DJI RONIN PRO SUPPORT

[Peter Majtan]

How are you powering it? REDVOLT in SIDE HANDLE?
Vibration almost certainly mean something is loose. Please check all the wingnuts, the QR mount (this actually happened to me once as I have forgotten to tightens the lock on the QR). Is the dovetail properly attached as well? Any chance you can post some pics of your setup? If you don't want to post publicly - please email them to me (email in the first post).
RED weight category should have stiffness above 60, but if anything is loose - you will get vibrations.

:sifone: Peter

 

[Peter Majtan]

Lucas, you really need to dig in to all the setting - there are some that will override / limit the SmoothTrack options.
For example the maximum speed setting will limit the speed at which the gimbal moves.
I recommend putting it on its stand and then use the remote controller to move the pan and tilt (make sure the top right switch is in the middle position). Adjust the parameters in the app until the gimbal responds the way you want.
Then take the gimbal by the top handle with one hand and and check the follow mode.
Adjust the setting and test again - see how all the various settings affect the behavior of the gimbal.
This is a new tool and we need to learn how to use it properly.

As to the gimbal freaking out - we're you using the iOS app or the win control SW at that time?

:sifone: Peter

 

[Max M.]

Have nothing attached to the camera, with autotune it or says rebalance camera or the motors give this high pitch sound and everything vibrates till i tune down the stiffness, wel check again if everything is really locked

 

[Holger Jungnickel]

Ok, here's an update on the pan axis issue.

I just came back from thundertiger, the short answer is, their demo unit exhibits the same issue, but worse actually.

Findings
Their unit has the same problem that I described earlier, that if you rock the handle bars in the roll axis, the pan axis will overload and shutoff, resulting in pan wobbling, and if continued, a safety shutoff of all motors for a few seconds. On theirs actually it doesn't even take fast movements, normal speed movement of the handles in the roll axis is enough to trigger a shutoff if the angle is steep enough, and any fast movement regardless of the angle will trigger a shutoff as well. With that degree of the issue, I'd say it's barely useable.

We made a video and sent it to DJI, I'll keep ypu posted on their response.

Possible cause (My personal guess, and pure speculation right now)
Now what I did notice when balancing their Ronin is, that the balancing issues I described earlier are more pronounced as well. With Roll and tilt properly balanced on the stand in underslung mode, and the Ronin then turned it into briefcase orientation to balance the pan axis, properly balancing the pan axis prooves impossible, indicating its de-centered. After dialling it what seems to be proper balance, it will always return to a horizontal orientation - turn the arm one way it comes back indicating front heavyness, turn it the other way and it comes back indicating it'd be back heavy -> this (to me) is proof that the pan axis is not perfectly centered in the pan arm, and off to one side.
Anyone who has turned a non-dynamically balanced steadicam knows that an axis that is ever so slightly off-center axis can cause huge forces when rotated.
Now, if the Pan axis is decentered, moving the gimbal in the roll axis will mean that the pan motor needs force to keep the pan axis straight as there will be a weight shift when the handles are moved, which it wouldn't need at all if it was properly centered and balanced (see the Ronin manual that asks you to lift a handle and check for no movement to ensure proper pan balancing).
My copy of the Ronin exhibits the balancing issue to a lesser degree, and needs more rocking to reach the high power levels to shut off. The demo unit shows the balancing issue more, and requires even less movement to trigger a high power shutoff.
To me this is all consistent with my assumption, that on some units, to varying degrees, the pan axis and / or other axes are decentered - leading to forces being generated that are too large for the motors to compensate.
As I said, at this point this is my conclusion from looking at 2 units, and expressly my personal speculation.



Unrelated to this issue, we also noted that the downward tilt axis hard stop on their system is about 10° different than on mine. Not that this would be a problem (at least it doesn't seem like it for now), as it is way past the maximum endstops anyway, but it shows there is significant product-to-product variance.


As I know how onliune posts are interpreted sometimes, please note that this should in no way convey a negative tone towards the Ronin - I am absolutely impressed by the unit and like it a lot so far - all I intend to do is actively help improving on this issue and keep you guys in the loop.

I also can reproduce this. Rolling fast from left to right and back a few times an the motors get killed.

 

[Joe Lawry]

Have nothing attached to the camera, with autotune it or says rebalance camera or the motors give this high pitch sound and everything vibrates till i tune down the stiffness, wel check again if everything is really locked

This is the exact problem I am having. Sometimes my motors give the high pitch sound and others not.

Auto tune gives me 64ish every time on all Axis and the motors vibe, i drop everything to 50 and things seem to be good.

 

[Alen Watts]

I have just recently got my Ronin. Few software issues-

I have a Iphone 4 therefore the App is not compatible with my phone, waiting for a App for my Sony Z2.

In the meantime I downloaded the PC software, using it on an Windows XP Pro laptop. I've taken a Panasonic GH4 (before you say you can't use this camera on this gimbal, it is in the manual one of the ones which have been tested) and carefully balanced this camera on the gimbal, no hdmi cable attached simple lens 12 - 35 F2.8. Attached the supplied usb cable to Ronin and my laptop. Run Ronin assistant software, the software runs for 20 seconds then it crashes, sometimes it runs for a minute. When it did run for a minute I took the opportunity to press the 'Auto Tune Stability' button and have noticed it sets the motor stiffness at 56 or 60 which is extremely high for a GH4 camera. If anyone of the yaw, pitch or roll axis is moved then a loud high pitch squeal is emitted from the motors.

The second thing I have noticed is the design capacity of the battery shown is wrong under tab- battery.

I am a little disappointed that I can't use the software to tune the gimbal. While I wait for a fix, I'll be using this gimbal as an expensive door stop!

 

[Peter Majtan]

Alen, as per the currently supported phones - this is clearly listed online. If you don't want to wait for Android support - you can always get used iPod Touch 4 off of eBay for around $50 - a lot better option then "expensive door stop", plus you can keep it in the box with Ronin for when you want to rent it out...
As per the PC software - I am not much of a Windows guy - your best bet is to email the Ronin support via the email address provided in the first post...

:sifone: Peter

 

[Patrick Smith]

Hi Peter,

Here is a video we did. I just saw this thread and though it may help posting it here. More videos to come soon


DJI RONIN "HOW TO BALANCE" VIDEO

 

[Peter Majtan]

Hi Peter,

Here is a video we did. I just saw this thread and though it may help posting it here. More videos to come soon


DJI RONIN "HOW TO BALANCE" VIDEO

This is exactly what is needed - thank you Patrick for this! Added to the first post...

:sifone: Peter

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

Guys just to comment some hints on the above video from the engineering point of view that might help you.

The guy above though at the end has balanced the camera as it should starts with not an ideal step to start balancing.

The reason I say this, is because, he starts with a top heavy set up, (meaning that the camera will want to tilt up or tilt down, or roll at each side when let go, no matter what the front to back or side to side adjustment is) and he tries to find an optimal front to back balance being top heavy.

I think that this will make your life hell if you arent familiar with balancing systems, and specially if you try put a higher load Epic up there.

I highly recommend , that the first thing you do to balance the camera on the tilt axis, up of down, starting with a little bottom heavy set up, meaning thatthe camera will want to return to centre if you tilt up or down. Then tune the front to back, and when you do, just retune the up and down, its so much easier to do this, with out the camera keep wanting to tip over in roll or tilt. Then when you are done with this just go to step 2 balancing the side to side for the roll, and finally the pan axis.

It will be much easier and faster, and with less danger as you will not have to keep holding the camera with your hands to prevent it from tipping over.

Just my 2 cents that will help you do this much easier.

always remember. your Gimbal is a PAN, ROLL, TILT in an order config gimbal. If you start with the balancing of the tilt axis as you should, your camera will never tip over on the roll axis, and never be in danger if you let go.

Iam sure Peter can better show you this if he has time..

Kind regards

 

[alexandre Chailan]

Thanks Constantine, I will check your protips because I did the same as Patrick, on car it's really smooth, and when i walk it's like there is a little shake, very very very little shake, so for now I am training with my 5d to found how I can perfectly balence the system and operate with. At this time, when my balance is done, I can keep the camera on every position without trouble (Ronin off), so I will try you're pro tips now and compare !

Alex

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

No prob, I was mainly pointing out that, its easier to go this route , rather than the start route of this video.

The end result in both is the same, its just harder to try adjust the back to front and side to side, while NOT having adjusted the up and down height, and if the camera sits very high , meaning that its over the CG, then it will try and tip over at both axis , tilt and roll, if you let it go, and that makes it harder to balance in operation , as you need to keep catching it.

its just a practical thing.

the end result is the same , no matter what.

kind regards

 

[Joachim Hoge]

Hi
Just got our Ronin, but where do I find the bluethooth passcode?

 

[Peter Majtan]

Hi
Just got our Ronin, but where do I find the bluethooth passcode?

If you were not given the password with your unit - or in case you forget it - just connect the Ronin via USB to the PC Assistant app and select "RESET PASSWORD"...

:sifone: Peter

 

[Joachim Hoge]

H Thanks. No passord was shipped, and when I tried to hit the reset button nothing happens. I can see that the Ronin is connected over usb in the app

 

[Peter Majtan]

Hmm, no luck there either, but thanks again.

Is there a place where I could find a good starting point tor the settings in for single operator mode?

All this is coming. The PRO SUPPORT is launching this coming Monday (the 11th) and they will be also releasing a bunch of official videos to help with setup, balancing, etc...
I would recommend that you learn and understand what each of the settings does to the gimbal before you start tuning it to your liking.
Best way is to select one value and try how the Ronin (or its controls) respond to the changes. Then move onto the next one. You will see that some setting have an effect on others and need to work in tandem, etc...
Understanding your tool completely is a must...

:sifone: Peter

 

[Joachim Hoge]

Peter, thanks for all you help (via PM). I upgraded the unit, and the code worked, then it says connected, but after 3 seconds it changes to "not connected". Any idea?

 

[Peter Majtan]

Peter, thanks for all you help (via PM). I upgraded the unit, and the code worked, then it says connected, but after 3 seconds it changes to "not connected". Any idea?

Please make sure you are not trying to connect via the USB and BlueTooth at the same time - you have to chose only one connection.
Then I would check if there are any other BlueTooth devices nearby that could be causing some interference. In a office full of Apple mice and wireless keyboards - you might have an issue... ;o)
Maybe try to take it outside and see if this persists?

P

 

[alexandre Chailan]

Well, if Ronin user have some footage without slomowtion and stab in post, please show us.

Since 2 days, I have mine, balance ok (camera don't move on every side when Ronin is off), I auto balance the Ronin, sometimes the motors did lot of nose and vibration, so I adjust in my case the Tilt until I don't have vibration anymore. On car it's good, smooth as I hope, but when I walk, not, for each steps I have a small vibration even if i walk carefully.

I reset the Ronin in case I did something wrong on the setting, same case. And I just plug a 5d for the test (better lighter for start for my back ))

Thanks !

Edit : Finally I looking on Youtube and I have the same things as this guy with the Movi 10 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mYPgK7ez9Q

 

[Peter Majtan]

Peter, thanks for all you help (via PM). I upgraded the unit, and the code worked, then it says connected, but after 3 seconds it changes to "not connected". Any idea?

Also I want to make sure that you are not trying to connect via BlueTooth itself - but rather directly from the DJI app.
Basically power up the Ronin. Make sure your BlueTooth is ON on the i-device you are using. Then launch the DJI application which will scan for any nearby DJI devices and then allow you to connect to the Ronin once it finds it...
I know some users have been trying to connect via the BlueTooth itself - just like when you want to add a BT accessory to your phone. Do not do that...

P