first footage, but other than that i just had a big grin on my face :)

Next step was to connect the thumbstick which is bigger than i expected, but i actually like it how it is, the pan/tilt control is very smooth with this one.
No setup needed , just plug it in before startup and then use it to override the follow mode or disable follow mode and just use the thumbstick. Sure needs some practise but i can see a good use of the thumbstick.

finally, i opened the box including the grappler MX-12 remote. it´s preconfigured and ready to go, just connect the receiver to the BS4 turn on the Beast and the remote and it´s good to go.

I didn´t like the setup of the pan on the right stick and the tilt on the left stick, so this is not so easy to find in the 76 page MX-12 manual, but after some digging i found it .

For all who want to change this in future: (see also BS4 manual page 30)
from the main menu press enter to see the options
go down to RF sett. and press enter
go down to receiv out and press enter
now in the first row change the default setting S1 -> output 1 to S3 -> output 1 and confirm with enter
pan and tilt will now be on the same axis

if you want to reverse the direction for pan/tilt go back into the main menu and choose servo sett.
Again you´ll see S1 to S6, and next to it are arrows like => now go to the channel you want to reverse and click enter when you are at the arrow, you can change the arrow to <= and the direction is reversed.

So all remote control options work and they can also interact, i will try that next week when i´m together with my operator and see how this works out. For now back to follow mode.

Enough playing around with the lightweight set, time to fly the Red.

i left the side handle on since i don´t have the right cable to connect to the Red via the BS4 right now.
Again setup was quick and easy, but i couldn´t achieve roll balance due to the lack of space in the camera tray when the red is mounted with the side handle.
Setup with Red Camera 16-35mm Canon Lens, module adaptor red mag, side handle with redvolt and Top plate was 4,6 kg (10,15 lbs)

than the big moment, turned on the system, little movement of the gimbal and there it was , a perfectly balanced Red :)
took it from the stand, still in follow mode i recognised that i´m loosing horizont, so i pulled up the motor power to 18% on pan and roll axis and 12 % on tilt axis and there we go.

I could just run around the house since it started raining outside, but it felt very good.
This was my experience so far, i will continue hopefully tomorrow if i find time and will post some test with the BS4 and Epic then as well. I need to charge batteries now.

I´m absolutely happy how the Beast works so far, ronin is a baby toy against it and it´s up to par or even better than a M15

I hope this sweetens the waiting time for anybody down the line, once you´ll have it, you´ll love it :)

Manuel
 
IMG_1348.JPG
 
Manuel Wenger said:
So today i received the long awaited package from ACR Systems and guys, this is the most amazing device i used in a long time (well maybe besides the russian arm)

I took me some time to set all up and familiarise myself with all the parts, especially the procedure with charging batteries was new for me, LiPo are a bit more maintenance heavy than Revolts or V-Mounts.
First try was with my 5D and a Canon 16-35mm /2.8 Lens, setup was aprox. 1 kg. Balancing is a breeze, no tools needed and adjusting each axis is simple and easy. As i turned the unit on i got a very nice greeting from a female voice telling me the unit is starting up.
After a few seconds the unit started to move and then i got shocked by the buzzing sound and vibration the unit started to make. I turned off the unit immediately. After a short recap what i read so far, i guessed that the power on the motors must be to high in default settings to balance this lightweight camera setup.
So i turned the unit on once again, ignored the buzzing and went into the perofomance menu, and there we go, i turned the power down from 50% to actually 10% on the roll and pan axis and after a few tries even down to 3% on the tilt axis. No more buzzing and a perfectly levelled camera.
Now back into to menu, to activate the pan and tilt axis in follow mode, a few clicks and the setup is done.
Time for the first flight :)
Took it out in the garden around the car, running around some surprised kids from next door, it works flawlessly and without making any noise.
After my arms are starting to fall off i returned back in with the Beast and took a look at the footage, i shot abut half with 16mm and half with 35mm focal length.
Watching it on my 27´ screen i was blown away, the only thing i can complain about is my lack checking focus before starting to record, so thats why i won´t post this first footage, but other than that i just had a big grin on my face :)

Next step was to connect the thumbstick which is bigger than i expected, but i actually like it how it is, the pan/tilt control is very smooth with this one.
No setup needed , just plug it in before startup and then use it to override the follow mode or disable follow mode and just use the thumbstick. Sure needs some practise but i can see a good use of the thumbstick.

finally, i opened the box including the grappler MX-12 remote. it´s preconfigured and ready to go, just connect the receiver to the BS4 turn on the Beast and the remote and it´s good to go.

I didn´t like the setup of the pan on the right stick and the tilt on the left stick, so this is not so easy to find in the 76 page MX-12 manual, but after some digging i found it .

For all who want to change this in future: (see also BS4 manual page 30)
from the main menu press enter to see the options
go down to RF sett. and press enter
go down to receiv out and press enter
now in the first row change the default setting S1 -> output 1 to S3 -> output 1 and confirm with enter
pan and tilt will now be on the same axis

if you want to reverse the direction for pan/tilt go back into the main menu and choose servo sett.
Again you´ll see S1 to S6, and next to it are arrows like => now go to the channel you want to reverse and click enter when you are at the arrow, you can change the arrow to <= and the direction is reversed.

So all remote control options work and they can also interact, i will try that next week when i´m together with my operator and see how this works out. For now back to follow mode.

Enough playing around with the lightweight set, time to fly the Red.

i left the side handle on since i don´t have the right cable to connect to the Red via the BS4 right now.
Again setup was quick and easy, but i couldn´t achieve roll balance due to the lack of space in the camera tray when the red is mounted with the side handle.
Setup with Red Camera 16-35mm Canon Lens, module adaptor red mag, side handle with redvolt and Top plate was 4,6 kg (10,15 lbs)

than the big moment, turned on the system, little movement of the gimbal and there it was , a perfectly balanced Red :)
took it from the stand, still in follow mode i recognised that i´m loosing horizont, so i pulled up the motor power to 18% on pan and roll axis and 12 % on tilt axis and there we go.

I could just run around the house since it started raining outside, but it felt very good.
This was my experience so far, i will continue hopefully tomorrow if i find time and will post some test with the BS4 and Epic then as well. I need to charge batteries now.

I´m absolutely happy how the Beast works so far, ronin is a baby toy against it and it´s up to par or even better than a M15

I hope this sweetens the waiting time for anybody down the line, once you´ll have it, you´ll love it :)

Manuel
Click to expand...

hey Manuel thats excellent news. One question. You say about the roll balance and using the Epic with side handle and you couldnt balance. Can you just move the Total Epic with side handle looking at your picture to the left so you create more space for the side handle and then move the total roll axis tube rods and lock on the right so you can achieve perfect balance? Since the lens isnt exactly design to be in centre of axis that shouldnt be a prob?

maybe I misunderstood your post but I thought I ask.

It looks super and much worth it.

Kind regards
 
Based on the preliminary information, it looks like this unit will be a perfect match for the Weapon.

Even before we get those in our hands, once we have the cable sets from BS, the side handle can go away as a power source.
 
hey constantine, yes thats what i did, i just don't wanted the camera to far off the optical axis yesterday, today i rebalanced so i can get the camera in its COG by altering the position of the rods at the back of the bs4, and it worked fine.
Motors still at around 20 to 25% , if i go over 35% they start to buzz.

Went out to get connectors today, and will get my custom cables done on Tuesday after easter, my plan is to run the gimbal and the red from a V-Mount battery which i´ll carry on a belt and connect to the DC in of the gimbal, so i can get rid of the side handle and power everything from one source.

Tried inverted mode today, which is a lot less painful in eye hight, and after a clarification with Maks it runs perfect.

I also have to say that Maks, Peter and Mike are very responsive and helpful and returned my emails within a few minutes.
Had a Skype call with Max today as well, they really doing there best to get you up and running.

Manuel
 
Manuel Wenger said:
hey constantine, yes thats what i did, i just don't wanted the camera to far off the optical axis yesterday, today i rebalanced so i can get the camera in its COG by altering the position of the rods at the back of the bs4, and it worked fine.
Motors still at around 20 to 25% , if i go over 35% they start to buzz.

Went out to get connectors today, and will get my custom cables done on Tuesday after easter, my plan is to run the gimbal and the red from a V-Mount battery which i´ll carry on a belt and connect to the DC in of the gimbal, so i can get rid of the side handle and power everything from one source.

Tried inverted mode today, which is a lot less painful in eye hight, and after a clarification with Maks it runs perfect.

I also have to say that Maks, Peter and Mike are very responsive and helpful and returned my emails within a few minutes.
Had a Skype call with Max today as well, they really doing there best to get you up and running.

Manuel
Click to expand...

That sounds awesome, and I guess if it runs the Epic with 25% gain, then that means that it can take much more weight if required motor wise.

Thanks for the clarification, I was sure you did that in the end.

Great news about the company being there as well,thats what makes the big difference.

thank you.
 
I'm having similar experiences to Manuel in terms of motor strength, staying in the 20's with a Dragon, Leica-R lens, Paralinx Arrow+ and RTMotion Rx.

I had a Skype call with Mike today and he was very helpful with sorting out some vibrational/drifting issues, though it sounds like the answer to most problems for now is Calibrate, calibrate, calibrate, then calibrate again, at least until the next firmware comes out, which will hopefully be soon.

I haven't been a fan of the way the tilt joystick on the graupner "sticks" on the vertical axis instead of snapping back to center like the pan, so after a clue from Mike, I opened up the back of the Graupner today and moved the spring mechanism from the right stick vertical axis over to the left sticks vertical axis and put the "sticking" mechanism on the right side's vertical axis. It was quite simple. I'd shoot a video or take some pics to share the process, but its quite simple if you stare at it for a while, but there's another unrelated part of the mechanical setup in the graupner thats currently jammed and preventing me from setting it back to where it was originally to do a how to. Doing this process should be totally fine, otherwise. Unit works great, though.
 
Hi Jordan, the MZ-12 is really a powerful Remote, i changed the setting for the same reason and now have pan/tilt on the right joystick together.
I didn´t have any drifting issue yet, but occasionally the horizont is off a few degrees, instead of a new calibration in most cases it works for me to go into Performance of the roll axis, click it up/down a percent and go out of the menu, and the axis all find its horizon again. This is faster than a new calibration and you don´t have to park the Rig on the stand. (which is actually the only negative thing so far, the rods coming out from the base construction should be somehow fixed to the base)
 
Max / peter ,

it,good to read all the good signals, but please an update about delivery details.
That's what it is all about !
 
willy apex said:
Max / peter ,

it,good to read all the good signals, but please an update about delivery details.
That's what it is all about !
Click to expand...

+1 on a serious update, now that you have a working hardware you should be able give us a real shipping schedule?
 
hello BS4 thread
I am still struggling contact BS4

I am one of on refund line
so how can I / to whom can I contact?
 
As of Maks' instructions, I emailed ACR but got no reply from their support team. I managed to sort out the horizon issue by lowering the values in the performance settings on the gimbal. I shot with it yesterday and the stabilisation performance was exceptional (A7s + Sigma 35mm + Lenzhound Follow Focus). Silky smooth is probably how I'd describe it.

I came home from the shoot and put the stabiliser down, went out for a bit and when I got back home the Four was ON. I was sure I had switched it off, and to my surprise the power toggle was in fact off. So now I'm unable to turn the Four off without physically disconnecting the batteries.

It won't power up using the large battery at all and The DC Out doesn't output any power (even when powered from the small batteries). The thumbstick isn't usable as the gimbal output movement isn't the same as the thumbstick input (goes in all different directions). I haven't yet used the remote so I'm unsure how that will perform.

It will be a really frustrating road ahead if the support isn't there.
 
I just spent several days in the desert shooting almost exclusively with the Beast and a Dragon. I'll work on a write up sometime this week with some footage if I can get it released, but I can say that it performed well, for what I consider to be not final firmware and my first time really getting into this specific gimbal. I think the next version of firmware which should be coming soon will take care of a lot of software and performance issues and make this an incredible tool, but ACR has thought of a lot of really great little operational innovations and improvements that other gimbals don't have that make this my favorite one to work with so far.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top