Miller 1851, 1852 User manual

compass

Fluid Head

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

#1038 Compass 25 Fluid Head

25

Features and Controls

Sliding Platform Lock

Pan Handle Clamp

Sliding Platform

Tilt Lock

Pan Handle

Pan Lock

Threaded Stud

Clamp Nut

2

Features and Controls

Camera Plate

Camera Screws

Release Knob

Tilt Drag Control

Accessory Mounting

Quick Release Knob

Safety Tab

Counterbalance Selector

Bubble Level

Pan Drag Control

Fig. 2

3

Introduction Safety Instructions

Thank you for purchasing the Compass 25 Fluid Head. The
Compass 25 Fluid Head has been designed to suit payload
capacities from DVCAM to standard conf iguration ENG cameras.

The robust design and construction of the Compass 25 Fluid Head
offers maximum stability, accuracy and durability and includes
precision ball bearing m ounted Fluid Drag Plat e system in the Pan
and Tilt assembly to deliver true fluid drag performance over the
entire temperature and payload range.

The Fluid Drag and the Counterbalance system were designed to
provide excellent control and repeatability and offer progressive
equal increments of drag and torque.

Please use this manual to familiarise yourself with the
operation of the Compass 25 Fluid Head and observe these
instructions to prevent any damage to your equipment. Ens ure
that all equipment is operatin g correctly and free from defects
and damage, also please ensure that the tripod is steady,
secure and that the bowl is approximately horizontal when
attaching the camera. The operat or is responsible for the safe
operation of this piece of equipment.

• Do not exceed the maximum payload capacity of the Fluid
Head.

• Do not leave the camera unattended on the Fluid Head.

The Compass 25 Fluid Head also offers Illuminated Bubble level.
The Compass 25 Fluid Head will give best performanc e when used

on a wide range of Miller tripods, includ ing SOLO ENG (#1505), 2­Stage (#402) and Sprinter II (#1576) tripod. This will ensure
maximum system stability to suit any professional set-up. The
Compass 25 Fluid Head will suit most industry standard 100 mm
tripods as well, please refer to manufactur es’ manual for mounting
details.

• Do not release the SLIDING PLATFORM LOCK whilst the
camera is at an angle.

• Do not adjust the tripod whilst the camera is attached to
the Fluid Head.

• Ensure PAN HANDLE CLAMP and CLAMP NUT is
securely tightened.

• Apply TILT LOCK when adding/removing equipment from
the camera or when attaching/removing the camera from
the Fluid Head.

• Hold camera securely whilst changing Counterbalance,
Pan Drag or Tilt Drag settings.

• Hold the camera securely whilst releasing the RELEASE
KNOB.

• Hold camera securely whilst adjusting the CLAMP NUT to

level the Fluid Head.

4

Technical Data

Weight 2.8 kg
Payload Range 4.0 – 14.0 kg
Max.Payload Capacity 20 kg
Tilt Drag 5 Selectable fluid drag positions + 0
Tilt Range + 90˚ / -75˚
Tilt Lock Positive Lock caliper brake system
Pan Drag 5 Selectable fluid drag positions + 0
Pan Range 360˚
Pan Lock Positive Lock caliper brake system

Counterbalance System

Camera Platform Type

4 Selectable positions (see
performance graph)

Sliding platform with 70 mm travel &

quick release Euro Camera Plate.
Camera Plate 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/4” + Pin Carriage
Mounting Base Ø100 mm Ball Levelling
Ball Level Range 10˚

Handle

Standard black anodised pan

handle with adjustable angle.

190 (7.5)

71 (2.8)

163 (6.4)

HEIGHT
ABOVE BOWL

175 (6.9)

165 (6.5)

90 (3.5)

102 (4.0)

Ø 98 (3.9)

Ø100 (3.9)

Temperature range -40˚ C to +65˚ C
Construction

Lightweight diecast Aluminium

alloy, moulded reinforced plastics
Sealing Water & Dust resistant

Matt black (low sheen) durable
Finish

powder coated with anti-corrosive

pre treatment
Warranty 3 Years.

5

Operating Instructions

The operating instructions are describ ed in six steps. Please
read and understand these instr uctions before using this
equipment. Do not omit any steps.

1 Fluid Head Set-up.

Pan Handle Clamp

1.1 Loosen t he PAN HANDLE CLAMP full y then rotate the

PAN HANDLE until it is approxim ately perpendic ular to
the THREADED STUD (fig. 3) and tighten the PAN
HANDLE CLAMP - avoid contact wear between the
serrations on the Fluid Head and the PAN HANDLE
CLAMP, if this occurs then unwind the PAN HANDLE
CLAMP further.

1.2 Ensure that the TRIPOD BOWL is approximately

horizontal. Place the Fluid Head into the TRIPOD
BOWL, adjust the BUBBLE LEVEL (fig. 3) such that
the bubble is inside the black circle and tighten the
CLAMP NUT.

1.3 Set the initial control setti ngs as follows – see Figure 1

& 2:

• Select Counterbalance to position 4 (top setting).

• Select Pan & Tilt Drag to position 0.

• Tighten the PAN LOCK, TILT LOCK and the

SLIDING PLATFORM LOCK.

Pan Handle

Illumination Button

Threaded Stud

Clamp Nut

Fig. 4

6

Operating Instructions

2 Camera Set-up.

2.1 Remove the CAMERA PLATE b y pulli n g down t he S AFE T Y

TAB while rotating the QUI CK RELEASE KNOB to the left .
The CAMERA PLATE should pop out.

2.2 Refer to the Camera’s owners manual for correct method of

attachment to the CAMERA PLATE. Inspect the CAMERA
PLATE and remove the 1/4” and 3/8” scre ws or the 1/4” +
PIN CARRIAGE (DVCAM mount) as required. T he 1/4” an d
3/8” screws can be stored underneath the SLIDING
PLATFORM (fig. 1).

2.3 Attach camera accessories and the battery to t he camer a, it

is recommended to estimate the camera’s Centre of Gravity
(C of G) for the purpose of correctly positioning the camer a
on the CAMERA PLATE. The camera’s C of G can be
estimated by placing the camera on to a round rod and then
shifting it backwards or forwards until a b ala nce point – C o f
G - is achieved. It is recommended to identify this point on
the camera as it will be useful in step 2.5.

2.4 Attach the CAMERA PLATE to the camera or the QUICK

RELEASE TRIPOD ADAPTOR and securely tighten the
screws.

C of G

Sliding Paltform

Sliding
Platform
Lock

2.5 Align the CAMERA PLATE with the SLIDING PLATFORM

and slide it in until the safety mechanism is engaged.

2.6 Release the SLIDING PLATFORM LOCK and slide the

SLIDING PLATFORM such that the camera’s C of G is
directly above the centre axis of t he Fluid Head and tighten
the SLIDING PLATFORM LOCK (fig.5). If this can not be
achieved then reposition the CAMERA PLATE on the
Camera or the QUICK RELEASE TRIPOD ADAPTOR –
step 2.4. This will ensure that the system has maximum

stability

.

Fig. 5

7

Operating Instructions

3 Counterbalance Control

The counterbalance system was designed to neutralise the
effect of the camera weight when it is tilted. The Compass 25
Fluid Head offers a 4 position counterbalance system which
can be operated via the COUNTERBALANCE SELECTOR
(fig. 2). The COUNTERBALANCE SELECTOR must be
operated when the SLIDING PLATFORM is in a horizontal
position. After changing t he Counterbalance setting it may be
necessary to tilt the camera back and forth to ensure that the
CB spring has engaged. The camera must be held securely
while changing the Counterbalance setting.

3.1 For safety ensure that Counterbalance position 4 is

selected.

3.2 Hold the camera and release the TILT LOCK, then gently

tilt the camera from a horizontal position forward then
backward and observe its response. If the Camera
‘Springs Back’ to the horizontal position then a lower
Counterbalance setting is required, select
Counterbalance position 3 and recheck, select lower
setting again if necessary. Correct counterbalance setting
has been achieved when minimum effort is required to
move the camera over the entire tilt range.

Counterbalance Performance

Compas s 25 Fluid Head Counterbalance.

300

250

200

150

100

50

C of G above Camera Plate (mm)

0

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30

Camera Payload (kg)

TIP Fine tuning can be achieved by adjusting the SLIDING

PLATFORM – see step 2.6.

8

Operating Instructions

4 Pan / Tilt Drag Control.

The Compass 25 Fluid Head offers 5 selectable positions of fluid drag
+ zero setting in the Pan and Tilt. The settings are equally stepped
from light drag in position 1 up to heavy drag in position 5, the drag
plates are completely disengaged in position zero.

• Do not Pan or Tilt the Fluid Head whilst adjusting PAN or TILT

DRAG CONTROL or whilst the PAN & TIL DRAG CONTROL is
between settings.

• The drag setting can be changed at any tilt or pan angle.

5 Pan / Tilt Lock Control.

Tilt Drag Control

Counterbalance Selector

The Compass 25 Fluid Head offers high capacity caliper disc brake
system to hold the Fluid Head in a fixed pan and/or tilt position.
Camera position will not change when applying or releasing the Pan /
Tilt locks.

• Do not pan or tilt the Fluid Head whilst the PAN or the TILT

LOCK is partially applied.

6

Illumination.

The Compass 25 Fluid Head offers illumination of the BUBBLE
LEVEL when the low ambient light conditions exist. Illumination can
be achieved by pressing the ILLUMINATION BUTTON once. The light
will switch off after 1 0 seconds.

Illumination Button

Bubble Level

Pan Drag Control

Fig. 7

9

Maintenance

The Compass 25 Fluid Head offers high quality surface
coatings. Miller recommends keeping the Fluid Head clean at
all times by using soft brushes and li nt free cloth to wipe over
the surfaces.

• Do not immerse the Fluid Head in any liquid.

• Do not use stiff brushes, abrasives, hars h detergents and

solvents.

•

Battery Replacement.

The Compass 25 Fluid Head uses a single 11A type - 6 Volt
battery for Illumination. Miller recommends the following
batteries to provide long life performance – GP11A, Duracell
MN11 or Vinnic L1016.

1 Using a Phillips Head #1 screw driver, remove the

RETAINING SCREW and the BATTERY DOOR.

Battery Housing

Illumination Button

2 Using a small flat screw driver remove the battery.
3 Align the new battery as shown on the back of the

BATTERY DOOR and place into the BATT ERY
HOUSING, then push down the battery into place. A
small flat screw driver may be used to push down the
battery into the BATTERY HOUSING.

4 Align the BATTERY DOOR into the body then tighten the

screw lightly.

10

Fig. 8

Retaining Screw

Battery Door

Battery

Storage

The Compass 25 Fluid Head can be stored for extended periods;
Miller recommends storage in a Miller Soft Case and the following:

• Remove battery.

• Clean the external surfac es.

• Keep in a dry place away from direct sunlight.

• Loosen off PAN & TILT LOCK.

SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

ITEM ITEM NO.
Battery P7715
Camera plate Assembly (Including 3/8” +

1/4” screws)
Camera screw 3/8” P0037
Camera screw 1/4” P0036
1/4” + pin carriage #493
Telescopic Pan Handle assembly
(including Handle Clam p)
Telescopic Pan Handle #692
Soft Case #876
Clamp nut P3836
Accessory Mounting Bracket Ass’y #1216
Accessory Mounting Adaptor Ass’y #1217

WARRANTY

Please refer to warranty card for complete details.

#860

#694

Service, Sales and Support

Miller Authorised Service Agents must carry out all service and
repair work. Failure to observe this requirement may void
warranty. It is advisable to notify Miller or a Miller Authorised
Service Agent if a change of performance is observed as a
result of dropping or rough usage. For information regarding
sales and service of Miller products or for your nearest Miller
representative please contact us via our website or at the
following:

MILLER CAMERA SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

30 Hotham Parade, Artarmon, Sydney,
NSW 2064 Australia
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

MILLER Camera Support (LLC) USA

218 Little Falls Road, Cedar Grove, New Jersey 07009-1231
USA
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

MILLER FLUID HEADS (EUROPE) LTD.
Unit 12A, Shepperton Business Par k
Govett Avenue, Shepperton, Middl esex TW17 8BA,
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

WEBSITE- www.millertripods.com

11

www.millertripods.com

MILLER CAMERA SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

30 Hotham Parade
Artarmon, Sydney,
NSW 2064 Australia
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

12

D7885-1