User Manual
12
NOTE: Whenever you use the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING BRACKET make sure
that the end of it that you are using is aligned over one of the legs on the STAND that it is attached
onto. The reason for this is to ensure that the STAND does not fall over when the DYNAMIC
BALANCE AND DOCKING BRACKET is in use with the full weight of the CAMERA and SLED
on it.
When setting up the STAND be sure to set the STAND up on a flat and level surface. You will also
need to raise the top riser on the STAND up high enough so that when the SLED is on the BRACKET
which is attached to the STAND that the BASE of the SLED does not touch the STANDS LEGS. The
height of the STAND's upper riser should be high enough to raise the GOLD SLED so that when the
SLED is in its upright vertical position, its BASE does not hit the STANDS LEGS even if the SLED is
tilted all the way forwards or backwards. If however, you raise the STAND's upper riser, and
consequently the GOLD SLED, too high off the ground you will cause the STAND to be to top heavy.
That is, unstable enough to cause the STAND to fall over if bumped etc. Which brings us to the point of
using SANDBAGS to weigh down the legs of the STAND to make everything more stable during all of
the BALANCING procedures which follow. If you do not have SANDBAGS, or something similar, then
be very careful not to knock everything over.
Given that you have followed the earlier procedures for setting up the BASE with MONITOR AND
BATTERIES etc. and attaching your CAMERA to the SLED correctly, you should now find the SLED set
up so that the CAMERA is aligned lengthwise with the BASE PLATFORM, and that the lens of the
CAMERA is facing the FRONT end of the BASE.
Given you have the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING BRACKET securely attached to your
STAND, you can now securely place the SLED onto the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING
BRACKET. To do this, securely place the bottom end of the GIMBAL HANDLE (the curved tube
portion of the GIMBAL ASSEMBLY) onto the 5/8" diameter stud that is facing up on one of the
ends of the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING BRACKET. Placing the SLED onto the
DYNAMIC BALANCE end of the BRACKET will set the SLED up so you can now easily tell if the
SLED is balanced correctly on its HORIZONTAL AXIS.
Before you place the SLED onto the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING BRACKET to test for
correct HORIZONTAL BALANCE, you should make sure the GIMBAL TUBE is securely in place on
the SLED's CENTRAL SUPPORT POST. When you receive the SLED, the GIMBAL TUBE should
already be securely attached at its highest position on the CENTER POST. If the GIMBAL TUBE is not
on the POST as described above, then adjust it so that it is. Adjusting the height of the GIMBAL TUBE
on the CENTRAL SUPPORT POST changes the VERTICAL BALANCE of the UNIT, but for now you
should leave, or set the GIMBAL TUBE at its highest position on the CENTER POST. You will learn
more about setting the VERTICAL BALANCE in the next section. Also, when you place the SLED onto
the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING BRACKET be sure to align the SLED so that the length of
the CAMERA is perpendicular with the length of the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING
BRACKET.
NOTE: Be extra careful when placing the SLED onto the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND DOCKING
BRACKET, for if the SLED is top heavy, the SLED might quickly turn upside down causing
possible damage to the SLED and/or yourself. Because this is a potential hazard, you should hold
tightly onto the SLED until you are sure that it is not going to move suddenly or flip over. Only
then should you gently release the SLED so it hangs freely on the DYNAMIC BALANCE AND
DOCKING BRACKET.