Defy - new 3-axis Gimbal (like the Movi)

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Derek Chingwell

Well-known member
http://defygimbal.com/

DefyGimbal


New intro video there - basically the 2-axis gimbal from NAB (that only supported lightweight cameras) is now a 3-axis gimbal that can hold a Red Epic.

Looks like they're targeting the Movi - or people that want the Movi but don't want to pay the $15K price point.

It'll be interesting to see if they develop a single operator mode (a la Majestic) as on the Movi.

They mention July, so I'd presume we'll see footage and prototypes soon.

Here's the original NAB video (2-axis) in case you haven't seen it -

 
Don't know what the price will be now it's 3-axis and big enough to support an Epic... when it was 2-axis and small camera only they said $1800...

But I'm pretty sure it'll be more than that! My hunch is third the price of a Movi - say $5K. But, that's pure guesswork.
 
More news on the Defy Gimbal

Video of the lightweight rig


Looks OK. Interested to see what/how the two control modes 'Follow me' and 'Stabilize' funtion.

And a $2300 price point for their lighter rig (G2) - http://defygimbal.com/defy-g2-gimbal-preorders-july-9th/

Will be interesting to see the footage and price point of the EPic/larger camera version (G10) and DSLR build (G5).

Wonder if Freefly will react with a price drop on the Movi.
 
Ok, for $2300, if it can take a GH2/NEX/pBMC with a speedbooster and a vintage prime (total load around 1000-1100 g), then... well, then it's still out of my budget, but it's getting closer really fast!

Edit: Oh, and if it works. That too. Sorry I forgot.
 
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Derek Chingwell said:

Wonder if Freefly will react with a price drop on the Movi.
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Between the Defy at $2300 and BeSteady at $3000, Freefly has to be thinking twice about their price point. Even if the BeSteady Four comes in at $10000, it's still far below the 15k for Movi with similar functionality. Movi does have all the hype, but when there is already a $1000 chinese 3-axis stabilizer available, they can't survive with those prices.
 
They may not be the same. For example, I'm not sure any of the cheaper ones has the the two-operators mode of the movi.
Irrelevant for me, anyway, because of the price.
 
The two operator mode is the basically the Helicopter mode from these gimbals - both have them...

It's interesting that these clone systems are getting to prototype so quickly, especially considering that the Movi isn't released yet. So the notion of copying the actual Movi and it's software can't be levelled at them... they're essentially using the notion of the gimbal and using stuff that's already there and building upon it.

Pretty much what happened with Octocopters last year.

The Besteady stuff looks pretty good, a little less 'foot-steppy' than the Defy.

But this race seems to be hotting up considerably... I get a feeling that the first one to market will sell a lot of units.
 
Samuel H said:
They may not be the same. For example, I'm not sure any of the cheaper ones has the the two-operators mode of the movi.
Irrelevant for me, anyway, because of the price.
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From what I understand of their Facebook page, BeSteady will have a two operator mode if you add on an additional $300 remote control. So for $3300 you'll have the functionality of the baby Movi at $7500.

That said, I opted for a Wieldy stabilizer because none of these things seem to be nearing the production stage and I have things to shoot.
 
On several shots the horizon was not level. It did not appear to be an aesthetic choice.

I'm impressed that the up and down movement of walking is suppressed so well even though the gimbal has no correction for this.
 
Tolin said:
Lookie what I found
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/PRE-...le-gimbal-Stabilized-Mount-for/903692102.html
$988
That didn't take long

With new competition both overseas and in the US, the *googles for correct letter* MōVI is starting to disappear into the background.
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This is absolutely hilarious! No, that didn't take long.

I'd LOVE to see a review on this. The comments look sketchy and the English is a disaster, and there's no weight capacity specification -- so I wouldn't buy it at this point. But -- if anyone can find a review and sample footage -- and if it actually works -- I'd buy it instantly.

I've been staring at that DEFY sample footage for the past twenty minutes -- and it's good -- but not mind blowing. They didn't mention the lens (focal length) nor the frame rate anywhere. The NEX 6 they used can do 1080/60p. Filming motion shots at 24p can be problematic -- and -- the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera only goes up to 30p (I think). There's also going to be the focal length problem with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera with roughly a three times crop factor (relative to full frame still 35mm) -- meaning -- the wider angles necessary for good motion ("steadicam") shots may be a big problem. On the other hand, if the sample footage done with the NEX 6 were actually filmed at 24p, that might indicate why the sample footage was not "mind blowing."

Anyway -- this is exciting stuff. LaForet was right about the "game changer" relative to these new UAV/ROV gimbals being used as handheld stabilizers. Both he and the MOVI team were wrong about the MOVI product being the answer. MOVI has been priced out of the game before it was released (at least regarding the $7500 DSLR model, and I expect larger capacities in the near term).
 
Andrew Gupta said:
This is absolutely hilarious! No, that didn't take long.

I'd LOVE to see a review on this. The comments look sketchy and the English is a disaster, and there's no weight capacity specification -- so I wouldn't buy it at this point. But -- if anyone can find a review and sample footage -- and if it actually works -- I'd buy it instantly.

I've been staring at that DEFY sample footage for the past twenty minutes -- and it's good -- but not mind blowing. They didn't mention the lens (focal length) nor the frame rate anywhere. The NEX 6 they used can do 1080/60p. Filming motion shots at 24p can be problematic -- and -- the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera only goes up to 30p (I think). There's also going to be the focal length problem with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera with roughly a three times crop factor (relative to full frame still 35mm) -- meaning -- the wider angles necessary for good motion ("steadicam") shots may be a big problem. On the other hand, if the sample footage done with the NEX 6 were actually filmed at 24p, that might indicate why the sample footage was not "mind blowing."

Anyway -- this is exciting stuff. LaForet was right about the "game changer" relative to these new UAV/ROV gimbals being used as handheld stabilizers. Both he and the MOVI team were wrong about the MOVI product being the answer. MOVI has been priced out of the game before it was released (at least regarding the $7500 DSLR model, and I expect larger capacities in the near term).
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I'll review and buy that if someone can help my assemble the controller for it

this guy is selling a kit for $3k
http://www.maximus-racing.com/fr/maxicopters/dslr_brushless_gimbal.html
 
Its not clear to me, but I don't think the one Tolin listed is a complete unit. It looks to be a 3 axis gimbal and 3 motors. No sensor, no controller, no batteries. I'm guessing much more has to be added to make it work. [edit] confirmed - a feedback on the second page says "Looking for a controller card that can be used with these motors. Will let you know when I find something that works. "

Swaneon, regarding assembly of the controller, were you referring to the link you posted or Tolin? I don't see anything in your link that would indicate the controller has to be assembled. There is no picture of the controller.
 
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swaneon said:
I'll review and buy that if someone can help my assemble the controller for it

this guy is selling a kit for $3k
http://www.maximus-racing.com/fr/maxicopters/dslr_brushless_gimbal.html
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Well, the sample footage on that Chinese page is actually more impressive than the two videos that have thus far been released by the DEFY team. I recommend hitting the mute button while watching the Chinese sample footage (you'll hear that awful music in your head after you've closed the browser) -- but the footage looked superior in a big way.

The "DIY" thing scares me -- especially when the technical support team appears to not speak English. BUT -- it's interesting as heck -- and if anyone gets one of those Chinese "DIY" kits and makes it work -- please, please, please post a review with your experience and sample footage.

As Paul F observed -- there's a major price difference between one and three thousand dollars -- and the obvious question is -- do you need an additional two thousand dollars to make the one thousand dollar unit function as well as the sample footage stuff? And, obviously, if the DEFY unit isn't awful and is complete at $2200 with technical support in English -- it remains a compelling option that merits very serious consideration.
 
Paul F said:
Its not clear to me, but I don't think the one Tolin listed is a complete unit. It looks to be a 3 axis gimbal and 3 motors. No sensor, no controller, no batteries. I'm guessing much more has to be added to make it work. [edit] confirmed - a feedback on the second page says "Looking for a controller card that can be used with these motors. Will let you know when I find something that works. "

Swaneon, regarding assembly of the controller, were you referring to the link you posted or Tolin? I don't see anything in your link that would indicate the controller has to be assembled. There is no picture of the controller.
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im referring to the one that tolin linked.
I'm wondering what the additional expense would be to get one to work with a one man set up
 
Since it doesn't have the 3-axis gyro and motor drivers, it is way over-priced. That price can come down quite a bit from $1000, But why should they when they are selling out. $2000 more for the controllers and the gyro is WAY over-priced. A 3-axis gyro costs $50.

I'm not sure what the value is of an gyro-stabilized 3 axis gimbal unless you can add a remote control, which would require two operators. That is one expensive way to replace a mechanical ball and socket. Two axis makes more sense. At least you can aim it at something on the horizontal plane.

Regarding Tolin's link, you need a 3-axis helicopter gyro, three motor controllers, and a battery. If you want it to have remote control, then you add an RC controller and receiver. You don't want to be mucking with that. You need to find someone that has already sorted it out. I expect that someone will post their solution somewhere very soon.
 
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Paul F said:
Since it doesn't have the 3-axis gyro and motor drivers, it is way over-priced. That price can come down quite a bit from $1000, But why should they when they are selling out. $2000 more for the controllers and the gyro is WAY over-priced. A 3-axis gyro costs $50.

I'm not sure what the value is of an gyro-stabilized 3 axis gimbal unless you can add a remote control, which would require two operators. That is one expensive way to replace a mechanical ball and socket. Two axis makes more sense. At least you can aim it at something on the horizontal plane.

Regarding Tolin's link, you need a 3-axis helicopter gyro, three motor controllers, and a battery. If you want it to have remote control, then you add an RC controller and receiver. You don't want to be mucking with that. You need to find someone that has already sorted it out. I expect that someone will post their solution somewhere very soon.
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ah i see
just wanted something workable and not too fancy
 
Okay -- now we're down to about six hundred dollars for a DIY project. I have no idea if this is a serious option, but at a sixteen hundred dollar savings over the "Defy" -- it's certainly worth consideration.

 
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