Glidecam Industries X-10 User manual

GLIDECAM®
X-10TM
Quick Setup Guide
GLIDECAM INDUSTRIES, INC.
23 Joseph Street
Kingston, MA 02364
Customer Service Line: 781-585-7900
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
© COPYRIGHT 2007-2008 GLIDECAM INDUSTRIES, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Glidecam is registered at the PATENT and TRADEMARK office.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
5
2. QUICK SETUP
7
3. ADJUSTING THE LOAD SETTINGS OF YOUR SUPPORT ARM
17
4. REMOVING THE SPRINGS FROM YOUR SUPPORT ARM
21
5. INSTALLING THE SPRINGS INTO YOUR SUPPORT ARM
29
6. SPECIFICATIONS
29
7. WARNINGS
31
8. MAINTENANCE
33
9. WARRANTY
35

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a GLIDECAM X-10.
In order to use the GLIDECAM X-10 system, it is best to have a basic
understanding of how the system works in advance. So please make sure you read
this section before trying to setup and operate the GLIDECAM X-10.
The GLIDECAM X-10 is a highly advanced, professional camera stabilization
system that is very similar in design to the GLIDECAM SMOOTH SHOOTER;
however, the X-10 comes with both sections of its SUPPORT ARM being able to
move vertically, whereas the SMOOTH SHOOTER comes with only the front
section of its SUPPORT ARM being able to move vertically. Also, the X-10
comes with a trimmable ARM-TO-VEST CONNECTOR, whereas the SMOOTH
SHOOTER’S ARM-TO-VEST CONNECTOR is not trimmable.
The GLIDECAM X-10 is designed to allow you to walk, run, go up and down
stairs, shoot from moving vehicles and travel over uneven terrain without any
camera instability or shake when used with the GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or
GLIDECAM 4000 PRO (not included). The GLIDECAM X-10 is designed for
using cameras weighing up to 6 pounds when used with the GLIDECAM 2000
PRO, or for cameras weighing from 4 to 10 pounds when used with the
GLIDECAM 4000 PRO.
The GLIDECAM X-10 does not come with a GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or a
GLIDECAM 4000 PRO; however, it is specifically designed to be used with them,
and when they are used, they are referred to as the SLED. The SLED carries your
camera and is attached to the end of the SPRING-LOADED SUPPORT ARM,
which, in turn, is attached to the GLIDECAM SUPPORT VEST.
When using the GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or GLIDECAM 4000 PRO in hand-held
mode, your arm is carrying the weight of the SLED. However, when the 2000
PRO or 4000 PRO are used with the GLIDECAM X-10, it is the GLIDECAM X-
10’s SPRING-LOADED SUPPORT ARM that carries the weight of the SLED.
Because of this, you will now be able to shoot for extended periods of time,
whereas before, the stress associated with handholding the SLED reduced your
shooting time.
If you already own one of our hand-held stabilizers, then you will be able to use it
by simply attaching it to the end of the GLIDECAM X-10's Support Arm. Neither
the GLIDECAM 2000 PRO, nor the GLIDECAM 4000 PRO need to be modified
to work with the GLIDECAM X-10. You can use your camcorder's flip out LCD
monitor, or a monitor that is attached to the base of your GLIDECAM 2000 PRO
or 4000 PRO. This allows for remote viewing of the camera's image without
disturbing the orientation of the system.

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While the GLIDECAM X-10 is in essence a very simple device, its simplicity
doesn’t lend ease in answering that often asked question, “how does it work?” To
answer this question would require delving into Newtonian Physics and Classical
Mechanics. We would have to explain center of gravity displacement, inertia,
reduced friction and angular motion reduction etc. However, a quick answer
reveals the GLIDECAM X-10 works by “isolating” your body’s motion from your
camera, while your camera is balanced in an isolated and relatively motionless
state. The GLIDECAM X-10'S SUPPORT ARM can be boomed up and down, as
well as pivoted in and out and side-to-side. It is the combined booming and
pivoting action of the SUPPORT ARM that isolates your motions from the camera
in a way that creates smooth camera footage.
The GLIDECAM X-10 is a highly developed and meticulously engineered camera
stabilization system. Its ability to shoot smooth imagery within its weight range is
extraordinary. It out performs all of the competition in its class, yet remains truly
economical. The GLIDECAM X-10 is the realization of the need to stabilize
lightweight cameras using the same degree of sophistication employed to stabilize
heavy cameras. Acquiring the type of smooth footage that you have always
dreamed of is entirely possible with the GLIDECAM X-10.
The GLIDECAM X-10 requires practice and understanding to achieve
professional looking results. We highly recommend that the user reads this
manual thoroughly before setting up and operating the GLIDECAM X-10. Doing
so will save you time, and will minimize the risk of damage to your camera or the
GLIDECAM X-10. It is important to perform and follow the Setup and
Operation’s procedures in the proper sequence, in order to avoid both frustration
and a possible accident.
If you need technical assistance, you can call our Technical Support Line at 1-
781-585-7900, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Eastern Standard
Time, Monday through Friday. We’re sure that once you have yo ur GLIDECAM
X-10 up and running you will find years of enjoyment with it.

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CHAPTER TWO
QUICK SETUP
Since you will be using your GLIDECAM X-10 with either a GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or a
GLIDECAM 4000 PRO (hereafter referred to as the SLED), you should make sure that your
SLED is already setup and properly balanced. Please see the GLIDECAM 2000 PRO or 4000
PRO Manual for details regarding proper SLED setup and balancing procedures.
Figure 1 Figure 2
Included is a GLIDECAM X-10 DOCKING BRACKET, which allows you to park
your SLED while it is not in use. Securely attach and tighten the DOCKING
BRACKET onto the 5/8” RECEIVING PIN of an INDUSTRY -STANDARD C-
STAND (Not Included) as in figures 1 and 2.
It is always best to park your SLED on the provided DOCKING BRACKET, as in figure 3.
Although, if you do not currently have a C-STAND, it is acceptable to park your SLED on a
TABLE TOP and therefore not use the DOCKING BRACKET.

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Figure 3
When you park your SLED onto the DOCKING BRACKET, make sure that the SLED’S
HANDLE is facing directly outwards as in figure 3. By parking your SLED this way on the
DOCKING BRACKET, it will be easily accessible to you when it comes time to put the SLED
onto the end of the SUPPORT ARM.

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THE GLIDECAM X-10 SUPPORT ARM
The GLIDECAM X-10’s Dyna-Elastic™ dual-articulating SUPPORT ARM incorporates 38
precision radial bearings within its machined T6 aluminum structure. The placement and
implementation of these double-shielded bearings produce minimal friction and allow the
Dyna-Elastic™ SUPPORT ARM to pivot and boom very smoothly, and with virtually no
noise.
Four high-carbon alloy EXTENSION SPRINGS are employed within the SUPPORT ARM’s
hard-coat anodized EXOSKELETAL SHELLS. Utilizing class three levers, the energy of the
EXTENSION SPRINGS acts upon internal FULCRUM POINTS, and provides the SUPPORT
ARM with its lifting power. The spring tension is field adjustable and allows for varying
camera weights.
Our proprietary spring Inter-X-Change™ system makes the installation and removal of the
springs quick and easy. The SUPPORT ARM can be setup and used in either a Two-Spring
Mode, or a Four-Spring Mode. In the Two-Spring Mode, the SUPPORT ARM can hold a total
combined camera and hand-held stabilizer weight of 9 pounds. In the Four-Spring Mode, the
SUPPORT ARM can hold a total combined camera and hand-held stabilizer weight of 18
pounds.
A key design feature of the SUPPORT ARM is that it incorporates our Light-Force™
technology. This means that literally only a "light" force or effort is required by the operator to
hold the arm at any given position, or to boom the arm up and down. It is this Light-Force™
feature that provides the operator with the optimum amount of camera buoyancy or float.

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Figure 4
The GLIDECAM X-10 SUPPORT ARM (figure 4) comes pre-configured with four
EXTENSION SPRINGS, which are already installed. These SPRINGS are also
preset to their weakest LOAD SETTING. Later, in the CONFIGURATION
SECTION, we will discuss how to make adjustments to the arm in detail. For
now, leave the SPRINGS in the SUPPORT ARM at their factory setting.
Now, install the BLACK ARM POST into the ARM POST CLAMP at the end of
the SUPPORT ARM, as in figures 5 and 6.
Figure 5 Figure 6