5
Adjustment of Lift:
All lift adjustments must be done while
wearing the rig, so pick up the sled.
Stand in the classic Missionary position
and properly set your threads before
proceeding.
Adjust the “forearm” section first (the
arm section closest to the gimbal).
Hold the arm segment slightly above
level. When the coaxial springs
are perpendicular to the adjusting
mechanism, the spring force is neutral
— neither up nor down — reducing the
effort needed to turn the knob.
When the forearm section is set correctly,
adjust the upper arm section to follow
(track with) the upper arm section as you
boom fully up and down. Do not worry if
the arm tends to lock up or down at this
point.
Re-adjust the Ride knob
for the desired iso-elastic
response
With the arm set to carry the load, you
can micro-adjust Ride for any given load.
In general, most operators will want the
most iso-elastic possible ride. To adjust
the arm for maximum iso-elasticity
at any given lift, turn the ride knob
counterclockwise until the arm section
begins to “lock” up or down at the
extremes of travel. Then turn the ride
knob clockwise a couple of turns. This
will keep the arm from locking up or
down. Test and micro-adjust the lift and
ride knobs as necessary.
Typically, the arm is very forgiving of
less than “perfect” adjustments of lift
and ride. Some operators will set the arm
sections at a higher nominal angle (+20º
or more), to minimize any lifting required
with heavier cameras and/or high boom
heights. Pushing down is easier than
lifting fully with the extended boom
range possible with the G-70x
™
arm.
The arm can also be adjusted to hang
lower than normally for shots with low
boom heights, with very little penalty
in performance. Minor changes in sled
weight (+/- several lbs/kg) do not require
adjustment of the ride knob.
Some operators prefer a more centered
ride (like a IIIA arm with a less than
maximum load), or a more centered ride
when hard-mounted on rough terrain.
Experiment and use the arm the way you
like it.
Slightly raise or lower the arm segment
to find the sweet spot. Adjust the arm’s
lifting power so that the arm section
seeks a position slightly above horizontal.
Note that the Lift knob has
a range of adjustment of 32
turns. This means that each
turn of the Lift knob will add
or subtract about 1.5 lbs
(.68kg) of lift.
Some adjustment tips:
When adjusting from a light load to a
heavy load: It helps to have an assistant
independently control the height of the
upper arm and make his lift adjustment at
the same time as you adjust the forearm
lift.
It also helps if you raise your docking
stand so you can stand next to it and
insert the arm post into the gimbal yoke
of your docked sled with your heavy
camera aboard. As you and your assistant
adjust the lift of both arm segments, they
will gradually pick up the weight until it
floats free of the dock.
When adjusting from a heavy load to a
light load: Leave the heavy load aboard if
possible, and with the sled on the stand,
remain adjacent to the stand while you
lighten the lift of both arm sections at
the same time. Then remove the heavy
weight and rebalance the sled for the
light camera and then see if the lift needs
further adjustment.
Lift can be altered by forcefully
holding the arm segments
at the correct angle while
adjusting, but be prepared for
some exertion! You might be
shocked how energetic the
springs feel if you are raising
or lowering the lift by 30 lbs
(14kg)!
