VariZoom VZNAVIGATOR - Manual (Page 3)

Page 6
Start by fixing the Glidecam® handle adapter post to the
arm platform. You can use a coin to tighten the screw.
Make sure the post is secure by twisting it in the opposite
direction of the screw as you tighten it. Attach the
Glidecam® to the arm by sliding the handle over the adapter
post.
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 front end of the arm
you will find a tee-head 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 “mushy”.
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.
Page 3
The Handheld Stabilizer, or “Sled”
On a professional stabilizer, the “sled” is the subsystem that
holds the camera, viewing monitor, and battery. With the
Navigator, things are a bit more simplified, as your handheld
stabilizer will become the sled, and your camera probably
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.
Following the instructions in your handheld stabilizer
manual, balance the unit with the camera mounted before
proceeding.
The Arm
The arm is the link between your body and the sled. The
arm provides vertical support and allows the camera and
sled to float. The Navigator arm is a single-articulated
spring loaded arm. It is designed to be adjustable in two
weight ranges: 2 to 6 pounds and 6 to 10 pounds. As
shipped from the factory, the unit is set up for the higher
weight range.
Once you determine the exact weight of your fully loaded
camera, you can decide if the weight range of the arm
needs to be adjusted. If your fully loaded camera weighs
more than 6 pounds, you can skip sectionz A1.