Funsnap CAPTURE PI - User Manual

The Capture π is a 3-axis smartphone gimbal designed to enhance the stability and quality of smartphone videography and photography. It offers advanced stabilization, a highly portable foldable design, and a non-orthogonal structural design for seamless transitions between portrait and landscape modes. The gimbal also integrates live tracking features to improve live streaming experiences.

Function Description

The Capture π is primarily used to stabilize a smartphone during filming, reducing shakes and jitters to produce smooth, professional-looking footage. Its high-precision motors and aerospace-grade aluminum arms contribute to superior stabilization. The gimbal connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing users to control camera functions and access smart features through the dedicated Capture 2 App.

Power and Mode Control: The power button serves multiple functions. When the gimbal is off, a single tap checks the battery level. When on, a single tap switches between portrait and landscape modes, a double tap toggles between Follow and FPV modes, and a triple tap activates Inception Mode. Holding the button for 3 seconds powers the device off.

Camera Shutter Control: The shutter button allows users to take photos or start/stop video recording with a single tap. A double tap switches between the front and rear cameras when using the app, and holding the button switches between photo and video modes.

Battery Level Indication: A dedicated indicator displays the current battery level, ensuring users are aware of the remaining power.

Mode Indication: A mode indicator light (green, blue, or red, solid or flashing) clearly shows the current gimbal operating mode, such as Follow, PhoneGo, FPV, Inception, Lock, or Gimbal Motor Protection.

Joystick Control: The joystick provides intuitive control over the gimbal's pitch (up and down) and yaw (left and right) movements, allowing for precise camera adjustments.

Zoom/Focus Slider: This slider can be configured via the app to control either zoom or focus. In zoom mode, sliding towards 'T' zooms in and towards 'W' zooms out. In focus mode, it controls the camera's focus. The app also supports auto-tracking focus.

Trigger Button: Pressing and holding the trigger button activates Lock Mode, where the gimbal's roll, pitch, and yaw are locked. Releasing it returns to Follow Mode. A double press returns the gimbal to its neutral position. Pressing and holding also activates PhoneGo Mode, which provides faster gimbal movements for sports filming.

Lanyard Hole: This feature allows users to attach a lanyard for added security during use.

1/4 Inch Threaded Hole: Located at the bottom, this threaded hole enables mounting the gimbal on a tripod, extension rod, or other accessories.

Usage Features

Folding/Unfolding: The Capture π features a foldable design for portability. To unfold, hold the handle and rotate the gimbal arm 180 degrees until a click is heard. To fold, rotate the arm back 180 degrees until it clicks. It is crucial to ensure the stabilizer is off when folding or unfolding.

Charging: The gimbal is charged via a USB Type-C port. The battery level indicator displays white lights during charging. A full charge takes approximately 3 hours with a 5V 2A power adapter, providing up to 12 hours of operating time under ideal conditions.

Startup Procedure: After unfolding, secure the smartphone in the clamp, ensuring it is balanced (approximately 5mm off-center from the phone's center, with the camera lens on the left). Then, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds to boot up.

Default Mode (Follow Mode): By default, the Capture π starts in Follow Mode (indicated by a solid green light), where the camera smoothly follows the gimbal's pitch and yaw movements, with the roll axis locked. The joystick can also be used for pitch and yaw control.

Operation Modes:

• Standard: The gimbal is used in an upright position.
• Underslung: For low-angle shots, the gimbal can be held upside down, entering underslung mode.
• Inception Mode: Activated by triple tapping the power button, this mode allows the user to control the roll axis by moving the joystick left and right, creating dynamic rotating shots.
• Semi-Follow Mode: The phone camera follows only the yaw movement smoothly, with pitch locked, ideal for running scenarios.
• Portrait Mode: Single tap the power button to switch between portrait and landscape orientations.
• PhoneGo Mode: Activated by pressing and holding the trigger button, this mode provides faster gimbal movements for dynamic sports filming.
• Lock Mode: Press and hold the trigger button to lock the camera's roll, pitch, and yaw, preventing it from following gimbal movements. The joystick can still control pitch and yaw.
• FPV Mode: Double tap the power button to enter FPV mode, where the camera follows the gimbal's roll, pitch, and yaw movements, offering a first-person view experience.

Capture 2 App Integration: The Capture 2 App (available on iOS 11.0+ and Android 7.0+) unlocks advanced features.

• Bluetooth Connection: Connects the gimbal to the phone for wireless control.
• Smart Tracking: Offers face tracking (automatically tracks the foremost face) and object tracking (manually select an object by drawing a rectangle). A green frame indicates successful tracking; a red frame means the object is lost.
• Gesture Control: Allows taking photos with a scissor gesture (3-second countdown) or switching between photo/video modes with a palm gesture.
• Shooting Modes: Includes Panorama (180°, 320°, 3x3), Photo (single shot or timer), Video, Slow-motion (8x, limited to Huawei and iPhones), and Timelapse (static and waypoint). Waypoint timelapse allows setting up to 5 waypoints for automated gimbal movement.
• Camera Control: The app enables switching between front/rear cameras, accessing the album, and toggling the slider's function between zoom and focus.

Controlling Original Phone Camera: After connecting via Bluetooth, the gimbal can control the phone's native camera app. Pressing and holding the shutter button opens the original camera. A single press switches between video/photo modes or starts/stops recording. The zoom/focus slider controls zoom/focus in the original camera app.

Maintenance Features

Firmware Upgrade: The gimbal's firmware can be updated via the Capture 2 App. Users should ensure the battery has at least two indicator lights before upgrading. The process takes about 3 minutes, during which the app should not be closed or minimized. After a successful upgrade, the gimbal powers off automatically and needs to be manually powered on. If an upgrade fails, users should reboot the gimbal and retry.

Settings in Capture 2 App:

• Camera Settings: Adjust flashlights, grids, and image aspect ratios.
• Default Mode: Set the preferred default gimbal mode (Follow or Semi-follow).
• Joystick Sensitivity: Adjust the responsiveness of the joystick and reverse its control directions if desired.
• App Parameters and Version Information: Set image resolution for panoramas (low, medium, high), calibrate sensors if the gimbal drifts, adjust horizontal alignment, enable live face tracking for streaming apps, and check firmware/app versions.

Safety Guidelines:

• Water Resistance: The Capture π is not water-resistant; avoid contact with liquids, rain, or moisture.
• Temperature: Use the product between 0°C and 40°C. Avoid extreme temperatures to prolong its lifespan.
• Physical Damage: Do not crash, strike, drop, or place heavy objects on the product.
• Disassembly: Never disassemble the product, as it may lead to battery leakage, fire, or explosion.
• Battery Storage: For long-term storage, discharge the battery to 40%-65%. Avoid storing it fully discharged to prevent permanent damage. Discharge every 3 months to maintain battery activity.