The Steadicam Volt™ System is a tool that provides Steadicam operators with horizontal stabilisation, giving them the ability to easily transition between fully manual and auto assist modes. Weighing only two pounds, the Volt System seamlessly integrates into an existing sled, providing greater opportunity for content creation without jeopardizing stability.
The two pound Volt system is unique in that it mounts directly to the gimbal, therefore adding no weight or height to the stage or base.
Features
- Keeps sled in neutral balance: stays level when starting, stopping and cornering
- Operators can switch from full Volt auto assist mode to conventional operation with a push of a button
- No balancing required
- No operating compromises
- Provides exact desired framing
- Fast and responsive
- Maintains level horizon
- Holds tilt angle
Compatible with:
- Steadicam M-1
- Steadicam Archer 2
- Steadicam Shadow V
- Steadicam Shadow
- Steadicam Ultra 2
- Steadicam Clipper 3
- GPI Pro Systems
The Steadicam Volt
Working with the sled’s inertia and neutral balance, the Volt generates
an “artificial bottom-heaviness” to keep the horizon level and headroom
stable. With the Volt, the operator can concentrate on precise framing,
timing, navigating, and other more interesting aspects of operating.
The strength of the roll and the tilt assistance can be individually
fine-tuned to suit the operator’s preferences, and easily adjusted for
different shots. The assistance can feel like operating a sled with a very
long drop time – easy to tilt or roll – to full gyro-simulation, with the
sled locked hard to the horizon in roll or tilt or both!
Because the sled is always balanced neutrally top-to-bottom, all
pendular effects from acceleration and deceleration are eliminated. Plus,
there is no re-balancing needed when switching to low mode!
The Volt also allows behaviors
that were impossible before. Like
“friction mode” which emulates a
fluid head with tilt hold and a fixed
horizon, bringing you new control
options for each and every shot.
In use, the Volt is completely
transparent to the operator, and it
feels exactly like regular Steadicam
operating – with perfect horizons.
The operator is always in full
and direct control of framing,
and can easily override the Volt’s
assistance.
The new dock
The padded dock is designed to protect the Volt electronics as well as
make docking and balancing easier. The low-profile design ensures
nothing contacts the Volt gimbal motor assembly when docked, and
the “over-center” arm swings into place to secure the sled. Docking
on the gimbal also reduces shock loads on your gimbal bearings. You’ll
note a low, primary balance stud on the side, which is barely higher
than your gimbal handle, making it a simple task to lift for balancing
regardless of the sled build.