User's Manual

ManualsBrandsGlidecam ManualsProfessional VideoDevin Graham Signature Series Handheld Stabilizer

Figure 46

To test the balance of the vertical axis, perform

what is called the SLED ARC TEST. To perform the

SLED ARC TEST, simply hold the Glidecam Devin

Graham Signature Series by it’s handle and then

grab a hold of the back end of the Devin Graham

Signature Series’s BASE PLATFORM, then pull

the BASE up and back until the Devin Graham

Signature Series’s CENTRAL POST is horizontal

and motionless, (See gure 43) then gently let go

of the BASE PLATFORM and count how many

seconds it takes for the Devin Graham Signature

Series to go from the horizontal position it was just

in (See Figure 44) to the moment it rst passes the

vertical.

If the Glidecam Devin Graham Signature Series is

vertically balanced properly, then it should take about

TWO to THREE seconds for this to happen. (This

is called DROP TIME) Count your seconds with the

words “one thousand one, one thousand two, etc for

accuracy. Adjust the amount of COUNTER WEIGHTS

used on the BASE PLATFORM, then adjust the

length of the TELESCOPING POST up or down, or

move the ADJUSTABLE GIMBAL up or down until

it only takes TWO to THREE seconds for the Devin

Graham Signature Series CENTRAL POST to rst

swing in an arc from horizontal to vertical.

NOTE: The amount of DROP TIME nally set is

ultimately up to you to decide. Different DROP TIMES

change the vertical balance, and therefore, change

the results obtainable when shooting.

This photo shows the Glidecam Devin Graham

Signature Series swinging before the illustrated

vertical line. The Devin Graham Signature Series

will pendulum or swing past this line during the

“SLED ARC TEST”, and the Devin Graham

Signature Series will swing back and forth over

a dozen times if left to swing, but it is only the

time the Devin Graham Signature Series’s rst

swing in an arc from horizontal to vertical that you

need to analyze. After you have counted the time

it takes for it to go from horizontal until it passes

vertical once, then simply stop the Devin Graham

Signature Series from swinging, then, either put

the Devin Graham Signature Series down, or

make adjustments to perform the test again.

NOTE: Adding more weight, telescoping out

the base, or moving the adjustable gimbal

up, will speed up the DROP TIME. Removing

weight, telescoping the base in, or moving the

adjustable gimbal down, will slow the DROP

TIME.

Another way to check for correct vertical balance, known as the ”MOVEMENT TEST”, is to walk

forward with the Glidecam Devin Graham Signature Series and then stop suddenly. If the

Devin Graham Signature Series BASE PLATFORM swings, or pendulums away from you, or

upright vertical position it was just in that moment you stopped, then you know the Devin Graham

Signature Series is not balanced correctly. Adjust the amount of COUNTER WEIGHTS used on

the BASE PLATFORM, or adjust the length of the TELESCOPING POST up or down, or move the

ADJUSTABLE GIMBAL up or down until the Devin Graham Signature Series remains vertical

during the “MOVEMENT TEST”.

This “MOVEMENT TEST” also applies to running or turning around quickly with the Devin Graham

Signature Series. Again, if the Devin Graham Signature Series is balanced properly, then any

body movement, like running or turning quickly, will not effect the basic upright, vertical position of

the Devin Graham Signature Series.