iceman
Member
That would be great, I for one would be interested in your gimbal but not before seeing a real world example of how it performs for the intended purpose.
Besteady One Combo just purchased
- Thread starter Quinton
- Start date
Besteady just Arrived 
Pity I dont have much time this weekend to have a play.
Also in the email..
We will be sending out a free upgrade pack to replace the rubber grips, anti vibration rubbers, shelf foam rubber and 4-point handle elements in the coming weeks. If you have purchased a Combo set your Peli case will be shipped in early December.
Pity I dont have much time this weekend to have a play.
Also in the email..
We will be sending out a free upgrade pack to replace the rubber grips, anti vibration rubbers, shelf foam rubber and 4-point handle elements in the coming weeks. If you have purchased a Combo set your Peli case will be shipped in early December.
Anyone interested I got it set up but had a lot of problems with the tilt axis when not in follow, it really started to vibrate quite badly, once i tilted to about 20 degrees, so shot an email off and got the following..
Other than that, it looks quite promising.
We're patching the current firmware to extend the tilt range, which is very shallow in some extreme cases. The problems you're having with follow sounds unique and we'll have to look into that, but again. Following a software patch is a complete firmware upgrade which should be due in the next month to resolve some bugs and issues that are emerging now that we have a lot of BeSteady units out there.
For the moment I have a work around for the tilt issue. I add a lot of follow to my pan (usually around 70% and very little to my tilt (around 5-10%). Then i add some deadband (around 8 degrees) and a little expo (10-15%). This gives a nice performance on a tuned gimbal.
Let me know if you have any other problems.
Other than that, it looks quite promising.
We're patching the current firmware to extend the tilt range, which is very shallow in some extreme cases. The problems you're having with follow sounds unique and we'll have to look into that, but again. Following a software patch is a complete firmware upgrade which should be due in the next month to resolve some bugs and issues that are emerging now that we have a lot of BeSteady units out there.
For the moment I have a work around for the tilt issue. I add a lot of follow to my pan (usually around 70% and very little to my tilt (around 5-10%). Then i add some deadband (around 8 degrees) and a little expo (10-15%). This gives a nice performance on a tuned gimbal.
Let me know if you have any other problems.
I also received my besteady this morning. Cant say I'm too impressed with it. I think I must be misinterpreting the GUI because I can make anything work consistently; easpecially offsets and deadbands. More head scratching needed.
As for the universal multirotors adapter...hard to see how its going to fit easily onto a Droidworx; have you worked that one out yet quinton?
As for the universal multirotors adapter...hard to see how its going to fit easily onto a Droidworx; have you worked that one out yet quinton?
What I have seen so far is pan roll and tilt strength didnt really do anything
Didnt see any shaking, however my tilt doesnt work past 20 degerees, unless I have follow initiated. (Which I don't really want)
Not sure what you got, but I also got the combo for handheld stuff.
The follow is actually pretty good, but I am sure it will take a firmware update to get everything working as it should be.
Didnt really get how to set the pan balance from their instructions, but hopefully there will be much more info out soon.
The more users the better, and looking at thsis one there should be just as much as Zenmuse users, so hopefully we can all help each other.
Looks very easy to use lots of different cameras though, so thats a good thing compared to Zenmuse.
Crappy charger came with it, so wont be using that for too long, but says 0.4C charge rate..also didn't come with a UK Plug!
Not sure tbh as I've never seen or used the standard Alexmos, Im sure it will get better soon though with a few updates.
Initial thoughts are good, although they should be, as it wasn't exactly cheap.
Will be interesting to see what they come up with soon, hopefully there will be a forum for their users to discuss problems etc.
There's no way though this thing will fly on a multirotor at the moment though.
Also any one thats interested, the total weight is 2130g with a GH2 and 14-140 lens inc lipo and gh2 battery.
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What I have seen so far is pan roll and tilt strength didnt really do anything
Didnt see any shaking, however my tilt doesnt work past 20 degerees, unless I have follow initiated. (Which I don't really want)
Not sure what you got, but I also got the combo for handheld stuff.
The follow is actually pretty good, but I am sure it will take a firmware update to get everything working as it should be.
Didnt really get how to set the pan balance from their instructions, but hopefully there will be much more info out soon.
The more users the better, and looking at thsis one there should be just as much as Zenmuse users, so hopefully we can all help each other.
Looks very easy to use lots of different cameras though, so thats a good thing compared to Zenmuse.
Crappy charger came with it, so wont be using that for too long, but says 0.4C charge rate..also didn't come with a UK Plug!
Likewise with the motor strengths....little effect.
Likewise with tilt....horrendous vibrations past about 20 degrees.
I went for the combo also.
Follow mode does works well and will be good for single operator multirotor use (pan with follow, tilt with no follow and a bit of dead band) if you could set the default/neutral tilt at say 20% below the horizontal. I thought this is what the tilt offset and offset calibration were supposed to do, but I've probably misunderstood the quick start. The dead band doesnt seem to work for me either but again could be down to user error and misunderstanding!
Likewise...pan balance make no sense..."Take the BeSteady One off the stand and set it upside down on a flat surface. Make sure it sits at an angle." ??
Also didnt fully follow the motor tuning....as for you, nothing apparent happens when changing the values.
Same ****ty charger with no UK plug!
Does seem easy to balance a camera on the stage though! :tennis: and like you say, many options as to what can go on there.
I'm probably being a bit harsh on it and as you say Quinton, a firmware update may well fix many of the issues. From a build and engineering point of view, there's litte to fault so hopefully, in the long run, this rig has a lot to offer both in the air and on the ground.
Any ideas how you're going to fix the multirotor adapter? I cant see any obvious holes that line up with the Droidworx gear rail.
Havent even looked at it yet tbh, but it may be a line up and drill job, but will push Besteady on a solution, after all they should of had a solution to this.
Is it worth the money...jurys out so far, will have to wait and see.
Just seen the new CArbonCore Vortex today and theres a new gimbal, and must say, that looks impressive for a MR with 8 motors and gimbal under 7KG
http://shop.carboncore.co.uk/Cortex-Almost-Ready-to-Fly
SkyBound001
Member
Got mine yesterday too.. Just been playing with it and mine too seem to do nothing when moving the pan and tilt sliders. I don't think i have the jitters though. I was also missing two thumbscrews!
I'd also check all the bolts are done up as some of mine were a little loose!
What i'm trying to figure out is how to lock the pan and tilt so regardless of yaw and pitch it will point forwards. I went for the RC setup but theres no info on how to setup it up yet!
The pan calibration btw means put the top handle on and then place it upside down so it sits on a side handle and the top handle (almost 45 degrees) Then rotate the gimbal on the pan axis and it should stay put. try a few different positions. If it swings back on its own then you need to adjust it by using the adjusters. Mine was ok and didn't need adjusting.
First impressions - nice bit of kit and i can see this will be great once i figure out how the thing works/ they fix a few bugs. They really needed to supply some better instructions too! especially for the RC gear as there isn't any.
Next thing - figure out how to gaffer tape it to the sky jib :nevreness:
I'd also check all the bolts are done up as some of mine were a little loose!
What i'm trying to figure out is how to lock the pan and tilt so regardless of yaw and pitch it will point forwards. I went for the RC setup but theres no info on how to setup it up yet!
The pan calibration btw means put the top handle on and then place it upside down so it sits on a side handle and the top handle (almost 45 degrees) Then rotate the gimbal on the pan axis and it should stay put. try a few different positions. If it swings back on its own then you need to adjust it by using the adjusters. Mine was ok and didn't need adjusting.
First impressions - nice bit of kit and i can see this will be great once i figure out how the thing works/ they fix a few bugs. They really needed to supply some better instructions too! especially for the RC gear as there isn't any.
Next thing - figure out how to gaffer tape it to the sky jib :nevreness:
This is the part that "gives" me the jitters.
To turn it off you need to go into the "follow" option and set it to zero.
Once you do that is maybe when you will get the jitters.
When follow is at zero it wont pan and tilt with your movements, you just need to make sure you select "write" after zeroing.
Something I cant get back into now that my USB connection has came away from the solder.
I will expect quite a few more people will have the same problem soon, as it wasn't very well put together there.
SkyBound001
Member
Hi Quinton,
Thanks for the info. It kind of works, but its not 100%. It still follows a little, but it might be ok when flying. I guess i'll find out when i test fly it. Hopefully they'll fix it completely. I did get some jitters, but it seems to have sorted itself out which is good.
Shame about your USB port!!! very annoying. I'd say give the bluetooth ago, but i can't get that working too! Laptop connects and pairs, but the GUI won't connect.
Thanks for the info. It kind of works, but its not 100%. It still follows a little, but it might be ok when flying. I guess i'll find out when i test fly it. Hopefully they'll fix it completely. I did get some jitters, but it seems to have sorted itself out which is good.
Shame about your USB port!!! very annoying. I'd say give the bluetooth ago, but i can't get that working too! Laptop connects and pairs, but the GUI won't connect.
I'm not sure if either of you guys have tried out the RC capabilities; maybe you havent Quinton if your usb port is bust. I had a spare receiver lying around so gave it a go this afternoon. I managed to get it set up pretty reliably so I can control pan and tilt with my radio sticks. It seems to work well and I feel a lot more confident on using it succesfully on a multirotor, both in single and dual operator mode.
SkyBound001
Member
Hi cbuk.
I also plugged in the radio gear today and it works brilliantly! Very impressed with how smooth it is. The hardest part was getting the Graupner TX from German to English!! LOL
I got the jitters too when tilting, but i think its way beyond how much the copter will be flown. I'd be worried if it was flying at that angle!! I got an email from Besteady to say it will be sorted on their next firmware update.
Now for attaching it to the sky jib!!
I was on the phone to them today, must admit it is really good to actually speak with someone on the other end.
They mentioned that during their tests that they had 1 piece with the USB break, but they said they were treating it pretty roughly, but they have indeed redesigned how the usb will be attached, and may send out replacements in the future if it becomes a problem.
I mentioned about the battery compartment, the fact that the lipo is not actually secured, and he did say that they were looking at some sort of cap which would be a free upgrade.
Also I did ask how it attached to a MR and he said it should have come with an attachment part.
If that was the round motor thing, then I'm not exactly sure how that could help especially attaching to the Skyjib rail.
It might be an idea to get them to look into that once they get a forum set up for discussions, problem is though some companies dont like forums, as all you get in forums is a lot of moaning when things go wrong.
I have never set up a gimbal with a separate controller so any pics you could provide on how I can get started would be appreciated, he did say it works really well with a RC transmitter.
The only way I can see it fitting onto a MR well, is by drilling 4 new holes using the part thats on the handle as a template to attach it.
I did speak about there was no real adjustment in the motors, and he said you wouldn't really get any with lighter cameras, but would experience it more with the heavier ones.
Its good to know I'm not alone with this thing when it comes to troubleshooting, hopefully I can get a replacement sorted asap.
They mentioned that during their tests that they had 1 piece with the USB break, but they said they were treating it pretty roughly, but they have indeed redesigned how the usb will be attached, and may send out replacements in the future if it becomes a problem.
I mentioned about the battery compartment, the fact that the lipo is not actually secured, and he did say that they were looking at some sort of cap which would be a free upgrade.
Also I did ask how it attached to a MR and he said it should have come with an attachment part.
If that was the round motor thing, then I'm not exactly sure how that could help especially attaching to the Skyjib rail.
It might be an idea to get them to look into that once they get a forum set up for discussions, problem is though some companies dont like forums, as all you get in forums is a lot of moaning when things go wrong.
I have never set up a gimbal with a separate controller so any pics you could provide on how I can get started would be appreciated, he did say it works really well with a RC transmitter.
The only way I can see it fitting onto a MR well, is by drilling 4 new holes using the part thats on the handle as a template to attach it.
I did speak about there was no real adjustment in the motors, and he said you wouldn't really get any with lighter cameras, but would experience it more with the heavier ones.
Its good to know I'm not alone with this thing when it comes to troubleshooting, hopefully I can get a replacement sorted asap.
I fired an email off to Prokopi this morning asking how to set up the RC; he was kind enough to reply within a few hours with a slideshow of images that were good enough to get me going. No text, but the images should be sufficient. Pretty much confirmed how I thought it would be done.
If you pm me your email, I'll forward the email I got from Prokopi to you.
In a nutshell, use a servo lead from the ground, positive and pin1 to the throttle channel of the receiver. This will provide power to the receiver and gives one signal line. The connect another servo lead from pins 2, 3 and 4 on the besteady to the signal ports of say channels 2,3 and 4 of your receiver...assuming 1 is your throttle. The two servo leads in the back of the receiver will be at right angles to each other. Then go into the GUI and set up the various parameters, which you wont be able to do with a dodgy usb. Have you tried bluetooth? I read on the besteady facebook page that the pairing password is 1234; dont know if that's correct cos I havent used it.
e2a: I think I'll be attaching the gimbal to the Droidworx the same way. Cant for the life of me see how the multirotor adapter plate will help.
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SkyBound001
Member
I opted for the radio gear they sell on the shop and to be honest if you have the money its worth it. In the box was a lead already connected to the receiver which plugged into the pins on the gimbal. It really was plug and play - i didn't open the box right away and emailed with the same question. Prokopi came back with the same images - only when i opened the box it became clear!
With regards to attaching it - yep - 4 new holes to be drilled!
If you went for the Combo unit there should have been the multi rotor plate in the box - its a round metal plate with a bunch of holes in it all of which don't fit! LOL
With regards to attaching it - yep - 4 new holes to be drilled!
If you went for the Combo unit there should have been the multi rotor plate in the box - its a round metal plate with a bunch of holes in it all of which don't fit! LOL