2011Off Topic forum
Mobile application for calculating dynamic balance in Steadicam rigs
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Dynamic balance calculators are most useful during rig design and configuration to ensure that different combinations of monitors, batteries, and accessories can be properly balanced, rather than as on-set tools.
- A dynamic balance calculation tool can help designers verify that a sled remains balanceable when different monitor weights are positioned at various heights or distances from the battery placement.
- Dynamic balance apps are valuable when working with rigs that have adjustable monitor positions or when adding recorders and transmitters to understand their impact on balance.
- The underlying principles of dynamic balance calculations help operators understand weight distribution consequences even if they don't use the calculator during actual filming.
Depends on
- The practical value of mobile calculators for dynamic balance remains debated among users, with some questioning their real-world applicability on location.
- The Android app mentioned in the thread was never confirmed to be completed or released.
- An iOS version was reportedly developed by another participant but the hosting became unavailable.