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
Emm
Post author@Mark T - That's a pretty decent sized camera. I would say go for a Glidecam HD1000 or this XCAM Sabre httpss://cheesycam.com/xcam-sabre-mini-video-stabilizer-review/
Mark. T
Thank you for the quick reply, Emm. I am a noob to DSLR video, so I have one more question. From your experience, what would you recommend for a medium size DSLR (725g body only - Canon 70D) :
1) the modified Smothee
2) the Opteka Steadyvid Pro
I like to take my DSLR on long hikes / backpaking treks, so the weight of the rig is also important. I incline towards the mod of the Smothee from this point of view.
Emm
Post author@Mark T. - It's possible but it will not function as well.
Mark T.
Can you balance this so the camera is tilted down or up ? E.g. to film descent from a mountain.
Emm
Post author@eVideo - No you can't. It's not the same mount.
eVideo
Hi Emm,
Could you interchange the gimbal of this Smoothee with the Merlin/JR?
HD-tography
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.
Emm
Post author@HD-tography - 12.5" x 10.5" and it's 2.5" thick (height when laying flat).
HD-tography
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
Emm
Post author@Edwin - Good stuff. Indeed there is a world of difference there.
Edwin
I tested mine last week. I need more practice to control the direction. Here's the video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSBMFiDoDTE
DL
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.
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DIY Steadicam Smoothee Mod – Cheesycam Baby Merlin » CheesyCam
Emm
Post author@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..
elph
No test vid from the gopro? Good instructions, but would like to see some results as well! Thanks!
Darius
The Limit...push it there.
Jerome Demers
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