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DV Sportster shown with VariZoom FlowPod and UltraLite
The DV Sportster is covered by a 1 year parts and labor warranty.
Stabilizing Arm/Vest Manual
Thank you for purchasing the new DV Sportster. Please
read the instruction manual thoroughly before operating it
for the first time.
The DV Sportster was designed to transform your FlowPod,
UltraLite, or other handheld stabilizer into a fully supported
system. Included with the package are the vest (w/ arm
bridge), spring arm, spool adapter for the UltraLite handle,
adapter post for mounting either the Steadicam Jr. or
Glidecam handheld units, and the padded carrying case.
Although it is fairly easy to set up the DV Sportster, you
must know how to use the handheld stabilizer before
you get started, so read the instructions for the handheld
unit first, if necessary. Operating the full system smoothly
will require practice.
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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. It’s probably best to start with the chest
plate extended upward at least
4-5 notches. To do this, pull the
stainless steel release pin and
slide the plate up until you find
the right notch, then let the pin
lock into place. Clip one of the
side straps to the side buckle on
the chest plate and one of the
shoulder straps to one of the top
buckles, then slide the vest onto
your body and snap in the other
buckles. See picture at right.
Adjust the top straps to
the proper length and slide
the chest plate up or down
until you find the right
position.
Adjust the tightness of the
vest around your waist
and hips using the Velcro
strap, drawing it around
evenly on both sides of the lower vest pad.
Adjust the tightness around your torso by reeling in the side
straps. 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.
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Operation Notes
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:
-Controlling the orientation of the sled is essential, so
find the best control point on the sled, in close
proximity to the gimbal.
-Grasp the control point lightly with only your thumb
and forefinger – do not grab it like a handlebar.
-Practice good posture and hold the sled fairly close
to your body.
-Your other hand may be put to use in controlling the
rounded base section of the arm where it mounts to
the bridge, but this is up to your discretion.
-Fine-tuning of the balance adjustments may be
necessary on occasion.
-The way you walk will affect the quality of
stabilization, so you will need to develop a lightfooted rhythmic pattern, and you may find that a
sideways step works better.
-Practice for at least 20 hours before attempting to
acquire usable footage.
-Seriously - practice, practice, practice.
For more info, visit
http://www.varizoom.com/flowcam/dvsportster.php
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Adjusting the Arm
The next step is to set the “float point”. This is essentially
the ideal point of spring tension, the state in which the sled
rises and falls with slight force. At the end of the arm you
will find a 3-prong knob for adjusting the spring tension.
Clockwise turning increases tension while counter-clockwise
turning decreases tension. You should adjust the tension
until the camera base floats at a level below your
collarbone, but the arm should not feel “spongy”.
Typically, the arm should be at or above the horizontal
position, and you should adjust the tension to a point that
minimizes bounce. The float point is not necessarily an
exact setting, and you may find that what works for you may
be 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.
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The Handheld Stabilizer, or “Sled”
On a professional stabilizer, the “sled” is the subsystem that
holds the camera, viewing monitor, and battery. With the
DV Sportster, things are a bit more simplified, as your
handheld stabilizer will become the sled, and your camera
has an onboard monitor and battery power. In tandem with
the spring arm, the sled creates a stabilizing or floating
effect by keeping the camera level, absorbing shock, and
allowing smooth panning action.
The basic principles of sled adjustment are that you want
the section of the sled below the pivot point to be effectively
heavier (slightly) than the upper section, and you want the
camera’s mass to be centered on the rotating axis. The
vertical and horizontal balance you need to achieve with the
sled should be explained in the instruction manual of your
handheld stabilizer.
For the DV Sportster, you want to keep your sled and
camera as light as possible, so try to minimize the total
weight. Following the instructions in your handheld
stabilizer manual, balance the unit with the camera mounted
before proceeding.
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The Arm
Mounting the Arm to the Vest
The spring arm absorbs the shock caused by walking, gives
vertical support for the weight of the camera/sled assembly,
and helps to create the floating effect. It connects to the
vest by means of the arm bridge, a 6.75” black bar that is
fixed to the vest and has an upward facing stainless steel
post at the other end. Connect the spring arm to the vest by
sliding the rounded socket onto this stainless steel post.
Setting up the Arm Mount for the Sled
*The spool adapter for the UltraLite comes mounted in place
at the top of the arm, opposite of the 3-prong adjusting knob
at the base (see picture below left). If you will be using the
Sportster with an UltraLite, then all you have to do is
remove the foam grip from the handle and slide the handle
into the spool. See pictures below for illustration.
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**If you will be using it with a
FlowPod, you will need to remove the
spool adapter from the yoke by
unthreading the retaining screw and
sliding the spool out (save it just in
case). Then push the foam grip of
the FlowPod down at least 1.5”,
accordion style, so that the groove on
the handle will slide into the yoke
(don’t fold or roll the foam grip – it
might tear). Finish by replacing the
Finish by replacing the
retaining screw
retaining screw, threading it in
completely.
***If you will be using a Steadicam Jr.® or Glidecam ®
handheld stabilizer, you will need to replace the spool with
the adapter post. Figure out which end fits into the bottom
of your handle and then insert the adapter post into the yoke
with the correct end facing up. Replace the retaining screw,
threading it in completely.
Steadicam Jr.® mounted on post Glidecam® mounted on post
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