Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Register 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 :)

How does your REDmote perform?

A

Akin A

Well-known member
Joined
May 3, 2014
Messages
868
Reaction score
0
Points
16
For those who currently use a REDmote, how has your experience been lately?
I've seen the old threads about connection issues, but I'm not sure if that stuff is still relevant with the latest firmware.

I bought a used REDmote a few months ago and it has been inconsistent at maintaning a wireless connection. When docked, it works fine, but I'd rather use the brain's mount for my battery. I don't know if it's an issue with my particular REDmote being defected or my brain's REDLINK or if this is typical for everybody. I'm using the latest beta firmware, but the same issues happened on the non-beta, although I haven't rolled back in a little while to retest.

If I use my Camtree top plate, which has the space cut out to not block the REDLINK area, I can't get a wireless connection at all. I read in the old threads that this is common, so I'm not too concerned.
If I remove the top plate and top handle, I can get a connection, usually after a combination of docking/undocking/rebooting the REDmote and waiting between 1 to 5 frustrating minutes for the connection to be established. This happens whether the REDmote is 6 inches away or 6 feet away. Once the connection is established, the REDmote will randomly lose connection between 5-30 seconds or sometimes freeze, needing a reboot.

When it's working, it's such a great device, especially for self-recording stuff and not needing to walk back and forth to the camera to change settings or start/stop recording. At the moment, I use a 3rd party monitor, and no Side Handle or Switchblade, so the REDMote is the only way I'm controlling the camera.
 
Mine has performed flawlessly (yes, with not a single hitch) since day one (going on 3 years); with or without a top plate (mostly with).
 
I've read all the bad reviews but I've never had a single issue with performance, ever. Not one. Not a huge fan of the updating process however. I've thought about trying to sell it since getting Fool Control but I'm guessing there's not a huge market for them now...going to keep it for a backup remote device for now.
 
Mine has worked fine since day one and that is why I have never looked into FoolControl. Lately, I've been using it more with my Ronin and I am very happy with its performance and simplicity.
 
Thanks for the responses. Maybe I just have a bad copy. I'll likely get another.
 
Rather than walk back all the way through the REDmote situation, I'd recommend you consider a REDlink + Foolcontrol (iPad or iPhone). Much more complete solution and seems to work absolutely flawlessly. (With potential for expanded capabilities going forward.
 
Terry VerHaar said:
Rather than walk back all the way through the REDmote situation, I'd recommend you consider a REDlink + Foolcontrol (iPad or iPhone). Much more complete solution and seems to work absolutely flawlessly. (With potential for expanded capabilities going forward.
Click to expand...
I would consider that and it looks really cool, but I prefer Android and it would slightly annoy me to give up the brain's rear mount, where I like to keep my battery in a compact setup. Yeah, I know I'm being picky, lol. I'll wait to see if they port it to Android.
 
Akin A said:
I would consider that and it looks really cool, but I prefer Android and it would slightly annoy me to give up the brain's rear mount, where I like to keep my battery in a compact setup. Yeah, I know I'm being picky, lol. I'll wait to see if they port it to Android.
Click to expand...
You don't have to give up your brain's rear mount if you use HOTLINK (from Off Hollywood) + Fool Control. HOTLINK is tiny and can be mounted anywhere on your camera. My REDMOTE works fine and I use it all the time, but FoolControl can do so much more...
 
Paul Kalbach said:
You don't have to give up your brain's rear mount if you use HOTLINK (from Off Hollywood) + Fool Control. HOTLINK is tiny and can be mounted anywhere on your camera. My REDMOTE works fine and I use it all the time, but FoolControl can do so much more...
Click to expand...
Good to know, thanks.

I'll probably just get a good REDmote for now though.
 
My initial Redmote experience was highly unreliable. Upgraded antennae. No better. Exchanged for a new Redmote. No better. Just had Red take a look... I literally just got my camera back yesterday, so I will give it a go this weekend.
 
The Redmote seems to be the most mysterious item in the Red universe. Some of us have had flawless performance from the first time we used it. I'm in that group. Some have never had reliable performance. And I'm not aware that Red has ever said anything that helps to explain it.

My experience is that the battery lasts a couple of weeks between uses, the update procedure is dead simple if I just dock it to the camera, and I have never had a connection failure if I'm in the same room. It is a mystery to me how people's experiences with these things can be so utterly different. But they are.
 
I have two Redmotes……Never have had either of them been reliable on a set. Been to Red for evaluation, no change, now they sit on a shelf collecting dust. Worst piece of camera gear I've ever purchased.
 
Last edited:
I'd forget the Redmote & move to WIFi control ( various options ) for the same price as the clunky Remote.

IMO this was the less successfully Red bit of kit, plagued by poor connection, battery issues, rotary dial issues etc .

If you are going back to another Redmote basically you are playing Russian roulette with performance .

You must have been lucky with your current one.
 
Tried my newly returned cam and Remote... if it starts docked, it seems to hold connection under my cursory test. Starting unlocked produced laughably bad results. Given that I keep a battery on the back of my camera, this was disheartening.
 
Never had good results with mine. Used a couple others on various shoots and had equally bad experiences. As others have said, this is probably the worst piece of kit to come out of RED.
 
Mine was used and worked great.

Most of the time it was user error when it goes kaput on set.

Finally updated firmware...wow that takes way too long.

Even if I pick up a HOTLINK, Id still keep it.

Does the job when I need it and Ive had the camera on a big jib enough times to feel confident with the REDMOTE.
 
I hated it for mostly three years. stopped updating for a while because it was useless 1 meter from the camera, but a month ago, I updated again, because i wanted to sell it.

After updating, it is working perfectly. Now I can start recording on a crane. It tried it at home through 4 regular (not thin, not large) walls (with doors open). Magic.


I have also bought a 25€ big 4 way 5A usb charger, when I charge with it, the redmote battery lasts long, if charged on a iPhone USB outlet, it doesn't.

To be honest, I have charged it after a shoot right before christmas eve. It is still 2/3 full as of today. Good quality charger is essential.
 
I've never used the word 'REDMote' and 'Performance' in the same sentence... without the qualifier 'Horrible'. I work mainly in a (super small) studio, mostly M.O.S. so not a lot of other radio interference - at most I'm never more than 5 feet from the camera. Constantly looses connection; that's if it hasn't frozen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top