Please read the instruction manual
thoroughly before operating your aviator
stabilizer for the first time to avoid injuring
yourself or damaging the unit.
The robust construction of the aviator makes
it an excellent long-term investment, but its
precision design also means that you must
exercise care in the storage, transport, and
operation of the unit to ensure optimal longterm performance.
You should also review the accompanying
instructional DVD before attempting to shoot
usable footage with the aviator. The
standard aviator comes equipped with 3
subsystems:
VEST ARM SLED
and
rolling case, DVD, hex wrench, BNC-RCA video
cable, battery & charger, handle extension &
docking post (for mounting and balancing
sled on a C-stand or light stand).
AVIATOR
Professional dual-arm Camera
Stabilizer Instruction Manual
the following: 7” 16:9 monitor, padded
Page 2
Page 2
Aviators with Optional Battery Mounts
If you ordered your aviator with one of the
optional battery mounts (AB, NP, V-lock), your
kit will not include the battery and charger.
Subsystems
The Vest
The purpose of the vest is to comfortably
distribute the weight of the camera and
stabilizing system on your body. To achieve
optimal results, you should adjust the vest
so that it fits
snugly.
- Adjust the vertical
fit by adjusting the
straps, pulling the
chrome release pin
and sliding the chest
plate up or down
until you find the
right position.
- Adjust the
tightness of the
vest around your
waist using the Velcro strap, drawing
it around evenly on both sides of the
lower vest pad.
- Adjust the tightness around your torso by
positioning the Velcro straps across the back
of the vest and securing the buckles to the
chest plate. Make the vest as tight as
possible to maximize operational quality and
comfort. Once you’ve adjusted the vest,
remove it for easy re-suiting by unclipping the
buckles and strap on one side only.
Page 11
Low Mode Assembly
The Low Mode kit consists of
the camera cage, the sled-toarm tie rod, and a few screws.
Start by attaching the dovetail
plate (upside-down) to the top
of the camera cage using the
supplied screws (the top of the
cage has threaded holes).
Then turn the sled upside-down
and slide the dovetail plate into
the stage. Mount the camera
inside the cage using the
supplied screw. Connect the
sled to the arm using the tie
rod; the gimbal handle should
fit into the round hole on the
oval shaped end of the tie rod
and the squared end should
slide over the post on the
spring arm.
The stage knobs and multiple
cage holes allow for horizontal
balance adjustment, and you can
adjust the vertical balance
using the same adjustments as in
normal upright mode.
Camera cage may differ
slightly from those pictured
Page 3
Page 4
insert the charged battery into its housing
(LEDs facing out) and plug in the connector
cable, then tighten the screws. To prepare
the camera for attachment to the sled you
should first find the center of gravity (CG)
of the camera. The CG is the point at which
the camera will balance best, and it can be
determined by using a rounded object such as
a pencil. Set the camera lengthwise on top of
the pencil so that it is balanced to find the
lateral center (side-to-side), and then set it
on top of the pencil in a perpendicular
orientation to find the longitudinal center
(front-to-back). The spot where the lateral
and longitudinal centers intersect is the CG
– you may want to mark the CG with a grease
pencil or non-permanent marker.
Once the CG is determined, you must mount
the camera to the dovetail (mounting plate)
using a hole that will put the CG closest to
the center of the mounting platform. Look at
the bottom of the dovetail - on one side you
will see a metal rack of teeth and on the
other side a pair of sloped end stops. When
you attach the dovetail to the camera, you
want the rack to be on the same side as the
viewfinder (or lcd display) so that it will line
up with the brass gear in the dovetail
channel of the stage.
Locking
Pin
Dovetail lock
Lateral
adjustment
Longitudinal adjustment
Page 9
If the sled is not already mounted to the arm,
do so. Now you need to Set the “float point”,
which is the ideal point of arm spring tension.
At the end of each arm section you will find a
thumbscrew for adjusting the spring tension.
Clockwise turning increases tension while
counter-clockwise turning decreases tension.
You will want to play with the independent
adjustments of each arm section until you
get the right cumulative force. There should
be some degree of balance between the two
sections, but the lower arm section bears
more weight, so the amount of adjustment may
be different. Set the adjusters until both
arm sections are near or above a horizontal
level and the arm is compliant but not
‘mushy’.
The float point is not necessarily an exact
setting, and you may find that what works for
you is slightly different than another
person’s preferred float point. The
important thing is the end result: you have a
sled that rises and falls with slight force
and absorbs most of the shock imparted by
walking.
Now you should be able to turn on the
monitor and begin practicing, assuming the
battery is charged. You may need to adjust
the balance slightly after positioning the
monitor.
Page 4
Page 10
OPERATION
For instructions on operation, watch the
DVD. Generally speaking, you have to keep in
mind that the stabilizer will not work like a
magic wand and instantly transform your
shots into brilliant footage. Operator skill
is critical, and it takes many hours of
practice to master this device, but the reward
for all the practice will be substantial. Here
are a few simple quick-start guidelines:
-Hold the system by the gimbal handle
to control the orientation and elevation
of the sled.
-With the other hand, lightly grasp the
center post of the sled just below the
gimbal, holding it close to the gimbal
for optimal control.
-Delicately grasp the center post with
your fingertips, like a flute – do not
grab it like a handlebar.
-Practice good posture and hold the
sled close to your body.
-Fine-tuning of the balance adjustments
may be necessary a few times during
operation.
-The way you walk will affect the quality
of stabilization, so you need to develop
a light-footed rhythmic pattern.
-Practice for at least 20 hours before
attempting to acquire usable footage.
The DVD contains detailed, clear instructions
and tips on operation, and if you have any
general questions, visit the website –
www.varizoom.com. If you’ve watched the
video and practiced and still have technical
questions, call 310-545-0466.
Page 3
The Sled
The Sled is the subsystem that holds the
camera, viewing monitor, and battery. The
Sled mounts to the arm, and in tandem they
create a stabilizing effect.
The Sled can be adjusted at various points to
change its weight distribution, which in turn
enables you to accommodate cameras of
different sizes, shapes and weights. The basic
principles of sled adjustment are that you
want the section of the sled below the pivot
point (Gimbal) to be effectively heavier than
the upper section, and you want the camera’s
mass to be centered on the rotating axis. It
is easier to balance the sled with the aid of a
c-stand, but it can also be done while it is
mounted to the arm.
The Stage
adjust the horizontal balance
of the system and houses the
video and power connectors.
The Post and Gimbal
smooth pan and tilt action, a
mounting socket for the spring
arm, and a grip handle. This
section also features one of
several vertical balance
adjustment points.
The Lower Sled
monitor and battery. To fix the
monitor to the swivel mount,
line up the flat edges of the
screw with the slot so it will
slide on, tighten the knob, and
plug in the video and power cables.
enables you to
provide
holds the LCD
Page 5
Page 6
P1 -
Weight Plate Attachment - If your fully
loaded camera weighs less than 10 lbs, you
will have to attach the supplied weight plate.
- Start by mounting the weight plate to the
camera (above) –
several screws, and you will use the shorter
hex socket head screw to attach the weight
plate to the camera. This screw will go into
one of the counter-bored holes. You should
try to position the weight plate so that the
camera’s CG lines up with the centermost
hole of the weight plate. Use the supplied
3/16” hex wrench to tighten the screw.
- Next, attach the dovetail to the weight
plate using the two slot-head screws (see
pictures below). Slide the assembly into the
stage and you’re ready to continue.
The weight plate comes with
Page 7
You are now ready to learn the balancing
procedure. Pick up the sled/camera assembly
and place the gimbal handle onto the steel
post at the top of the vest-mounted arm (or
onto the c-stand adapter post). The post
should slide up into the socket of the gimbal
handle, securing the sled in place. Now you
can check the vertical balance of the sled.
Make sure the dovetail is locked. If
balancing the sled while on the arm, Grasp
the gimbal handle as a control point and
hold the arm in place. Using your free hand,
turn the sled 90 degrees so that it is
horizontally oriented, and let it drop back to
the vertical position.
close to the center post of the sled in order
to maintain control of the swinging action.
Ideal vertical balance is reflected by a “drop
time” of 2-3 seconds, meaning it should take
2-3 seconds for the sled to swing down 90
degrees to the vertical plane (it will swing
past that point, but count only until it
reaches the vertical plane). If the system is
top heavy (more than 3 sec), adjust the
balance by repositioning the gimbal assembly
upward, and if it is bottom heavy (less than 2
sec), move it downward. When you loosen the
gimbal clamp with your 3/16” hex key, you
should support the weight of the sled by
grasping the center post firmly. Make sure
you leave a gap between the gimbal clamp and
the bearing below it. If the gimbal clamp
rides on top of the bearing, it will cause drag
on the pan action. You can further adjust
the vertical balance by extending the lower
sled downward, which will make the system
more bottom-heavy.
Keep
your free hand
Page 6
Page 8
To extend the lower sled, loosen the hex
screw on the knurled clamp (using the 3/16”
hex key) while supporting it from below.
Be
careful not to overextend the lower sled, as
there are wires inside the center post (there
is a safety catch, but don’t test it).
find the right position, tighten the knurled
clamp just enough to fix the lower sled in
place (don’t overtighten). Test for 2-3 sec
Drop time and adjust, if necessary.
Special Note: Cameras near the top of the aviator’s
weight capacity may need additional counterweight to
achieve proper vertical balance. If you cannot achieve
vertical balance by adjusting the gimbal position
upward and extending the lower sled and battery
housing fully, you may need to attach the included
lower sled side weights – see pictures below.
Now you can adjust the horizontal balance,
which is accomplished by adjusting the
longitudinal and lateral positions of the
camera on the stage. loosen the dovetail
lock and adjust the knob at the front of the
stage until the camera is level. If the sled
leans to one side, you can adjust the stage
laterally by using the second knob. Both
knobs adjust in very fine increments, so you
will find it is best to turn them slowly until
you hit the “sweet spot” (where the camera
stays totally level). Finish by tightening the
dovetail lock.
When you
Page 5
Once it is securely fastened, slide the
mounting plate into the dovetail channel of
the stage while making sure the rack is on the
same side as the brass gear. You may need to
push up on the dovetail lock to fully install
the plate. Position the dovetail so that the
camera is fairly centered. When properly
installed, the locking release pin should
prevent the plate from sliding out, but you
should go ahead and secure your camera by
tightening the dovetail lock.
Plug your video cable from the camera to the
video output on the back of the stage. Set
the sled/camera assembly aside, as final setup
must be done with the arm and vest mounted
on your body or using a C-stand. Use the
supplied docking post to mount the sled to a
C-stand. Exercise caution to make sure the
stand will not tip over (use sand bags if
needed).
The Arm
The arm is the link between your body and the
sled. The arm provides vertical support and
allows the camera and sled to float. The
Aviator arm is a double-articulated, springloaded arm designed to handle cameras 5 to
15 pounds. For cameras under 10 pounds,
you will have to use the supplied weight
plate. Once you determine the exact weight
of your fully loaded camera, you can decide if
you need to use the weight plate.
If your fully loaded camera is between 10 and
15 pounds, you can skip section P1 on page 6.
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