30Jan Can you modify a Steadicam Smoothee?
I want to say when these things were first released they were over $200 dollars. Ridiculous pricing if all you plan to fly is a cell phone. They have since dropped down in price, and while they are listed at about $180 dollars elsewhere, this month they’re on sale at B&H (click here). Not bad if you could possibly do much more with it.
[Update] here’s the video
With one of the smoothest Gimbals on any stabilizer ever, I decided to pick one up and see if it can be pushed to carry much more than a small GoPro. So far the Gimbal is made with a metal bearing, and the frame is mostly a lightweight metal. If it’s possible to modify the frame to add more weights, then you’re looking at an ultra smooth Gimbal on a Merlin-like stabilizer for almost 5 times cheaper than the Merlin itself.
[Update] It’s been Modified here: http://cheesycam.com/diy-steadicam-smoothee-mod-cheesycam-baby-merlin/
Steadicam Smoothee for GoPro and iPhone
Original (more expensive) Steadicam Merlin Camera Stabilizer
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January 30th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
I first saw them at CES and I ask if I could use it with my Sony HX9.
The guy at the booth told me that he drill the bottom plastic plate and added a bolt to hold extra spacer for heavier camera.
I know you own a HX9, I hope it will work
good luck
January 30th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
The Limit…push it there.
January 30th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
No test vid from the gopro? Good instructions, but would like to see some results as well! Thanks!
January 30th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
@elph – I’m going for gold today, and already started tearing it apart. LOL. I have completed my task and have successfully modded it to fly any camera. Video will be up in a bit. It’s late and I have to get back home tonight..
January 30th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
fwiw, the Flip Mino version looks like it’s regularly at that price anyway. Granted, you get an extra degree of adjustment with the GoPro mount, but if the idea is to put a heavier unit on it anyway, you might as well just buy the Mino unit and fab your own quick-release plate with a 1/4″ stud, a wax mould, and a tube of epoxy.
February 12th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
I tested mine last week. I need more practice to control the direction. Here’s the video… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSBMFiDoDTE
February 12th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Edwin – Good stuff. Indeed there is a world of difference there.
February 12th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Emm, could you PLEASE measure the precise size of the packaging foam it comes with (in cm please)? I think I’m gonna grab one but would like to order a pelican case for it at the same time… if I grab one I’ll be sure to buy it from the link here on your site!
Thanks Emm!
HD-tography
February 13th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
@HD-tography – 12.5″ x 10.5″ and it’s 2.5″ thick (height when laying flat).
February 13th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Perfect! The foam it comes with looks pretty dense too… by the looks of it there is still room to cut out another section of foam for the added weight slider used in the cheesycam mod.
May 25th, 2012 at 6:15 am
Hi Emm,
Could you interchange the gimbal of this Smoothee with the Merlin/JR?
May 25th, 2012 at 8:34 am
@eVideo – No you can’t. It’s not the same mount.