Quickstart Guide

SAVOUR THE MOVING MOMENT
winner
STARTUP GUIDE
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
*Compatible with Hero 3, Hero 3+ & Hero 4
Contents
1. Overview
1.1. Specifications
1.2. Package contents
2. Basics
2.1. Set up
2.1.1. Insert batteries
2.1.2. Mount GoPro
2.1.3. Put on balancing weight
2.1.4. Normal Calibration
2.1.5. Switch on the gimbal
2.2. Switch shooting modes
2.3. Power indicator & shooting mode indicator
2.4. Operating angles
2.5. Vibration
3. Free firmware upgrade through PC
4. Advance Calibration
5. Q&A
6. Warranty information
6.1. How to obtain warranty service
6.2. Limitations and exclusions
1
1
2,3
4
4
4
4
4
5
6
6
7
7
7
8
9,10
11
12
12
12
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
1. Overview
1.1.Specifications
Handheld Gimbal
Name
G3s
Model
SC-HG-G3S
Operating Angles
Pan axis: 3600
Pitch axis: 0 - 2700
Roll axis: +/- 500
Weight
(Battery Included)
374g
Battery Type
AAA alkaline battery 1.5V x 4 - LR03 / UM4
AAA rechargeable battery 1.2V x 4 - HR03 / UM4
Operating Temperature
-10 to 400C
Folded Dimensions
309H x 80W x 47D (mm)
Expanded Dimensions
276H x 96W x 81D (mm)
Package Weight
731g
Package Dimensions
285L x 15W x 70H (mm)
Shooting Mode
Mode \ Axis
Full Follow Mode
Pan Follow Mode
Full Lock Mode
Pan axis
Follow
Follow
Lock
Pitch axis
Follow
Lock
Lock
Roll axis
Lock
Lock
Lock
P.1
1.2.Package contents
Arm
U Mount
Joystick
Shooting mode indicator
USB cable port
Includes:
1.G3s x1
2.U Mount x1
3.Bottom cap x1
4.Screw x1
5.Balancing weight x1
6.USB data link cable x1
7.Flannel bag x1
8.Startup guide x1
P.2
Bottom cap
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
Screw
Balancing weight
Magnet
Magnetic Position Locking System
The arm structure can be magnetically held
in its desirable position when unused to
ensure convenience in storage and travel.
Power indicator
Power button
Flannel bag
USB data link cable
Balancing weight
P.3
2. Basics
2.1.Set up
2.1.1. Insert batteries
G3s supports AAA battery power system.
Insert batteries in correct polarity and
tighten the bottom cap.
2.1.2. Mount GoPro
1. Loosen the screw.
2. Turn the arm 2700 anticlockwise. The logo “G3s” is facing
the front.
3. Turn the mount anticlockwise and the screw hole is at the
bottom.
2
3
4. Put the GoPro into the mount and hold it firmly.
5. Mount a bit the hook of the U Mount to the
mortise.
6. Adjust the screw hole at the bottom and the hook.
7. Turn the GoPro clockwise and the screw hole is
facing up. Tighten the screw.
8. Turn the GoPro anticlockwise so that the screw is at
the bottom. Turn on GoPro.
45° VIEW
4
2.1.3. Put on balancing weight
For Hero 4, it is recommended to put on the balancing
weight for the optimized balancing point.
Simply stick on the arm as shown.
P.4
5
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
2.1.4. Gyro Calibration
Before use, follow the below procedure to do Gyro calibration for best
performance. Gyro Calibration can also be performed whenever the following
occurs:
1. The GoPro holder appears slanting downward when the gimbal is held
upright.
2. The GoPro holder drifts slowly despite the gimbal is held still.
3. In the process of Factory Parameter Reset
Normal Calibration procedure:
1. Power off G3s.
2
2. Push joystick upward, press and hold it in the up
position.
3. Keep holding the joystick and then press power
button once to switch on the gimbal.
4. The shooting mode indicators will blink for 2s.
Hold until both blue and green indicator lights
turn on together, then release the joystick.
3
4
5. Lay down G3s on a flat surface within 10s. G3s will
power off after around 40s.
6. Gyro calibration completes.
P.5
2.1.5. Switch on the gimbal
1. Hold G3s in an upright position with thumb
on joystick.
2. Horizontally turn the camera facing outwards.
Hold the GoPro in a horizontal position.
3. Press the power button once and the power
indicator will light on.
4. Press the joystick for 2s to switch on.
Release the arm when it automatically
adjusts to balancing point.
Press
for 2s
Press
once
Watch more on YouTube:
Important note
Do not switch on when G3s is not in upright position.
Do not shake G3s.
(SwiftCam G3s - How to start up?)
2.2.Switch shooting modes
1. Hold G3s in an upright position.
2. Press joystick once to switch shooting modes.
Mode 1: Full Follow
(Blue mode indicator light on.)
GoPro follows but smoothens
pitch (tilt up, tilt down) and
pan movements (pan left, pan right).
Pan Follow
Full Follow
Full Lock
Mode 2: Pan Follow
(Green mode indicator light on.)
GoPro locks on tilt up/down axis but
follows and smoothens
pan movements (pan left, pan right).
Mode 3: Full Lock
(Amber mode indicator light on.)
GoPro locks on all axis including
tilting up/down and panning left/right.
Important note
Do not switch shooting mode when
G3s is not in upright position.
P.6
Watch more on YouTube:
(SwiftCam G3s - How to switch the shooting modes?)
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
2.3. Power indicator & shooting mode indicator
Shooting mode indicator
Power indicator
Blue light on
Shooting mode: Full Follow
Green light on
Shooting mode: Pan Follow
Amber light on
Shooting mode: Full Lock
Blue light blinks
G3s is not in proper usage.
All light blink together
Low battery.
Blinks three times.
G3s is in normal operation.
Blinks rapidly.
Low battery.
2.4.Operating angles
270°
360°
+50°
Pan axis: 3600
Pitch axis: 0 - 2700
-50°
Roll axis: +/- 500
Important note
Do not exceed the operating angles of each axis.
2.5.Vibration
Vibration is the signal of improper usage.
To stop the vibration,
1. Hold G3s in upright position and press joystick for 2s.
2. The arm will get balanced automatically. Adjust the
camera angles by joystick when the arm stops.
Important note
Do not adjust G3s by hand.
Watch more on YouTube:
(SwiftCam G3s - Proper Usage)
P.7
3. Free firmware upgrade through PC
1. Power off G3s. Plug the provided USB data link cable in the
USB port on G3s.Connect with a PC running on Windows 7/8.
Driver will be installed automatically.
2. When installation finishes, right click “Start Menu” and select
“Device Manager”.
3. Select “Ports (COM & LPT)”. Check the COM port number of
“Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port” If the COM port number is
out of 1-29, reset the COM port number.
3.1. Right click “Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port”.
3.2. Select “Properties”.
3.3. Select “Port Settings”.
3.4. Select “Advanced”.
3.5. Select “COM Port Number” and reset COM Port Number
(COM1-29).
4. Download the firmware package “Version 0.18 (ZIP)” from the
official SwiftCam website.
5. Unzip "swiftcam_g3s_firmware_v_0_18.zip".
6. Open folder "swiftcam_g3s_firmware_v_0_18".
7. Open program “swiftcam_g3s_firmware_loader_v_0_18.exe”.
8. Select the corresponding COM port number.
9. Select firmware file “swiftcam_g3s_firmware_v_0_18.bin”.
10. Click “Load and Connect”.
11. Lay down G3s on a flat surface. Power on G3s to start update.
Wait until firmware update is 100% completed.
12. Click “OK” and close the loader.
13. Power off G3s and unplug the USB data link cable.
Firmware Package
“Version 0.18 (ZIP)”
Important note
Do not stop the program or power off G3s or unplug USB data link cable until it is 100% updated.
P.8
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
4. Advance Calibration
Do the Factory Parameter Reset whenever the following occurs:
1. The motors of gimbal cannot energize as normal
2. The gimbal does not power on as normal
3. The gimbal does not stabilize (moving intensely) after power on
Factory Parameter Reset Steps:
1. Download the Firmware Package
2. Upload to default firmware [ swiftcam_g3s_firmware_reset ] by the Firmware
Uploader
3. Do the ACC Calibration (refer to ACC Calibration steps bellow)
4. Do the Factory Temperature Calibration
a. Environment condition requirement: at temperature around 20-25 degrees.
b. Power on G3s.
c. Push joystick downward, press and hold it in the down position.
d. Keep holding the joystick and then press power button once to switch on the
gimbal.
e. The shooting mode indicators will blink for 2s. Hold until both green and
amber indicator lights turn on together, then release the joystick.
f. Lay down G3s on a surface within 10s. G3s will power off after around 40s.
g. Temperature Calibration complete.
4c
4e
5.
6.
7.
8.
Do the Gyro Calibration (refer to Gyro Calibration steps on P.5)
Test and ensure the gimbal can start as normal
Upload the latest firmware (v0.28 or latest) by the Firmware Uploader
Assistance Software (v1.09) can be used
Do the ACC Calibration once whenever the following occurs:
1. The holder appears seriously slanting left or right over 10 degrees when the
gimbal is held upright. (Small degree adjustment can be done through the
Assistance Software)
2. In the process of Factory Parameter Reset
P.9
ACC Calibration Steps:
1. Power on G3s.
2
2. Push joystick toward the left, press and hold it in the left position.
3. Keep holding the joystick and then press power button once
to switch on the gimbal.
4. The shooting mode indicators will blink for 2 seconds. Hold until the blue
indicator LED turn on in solid and the amber LED starts flashing, then release the
joystick.
5. Place the handle vertically on a level surface and hold the gopro camera in
horizontal position.
6. Turn the joystick to the right position then press it and hold until the the blue and
amber indicator LEDs turn off.
7. G3s will power off after around 10s.
8. ACC Calibration complete.
horizontal
6
4
Blink
5
vertical
P.10
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
5. Q&A:
Q1. Why my SwiftCam G3s has no power even with new batteries?
A: System reset is needed, performance Factory Parameter Reset.
Q2. Why my SwiftCam G3s has no power even the front blue LED is light on?
A: Check if the batteries are new/ fully charged by checking the status of Shooting
mode indicator. (They flash if battery power is low).
Q3. Why my SwiftCam G3s cannot stop moving intensely after powered on?
A: System reset is needed, performance Factory Parameter Reset.
Q4. Why my SwiftCam G3s drifts slowly despite the gimbal is held still?
A: This could be due to Temperature change, performance Gyro Calibration once.
Q5. Why my SwiftCam G3s slant to one side seriously (over 10 degrees) when the
gimbal is held steady?
A: ACC Calibration is needed.
Q6. Why my SwiftCam G3s slant to one side slightly (smaller then 10 degrees) when
the gimbal is held steady?
A: You can adjust the camera level position by using the Assistance Software.
Q7. Why my SwiftCam G3s slant to one side when rotating the whole gimbal?
A: Gyro Calibration is needed.
Q8. Why my SwiftCam G3s become unstable easily when doing sport firming with
new batteries?
A: Adjust faster Follow Speeds using Assistance Software.
Q9. Why my SwiftCam G3s joystick control speed is very slow?
A: Adjust faster Joystick Speeds using Assistance Software.
P.11
6. Warranty information
SwiftCam warrants to the original purchaser (“Buyer”) for 1-year full warranty (effective
starting from the date of purchase) that this SwiftCam product will be free from defects
in materials and workmanship under normal operations.
6.1. How to obtain warranty service
Buyer may obtain warranty service by contacting SwiftCam/dealers. If the product is
shown to have defects in materials or workmanship during the warranty period,
SwiftCam/dealers will replace it with one that is at least functionally equivalent. The
replacement product may not be new, but if will be in good working order, and will be
warranted for the balance remaining of the original warranty period. Buyer must return
the original defective product to SwiftCam/dealers.
6.2. Limitations and exclusions
This warranty does not cover the following: Buyer’s costs incurred for removal or
reinstallation of the product; normal wear and tear; uninterrupted or error-free
operation of a product; and failure or damage resulting from misuse, accident,
modification, unsuitable physical or operating environment, natural disasters, power
surges, or improper maintenance by anyone other than SwiftCam/dealers. This warranty
is voided by removal or alteration of identification labels on the product or its parts.
SwiftCam/dealers shall not be liable for more than the amount of actual direct damages
suffered by Buyer, up to the amount paid for the product, regardless of the basis of the
claim against SwiftCam/dealers.
P.12
SAVOUR THE MOVING MOMENT
W. www.swiftcam.com
T. +852 9010 8575
E. [email protected]
SG3S201506V5