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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

Derek Means said:
I feel like everyone claiming it works so great, is probably just using it without FF and without wireless video.
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Derek, I've used Helix extensively for the last couple years with some pretty heavy camera builds, powering everything off juice boxes. Typical configuration is Epic Dragon, Cinegears or Preston wireless FF, and Teradek 300. A juice box powering all this lasts about 20 minutes. I have 8 juice boxes and 4 chargers, and just keep rotating batteries throughout the day. It's not the most convenient setup, but worth the hassle IMO because of the weight savings.
 
I've had good success running the Helix with a Dragon, Bartech / Preson, Parallinx or Teradek. I will say that the Teradek 600s kill the batteries pretty fast. I've also in longer set-ups used an AB battery D-tap to lemo to power the Helix so I wouldn't have to swap batts every 20 minutes.
 
Derek Means said:
@Nicholas Wise - when the system shut down on you did the batteries level lights refuse to shut off, and everything kicked off all at once? Helix, alexa mini...ec?
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Everything just switched off. But this was a setup I hadn't used on the Helix for extensive periods before.

Usually I only have a Dragon, RTMotion and Ghost-Eye 150M and I can cycle just fine on 4 JuiceBoxes. In any event, I'm designing a custom Gold/V mount plate that attaches to the back of the Helix to help alleviate such future situations. I'm just wondering how to set it up so a JuiceBox can still be mounted to act as a buffer battery for hot-swapping.
 
Is there any chance the analog bartech is causing an issue? Today I had my schedule on a short film fucked because plugged in fresh juice battery. Power it up, it's up for 30 seconds and shuts down. Change batteries. Same issue. Change battery, same issue. Finally tried powering off my V-mount plate and it blew the fuse in the d-tap port.

What's really crazy is last month I ran a Scarlet-W with analog bartech for 8 hours with no problem. Could this be a cable issue? I'm at my wits end and about to sell the helix for whatever I can get for it. I've sent it back twice, they couldn't replicate the issue. The only constant has been the bartech, I've used different monitors, cameras, teredeks.
 
This looks like a good thing.

Now does it extend the warranty on the motor?
 
Info regarding retro-upgrading the Letus Helix Std. motors to the new "encoded" motors:

This was my interaction with Ken at Letus:

[11/22/16, 01:14:58] Ashok: Hello Ken, I have the Letus Std. having the 22 pole (2.25″/5.5 cm diameter) motors. Can these motors be upgraded to the "encoded" motors? If such an upgrade is possible, how much would it cost?

[11/22/16, 05:48:32] Letus Support: Basically, we end up replacing all the motors, so it doesn’t really matter what type motors you have. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of work involved. We’re planning to start doing upgrades next month sometime. They will be $1000.

[11/22/16, 07:54:51] Ashok: Thanks, will the new motors come with their own warranty? If so how long?

[11/22/16, 10:07:52] Letus Support: Yes. 1 year. Also to clarify about the motors, only the 22 pole motors is compatible with the new encoded motor.
 
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Ashok.Vardhan said:
Info regarding retro-upgrading the Letus Helix Std. motors to the new "encoded" motors:

This was my interaction with Ken at Letus:

[11/22/16, 01:14:58] Ashok: Hello Ken, I have the Letus Std. having the 22 pole (2.25″/5.5 cm diameter) motors. Can these motors be upgraded to the "encoded" motors? If such an upgrade is possible, how much would it cost?

[11/22/16, 05:48:32] Letus Support: Basically, we end up replacing all the motors, so it doesn’t really matter what type motors you have. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of work involved. We’re planning to start doing upgrades next month sometime. They will be $1000.

[11/22/16, 07:54:51] Ashok: Thanks, will the new motors come with their own warranty? If so how long?

[11/22/16, 10:07:52] Letus Support: Yes. 1 year. Also to clarify about the motors, only the 22 pole motors is compatible with the new encoded motor.
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Not sure if this works for the Junior as well.

And the pricing for upgrade was $200 according to NoFilmSchool link.
 
I've been powering a DSMC/Arri Mini body off the 5200mAh Juice-Boxes, usually along with a FIZ receiver, video TX and sometimes an onboard monitor. This setup can drain these batteries pretty quick which has sometimes been frustrating on set. I thought about using a gold-mount plate on my hip/exo, but this has the risk of me forgetting to unplug after putting down the rig and walking away.

So I designed a full-size battery plate that snaps on to the Helix battery posts. It's held on by three neodymium magnets (just like the Juice-Box holding plate) and clamps to the non-magnetic post by tightening an M3 screw. The plate allows for either a standard gold-mount or v-lock plate which would have a Lemo2 pigtail for plugging into the Helix body.

Future plans are a version with a hotswap circuit (using a Juice-Box as the backup battery) so you never have to power down the rig.

Below are some photos of my prototype, machined from Al 6061 and black anodized. Needs a few minor tweaks to the design, as well as wiring up the pigtail. Added bonus to this setup is that it will help counter-balance a heavy-lensed rig and provides a useful P-tap.

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Final design now shipping. Only have a few left in current batch. PM me if you're interested.

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Hi Nicolas,

Have you made the version with a hotswap circuit (using a Juice-Box as the backup battery) so one never have to power down the rig. This would be a great option.

I wish to know your PID settings you use for a full blown RED camera set up on the Helix Pro. I am using the Helix 1Axis Pro.
 
sreenivasa reddy s said:
Hi Nicolas,

Have you made the version with a hotswap circuit (using a Juice-Box as the backup battery) so one never have to power down the rig. This would be a great option.

I wish to know your PID settings you use for a full blown RED camera set up on the Helix Pro. I am using the Helix 1Axis Pro.
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Not yet. But it's on the list. The current design appears to be making a useful difference to those who bought one. Had a new batch recently made up and they are steadily going out the door. One left for Hong Kong a few days ago.

Regarding PID settings, it really does vary depending on lens and accessories. Do you have the new encoded motors?
 
Nicholas Wise said:
Not yet. But it's on the list. The current design appears to be making a useful difference to those who bought one. Had a new batch recently made up and they are steadily going out the door. One left for Hong Kong a few days ago.

Regarding PID settings, it really does vary depending on lens and accessories. Do you have the new encoded motors?
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Yes, I have the new encoded motors and the new brushes. The Helix roll is very smooth. I am using a Red Weapon 8K with a V mount battery on the camera and UP lenses and cine gear high torque follow focus and a clip on matte box. I guess the total weight is almost 18 to 20 lbs. My current PID settings on the roll are 100, 0.02, 110 with power at 170.

ssreenidp@gmail.com is my mail id. Wish you could mail me too Nicholas.

KEN and GT at Letus are fantastic at customer service. I would like to know your experience as a DP on the settings.
 
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advice on encoded vs non encoded motors (2nd hand units)

advice on encoded vs non encoded motors (2nd hand units)

Hi all,
I see a few 2nd hand units for sale at a good prices. Can users here share advice on using units with old 'unencoded' motors. Is this a workable unit, or should I wait and save up for the new ones at 4 times the price.
I'm using a RED Epic and looking at the std not junior.

Thanks in advance.
Christian
 
Christian Mushenko said:
Hi all,
I see a few 2nd hand units for sale at a good prices. Can users here share advice on using units with old 'unencoded' motors. Is this a workable unit, or should I wait and save up for the new ones at 4 times the price.
I'm using a RED Epic and looking at the std not junior.

Thanks in advance.
Christian
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Unfortunately, I haven't used the un-encoded version, but my experience with the encoded motors was sub-par (I returned it). I had a 12 lb payload and after spending literally days on Skype with their support team, we couldn't get it to work consistently (lots of micro-wobble and vibrations, even though it was perfectly balanced and well under payload).

I ended up buying a used Movi M15 on eBay for $1900 and it has worked perfectly from day one.
 
Christian Mushenko said:
Hi all,
I see a few 2nd hand units for sale at a good prices. Can users here share advice on using units with old 'unencoded' motors. Is this a workable unit, or should I wait and save up for the new ones at 4 times the price.
I'm using a RED Epic and looking at the std not junior.

Thanks in advance.
Christian
Click to expand...

As a Helix owner for the last 4 years, I can say that it will fly an Epic/W with a short lens BUT the standard Helix is right at its limit doing so. I've used it that way with my Epic on many commercials and films but mostly when the client didn't have the $ for a steadicam or a heavier gimbal. If you like the layout of the Helix (which I love) and want to fly the Epic mostly, I'd seriously look at the pro model.

My Helix was lost/stolen by AA last week and I'll probably buy another here in the next two weeks because for DSLR and smaller cams (C300 / EVA1) it's really a fantastic gimbal once you learn how to properly tune it.
 
Saw the new remote head at NAB. Looks amazeballs. The team rigged it on a steadicam-style setup and it looked buttery smooth. All 3-axes can do their own independent 360 degrees. Apparently the Arri Trinity op walked by and looked a little scared. Of course, I'm an idiot, and was too mesmerized watching it, that I didn't record a video. Hopefully Letus can upload one on this thread?

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photo cred: Letus
 
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