Tilta has announced its new Hydra Arm Mini. The Hydra Arm Mini is being touted as the first portable camera car crane that meets the quality and requirements of top cinematographers that is under $10,000 USD.
The concept behind the Hydra Arm Mini was to create a vehicle-mounted crane that was within reach of more filmmakers. The system was designed to be portable, lightweight, and relatively easy to use for filming vehicles from multiple angles.
What gimbals can you use with it?
While the Hydra Arm Mini was made specifically for use with the DJI RS 3 PRO and RS 2, it is also compatible with a range of gimbals and camera systems such as the Ronin 4D, Ronin MX, and Freefly Movi Pro.
Other gimbals can be used as well as long as they can be mounted via 1/4″-20 threads, powered via Gold/V-Mount batteries, and stay within the 22lb /10kg weight limit.
Design & Weight
The system utilizes a lightweight, counterweight-free design making the system faster to set up and safer to operate. Users also only need to focus on one end of the arm at any given time.
The included suction cups, speed rail, and ratchet straps allow you to mount the system easily to most vehicles that can support the 155lb / 70.3 kg weight of the arm (not including a gimbal or camera). There are also optional suction cup kits for vehicles with various-sized sunroofs including panoramic sunroofs, as well as an optional Electronic Kit that allows users to monitor the suction cup pressure remotely for added safety.
The Hydra Arm Mini was designed to operate in temperatures from 5°F (-15°C) to 122°F (50°C) and at an altitude of up to 13,780ft (4200m).
What speeds can the Hydra Mini Arm be used at?
The Shock Absorbing Arm helps stabilize the gimbal when operating on uneven surfaces and can be adjusted for various payloads. The system can support speeds of up to 74 mph (120 km/h) in ideal conditions, but Tilta recommends keeping speeds at or below 37 mph (60km/h), especially when using heavier cameras or lighter gimbals. The primary factors that will impact operating speeds are camera weight, gimbal strength, and weather conditions.
The Shock Absorbing Head of the arm can be individually adjusted for both the horizontal and vertical axis.
Controller
The included Controller connects via a wired connection ensuring reliable communication to the arm.
The Controller gives the operator access to various options for the tilt and pan axis, including speed, dampening, and range of motion limitations for each axis individually. Custom user settings allow the operator to select from a range of configurations so that they can operate in a way that is most comfortable to them.
Expanded Control Option
There is also an expanded control option called Pro Mode that allows users to control the Hydra Arm Mini and an RS2/RS3 Pro Gimbal simultaneously through the controller. Please note that Tilta states that this is not recommended for most shooting situations, and is only advised with proper precautions.
Power
The system includes a V-Mount or Gold Mount Battery Plate that is mounted on the end of the arm which allows users to power their gimbal via the included P-Tap to 2 Pin Power Cable or with a different cable if needed. The arm itself does not have any power or video passthrough features meaning you will need to utilize a wireless video transmitter (not included) and power your camera via onboard batteries or the Gold/V-Mount battery plate found on the arm. To power the system, you will need a 220V 1000wH+ power source which is NOT INCLUDED. Tilta recommends the EcoFlow Delta and a 110 to 220V Power Converter if needed.
How portable is it?
The Hydra Arm Mini comes in three cases. The entire system tips the scales at 155lb / 70.3 kg. This makes it still reasonably portable and you could check in the cases on an aircraft.
Above you can see what is inside those cases.
Installation
Above you can watch a very detailed instructional guide on how to install the Hydra Arm Mini.
Specifications
Price & availability
The Hydra Arm Mini retails for $9,999 USD and it is now available to order.
