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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

Nikhil Kamkolkar said:
Is there no way to use the Helix with a vmount battery on the back of the epic? I just don't see the space for it. I'd rather avoid buying the additional juiceboxes etc., even if it means a heavier initial setup.
Click to expand...

I was skeptical about the juice boxes as well, but they really do help balance an epic. They last a good amount of time too. I've been getting 40+ minutes powering dragon, helix, ff, and paralinx. When the battery dies its just one to worry about for the whole rig. I have 4 and 2 chargers,
 
From what I can read on the website, Tom is right, it's just a 2-pin lemo to power the Helix, which could be the same the belt clip Red One's power supply.

Also, need to add the necessary accessories to the Helix's build to power the Red Epic and it's accessories from the Helix.

anyone know how much the Juice Box weighs?
 
Philip Lanyon said:
I was skeptical about the juice boxes as well, but they really do help balance an epic. They last a good amount of time too. I've been getting 40+ minutes powering dragon, helix, ff, and paralinx. When the battery dies its just one to worry about for the whole rig. I have 4 and 2 chargers,
Click to expand...

Why can't the helix allow for a vmount plate instead of the juice box? I'm not thrilled about having to invest in a new power solution that is proprietary to the Helix... can someone from Helix chime in? Atleast for those of us indie folks who are heavily invested in vmounts already, this might be a more cost-effective and practical solution.

EDIT: I do have a RED belt clip, but that won't help provide power to accessories like wireless FF on the helix.
 
Nikhil Kamkolkar said:
...

EDIT: I do have a RED belt clip, but that won't help provide power to accessories like wireless FF on the helix.
Click to expand...

Actually, it might. With the optional upgrade to the power box, you have additional ports from the slip ring that you can run to other devices.

And, while I am completely content with the JuiceBoxes, an interchangeable "plate" solution would be interesting; v-mount, REDvolt, REDvolt XL, AB.
 
Okay 6 months in on this thread.

Where is this unit at now?

Is it still on back order?

I missed the boat early August, had the chance to get one super early but things got out of hand.

Now working on a winter budget and wonder if this unit is even ready for primetime?
 
Nikhil Kamkolkar said:
Why can't the helix allow for a vmount plate instead of the juice box? I'm not thrilled about having to invest in a new power solution that is proprietary to the Helix... can someone from Helix chime in? Atleast for those of us indie folks who are heavily invested in vmounts already, this might be a more cost-effective and practical solution.

EDIT: I do have a RED belt clip, but that won't help provide power to accessories like wireless FF on the helix.
Click to expand...

Hi Nikhil, the belt clip option would in fact power all of the accessories on the helix, provided you opt for the 2nd power box option.

A small lightweight V-mount plate might be possible and I would certainly suggest it to the people at Letus. They are very willing to listen to client feedback. I'm sure they're reading this.

The juice boxes are quite a bit smaller than a redbrick and fit under the roll axis motor, so to fit a v-mount battery under that would limit your tilt angle when on the 4th axis. It could, conceiveably be mounted sideways though. That would limit your pan in 3 axis mode but doable.
 
Eric Santiago said:
Okay 6 months in on this thread.

Where is this unit at now?

Is it still on back order?

I missed the boat early August, had the chance to get one super early but things got out of hand.

Now working on a winter budget and wonder if this unit is even ready for primetime?
Click to expand...

Eric - I'd say Helix is most definitely ready for prime time. There have been a few hardware tweaks and a good deal of learning, especially back in Portland, about the software. Letus has very deliberately limited their shipping up to now so they could serve the early adopters and they have done that very well.

I think you are not seeing a lot of footage yet because people are playing and learning and adapting. In my experience and in helping some others, the hard part is combining a setup you like with a well-balanced one. Once that is achieved, the world gets rosier in Helixland. :smiley:

I still believe the unique design of the Helix is the better way to go with stabilizers. Two things that it does that no other design can do well or easily is work from an arm/vest setup and go from a high shot to ground level ("suitcase mode") in a continuous shot. Beyond that, it is
just a joy to work with overall.
 
Eng

Eng

Hey guys, I'm curious if the letus helix would support an eng camera just for the role axis. The body weighs 9 pounds and the lens weighs 4 pounds but it's very long. It's under the weight limit. If you power it with a cable to the letus and then to the sled, of a steadicam it's not as long as if there was a battery on it. Has anyone tried this? Thanks
 
On the regular 3 axis setup, my camera configuration weighs about 13 pounds; works fine. You can use just the single axis version of Helix on your steady cam sled to achieve stabilization in the roll axis. It was designed for that.

How long is long?
 
Here is the specs for the Letus Juice Box:

Battery Type: Li-ion
Capacity: 5200mAh
Voltage: 14.8v
Max Continuous Discharge: 12.2A
Input charger: 16.8V / 2.5A
PCM circuitry to protect the battery

Weight: 14.4 oz
Dimension: 76mm x 70mm x 43mm


http://www.letus35.com/helix-juice-box/
 
GT - I am no electrical genius so pardon the question... but, what voltage are the outputs of the power box on the Helix. Or, more specifically, if I try to run my wireless FF and/or wireless monitor system from the power box - 5v, I think - do I risk damaging them? Do I need some sort of voltage reduction device?

Thanks.
 
GT Le said:
Here is the specs for the Letus Juice Box:

Battery Type: Li-ion
Capacity: 5200mAh
Voltage: 14.8v
Max Continuous Discharge: 12.2A
Input charger: 16.8V / 2.5A
PCM circuitry to protect the battery

Weight: 14.4 oz
Dimension: 76mm x 70mm x 43mm


http://www.letus35.com/helix-juice-box/
Click to expand...

Hi GT,

Is the output regulated?

Thank you very much

Fury
 
Hi Furry,

You mean the Lemo power outlet on the other side for camera and accessories? No. It's not regulated.
 
GT Le said:
Hi Furry,

You mean the Lemo power outlet on the other side for camera and accessories? No. It's not regulated.
Click to expand...

Hi GT,

Yes. Are you considering making that a regulated output?

Thank you very much

Fury
 
Just for reference. Received Helix a few days back. Juice box battery lasted 56 mins running Epic X and 4-axis Helix. No FF or Paralinx. I was pleasantly surprised.
It should be noted that I allowed it to run down to 11.6 Volts. Camera and Helix were still functioning but that is too close for comfort in most situations.
The same battery took 2 hours and 45 mins to recharge (green light).
The best bet (IMHO) is 4 Juice boxes and two chargers to assure all day use.
It also makes the most sense when balancing. I will be testing other options in the very near future and will let you know the results.
I do want to say that Letus customer service is top of the line. They have bent over backwards to assist me. Thank you Letus.
 
Frank Weeks said:
Just for reference. Received Helix a few days back. Juice box battery lasted 56 mins running Epic X and 4-axis Helix. No FF or Paralinx. I was pleasantly surprised.
It should be noted that I allowed it to run down to 11.6 Volts. Camera and Helix were still functioning but that is too close for comfort in most situations.
The same battery took 2 hours and 45 mins to recharge (green light).
The best bet (IMHO) is 4 Juice boxes and two chargers to assure all day use.
It also makes the most sense when balancing. I will be testing other options in the very near future and will let you know the results.
I do want to say that Letus customer service is top of the line. They have bent over backwards to assist me. Thank you Letus.
Click to expand...

Is this with a redvolt as well. Is it possible to run juice box + redvolt and if so that sounds like good flexibility with power. around 85 minutes?
 
We most likely won't offer it as a standard offer but we can always custom fit it for you ;)
 
Frank - that's excellent battery life! I was getting around 30 minutes or so but I didn't let it run to the bitter end. Hmmmm. And it does take awhile to recharge.

I agree that 4 batteries and two chargers would be the ideal for most folks. I currently have 2 and 1 but haven't really pushed had to deal with a full day shot as yet.

GT - was Nick's question the same as mine; just more scientifically stated? LOL Can you clarify the situation about the 5v output to the accessories? I should know this but...
 
Philip Lanyon said:
Hi Nikhil, the belt clip option would in fact power all of the accessories on the helix, provided you opt for the 2nd power box option.

A small lightweight V-mount plate might be possible and I would certainly suggest it to the people at Letus. They are very willing to listen to client feedback. I'm sure they're reading this.

The juice boxes are quite a bit smaller than a redbrick and fit under the roll axis motor, so to fit a v-mount battery under that would limit your tilt angle when on the 4th axis. It could, conceiveably be mounted sideways though. That would limit your pan in 3 axis mode but doable.
Click to expand...

Thanks all for the comments.

Philip, I'll look into the 2nd power box option, thanks! Its hard to figure out some of this stuff sight unseen.

GT or anyone from Letus - please do consider offering this option. Even if it ends up limiting some things (like tilt angle/pan) to some degree, it'd be very useful for some (perhaps many) of us indie filmmakers.
 
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