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  • 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 :)

Letus Gimbal

Adam Johnson said:
I think this stuff needs to get addressed before anymore money moves. Period.

-Complete details for the group buy. I know LETUS was working on trying to figure out exactly what they were going to give group buyers in terms of a gimbal package, 4th Axis bracket reduced price, batteries, case, etc.


Also, we should all see the test footage shot recently on the BMCC 4K before 100% committing to paying in full.

You can do what you want of course, but these are my terms lol


Just curious and anxious about all of this because the anticipated shipment date is coming quick!
Click to expand...

I am quite sure we will know what we are buying before we commit to buying it. But, since we aren't at that point yet, we won't know yet. There is still 10 days or so.

As for footage, personally, I am less concerned about that since gimbals tend to be gimbals - but I can't deny, it would be nice to see footage. And I'd bet we will.
 
Terry VerHaar said:
As for footage, personally, I am less concerned about that since gimbals tend to be gimbals - but I can't deny, it would be nice to see footage. And I'd bet we will.
Click to expand...
Well, there's good gimbals and bad gimbals and I've tried out several bad gimbals at NAB. Of particular interest would be to see footage from the "4th axis mode" mounted on a Steadicam arm; both resulting camera clips and behind the scenes footage.
 
Paul Kalbach said:
Well, there's good gimbals and bad gimbals and I've tried out several bad gimbals at NAB. Of particular interest would be to see footage from the "4th axis mode" mounted on a Steadicam arm; both resulting camera clips and behind the scenes footage.
Click to expand...

Paul, of course you are right; "the proof of the pudding is in the tasting." I think the majority of folks with orders in might be reluctant to follow through without seeing the Helix in action, from both sides of the lens. OTOH, I am probably among the vast minority of folks who would accept delivery, sight unseen, based on the following:

1)Letus is a well-established company with a history of quality products and good customer service.
2) As such, given the visibility here and elsewhere for this product, i doubt they would even ship something that wasn't nearly perfect.
3) Hien, as the owner of Letus and designer of Helix, has been very visible and communicative on this forum and has responded clearly and completely to all change requests; making several changes while explaining why he couldn't or wouldn't make others.
4) Hien has personally vouched for this product with his presence here; his personal reputation is at risk and he doesn't seem like a person who would take that lightly.
5) We have seen a great many renderings along with prototypes being shown at NAB. The design seems solid and workable.
6) My own take is that Letus would probably accept returns from anyone who felt the product was somehow inadequate or was disappointed. I don't know that as fact, but that is my belief.

So - I do agree we should see footage but for these reasons I am not "worried." I also agree that it would be great to see a good steadicam operator do some test footage on a vest/arm configuration. For that, I nominate you!! It's a short flight to Portland. :-)

No matter what, this process has been, and remains, fun and exciting!
 
Paul Kalbach said:
Well, there's good gimbals and bad gimbals and I've tried out several bad gimbals at NAB. Of particular interest would be to see footage from the "4th axis mode" mounted on a Steadicam arm; both resulting camera clips and behind the scenes footage.
Click to expand...

What were the things that made gimbals bad? Jerky behavior? Handling? Just wondering what to look out for...
 
I don't remember seeing this posted but am wondering if these motors have optical encoders?

Yes, footage including bts & cam with "4th axis "
adapter would be great.
 
Scott Pultz said:
What were the things that made gimbals bad? Jerky behavior? Handling? Just wondering what to look out for...
Click to expand...
Some gimbals I tried out would start to vibrate if they couldn't handle the way they were moved. If you can feel vibration through the handles you can bet that it'll show up in footage. I've had a gimbal totally lose it beyond vibration as well...herky jerky bitchy...
 
The Basecam boards used by Letus Helix do not utilize encoders or any other position feedback to supplement the 'gyro sensor' IMU.
PC Greene said:
I don't remember seeing this posted but am wondering if these motors have optical encoders?

Yes, footage including bts & cam with "4th axis "
adapter would be great.
Click to expand...
 
Hi all,

I think you are gonna like this. After some feedback we are changing the handles of the Helix. The current T-handle is the legacy design from the MCS rigs. Though it works very well in the MCS setting, where you hold either the top or bottom part of the handle. For the Helix on the other hand, we need to hold at the middle where the center of gravity is for each axis is, it is reported that after a while, it will start to slip. I have designed a much shorter T-handle with larger caps so that your hands would be stopped by the caps. We have done this on the background for a while as the mold normally takes couple of months to finish and tens of thousands of dollars. It's ordered and the good news is it could be done before we ship our units. (there will be lots of old T-handles floating around Letus office, but I think the Helix deserves the best, and the first impression unfortunately is the handles :-). Better yet, I already have ordered the leather grips made from genuine cow hide. These are upgrade from the silicone version, but we are thinking about getting it as the gift for the RU GB (among other stuff too, will finalize it soon here). I will send some render pictures of the new handle with standard silicone sleeve in a bit here. The battery indicator board is on order and should be done within 5 days from the East Coast and overnighted to us. We will do the assembly of that in house. Motors are in, and parts are being anodized and engraved. We are working around the clock here.

Thanks all for your patience and stellar support.
 

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hienle said:
Hi all,

I think you are gonna like this. After some feedback we are changing the handles of the Helix. The current T-handle is the legacy design from the MCS rigs. Though it works very well in the MCS setting, where you hold either the top or bottom part of the handle. For the Helix on the other hand, we need to hold at the middle where the center of gravity is for each axis is, it is reported that after a while, it will start to slip. I have designed a much shorter T-handle with larger caps so that your hands would be stopped by the caps. We have done this on the background for a while as the mold normally takes couple of months to finish and tens of thousands of dollars. It's ordered and the good news is it could be done before we ship our units. (there will be lots of old T-handles floating around Letus office, but I think the Helix deserves the best, and the first impression iunfortunately is the handles :-). Better yet, I already have ordered the leather grips made from genuine cow hide. These are upgrade from the silicone version, but we are thinking about getting it as the gift for the RU GB (among other stuff too, will finalize it soon here). I will send some render pictures of the new handle with standard silicone sleeve in a bit here. The battery indicator board is on order and should be done within 5 days from the East Coast and overnighted to us. We will do the assembly of that in house. Motors are in, and parts are being anodized and engraved. We are working around the clock here.

Thanks all for your patience and stellar support.
Click to expand...

WOW. Speechless. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!
 
Very Nice
 
Slick!
 
hienle said:
Hi all,

I think you are gonna like this. After some feedback we are changing the handles of the Helix. The current T-handle is the legacy design from the MCS rigs. Though it works very well in the MCS setting, where you hold either the top or bottom part of the handle. For the Helix on the other hand, we need to hold at the middle where the center of gravity is for each axis is, it is reported that after a while, it will start to slip. I have designed a much shorter T-handle with larger caps so that your hands would be stopped by the caps. We have done this on the background for a while as the mold normally takes couple of months to finish and tens of thousands of dollars. It's ordered and the good news is it could be done before we ship our units. (there will be lots of old T-handles floating around Letus office, but I think the Helix deserves the best, and the first impression unfortunately is the handles :-). Better yet, I already have ordered the leather grips made from genuine cow hide. These are upgrade from the silicone version, but we are thinking about getting it as the gift for the RU GB (among other stuff too, will finalize it soon here). I will send some render pictures of the new handle with standard silicone sleeve in a bit here. The battery indicator board is on order and should be done within 5 days from the East Coast and overnighted to us. We will do the assembly of that in house. Motors are in, and parts are being anodized and engraved. We are working around the clock here.

Thanks all for your patience and stellar support.
Click to expand...

Looks Badass!
 
My understanding is that for ultimate control, responsiveness and accuracy, optical encoders & a closed loop system is superior otherwise motors are just freewheeling. Similarly gps is becoming A standard for high speed work.

Thank you,

Les Dittert said:
The Basecam boards used by Letus Helix do not utilize encoders or any other position feedback to supplement the 'gyro sensor' IMU.
Click to expand...
 
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