2024From a Facebook group: The Steadicam Group
MK-V The Level horizon stabilizer: geometry, weight, and compatibility compared to Wave and AR-Mini systems
Note (as of October 2026)Curt O. Schaller, the developer of Artemis and Trinity, has no longer been with ARRI since the end of 2025. To our knowledge, ARRI currently has no dedicated team and no official contact persons for its stabilizer systems. In our view, the future of this line is uncertain. If you are buying new, get written confirmation from ARRI beforehand on how long service and spare parts are guaranteed. Have used rigs checked by the manufacturer before you buy.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- The Level is reported by trade show visitors to be compact and significantly lighter than the Wave, possibly less than half the weight.
- The pivot point of The Level sits approximately 1 inch lower than on the Wave due to a tighter arc radius, reducing required camera height in setup.
- The Wave's arc radius measures approximately 170 mm (6.6 inches); The Level's arc is based on the current MK-V AR-Mini system geometry.
- The Level features an integrated standard dovetail plate; operators have requested variants compatible with ARRI Artemis 2 and SmartSystem top stages.
- At the time of discussion, approximately 20 units had been delivered; some inquiries to the manufacturer remained unanswered.
- Several operators hesitate to purchase due to previous negative experiences with MK-V products and wait for field reports; others praise the company's team and trade show presentation.
Depends on
- Product is a prototype with limited field deployment history
- Compatibility with non-standard top stages unconfirmed
- Manufacturer responsiveness to technical questions varied
Gear in this thread
Parts
Same gear or parts
- 2026Choosing between upgrading an older ProVid-2 kit or investing in a professional rig: workshop-first versus equipment-first approach for beginners.DisputedFacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Repairing shorted BNC video lines in an ARRI Artemis 1 sled: interim workarounds and permanent solutions.FacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Powering camera, monitor, and accessories simultaneously on ARRI Artemis with BMS battery bricks and matching battery plates.SteadiHub
- 2026MK-V Level horizon stabilizer: specifications, plate compatibility, price, and comparison to Wave.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group