
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Ideal vertical balance is reflected by a “drop time” of 2-3
seconds, meaning it should take 2-3 seconds for the sled to
swing down 90 degrees to the vertical plane (it will swing
past that point, but count only until it reaches the vertical
plane). If the system is top heavy, adjust the balance by
repositioning the gimbal clamp upward (with supplied 3/16”
hex key), and if it is bottom heavy, move it downward.
When you loosen the gimbal clamp, you should support the
weight of the sled by grasping the center post firmly. You
will notice that the gimbal clamp can slide up or down when
loosened –
leave a gap between the gimbal clamp and
the bearing below it. If the gimbal clamp rides on top of
the bearing, it will cause drag on the panning action.
You can also adjust the vertical balance by extending the
lower sled downward. Positioning the lower sled downward
will make the system more bottom heavy, and it provides
you with the capability of shifting the balance down without
moving the gimbal to a position lower than you find
agreeable. To extend the lower sled, loosen the hex screw
on the knurled clamp (using the 3/16” hex key) while
supporting it from below.
Be careful not to overextend the
lower sled, as there are wires inside the center post (there is
a safety catch, but don’t test it)
.
When you find the right
position, tighten the knurled clamp again, but don’t tighten it
excessively – just tighten enough to fix the lower sled in
place. Adjust until you get a 2-3 second drop time.
Now you can proceed with the horizontal balancing, which is
accomplished by adjusting the longitudinal and lateral
positions of the camera. First you will have to loosen the
dovetail lock. If the sled tilts forward or backward, you can
adjust the position of the dovetail using the knob at the front
of the stage. If the sled tilts to one side, you can adjust the
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stage laterally by using the second knob. Both adjustments
allow for very fine increments, so you will find
it
is best to
turn the knobs slowly until you hit the “sweet spot” (where
the camera stays totally level). Finish by tightening the
dovetail lock.
Once it is securely fastened, slide the dovetail into the stage
while making sure the rack is on the same side as the brass
pinion gear. You may need to push up on the dovetail lock
to fully install the plate. Position the dovetail so that the
camera is fairly centered. When properly installed, the
locking release pin should prevent the plate from sliding out,
but you should go ahead and secure your camera by
tightening the dovetail lock.
Plug your video cable from the camera to the video output
on the back of the stage (BNC-RCA adapter cable
provided). Set the sled/camera assembly aside, as final
setup must be done with the arm and vest on your body or
using a C-stand. If you have one, you can mount the sled
on the C-stand using the supplied docking post or optional
balancing plate. Exercise caution to make sure the stand
will not tip over.
The Arm
The arm is the link between your body and the sled. The
arm provides vertical support and allows the camera and
sled to float. The GT arm is a single-articulated spring
loaded arm. It is designed to be adjustable in three weight
ranges: 2 to 6 pounds / 6 to 11 pounds / 11 to 16 pounds.
As shipped from the factory, the unit is set up for the middle
weight range (6-11 lbs.). Once you determine the exact
weight of your fully loaded camera, you can decide if the
weight range of the arm needs to be adjusted. If your fully
loaded camera weighs between 6 and 11 pounds, you can
skip sections
A1
and
A2
(on the next two pages).