Group Buy - Tilta Gravity Gimbal

[Tim Daust]

I didnt really understand it was an upgrade until Yangs post again just now in the FB group. its a true upgrade.. I thought they meant update like they had a problem with it working and needed to update it before sending these units out.

having it upgraded for better distance is great.. but I opted to get my Gravity and AM2 now and wait for the upgraded mimic later.

 

[Chris McKechnie]

From Yang on Facebook:

Hi Everyone，


I have a few updates. We listened to feedback regarding the Mimic and will have an update available in 3-4 weeks. The new version contains the same wireless chip that is in our wireless follow focus giving it greater range (1500’) and less lag. It is much more accurate and will be easier to pair.


We are giving customers several options:


1) If you need your Gravity and Mimic urgently we will still ship it at the original date with the version 1 Mimic. In the future you will have the option to update to the new Mimic for a discounted rate of $130 (list price $300) when it becomes available.
2) We can ship the Gravity without the Mimic. The updated Mimic will then be shipped at a latter date… roughly 3 weeks for no additional charge.
3) We will ship your Gravity and updated Mimic paired from the factory when it becomes available in 3 weeks.


Additionally, I checked with our engineers regarding external controllers. We recommend using the Futaba T8J or T6K.. We will make a tutorial showing how to pair the devices.


Before we ship, sophia will confirm the shipping info. Please tell her your option by then.


Thanks for your patience!

 

[Tyler Bourns]

I emailed Sophia with my option I wanted to go with on the Mimic (I opted for Option 2 from Yang's post) and asked for a shipping estimate and she responded back saying it would ship today.

 

[Jason Bodnar]

Got my tracking number, now fingers crossed I do not get stuck with Duty fees before DHL will deliver.

 

[Brendan H. Banks]

Go my tracking number, now fingers crossed I do not get stuck with Duty fees before DHL will deliver.

Woo! This is great news. Bummed I'm not in the first group even though I tried to pay on 9/6 but they didn't get back to me until the 14th. Happy to hear these are shipping though.

 

[Jason Bodnar]

Good news on Shipping progress so far, it looks like it may be fast... DHL states planned delivery for Monday 10/17, was shipped yesterday.

 

[James Jetel]

Hey guys,
Not sure if you all follow Pedro @ Cinemilled and the great tests/product work he's been doing. This video shows his heavy builds test. It's really worth checking out - at about 9 minutes he cites critical issue he's found regarding the Pan bar and balancing. Basically, the pan bar isn't long/heavy enough to balance out heavier/longer builds that one would specifically use on the Gravity. They had a good idea with the telescoping arms up front to fit big builds, but didn't design a counterpoint to that in back. Normally CineMilled would make a pan bar extension like they did for the Ronin, but Gravity has virtually no slack in the cabling from the Pan Motor, so the same solution won't work.

The issue may not seriously effect RED Users, but for operators who want to fly other cameras, and/or use this as a remote head, I see it as a rather serious design flaw. I've shot an email over to Yang to see if he is aware of it, and if they are planning to do anything about it. If it's an issue for you, I'd encourage you to do the same as being the early adopters you have his ear (to a certain degree )

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

Hey guys,
Not sure if you all follow Pedro @ Cinemilled and the great tests/product work he's been doing. This video shows his heavy builds test. It's really worth checking out - at about 9 minutes he cites critical issue he's found regarding the Pan bar and balancing. Basically, the pan bar isn't long/heavy enough to balance out heavier/longer builds that one would specifically use on the Gravity. They had a good idea with the telescoping arms up front to fit big builds, but didn't design a counterpoint to that in back. Normally CineMilled would make a pan bar extension like they did for the Ronin, but Gravity has virtually no slack in the cabling from the Pan Motor, so the same solution won't work.




The issue may not seriously effect RED Users, but for operators who want to fly other cameras, and/or use this as a remote head, I see it as a rather serious design flaw. I've shot an email over to Yang to see if he is aware of it, and if they are planning to do anything about it. If it's an issue for you, I'd encourage you to do the same as being the early adopters you have his ear (to a certain degree )

I would worry about other more serious things. The fact that this tiny build Gimbal is stated to support 33 lbs, is something that I see as the dammest thing ever. Why? Because the motors might turn the load but this tiny frame with the CF rods will flex like hell specially from the roll axis motor shaft point since all of the load is fwd , far away due to builds like Amira or Alexa , or even a fully loaded epic with lens, and at 90 degrees, there is a lot of torque there guys, and those tiny rods they will flex, and eventually might break in pieces something that CF does when its under great stress in usage with great loads like 25-33 lbs. The same thing more or less will be applied when you will try extent the oan frame to give more distance for better balance, again you will increase the leverage and increase the stress on the pan motor shafts bearings and everything that is keeping the axis in one. Im pretty suprised that engineers rated this at 33 lbs load, and certain applications can damage this in no time. Considering you support cameras that can cost 0ver 100 k its pretty silly to come with statements like this. To me a statement of max load 33lbs means that the rig can take at least 1.5 times the stated load to be able to safely take 33 lbs in all kind of applications.I wouldnt work with anything more than 16lbs -18lbs with this gimbal if you plan to put it into carmounts and other more hardcore applications than handheld.And again that is nothing to do with motor power. It has to do with the frame work. My 2 cents.

 

[James Jetel]

Great input as usual Constantine! I don't think I had any illusions about flying 33lbs on it, let alone in "hardcore" applications, more I don't think it's fair to say the gimbal has a 33lb payload without a big asterisk. Even in Pedro's tests in the 16-18lb range he stated they were "nowhere near close to balancing the pan axis." that's a pretty big red flag, but something that could ostensibly be reworked. Tilta should pay you and Pedro to write a usage bible for their gimbal. You'd probably save people a lot of time and repairs.

 

[Matt Fleming]

"...the pan bar isn't long/heavy enough to balance out heavier/longer builds..."

Unless I misunderstood, I think Pedro's concern with the Pan axis is that it won't adjust back far enough for cameras that are unusually long, i.e. studio set-ups. It's a length issue...not so much strength or weight.

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

Unless I misunderstood, I think Pedro's concern with the Pan axis is that it won't adjust back far enough for cameras that are unusually long, i.e. studio set-ups. It's a length issue...not so much strength or weight.

Not quite

the first part is correct, the frame on the pan axis isnt long enough to be able to balance correctly the pan axis with long cameras like the examples on the pictures from Pedro. One would say , no problem I will add some extension on the frame and make it happen, which is fine as long as the frame added is strong enough to stay rigid and dont flex. My concerns are , first the over rated lifting capacity of the gimbal versus the frame capability. Specially on the ROLL axis where the load of the total roll brackets , rods and camera is applied directly at 90 degrees as a leverage. When you guys get this on your hands, you will discover that the flex with heavy load cameras and even worst with heavy load LONG cameras that take the COG more away, making you telescope out the rods in order to fit the camera, at the same time increase the leverage dramatically on the roll axis motor shaft and bearings, and thats where all of the flex will come from. The cage type support around the height of the camera will not stop that flex, it will only stop the flex INSIDE the tilt axis, side to side etc.

To explain simpler, the Axis that suffers more from stress from overweight and longer cameras is the roll axis, and the most flex you will get will ne from that pont.
the reason is that the forces are n an angle of 90 degrees as a lever extented on one side only

on the pan axis the forces are applied verically and in balance if someone adds a longer extension frame that can allow you to have a longer camera balanced correctly.The motor bearings will not suffer at all and the shaft being vertical can take all of the load.

But its a very different case on the roll axis Im afraid.

so my main argument here is the wrong max camera capacity statements because the capacity is addressed to the total gimbal frame and motors and not just motor capability of turning loads.

But perhaps Im wrong so when you guys get this put a 25lb camera on and take it on a hard mount of a car. See what happens then. Make sure that the camera is a dummy though I wouldnt risk a real camera on this test. And be sure that sometimes things dont break from the start, but they do break at some point if over forced.

regards

 

[Matt Fleming]

Thanks Constantine, my reply was to James in reference to his summary of Pedros video. Pedro's issue re: unable to correctly balance the pan axis in his big camera tests. It was due to the cameras being too long for the pan arm. Not a weight issue. Just wanted to clarify that.

I understand your separate concern regarding overall stability/too much weight/flex/carbon fiber/COG/etc... Important points...but a different issue than what Pedro was talking about in his video. Sorry if it appeared I was replying your comment.

 

[constantine Tirintzis]

Thanks Constantine, my reply was to James in reference to his summary of Pedros video. Pedro's issue re: unable to correctly balance the pan axis in his big camera tests. It was due to the cameras being too long for the pan arm. Not a weight issue. Just wanted to clarify that.

I understand your separate concern regarding overall stability/too much weight/flex/carbon fiber/COG/etc... Important points...but a different issue than what Pedro was talking about in his video. Sorry if it appeared I was replying your comment.

ah NO PROB sorry , I heard of several issues described and the pan prob versus longer cameras wasnt the only one. Flex was also mentioned at one point. Thats why I added. The pan issue can be solved, Add some longer stronger rods and you are done no big deal as long as the tubes can take this and the connection is rigid no prob. Thats the easy part. cheers

 

[Matt Fleming]

ah NO PROB sorry , I heard of several issues described and the pan prob versus longer cameras wasnt the only one. Flex was also mentioned at one point. Thats why I added. The pan issue can be solved, Add some longer stronger rods and you are done no big deal as long as the tubes can take this and the connection is rigid no prob. Thats the easy part. cheers

Cheers Constantine. I'm with you about your concerns...I guess we'll see, hopefully without any horror stories!

 

[Pedro Guimaraes]

I am testing big builds on vehicle mounts up to 70mph (driving on the 5 fwy)....if you happen live in burbank you might catch me on one of my test runs....

So far nothing broke :hurray: naturally I have insurance so....if something does happen....that's why I have it. Then again I'm not testing with an massive camera package. Testing with ARRI mini/angenuiex zoom......if anyone want to help me test and offer up thier RED build PM me.

I will make a new test video with results and thoughts....

Quick notes:
-I don't agree with their choice of a mimic for primary control.
-mimic sucks in a vehicle for camera control for so many reasons....mimic sucks in most situations(just my opinion)
-I haven't tried to connect a futaba to my gravity yet but looking forward to using sticks again.
-Concerns about the CF rods strength are valid especially on heavy builds, because as you telescope out you increase leverage ratio and since the rods are not doubled up (like when collapsed) the strength does decreases a lot.....a lot depends on the quality of the CF tubes and I have to say the wall thickness. It is on the thin side, so it does concern me when telescoped out with a heavy camera.

As I mentioned previously....they did alot of things right.......and they did some things where I scratch my head and say huh?

In sum, it's neither a lightweight gimbal nor a proper "HD" heavy duty gimbal. So it has a hard time holding up if you compare it to a M10 (due to weight)for handheld/supported use and it will take some "aftermarket" parts (which is to say CineMilled) for it to work better as a HD gimbal....


But with no other option to choose from in the HD gimbal market (that doesn't cost a fortune)....for the price of the gravity, with some mods......it's a still works for me.

Which is why I bought one, and want to make it work better.

 

[Brody_B]

I fly my Weapon, brick, matte box, cine glass, focus motor, etc. all day long with this, and definitely trust its integrity. But again thats only around 15 lbs or so. I certainly think 33 lbs is an inflated overall system rating on Tiltas part. Sounds like what everyone is saying is accurate, the motors can do 33 but the rig can't house 33 correctly. Seems like you could get Alexa with short/medium lens only. But wouldn't know cause I only use my Red on it which the Gravity definitely works great for.

 

[Jason Bodnar]

Well, my shipment cleared customs yesterday which is crazy fast and now my Monday delivery as been bumped up to today, so Hong Kong to Seattle in two days!!!. Nice!!!

And DHL just delivered...Will check it out and report back.

 

[Brendan H. Banks]

I fly my Weapon, brick, matte box, cine glass, focus motor, etc. all day long with this, and definitely trust its integrity. But again thats only around 15 lbs or so. I certainly think 33 lbs is an inflated overall system rating on Tiltas part. Sounds like what everyone is saying is accurate, the motors can do 33 but the rig can't house 33 correctly. Seems like you could get Alexa with short/medium lens only. But wouldn't know cause I only use my Red on it which the Gravity definitely works great for.

Good to hear Brody. Will be flying E-W with some basic setups but looking to have extra motor power as I find myself on boats and hanging out of cars a whole lot (hoping soon I can add helicopter to the list). Plus being able to just quickly go from gimbal to handheld/sticks without a rebuild is my big one.

 

[Brody_B]

Good to hear Brody. Will be flying E-W with some basic setups but looking to have extra motor power as I find myself on boats and hanging out of cars a whole lot (hoping soon I can add helicopter to the list). Plus being able to just quickly go from gimbal to handheld/sticks without a rebuild is my big one.

For sure, your gonna love it. I see it as the perfect fit for Red cams.

 

[Matt Fleming]

Well, my shipment cleared customs yesterday which is crazy fast and now my Monday delivery as been bumped up to today, so Hong Kong to Seattle in two days!!!. Nice!!!

And DHL just delivered...Will check it out and report back.

Holy crap, me too Jason!