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PowerVision S1 gimbal evaluation score
Generalize
PowerVision S1 is the only gimbal that I know of that fits comfortably in your pocket, making it easier to carry it with you when you travel. The performance is very good, and you can also enjoy the additional benefits of a built-in tripod and a power bank.
advantage
- Incredibly compact gimbal
- Multifunctional tripod and power bank
- Great show
shortcoming
- The price is high compared to many other brands
Smart phone PTZ has become popular in recent years, allowing us to get smooth movie videos from smart phones.
One of the main problems is their awkward shape, making most of them unable to fit in your pocket and often taking up a lot of space in small bags.
PowerVision S1 aims to solve these problems through a folding design that folds the components inside the fuselage into the shape of a medium-sized power bank.
Specification
- Mechanical range:
- Maximum control speed: 120°/s
- Folded size: 141.5 × 58.4 × 27.9mm
- Expanded size: 258.5 × 58.4 × 59.3mm
- Weight: 298g
- Compatible load weight: 220±60g
- Compatible phone length: up to 164 mm
- Battery: 15 hours, 4120mAh
- Charging: USB-C+ mobile phone wireless charging (10W output)
- Install:
- Phone case: iPhone 8 / XS / 11/12-Pro and Max models (currently not iPhone 13)
- Phone case: Samsung Galaxy S21 & S21 Ultra
- Magnetic universal phone holder
Design and features
PowerVision S1 claims to be the world’s smallest smartphone pan/tilt, and it is very compact. It is shorter and narrower than my Pixel 6, but it may be more than twice as thick. The overall size and weight are very similar to many medium-sized power banks.
It is easy to fit in a pocket, but the overall weight will be obvious. If you dress appropriately when you go out at night, you might feel a bit awkward, but you might be fine when you go out for a day in jeans.
The important part is that it can be carried in a pocket. Unlike all other gimbals, I have used them. This is achieved by retracting the main part of the gimbal arm into the main body of the gimbal.
Due to this unique design, there are some precautions.The universal joint uses a magnetic mounting system, which requires a dedicated mobile phone case or a universal magnetic bracket glued to the back of the mobile phone case/mobile phone
In addition to this unique design, you can also perform various common controls on the main body itself.
Then on the base, you have a threaded hole for mounting the tripod, but as an added benefit, you will get a convenient small built-in tripod. The built-in tripod is a bit shaky, you won’t want to use it outside on a windy day, but on a table indoors, it works very well.
Finally, PowerVision is equipped with a 4120 mAh battery, which not only provides it with an impressive 15-hour battery life, but is also equipped with a QI charging function, which allows you to provide your phone with a little extra power when you are out. m
Setup/install
My review sample is sent with the iPhone case, but I am using Android. In my initial test, I used the magnetic bracket that came with the case, which has very strong 3M tape, so I was able to stick it to my Pixel 6 phone case, and it turned out to be surprisingly effective.
Later I managed to test it with my partner iPhone.
One thing I realized in this case is that there is a small gap where you can install the case to the universal joint. This seems to be used to ensure that the gimbal can position the phone correctly.Use my DIY installation method Pixel 6 I had to try to rotate the phone a bit.
The gimbal can work normally without an app, but you will get the best experience from the Vision+S1 app. When you power on the gimbal, you should be able to see it in the app, so you can pair. After pairing, you may need to upgrade the firmware.
In use/application
Although due to the DIY installation, I encountered some problems in getting the Pixel 6 to stabilize normally, but the iPhone 11 worked immediately. If you find that your phone is not perfect, you can use the camera app for automatic calibration.
The application has a wide range of features, including:
- panoramic
- Photo
- Slow motion
- Time-lapse photography
Then the common video options are:
Performance is generally good. I don’t have extensive gimbal experience, but I want to say that it provides a level of performance similar to many affordable mid-range options.
If you rotate the gimbal too far horizontally, it will force the force to flip. Likewise, if you make a lot of violent movements, the phone may be slightly off-position. My tests are mainly exaggerated actions, so I suspect that these will affect the performance in actual use too much. The up and down tilt is a bit limited, only ±90°, but it is still better than other small heads.
The app can perform face tracking, which is its advantage, allowing the gimbal and the camera to automatically track the target when you or them move.
Connect to a tripod or use it in a built-in tripod, combined with AI tracking, making it ideal for anyone shooting material alone, such as video bloggers, or even virtual meetings.
Or, there is object tracking, which allows you to select objects by drawing a square around them. This applies to static and moving objects. The overall performance is good, and I find it easier to use than manually adjusting the camera with the built-in controls.
Prices and alternatives
The PowerVision S1 gimbal can be purchased directly from PowerVision or on Amazon. It is currently priced at 189 pounds and can enjoy a 5% discount coupon.
Zhiyun Smooth X is a good choice and much cheaper. It is folded in half, but the main arm is not contained in the device, so it may be more susceptible to damage. It is also only a 2-axis gimbal, so there is no vertical tilt.
DJI Osmo is the only device with a 3-axis gimbal that can be put in a pocket, but this is a device with a built-in gimbal and camera. The suggested retail price is £329
DJI OM 5 may be the best overall alternative. It folds into a compact shape and weighs only 292 grams. The folded size is larger than PowerVision, and it may be a bit uncomfortable to fold it in your pocket. I also have a shorter battery and no built-in tripod. However, RRP is 50 pounds cheaper, which is only 139 pounds.
comprehensive
PowerVision S1 is an excellent gimbal. It is the perfect accessory for people who like to go out and record videos when they are out, and it is also an ideal choice for people who travel a lot.
There is nothing that can compete with this gimbal. There is nothing more portable than this. Other gimbals I found, such as Zhiyun Smooth X, lack the tilt function.
The built-in power bank and tripod help it to be more useful than the pan-tilt, once again standing out from the crowd.
Compared with most other similar products, the disadvantage of this is that the price is relatively high. DJI OM 5 is a very attractive alternative. It is a well-known brand with attractive prices, but I think the overall portability of PowerVision S1 justifies the premium.
Last updated on 2021-12-22 / Affiliate link / Image from Amazon Product Advertising API
