Understanding drop time function in Steadicam rigs

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

2013Steadi-Newbies forum

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

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

Drop time measures how long it takes for the sled to rotate 90 degrees from horizontal to vertical position, expressed in seconds.
A shorter drop time (around 2 seconds) enables the rig to return quickly to its default position and works well for locked shots and fast pans.
A longer drop time (around 4 seconds) helps reduce pendulum effects when starting and stopping walking motion and is useful for drastic tilts.
Drop time represents the balance between maintaining feedback about the rig's neutral position and avoiding unwanted pendulum swinging during movement.
The optimal drop time varies depending on rig length and operator preference, with shorter rigs typically requiring shorter drop times and longer rigs accommodating longer drop times to achieve similar handling characteristics.
While drop time is measured in absolute seconds and degrees per second, the subjective feel and required drop time changes based on rig configuration to maintain consistent control characteristics.

The discussion contains unresolved disagreement about whether rig length affects the measurement of drop time itself or only the operator's preference for drop time values.
Recommendations provided are based on general practices and individual operator experience rather than systematically tested data.
The thread mixes beginner questions with advanced technical discussion, making it difficult to determine which claims apply to simpler setups versus complex rigs.