User Manual
17
BALANCING THE VERTICAL AXIS WHEN IN MOTION
In order to test the VERTICAL BALANCE of the SLED while you are in motion you will need to read
the section called "HANDLING YOUR GLIDECAM GOLD SLED" before going any further. The
reason for this is that you need to be all suited up with the SUPPORT VEST,GOLD ARM, and SLED on
to test the VERTICAL AXIS while you are in motion. You should also read the "BALANCING THE
VERTICAL AXIS" section before going any further.
To test the BALANCE of the SLED’s VERTICAL AXIS when in motion, hold the SLED with your left
hand very lightly holding onto the CENTER POST just below the GIMBAL, and use your right hand to
hold onto the curved GIMBAL HANDLE. Make sure that the CAMERA is aiming forward, then walk
briskly forward. As you walk briskly forward, observe the BASE PLATFORM and CENTRAL
SUPPORT POST. If the SLED swings or pendulums away from the upright VERTICAL position it was
just in at the moment you moved forward, then the SLED is not balanced correctly. The SLED's
CENTER POST should remain vertical during this movement, if it is balanced properly.
Another way to test for correct VERTICAL BALANCE is to walk briskly forward with the SLED, and
then stop suddenly. If the SLED swings or pendulums away from the upright VERTICAL position it was
just in at the moment you stopped, then the SLED is not balanced correctly.
This type of "movement test" applies also to running, or turning around quickly with the SLED. Again, if
the SLED is balanced properly, then any body movement like running or turning will not effect the basic
upright and vertical position of the SLED.
NOTE: As mentioned earlier, the quickest and easiest way to achieve correct VERTICAL
BALANCE is to move the position of the GIMBAL TUBE either up, or down on the CENTRAL
SUPPORT POST. Remember, you will need to move the GIMBAL TUBE down if the SLED is too
BOTTOM HEAVY, or move the GIMBAL TUBE up if the SLED is too TOP HEAVY. However, if
the SLED is too BOTTOM HEAVY, then you might want to first try contracting the EXTENSION
POST to reduce BOTTOM HEAVINESS, before you attempt to lower the GIMBAL TUBE on the
CENTER POST.
NOTE: Always make sure that the GIMBAL TUBE is very, very tightly secured in place before
using the system. You may want to switch out the kip handle on the gimbal tube for a socket head
to verify a tight fit.
After you have readjusted the position of the GIMBAL on the CENTER POST, or either extended,
or contracted the EXTENSION POST, or added or subtracted WEIGHT from the SLED's BASE as
mentioned in the previous procedures, you should RETRY the "in motion" VERTICAL BALANCE
tests as mentioned above until the SLED is properly BALANCED. This procedure might have to be
repeated to find the right position for the GIMBAL TUBE etc.. The numbered GUIDE SCALE
MARKINGS on the upper portion of the CENTRAL SUPPORT POST are designed to allow you to
incrementally adjust the position of the GIMBAL TUBE, and to allow you to take note and reset the
GIMBAL TUBE to any given position in the future.
Also, after adjusting the VERTICAL BALANCE you might 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