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Question for Neewer gimbal owners
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Mar 17, 2016 08:59:18   #
Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL
 
cucharared wrote:
Yeah, I know 70 bucks doesn't get much of a gimbal. But, this one seems well enough made to serve my needs. I can always move up in quality if I see I need better.

However, it is a little gritty in the pan motion. The swing arm was easy to disassemble and grease, but I can't get the cap off the top of the pan assembly to proceed. Seems like it should pop off with a knife blade or such but hasn't budged yet for me. I did pry the compass out to see if there was access under it (not going to put that dumb thing back in) but no access there.

Finally, my question. If you have disassembled yours to clean out grit and add new grease, what did you have to do to get the cap off? And was it ruined in the process?

thanks,
ron
Yeah, I know 70 bucks doesn't get much of a gimbal... (show quote)


Against most everybody's advice I decided to purchase the relatively inexpensive Opteka gimbal head, and sure enough, it showed the reported symptoms of grinding and rough rotation about the vertical and horizontal pivot points. Based on what I have observed on the 'Newer' and other lower priced units, they all seem to be manufactured by the same company; and yes, the center cap on the horizontal axis center can be pried off to gain access to the hex screw and bushing. I was able to hand polish, clean and lubricated the moving components and reassemble. I am happy with the results although this gimbal is far from the quality of the $300-$500 units.

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Mar 17, 2016 09:59:06   #
Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia
 
cucharared wrote:
Yeah, I know 70 bucks doesn't get much of a gimbal. But, this one seems well enough made to serve my needs. I can always move up in quality if I see I need better.

However, it is a little gritty in the pan motion. The swing arm was easy to disassemble and grease, but I can't get the cap off the top of the pan assembly to proceed. Seems like it should pop off with a knife blade or such but hasn't budged yet for me. I did pry the compass out to see if there was access under it (not going to put that dumb thing back in) but no access there.

Finally, my question. If you have disassembled yours to clean out grit and add new grease, what did you have to do to get the cap off? And was it ruined in the process?

thanks,
ron
Yeah, I know 70 bucks doesn't get much of a gimbal... (show quote)


You buy cheap you get cheap. I like the attitude if it does not work out I can upgrade. How about upgrading at 5 AM after driving 200 miles to a site and seeing the shot of a lifetime only to have the head fail - just upgrade?

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Mar 17, 2016 10:03:13   #
cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado
 
Mark7829 wrote:
You buy cheap you get cheap. I like the attitude if it does not work out I can upgrade. How about upgrading at 5 AM after driving 200 miles to a site and seeing the shot of a lifetime only to have the head fail - just upgrade?


Kinda snotty answer - but ABSOLUTELY true! No argument here.
:lol: :lol:

ron

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Mar 17, 2016 10:20:34   #
wapiti Loc: round rock, texas
 
A gimbal head for $66. There's your answer right there.

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Mar 17, 2016 12:14:48   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
You get what you pay for.

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Mar 17, 2016 17:44:03   #
INshooter Loc: Indiana
 
cucharared wrote:
Yeah, I know 70 bucks doesn't get much of a gimbal. But, this one seems well enough made to serve my needs. I can always move up in quality if I see I need better.

However, it is a little gritty in the pan motion. The swing arm was easy to disassemble and grease, but I can't get the cap off the top of the pan assembly to proceed. Seems like it should pop off with a knife blade or such but hasn't budged yet for me. I did pry the compass out to see if there was access under it (not going to put that dumb thing back in) but no access there.

Finally, my question. If you have disassembled yours to clean out grit and add new grease, what did you have to do to get the cap off? And was it ruined in the process?

thanks,
ron
Yeah, I know 70 bucks doesn't get much of a gimbal... (show quote)

Just for your info in case you buy another gimbal: a fellow hedgehog, MT Shooter, has a camera store and sells a well priced gimbal (nest gimbal) that most think is great. See this: http://www.cameracottage.com/equipment

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Mar 17, 2016 18:16:35   #
davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel
 
INshooter wrote:
Just for your info in case you buy another gimbal: a fellow hedgehog, MT Shooter, has a camera store and sells a well priced gimbal (nest gimbal) that most think is great. See this: http://www.cameracottage.com/equipment


FINALLY!

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Mar 18, 2016 01:00:36   #
cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado
 
INshooter wrote:
Just for your info in case you buy another gimbal: a fellow hedgehog, MT Shooter, has a camera store and sells a well priced gimbal (nest gimbal) that most think is great. See this: http://www.cameracottage.com/equipment


Thanks. I already knew this, and the Nest is what I'd want if I was sure I'd be using it enough. This cheapie will let me see if it's something that will become an integral part of my amateur photography or if it's just something that won't get used much. As it is, I don't have enough $$ invested to worry about.

ron

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Nov 7, 2021 14:31:01   #
Forster Stewart Loc: Letsgobrandon
 
Remove the tension knob on the pan section. Spray a liquid degreaser like Citrol degreaser, or greased lightning degreaser into the thread hole for the tension knob. It will take 12 or more time of filling with the degreaser and then re-install the tension knob. Mount gimball to 3/8" thread on tripod. Loosen tension knob spin gimbal repeatedly,remove tension knob. Repeat until the desired freedom of motion is acceptable. Then repeat the above steps filling with 3 in 1 oil several times for a rinse. Remove the tension knob screw then you can pack the small threaded opening with white lithium grease. Press the grease tube opening flush and hard against the thread opening. If any comes out force it in using your thumb to pack in. Put tension knob on and your done.

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Nov 7, 2021 23:41:20   #
MDI Mainer
 
INshooter wrote:
Just for your info in case you buy another gimbal: a fellow hedgehog, MT Shooter, has a camera store and sells a well priced gimbal (nest gimbal) that most think is great. See this: http://www.cameracottage.com/equipment


Unfortunately, MT Shooter, aka Carter Bouslaugh, retired and closed the Camera Cottage, his store in Montana, some time ago. Also, the manufacturer Nest was a casualty of the pandemic, and has ceased operation.

The link leads to a site that has the shop's domain name for sale.

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Nov 8, 2021 05:26:37   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Capture48 wrote:
Might help to know the brand.


Neewer

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Nov 8, 2021 05:27:52   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
INshooter wrote:
Just for your info in case you buy another gimbal: a fellow hedgehog, MT Shooter, has a camera store and sells a well priced gimbal (nest gimbal) that most think is great. See this: http://www.cameracottage.com/equipment


No he doesn't. He's folded his business.

The best alternative for under $200 is the Manfrotto 393. Not sexy, but certainly strong and durable. Used mine for years with a 600mmF4 - at the beach, in the snow and rain - no issues at all. Easy enough to take it apart and clean and lube.

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Nov 9, 2021 11:27:46   #
MDI Mainer
 
Gene51 wrote:
No he doesn't. He's folded his business.

The best alternative for under $200 is the Manfrotto 393. Not sexy, but certainly strong and durable. Used mine for years with a 600mmF4 - at the beach, in the snow and rain - no issues at all. Easy enough to take it apart and clean and lube.


$285 at B&H; $295 at Hunt's.

https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/heavy-telephoto-lens-support-w-rc3-rapid-connect-plate-357pl-393/

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