LeveFly 3-Axis Gimbal - Test and Review

E

electricjib

Active member
Hi Everyone,
(In Advance, I don't work for LeveFly, just an honest user that was happy with the test)
Came here to post about another option for a 3 Axis Gimbal.

I met up with a few buddies in CT this past weekend to test out the new LeveFly Gimbals. If you're not familiar with them check out their website at Levefly.com

The owners Andre and Ben are developing Gimbals for various weights of cameras and have done some of their own testing, but had never tested them with a RED. We took out a RED Epic to try and put as much weight on the Gimbal as possible (within the motors limits). We also had NO experience operating Gimbals. So this was our first time. We found the results got better as we went along.

ScreenShot2014-01-20at82306AM_zpsf42d5854.png


We didn't really have anything extremely crazy planned as far as the shooting went. We thought we'd try to get it out in the elements a bit, in rough terrain. Hence the Jeeps.

Overall we were EXTREMELY happy with the Gimbal and test footage we got. This is somewhat of a developing product. They're upgrading parts as they go as well to make it even better. The good thing about this is you won't get a Gimbal that stops evolving as the tech advances. For the particular setup we had, Andre and Ben actually made it so that the Gimbal and Epic were both powered via V-mount. They will also be able to do this with AB solutions as well.

This saves you from having to carry extra batteries if you already use these existing types to power your camera.

Getting used to the Gimbal took awhile but as the day, and 2nd day went on we got Much more comfortable.

Here is the test video:

I'll have a unit shortly and update as I travel. I'll have aerials and other examples i'll go ahead and share along the way. Thats really all the time I have to post now but feel free to post questions and I'll try to answer as promptly as possible.

The software the Gimbal is based off is Alexmos. Andre mentioned you can have about 8 setup and balanced presets through the software that you can click into while operating so you don't have to hook up to a computer to re-balance/calibrate the Gimbal.

I'll create a video for this once I learn how to do it myself.

I'll also be posting 1DC, FS700 and Epic footage when I can!

best!
 
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corycross said:
cool footage!

Whats different from this than the Defy G5 and the Movi m10?
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The concept and way they're built is very similar. A huge difference is price.

For the LeveFly you're looking at a cost of $2999.99 at most, unless you add on different parts. For example I added on the V-mount adapter to power the Gimbal and Camera through the D-Tap.

Obviously the Movi has it's popularity for a reason. Like I said I've never operated a gimbal before, so my knowledge when it comes to Defy is fairly limited. Only what I read on DVX or RU.
 
Wow the Levefly looks fantastic! I love the design and the price is great too.

This may be the one I've been looking for.
 
I've been in possession of a Levefly unit -- their RED version -- for about a week, however, have been unable to get it working properly at all (it refuses to stabilize, instead vibrating and moving erratically), and multiple issues have cropped up, including a high pitched whining noise and no control over YAW on SimpleBGC. Has anyone else had experience with these units? Pre-purchase, communication was generally excellent, and I'm hoping Levefly will address these issues -- but I'm very concerned I may be stuck with a lemon. Caveat emptor.
 
OsakaTom said:
I've been in possession of a Levefly unit -- their RED version -- for about a week, however, have been unable to get it working properly at all (it refuses to stabilize, instead vibrating and moving erratically), and multiple issues have cropped up, including a high pitched whining noise and no control over YAW on SimpleBGC. Has anyone else had experience with these units? Pre-purchase, communication was generally excellent, and I'm hoping Levefly will address these issues -- but I'm very concerned I may be stuck with a lemon. Caveat emptor.
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Are you making sure the camera is balanced properly? Even when I use it slightly un-balanced it'll still stabilize. With that said I do have issues if I pan to far left or right. Same thing if I roll it over to much.

Andre is working on fixes and advancements and upgrading them as they go.

Maybe your motors are on to high of a power setting?
 
I have a Defy G5 and I balance a Sony RX10, C100, and a BMC4k on it. So thats lighter than designed for, about what it's designed for, and pushing the boundaries of what it's designed for. it takes time to learn balance on these but here is what you want to "feel" when it is in good balance. The camera should almost feel weightless and that is because you want to the camera to be a part OF the gimbal and not just on it. So it's like you want to say to yourself, "damn where did the camera go"? If you end up feeling this you should be able to move the gimbal from side to side, back and fourth, up and down, without any back force or fight. It's not easy to find this sometimes but once you do make marks in colored permanent marker for good starting points for camera and most used lens. That way when you break down and reset up you have a good start through your marks of were to be.
 
Thanks for the info Dusty.

I'm considering canceling my G2 (which is on backorder) & ordering one of these instead since I could use it w/ bigger cams.

Tom let us know if you get those issues sorted out!
 
I'll have more shots to upload in another week or two from an off-road race I went too. Really happy with the results i've seen.

Also if anyone is close or around Colorado/Utah/Alaska and wants to get their hands on it or look at it let me know i'll be floating around those states for the next few months.

If you're in Colorado I'll have the unit here all summer starting May 15. I'll post my travel schedule on here as well incase it's close to somewhere some of you are if you wanna see it.

best!
 
electricjib said:
I'll have more shots to upload in another week or two from an off-road race I went too. Really happy with the results i've seen.

Also if anyone is close or around Colorado/Utah/Alaska and wants to get their hands on it or look at it let me know i'll be floating around those states for the next few months.

If you're in Colorado I'll have the unit here all summer starting May 15. I'll post my travel schedule on here as well incase it's close to somewhere some of you are if you wanna see it.

best!
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Can you please next time post regular footage? Without slow motion? It will look less spectacular but more indicative in terms of what this gimbal can do.
 
Hmm, any shots that are not slo-mo? Even shots with no stabilizer at all can look very smooth in slo-mo.

Edit: yeah, what the person above me said! :laugh:
 
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