Letus Gimbal

[Philip Lanyon]

a light system like the bricks would be enough for me, probably more useful as a voltage readout would need to be tested for lowest possible usable voltage.

"it was my understanding, there would be no math":001_huh::001_huh::001_huh:

 

[Adam Johnson]

+1 this is what the Ronin and other battery solutions have integrated into the battery. That's all that is needed for this purpose...anything beyond that would be welcomed of course but reaching in my opinion in terms of price, etc.

a light system like the bricks would be enough for me, probably more useful as a voltage readout would need to be tested for lowest possible usable voltage.

 

[Ned Wilson]

2 Battery options. I may release the 5400mAh first and then 2700 later for lower profile. It will use same case, but will need to change the 4 posts at the corners.

Now we're talking. Bravo!

 

[Paul Kalbach]

By "meter" do people mean an actual meter? Is it possible to just have a light system; like RED bricks?

Seems to me we just need a way to tell when the battery is precariously low.

Like a Red Brick is what I mean...4 or 5 LEDs. Or a single LED that suddenly starts flashing, "We're all going to die!" Is it half-full or half-empty?

 

[Peter Corbett]

A simple 3 or 4 LED light system is fine by me. You start talking actual numerical voltage readouts, you are over complicating this particular scenario.

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

Cost isn't even the issue. It just add a bulky blob into an elegant design. Let's see if we can find a dead space.

Hienle, you crack me up . . . mostly because I identify with your aesthetic sense, LOL.

 

[hienle]

The other gimbals, they are using the battery for only the gimbal, which is really easy to do the battery indicator, as the discharge current is lower. The Helix must take into account the Power Hungry RED and other camera and accessories attached, it's getting tricky. I am looking for a good solution though. You guys are pushing me hard, aren't you?

 

[Dimitri Boschma]

Basecam got output for a 5V active buzzer... but I don't think you always want a sound indicator for low voltage warning. But since it is lipo it would be good though. (Maybe just on the batteries themselves.) Those Lipo alarms with double digit Lipo Alarms aren't that expensive... So if you put the checking in the battery you don't need to change the Gimbal design.

 

[Scott Pultz]

I'm happy that we are getting an on board battery. Looks great!

 

[Enrique Blein]

2 Battery options. I may release the 5400mAh first and then 2700 later for lower profile. It will use same case, but will need to change the 4 posts at the corners.

The idea of onboard power is great but I see two drawbacks in the design:

1) now you can't hold as close to your chest the gymbal
and 2) it reminds me of the nightmarish cable input access on the Epic, you have to have very small fingers to tweedle in the SDI cable

Shouldn't it be optional though?

 

[Terry VerHaar]

The idea of onboard power is great but I see two drawbacks in the design:

1) now you can't hold as close to your chest the gymbal

...

As for holding it close to your chest, it looks like the battery only protrudes an extra 1/2 inch or so. And that is only the big battery. How is that an issue?

 

[Terry VerHaar]

The idea of onboard power is great but I see two drawbacks in the design:


...it reminds me of the nightmarish cable input access on the Epic, you have to have very small fingers to tweedle in the SDI cable

And it seems you could just plug your cables in before installing the battery... no?

 

[Dimitri Boschma]

The idea of onboard power is great but I see two drawbacks in the design:

1) now you can't hold as close to your chest the gymbal
and 2) it reminds me of the nightmarish cable input access on the Epic, you have to have very small fingers to tweedle in the SDI cable

Shouldn't it be optional though?

1) I think with any other battery option you have more negatives as with this slick option. And what terry said it's only a little with the 5400 Battery...

possible negatives
- Weight
- Size
- Cables
- Connectors
- Make it fit

2) Always plug your cables in before you power on your equipment! Don't you read the manual LOL (Joke)

 

[hienle]

The idea of onboard power is great but I see two drawbacks in the design:

1) now you can't hold as close to your chest the gymbal
and 2) it reminds me of the nightmarish cable input access on the Epic, you have to have very small fingers to tweedle in the SDI cable

Shouldn't it be optional though?

Enrique, of course it's optional. The default configuration is without the on-board battery and the housing.

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

The other gimbals, they are using the battery for only the gimbal, which is really easy to do the battery indicator, as the discharge current is lower. The Helix must take into account the Power Hungry RED and other camera and accessories attached, it's getting tricky. I am looking for a good solution though. You guys are pushing me hard, aren't you?

Luke 12:48 (KJV)

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

In other words, if you weren't such a crack designer, we wouldn't be asking.

 

[Scott Pultz]

What is the weather proofing on this device like? I don't expect to use it in a downpour, but what if it gets slightly wet? What about using it near the ocean where it could be hit with salty air? Can it be taken apart and cleaned? Can we get replacement parts as necessary assuming we send the broken parts back?

 

[hienle]

It must be in style. I think it is, now, let see if I can make it . As for waterproofing, should I ship the unit with an umbrella? LOL

You all have to understand that most of the pieces are done, so I cannot do anything I want. I can't just pick a solution off the shelf like others that build this from scratch, I have to custom a circuit to fit into the hole that I already digged out. Now I leave it to my circuit designer to worry about fitting the circuit inside that hole. LOL

 

[Philip Lanyon]

Is it possible to put the battery meter on the battery itself? That way there are no extra parts if we are using our own battery solution. I think you may of mentioned not having room for it on the battery so forgive me if this was covered . Having a meter on the battery would also give us the chance to check the battery without putting it on, and since the battery was designed only a few weeks ago are you still locked in?

It must be in style. I think it is, now, let see if I can make it . As for waterproofing, should I ship the unit with an umbrella? LOL

You all have to understand that most of the pieces are done, so I cannot do anything I want. I can't just pick a solution off the shelf like others that build this from scratch, I have to custom a circuit to fit into the hole that I already digged out. Now I leave it to my circuit designer to worry about fitting the circuit inside that hole. LOL

 

[Terry VerHaar]

It must be in style. I think it is, now, let see if I can make it . As for waterproofing, should I ship the unit with an umbrella? LOL

You all have to understand that most of the pieces are done, so I cannot do anything I want. I can't just pick a solution off the shelf like others that build this from scratch, I have to custom a circuit to fit into the hole that I already digged out. Now I leave it to my circuit designer to worry about fitting the circuit inside that hole. LOL

Hien - A high quality Letus-branded umbrella would be quite the nice swag! :smiley:

The battery LEDs seem quite elegant. I can't recall if the renderings you are showing indicate a battery case into which you put a Lipo battery, or if they show an actual Letus-designed, fully enclosed battery.

Thanks.

 

[Aaron Pinto]

Is it possible to put the battery meter on the battery itself?

If we put it on the battery, each battery would jump in cost $50-$60. Makes more sense to only pay for it once and have it built into the Helix.

Terry,
The Letus Juice Box batteries are custom built to our specs. There is a modular case that snaps around them for protection and attachment to the Helix.