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

Nice find Andrew.

One cautionary note before people rush to buy one, is that the solution Tom Antos is showing is for light cameras used on helicopters. They rate it for a maximum weight of 1.2 pounds (550 grams). So it may not be a solution that will work for everyone.
 
Stephen Mick said:
Pre-orders for the Defy G2 are now online…
http://defygimbal.com/#blog


And for $2,300, this seems like it has real potential for pure awesomeness.
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I'm ready to pre-order/buy that Defy G2 -- but -- I assumed on the launch day they'd release additional sample videos and details on the $1800 option they've promised in both videos and print. They did neither. All that happened was a pre-order button appeared on that one web site.

So, at this point they want me to send them $2300 based on two sample videos -- both of which have problems on a range of levels and neither of which were awe inspiring.

I'd really like this product to be amazing, and I'm seriously interested in it -- but at this point there's no way I can justify hitting that pre-order button. As a potential purchaser I need to know more -- and I need to see more. The two videos they have released at this point simply aren't enough.
 
Yes, I'd like more info too.

Really waiting to see their G10 (Epic/C300 size), but it looks like the G5 (DSLR) one is next.

I suppose the preorder is similar to the Movi, that was putting down $2.5K on a pre-order for a $15K product. Freefly have been quiet for a while in terms of the every growing competition... so let's see what happens.

Let the Gimbal Wars commence, LOL.
 
These things are cool, but, no FAQ, no warranty listed, no explanation of the modes or demonstration of the modes, no demonstration of the joystick, no review by a respected source. I'd want more review and answers before buying one.
 
Paul F said:
Nice find Andrew.

One cautionary note before people rush to buy one, is that the solution Tom Antos is showing is for light cameras used on helicopters. They rate it for a maximum weight of 1.2 pounds (550 grams). So it may not be a solution that will work for everyone.
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I can tell you with 100% certainty that what Tom Antos showed on his blog is not what is in the DEFY G2, nor is it connected to DEFY.
 
Andrew Gupta said:
I'm ready to pre-order/buy that Defy G2 -- but -- I assumed on the launch day they'd release additional sample videos and details on the $1800 option they've promised in both videos and print. They did neither. All that happened was a pre-order button appeared on that one web site.

So, at this point they want me to send them $2300 based on two sample videos -- both of which have problems on a range of levels and neither of which were awe inspiring.

I'd really like this product to be amazing, and I'm seriously interested in it -- but at this point there's no way I can justify hitting that pre-order button. As a potential purchaser I need to know more -- and I need to see more. The two videos they have released at this point simply aren't enough.
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I just stumbled across this thread, and I'm actually probably one of the only people in a place to shed some light on a number of things. As Andrew seemed to express a sentiment that was echoed by others, I'll do my best to share what I know about DEFY and this market in general.

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Hi Andrew,

Hot Rod Cameras has come on board with the DEFY project, and I can tell you that in the very near future there will be plenty more information and answers on-line. They are so very, very busy with DEFY G2, G5 (and G10) production. I can't blame them for being short on some details. I know details are coming and their rather large staff is swamped with work.

I visited their offices in Tempe, Arizona and got to meet most everyone on the technical team, and can explain much about what I learned.

I think it's appropriate to share the history of Relentless/DEFY. I found it fascinating as how it's all come to be. Here's what I recall from conversations with the team.

- The DEFY handheld gimbals started as an 'in-house only' tool for Relentless, Inc.
- Relentless, Inc. is a well respected full service production company with some big commercial clients. They also have technology division which only does development of stabilized imaging platforms; including custom flying 'reconnaissance drones' for big clients.
- The original in house DEFY handheld stabilizers were not for sale or rent, they were exclusively available on Relentless, Inc. productions.
- When Drew, the founder of Relentless, decided that this was something he wanted to seriously pursue there was nothing available on the market, so he brought in several tech experts to help make it happen. There is now well over a dozen people working on DEFY.
- The DEFY project goes back all the way to 2011. And involves a major amount of development work- in both time and dollars invested.
- DEFY was not the first handheld gimbal to go public, but they have probably logged more development hours then anyone else, and likely been working towards this point far longer than any other company. It's why you'll see products shipping in coming days rather than months.
- The DEFY G10 is a (badass) 10-pound capacity system and will become the flagship DEFY system. The G10, has been around the longest, and to my knowledge, has never been formally announced, and never been shown to anyone outside a Relentless set. Both the G5 and G2 are derived as miniature (and less expensive) versions of their big brother G10.

Most parts are custom in the DEFY family; and there's a very real and very technical "secret sauce" involved in how the whole thing works. This is the reason the DEFY system performs so well. One thing DEFY does particularly well is allow for comparatively MASSIVE tilts forward of the entire system, something most other manufacturers (I'll include the guys in their basement) don't/can't demonstrate. If you get hold of a handheld gimbal tilt the whole system forward see how far you can go before fail!

I've been trying every gimbal I can get my hands on, and as of right now my conclusion is that if someone is hoping to get into this market without 10,000 hours of development and somekind of custom/proprietary "secret sauce" their product will, frankly, suck. People/companies who really DO know what they are doing know this is not the same as bolting a gimbal on the nose of a single rotor, or the belly of a multi rotor (also a learned technical art). Highly competent folks who bring a handheld product to market are going to charge significant money, as they should. Anyone planning to wait for an equivalent ebay/Chinese import solution for a few hundred dollars are going to be very disappointed, unless they really don't know (or don't care) what it is that they receive.

I personally ran around with a prototype DEFY G2 loaded up with a Panasonic GH3 and a 14mm lens, a combination heavier than a Blackmagic Pocket or Sony NEX camera. The DEFY worked great, I'd go so far as to say all my expectations were exceeded. It will perform just as well with any lighter camera. A DEFY G2 is overkill for something like a GoPro, but it would be the sweetest kind of overkill. I have no doubt a G2 will blow away any/everything purpose built for the size/weight of a GoPro.

You don't have to take my word for any of this, HRC is going to have multiple gimbal systems in hand before the end of July, and we'll be performing demonstrations and free training at our Hollywood office.

We've been hit up by several different gimbal companies since NAB, and even more since announcing our involvement with DEFY earlier this month. We've learned there's wild variations in quality out there. Some so called 'manufacturers' who've contacted us I'm convinced are selling one flavor or another of stabilized snake oil. Some are ignorant to this fact, others I assume are not.

To this end, HRC has decided to maintain a very strict criteria for these products/companies. In short, we aren't getting involved with any company that can't cut the mustard in terms of performance, support, or delivery. Our experience with the DEFY team so far has been outstanding, I would give them the letter grade of A+. I love that they pick up the phone, or a call back right away. It's the standard for which all aspiring gimbal manufacturers will have to strive to compete.

If the past 2-months are any indication, the next 10-months will be filled with a few amazing products, and a lot of crap. Guaranteed if you watch this space it won't be boring.
 
Mr. Friedman,

My genuine thanks for your thoughtful note. I very much look forward to additional information and media from the Defy team, and will very seriously evaluate a purchase.

Again, thank you for your in-depth reply.

Regards.
 
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If what is stated in Illya's post does infact prove accurate, put me down as seriously interested. ESPECIALLY if it cost much less than a certain company getting lots of attention. OH WHO AM I KIDDING HERE! If it's cheaper than the darn MOVI with LaForet hype, I'm IN!
 
I think MoVI didn't knew about competition. They did well to do the marketing on behalf of industry, a kind of industry business development. Which player takes the cake is another matter altogether.

Lets hope that the G5 is good for a C300/C100 type of camera with lens. If DEFY plays smart then they will price it much much lower than MOVI and collect all the customers, including many who have given deposit for MoVI.
 
dustylense said:
If what is stated in Illya's post does infact prove accurate, put me down as seriously interested. ESPECIALLY if it cost much less than a certain company getting lots of attention. OH WHO AM I KIDDING HERE! If it's cheaper than the darn MOVI with LaForet hype, I'm IN!
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Oddly, none of this kept zacuto from staying in business. I mean the over priced hype. If it works, and there is a sense of support behind the product, I think many will spring for the top tier hyped products. Especially if the top tier really is better (steadicam vs the othe -cams for example)

Anyways....
 
This really weird - people selling products by the videos, and not technical specs. It's a lot of money to spend on a promise.
 
I think the BeSteady One (from BeSteady pro) is much better option than the DEFY Gimbal if you asked me.

They even have the Kickstarter campaign on it and collected beyond the required fund!
 
Rental

Rental

I love the proliferation of 2 and 3 axis gimbals, but I am frustrated that none are shipping to consumers yet. Well supposedly the Movi is supposed to be shipping, but I have not seen any evidence of that actually being the case. I'm getting married at the end of october and I was hoping to supply my videographer (someone I know and trust immensely) with a movi or defy, or similar brushless gimbal to use during the day. It seems like a perfect event stabilizer. My question is, does anyone sell or rent these things yet? If you know of anyone or anywhere I can rent one I would love to use it for a few shots let me know!
 
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