Balancing and tuning a lightweight camera rig on a Merlin 1 gimbal

Gear

ZephyrCan I fly my Alexa or RED on a Zephyr?389

Master SeriesIs a used Master Series rig worth buying as a first big rig?191

BFDHow do I power my BFD receiver from my camera or sled?186

VoltCan I retrofit a Volt onto my existing sled or gimbal?168

ArtemisHow do I power my camera and accessories from an Artemis sled?166

MDRWhere can I mount my Preston MDR on my rig?143

ModulusIs there a Modulus option for HD wireless video?141

G-70Will my G-70 fit my vest, gimbal or sled?126

FI+ZCan I control iris and zoom wirelessly, not just focus?60

HU3Where can I get my HU3 repaired, refurbished or repainted?60

CineLiveHow do I pack and case my CineLive rig for transport?54

G-70XHow does the G-70X compare to Pro Titan, Xarm and other arms?46

Trinity 2Is Trinity 2 SUP 3.0 firmware safe to install or buggy?46

Ultra VestWhich vest should I choose for my body size, comfort and operator type?39

2014Steadi-Newbies forum

12 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

The camera's center of gravity must be positioned directly above the gimbal, which may differ from cookbook recommendations; this can be checked by balancing the rig on a pencil or rounded object placed beneath the camera while the LCD screen is in shooting position.
Drop time should be set to approximately 2-3 seconds, controlled by adjusting both the arc setting and the bottom weights; if the rig continues moving when the operator stops suddenly, the drop time is too fast and requires adjustment.
Lighter camera setups require more closed arc settings and less bottom weight, while adding weight to the top (such as a microphone) requires complete re-tuning of the arc, center of gravity position, and bottom weights before the rig can perform properly.
The rig must be properly balanced and tuned before meaningful practice can improve operator performance; practicing with an incorrectly configured rig will not produce satisfactory results.

Advice is based on experience with smaller rigs like the Merlin and a JR model, which may not apply to all stabilizer designs.
The specific weight threshold for the Merlin is not stated; recommendations are based on a 1.2 lb camera being at the lighter end of what the rig can handle.
One respondent notes they cannot fully understand the cookbook settings referenced in the original post, suggesting those instructions may be confusing or unclear.