At CES, Lok Cheung from our new sister site Photo Gear News got his hands on the new Steadicam Volt (If you watch closely you’ll see that I make a guest appearance). It is a small stabiliser designed for use with Smartphones and GoPros that recently launched on Kickstarter. The idea is that it has the control and response of a conventional Steadicam, but one that is much easier to use thanks to electronics and motors that assist to keep the camera level at all times.
Like a regular Steadicam the unit does require balancing using weights, but this is made simple through the use of magnetic attachments. Once balanced you simply power the device on and you are good to go. Using it takes a bit more skill than a regular gimbal and for best results you need to learn to point it using light finger control. But it’s nothing you can’t figure out in a few minutes of practicing.
If it looks familiar to you then that may be because we’ve actually seen it before here on Newsshooter. We saw an early prototype back on our NAB 2016 live show, when it was known by another name. It’s since been renamed and finessed into a proper working tool.
What I learned at CES is that the technology in the Volt could be used in future larger versions, perhaps capable of carrying a compact like the RX100 or maybe even an a7 or DSLR. I think this is where things get really interesting.
The Volt is currently on Kickstarter.
