User Manual

14
You can use your eyes to judge for correct HORIZONTAL BALANCE, or you can use a BUBBLE
LEVEL (carpenter level etc.) to unsure that the SLED has correct HORIZONTAL BALANCE. When
using a BUBBLE LEVEL or other similar device to judge the SLED's HORIZONTAL BALANCE, you
should realize that large and heavy CARPENTER LEVELS will effect the BALANCE of the SLED.
The effect it has on the SLED’S BALANCE will vary dependent on where the LEVEL is placed. For best
results you should use only a small LEVEL and affix it to the BASE PLATFORM so that its weight is, as
it were, permanently added to the SLED, or you can use a LEVEL only temporarily on the SLED given
that it is not very heavy and that you place it as close to the center of the BASE as possible. You can also
use the LEVEL on the CAMERA if you find this works better for you. In the end, how level the footage
viewed through the viewfinder or MONITOR looks is obviously the most important result of all
these BALANCE tests and procedures.
NOTE: Later after you adjust the SLED's VERTICAL BALANCE you will have to go back and
readjust the HORIZONTAL BALANCE again in order to obtain really fine balance of the whole
system. This is not always necessary, but you should check the HORIZONTAL BALANCE again to
make sure it is correct. NOTE: The HORIZONTAL BALANCE of the SLED becomes less sensitive,
as the SLED becomes increasingly bottom heavy. And conversely, the HORIZONTAL BALANCE
becomes very sensitive, as the SLED progresses towards correct VERTICAL BALANCE.
BALANCING THE VERTICAL AXIS
Now that your SLED is HORIZONTALLY BALANCED, it’s VERTICAL AXIS can now be tested and
properly BALANCED. The objective in obtaining correct VERTICAL BALANCE for the SLED is to
allow the CAMERA and SLED to remain level during operation, given you are not applying either a PAN,
TILT or ROLL type of hand pressure to the SLED, and most importantly that the SLED's CENTER POST
remain vertical even if you are walking, running, or turning while the GOLD SLED is in operation. In
other words, if the SLED is vertically BALANCED correctly, then the CAMERA will remain level, and
the CENTER POST will remain VERTICAL unless you intentionally position the SLED otherwise. If the
SLED is not vertically BALANCED properly, then it will swing about or pendulum when you walk, run
or turn.
Again, if the VERTICAL BALANCE is set correctly you will be able to move about quickly, as well as
start or stop moving suddenly, and still have the CENTRAL SUPPORT POST remain VERTICAL. The
best way to adjust the SLED’s VERTICAL BALANCE is to change the VERTICAL position of the
GIMBAL TUBE on the CENTRAL SUPPORT POST. Other ways to adjust the SLED’s VERTICAL
BALANCE are to either add, or subtract WEIGHT from the BASE PLATFORM, or to either extend, or
contract the SLED's EXTENSION POST. All of these methods has the effect of altering the position of
the SLED’s CENTER of GRAVITY along its VERTICAL AXIS.
NOTE: The basic procedures for holding and operating the GOLD SLED during the VERTICAL
BALANCE procedures are basically the same as those in the HORIZONTAL BALANCE section, so
please be sure you have read that section carefully before going any further.
To correctly set the SLED’S VERTICAL BALANCE you will have to make sure that the SLED is setup
on the STAND as described earlier, and that the SLED’s HORIZONTAL BALANCE is correct, or close
to correct. Also, before you can properly set the SLED’s VERTICAL BALANCE, you must first adjust
the position of the GIMBAL TUBE so the SLED hangs in “NEUTRAL BALANCE”. NEUTRAL
BALANCE is when the SLED’s CENTER of GRAVITY is positioned at the center of the main