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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 Helix vs. DJI Ronin - Pros and Cons???

I'm enjoying my ronin, hard to beat for the money. Large user base and fairly responsive support; At this point I would suggest renting all options first.
Aloha
A
 
I'm with you Santiago. I really wanted the Helix but didn't pull the trigger a few weeks back. The ronin price it is indeed hard to beat.
 
Eric Santiago said:
It seems you can pick up a Ronin anywhere now.
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You can get a 200 USD free battery if you buy a Ronin from B&H. And more importantly, There are 7 used Ronins in B&H store. I am sure you will find many more used ones in other places. I guess DJI will come out with Ronin version 2.0 in a couple of months time.
 
IMO Helix is inherently better in many ways. I don't think the same can be said for Ronin except price which is relatively negligible difference.

Thank you,
 
Please expand on your opinion. Inherently better because ....
Aloha
A
 
Not encouraging to see so many used Ronin's on B&H. However, so much activity by aftermarket companies in developing parts for the Ronin that make it mountable in so many configurations/applications, makes me wonder if I can do more with it than the Helix.
 
On paper the major problem I see with the Ronin is weight. 9lbs is a lot to hold out in front of the body... throw a DSMC, Battery, and lens on there and you're looking at 20+lbs fairly easily... That's like, 120seconds before I'd start shaking.

While I think 4 axis/steadicam-gimbal could offer that much smoother flight, it starts to get cumbersome again with setup and operation (and costs a boatload), and kind of nullifies the mobility of a gimbal (what with passing off or feeding through windows, etc.). In that respect, a gimbal rig that is ~15lbs kitted could be worth the additional cost (assuming you're using brute force method and not a support rig.) On the flip side, if you're planning on using a steadicam, easyrig, or exoskeleton most of the time, why waste the extra $$ getting a lighter gimbal?

Something tells me quite a few easyrigs will be sold along with gimbals in the coming year. The Exos are cool, but at least the easyrig can be used to assist regular handheld... The only other thing an Exo can be used for, other than gimbal support, is an Elysium 2 prop/costume.
 
Mike P. said:
On paper the major problem I see with the Ronin is weight. 9lbs is a lot to hold out in front of the body... throw a DSMC, Battery, and lens on there and you're looking at 20+lbs fairly easily... That's like, 120seconds before I'd start shaking.

While I think 4 axis/steadicam-gimbal could offer that much smoother flight, it starts to get cumbersome again with setup and operation (and costs a boatload), and kind of nullifies the mobility of a gimbal (what with passing off or feeding through windows, etc.). In that respect, a gimbal rig that is ~15lbs kitted could be worth the additional cost (assuming you're using brute force method and not a support rig.) On the flip side, if you're planning on using a steadicam, easyrig, or exoskeleton most of the time, why waste the extra $$ getting a lighter gimbal?

Something tells me quite a few easyrigs will be sold along with gimbals in the coming year. The Exos are cool, but at least the easyrig can be used to assist regular handheld... The only other thing an Exo can be used for, other than gimbal support, is an Elysium 2 prop/costume.
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Why would an exo not assist regular handheld? Infact, I'm getting it exactly for that foregoing the gimbal at this point entirely. I cancelled my helix order as I realized that in the end, regardless of how light the gimbal was, my camera build would be heavy enough for me to require an exo.
 
What about the height of the camera? Would this be a definete difference between the DJI and the Helix, or does the DJI offer a way to have the camera at the height of the Helix without straining your arms?
 
Nikhil, you think the Exo will give you steadicam smooth camera movements? I didn't think so; there's no (2-axis?) gimbal action... Is it not like a steadicam without the sled? Plus, it's huge, which makes it harder to fit anywhere... Admittedly, I haven't used or seen one used, so I could be completely wrong.

Enrique, I don't think you can adjust the height, per se, but you can flip either gimbal upside down, which would put it closer to face/shoulder height while your arms are at your sides (which is likely how most standard moves will be done). To be honest, I think underslung is about half a foot too low on the Ronin, whereas the Helix does seem to put it at a more useable height... And the entire 4-Axis Helix still looks to have a smaller/tighter footprint than the Ronin... And the Helix batteries can power the camera, which is pretty awesome (makes it even lighter). There are a lot of positives to the Helix, but the DJIs are everywhere, pretty dang cheap, and get the job done...

...Is there a smaller handlebar for the Ronin? Something that's more or less shoulder width? I know it would limit the amount of pan, but you can lock that off in the app...
 
sorry the Ronin rules over the helix just my thoughts but i have used both Ronins for some time now
 
I'm seeing all these pros/con lists, but has anyone here actually use both on a set? That's what I'd like to hear. I keep on seeing on the Helix list that it's easy to balance. Is this from experience? Or are we just assuming? The few Helix owners I know confided in me the set up is a POA in getting it balanced and calibrated. Any others experience this?

I owned a Helix for 24 hours. After realizing there was little documentation and becoming frustrated with the somewhat beta software, I sold it. In short, I didn't have the patience or the hack skills to deal with it. I'd like to hear from actual users is this still the case? I really wanted the Helix to be ready for prime time because on paper it is the best design of all gimbals for pretty much all the reasons cited here.

So here's my take on something I use quite a bit, the Ronin. It's well built and reliable. Easy to set up, fast to balance and calibrate. It takes me minutes between lenses. It's battery powers the gimbal and has outlets for two d taps and a USB. It’ll last about four hours. It’s easy to mount to rigging with 3rd party accessories such as Dove Block or cinemilled. It can handle longer cameras with extensions.

So the Cons: no thumb control yet. The clamping of the handles could be better. I really have to crank mine down hard to prevent slippage. Handle extensions would be great for running it higher without having to go into inverted. The battery should protrude from the side and not the rear. This would allow the op to hold it closer, hence longer. The stand was designed to torment me as sometimes it’s easy to open and others damn near impossible. It’s essentially too tightly machined so temperature changes effect it’s ability to open and close. Luckily, they’ve redesigned the stand for the Ronin Mini (just got one) and opens quite easily. Hopefully that’s what you get with the Full size now.

Another issue is with small cameras. Say you use an A7s or 5D3 etc. the weight is so front heavy you must attach your camera towards the rear of the plate. This makes it difficult to use wireless FF motor on the rods and have it line up with your lens. I ended up having to devise a top rod system with a counterbalance weight off the back of the rod and wireless FF on the front. Again this tells me it wasn’t tested with DSLR’s accessorized. In fact almost all gimbal makers in their table top demos seem to have an aversion to kitting out their rigs the way we actually use them (full accessories and wireless). I wonder if this omission extends to their testing. For instance, they’d know that threaded rod attachment over clamp is not the way to go as it can loosen if you attach a motor to the left side, as mine does. I actually have to use a pair of pliers to crank it on to prevent loosening.

I wish they went with a centralized power system for everything so we could power the camera as well. There’s a whole cottage industry developed on powering cameras for gimbals because gimbal manufacturers never gave it much thought, except Letus (Where are the cameramen designers/testers). I’ve had to source and develop a whole Lipo system that’s rigged to my top handle. Not a good look for manufactures.

Where the Ronin truly shines is the auto calibrate. It’s software is play school simple. The auto cal really smooths out moves. Overall, the Roninisn’t perfect. I like how fast I can get it up and running. It’s weight for long use definitely requires an exoskeleton or a gym membership. For the price it’s hard to beat. It’s cheap enough where you can easily buy a back up unit. To be professionally functional on a Letus, you’re really looking at 6G. With the money I saved on the Ronin, I picked up a Cinegear FF, Paralinx Arrow 3:1, and bunch of other doo dads you need to be working in gimbal land.
 
I also forgot to add that I use the Ronin with different cameras all the time. So I'm rebalancing / tuning form scratch. It doesn't take long. How is it in Helix land with regard to different camera set ups?
 
PC Greene said:
IMO Helix is inherently better in many ways. I don't think the same can be said for Ronin except price which is relatively negligible difference.

Thank you,
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Neglible? My Helix ran me close to 6 grand once I had it kitted properly for pro use. My Ronin almost a third of that. The savings went to other accessories. If you call four grand negligible I want to be on your payroll.
 
Peter Corbett said:
Yes I've been going through his with Letus. My initial view is the Sony F5 is too long and heavy when fitted with an 18-35mm. I trying to work through it. I know I could use a GH4 but I doubt I could match it to Slog3 footage from the F5. Plus I don't want to spend another two grand to make the Helix viable.
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Even with out the V mount batt it's too long?
 
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