Joby Smart Stabilizer

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Summary

Product Setup and Charging

Stabilizer Charging Procedure

Explains how to fully charge the stabilizer using the micro USB cable and charger.

Smartphone Installation

Guides on safely inserting the smartphone into the holder, specifying width limits and orientation.

Balancing and Orientation

Balancing the Smartphone

Details how to balance the smartphone on the stabilizer for optimal performance by adjusting the cross arm.

Powering and Charging

Powering On and Off

Instructions for powering the stabilizer on and off, including status indicator feedback and motor protection.

Motion Control and Reset

Stabilizer Reset Procedure

Explains when and how to perform a stabilizer reset, including troubleshooting steps.

Important Usage Notes

General Safety and Handling Tips

Provides critical usage guidelines, safety warnings, and handling advice for the stabilizer.

Overview

The JOBY smart stabilizer is a 3-axis handheld stabilizer designed for smartphones, enhancing video recording and photography by providing smooth, stable footage. It is engineered to reduce shake and blur, allowing users to capture professional-looking content with their mobile devices.

To begin using the stabilizer, it is crucial to fully charge the built-in battery. Connect the stabilizer to a 5V/2A USB charger (not included) using the provided Micro USB cable. The indicator light will turn red during charging and green once fully charged, signaling readiness for use. Before powering on the device, ensure your smartphone is securely installed. The stabilizer must be powered off when mounting the phone. The smartphone holder accommodates devices with a width range of 2.2-3.3 inches (57-84mm). For optimal performance, it is recommended to remove any protective case from your smartphone. To install, place the smartphone in the holder, push it against the back, and slide it towards the side of the stabilizer.

After mounting the smartphone, balancing is a critical step to ensure correct stabilizer functioning and prevent motor damage. With the stabilizer off, adjust the cross arm until the phone remains horizontal. If the smartphone tilts left, pull the cross arm to the right; if it tilts right, push the cross arm to the left. This balancing act ensures the stabilizer operates efficiently. The smartphone's orientation can be adjusted by rotating the phone holder. If the phone obstructs rotation, reposition it. When mounting the phone vertically, consider its weight: heavier phones (130-200g / 0.29-0.44 lbs) should be positioned in the middle of the holder, while lighter phones (<130g / <0.29 lbs) should be positioned towards the bottom.

To power on the stabilizer, press and hold the function button until the status indicator turns green and the device beeps. Powering off involves pressing and holding the function button until the status indicator changes from a flashing red to a solid red light, accompanied by a beep. It is vital to only turn on the stabilizer when a phone is mounted to prevent motor damage. Initial vibrations are normal for the first few seconds as the motor performs auto-adjustment; these will subside. If the battery is low, the status indicator will blink red three times every 5 seconds, indicating a need for charging. The stabilizer also offers a smartphone charging feature; simply connect your phone to the stabilizer using the appropriate cable (Micro to Micro, Micro to Lightning, or Micro to Type C) to charge it directly from the stabilizer.

The stabilizer features various operational modes and controls. The status indicator provides visual feedback on the current mode: blue light flashes once for Pan mode, twice for Follow mode, constant blue light for Lock mode/stabilizer initialization/motion control mode, and flashing blue light for initialization failure/malfunction. Red light flashes three times for low power and keeps flashing when powering off.

The Bluetooth shutter release button allows for remote control of your phone's camera. A single click takes a photo, while pressing and holding starts or stops video recording. During video recording, a single click can still capture stills. If the stabilizer fails to connect to the App, power off the device, then press and hold both the Bluetooth shutter release button and the function button to reset the Bluetooth connection.

The joystick provides intuitive control over the stabilizer's movement. Moving the joystick right/left controls pan, and up/down controls tilt. In Follow mode, the joystick can also adjust the roll axis angle (-30° to +30°) when moved right/left.

The function button offers multiple controls:

Single click: Switches between Pan Mode and Lock Mode.
Double click: Activates Follow mode. In Follow mode, the joystick can control roll and tilt axis angles. Clicking the function button once returns to Pan mode.
Triple click: Switches camera lens (requires the App).
Four clicks: Enters Motion control mode.
Five clicks: Initiates a reset. After a reset, click the function button to restart the stabilizer.

The trigger button also has specific functions:

Press & Hold: Temporarily locks pan and tilt in Pan or Follow mode until released.
Double click: Centers the camera away from the user on all three axes (pan, tilt, and roll) and switches back to the default Pan mode.

The control slider allows for adjusting phone camera parameters when using the stabilizer App.

Automatic rotation of the smartphone is a key feature. To rotate from horizontal to vertical, hold the stabilizer horizontally parallel to the ground, then press and hold the trigger button while simultaneously clicking the function button once. To reset from vertical to horizontal, hold the stabilizer horizontally parallel to the ground and double-click the trigger button. This function works only when the stabilizer is held horizontally parallel to the ground.

The stabilizer supports several operation modes:

Pan mode (Default mode): Roll and tilt directions are fixed, and the smartphone moves according to the user's hand movement.
Follow mode: Roll direction is fixed, and the smartphone moves according to the user's hand movement.
Lock mode: The smartphone's orientation is fixed.
Reset: Returns to Pan mode (default mode).
Manual Lock: In Pan, Follow, or Lock mode, the smartphone can be manually positioned. Manually move the smartphone to the desired position and hold for half a second; new tilt and/or pan positions will be automatically saved.
Motion Control Mode: This mode allows for constant speed movement, ideal for regular video and timelapse photography. For best results, attach the stabilizer to the included tripod. Motion speed can be set within the App's settings menu. To enter motion control mode, click the function button four times. To set the rotation start position, manually move the smartphone to the desired position, hold for half a second, and click the function button. Repeat this process for the rotation end position. The stabilizer will then automatically rotate uniformly from the start to the end position at the set speed. To exit, double-click the trigger button to reset to default mode. After auto-rotation, the stabilizer automatically exits motion control mode and enters Follow mode.

Maintenance includes resetting the stabilizer if the smartphone fails to remain level, if it hasn't been used for a long time, or if it's used in extreme temperatures. To reset, click the function button five times (motors will stop, status indicator turns solid blue). Place the stabilizer on a flat, horizontal surface. It will automatically reset after a few seconds of detecting no movement, indicated by three blue light flashes. After a successful reset, click the function button to restart. If the reset fails, try again.

For software updates, download the "Smart Stabilizer" App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Connect the stabilizer to the App to upgrade the firmware, ensuring you read the instructions carefully before upgrading.

Important notes for safe and effective use:

Always balance the smartphone correctly.
Only power on the stabilizer when the smartphone is mounted.
Do not force the motors to rotate rapidly beyond their 360° limit.
Keep the stabilizer away from impact, especially when the telescopic handle is extended.
Do not grab the top part when the stabilizer is powered on.
When placing the stabilizer on a flat surface, use a tripod to ensure it remains upright.
Keep the stabilizer away from water.
The stabilizer is not compatible with quick chargers.

Troubleshooting common issues:

Stabilizer not stabilizing or motors powerless: Ensure the smartphone is correctly mounted and balanced.
Vibration during normal use: Connect to the App and adjust the motor strength, as the default setting might be too high for lighter phones.
"No Stabilizer Found" or "Connection Fail" with App: Forget/cancel pairing in Bluetooth settings, close and reopen phone's Bluetooth, then search again. If still not found, turn off Bluetooth on other previously paired phones. Reboot the smartphone if the problem persists.
iPhone moves randomly during face/object tracking: Go to the phone control center and unlock screen rotation. Restore default settings in the App.

The JOBY smart stabilizer is a versatile tool designed to enhance smartphone videography and photography, offering a range of features for stable and creative content creation.