Pilotfly H2 User manual

IM_208.CCF.20170508-EN
EN
Instruction manual
Pilotfly Technology Co. LTD. ■Jiafeng S. Rd. No.118,2F-2 ■Zhubei City, Hsinchu County 30271 ■Taiwan
Pilotfly GmbH ■Wendelsteinstr.12 ■86163 Augsburg ■Deutschland
3
-
axes stabilized steady stative
for mirrorless cameras and digital single lens reflex cameras (SLRs)

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Imprint
Version IM_208.CCF.20170508-EN
English, 2
nd
Edition, 05.2017
© Pilotfly
Copyright
This document is protected by copyright. All rights, including those of the whole or partial photo-mechanical
reproduction, duplicationand spreading(e. g., by means of data processing, to data carriers and data network
works) as well as content and technical changes, are left in the course of constant product improvements.

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Dear customer,
We thank you for your confidence and wish you a lot of joy and success with your new Pilotfly product. You
have decided in favor of a high-quality product with that. Thanks to new efficient motors with built-in MCUs
(micro controller units) the Pilotfly H2 Gimbal is suitable as well for mirrorless cameras as for digital single
lens reflex cameras. Furthermore, it is equipped with 32 bit Alexmos Technology, integrated encoder and two
IMUs (inertial measurement units) and thus it gives newest possibilities for a vibrationless film production.
We have paid the greatest attention to an easy handling as well as a high versatility, flexibility and endurance.
So fast assembling or exchange of your camera is now possible for you and an adjustment without any
additional aids. The battery endurance was increased up to ca. 26 hours.
Even if you are familiar with handling electronic equipments, please read the instruction manual, because it
is an important component of this product. It contains important notes for the safety, the use and the disposal.
Familiarize yourself with all hints to the use and the safety items before you use the product. Follow the notes
and tips, so that you can use your new product optimally. Only use the product as described and for the
indicated fields of application.
I
MPORTANT
A FTER YOU HAVE READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL , KEEP IT TOGETHER WITH THE PRODUCT FOR A LATER LOOKING
UP . IN CASE YOU GIVE THE PRODUCT TO ANY THIRD PARTY , HAND OVER IT TOGETHER WITH ALL DOCUMENTS !
Nevertheless, if you should have problems with your product, please address your enquiry to
[email protected]m (Taiwan) or [e-mail] (Germany). We help you along willingly promptly and
give you information about the next steps.
Service Adresse Taiwan
Pilotfly Technology Co. LTD.
Jiafeng South Rd. No.118, 2F-2
Zhubei City, Hsinchu County 30271
Taiwan
Email: [email protected]
S
ervice Adress
Germany
Pilotfly GmbH
Wendelsteinstr.12
86163 Augsburg
Deutschland
Email: [e-mail]
Trademark Proof
© Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Bluetooth SIG, Inc. All rights reserved. Bluetooth ® is a registered trademark of
Bluetooth SIG, Inc. (Special Interest Group), USA.
© 2015 Google Inc. All rights reserved. The Google logo, Google, Android™ and Google Play are registered
brands of Google Inc.
© Microsoft Corporation all rights reserved. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
© Apple Computer Inc. All rights reserved. Macintosh and OSs are registered trademarks of Apple Computer
Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
© Linux Torvalds all rights reserved. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
All other products and brand names which are mentioned in this manual or in the other documentations to
your Pilotfly product are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective entitled persons.

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Product Overview
Components

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Product Overview
Fuction keys and LED displays
„Mode“ -key button
You can change the mode or calibrate the device by pressing
the key button.
4 way joy-stick
With the joy-stick you can change the angle of inclination of the
camera and the horizontal angle of rotation.
LED display
LED display power adapter

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Product Overview
“Mode” button
The respective operating mode of your Pilotfly Gimbal can be set using the mode button. The mode button
can be assigned different profiles using the SimpleBGC software GUI.
A profile is respectively a set of predefined settings such as, for example, different provisions for the
following mode, the rotation speed of the individual axes, the initial alignment of the axes, time lapse
settings, axis acceleration, control parameters tuned to your camera weight for optimal vibration reduction,
parameters for smooth operation, etc.). You can optimize these settings according to your own preferences
using the SimpleBGC 32 Bit software GUI 5. Software use for PC/MAC or also using the applicable
SimpleBGC Apps for Android or iOS.
In the table you can see the pre-set assignment and a description of the settings stored as profile
respectively:
Key sequence
Function
Description
1 x press Follow mode
Profile 1
-
Camera follows the
movements.
2 x press Lock mode of pitch &
roll axis
Profile
2
-
Camera remains in the
horizon and follows still the horizontal
rotation.
3 x press Lock mode of all 3
axes
Profile
3
-
All three axes are locked.
Camera is kept in the adjusted
position.
4 x press Follow mode of all 3
axes
Profile
4
-
All three axes follow the
movements.
5 x press Starting point
„zero position“
Home Position
-
Camera returns to
"zero position" into the starting point.
Press and hold 3
seconds
Only supported with models
shipped before April 2017.
New models perform a gyro-
calibration directly during
switching on.
Activates the Gyro-
calibration
Calibrate Gyro
-
Avoid any
movements and vibrations during the
calibration.
Invert Turn the grip in the way that it is over
the camera. The new position is
recognized automatically.
All other above mentioned modes can
also be selcted in the inverted
condition.

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Product Overview
Acoustic signals - Buzzer
Action / Event
Sound sequence
Power on Initialization sound sequence
Initialization in process Be~Bi~Li~Bi~Li
Calibration in process Dn~Dn~Dn~Dn~Dn~Dn
Battery nearly empty Continuous cheeping tone
Use the SimpleBGC 32 Bit Software GUI to change the volume oft he buzzer or to deactivte the buzzer 
5.9 Extended settings for advanced users – View Level „Advanced“5.12 Buzzer and LED settings.
Scope of delivery
1 x Pilotfly H2 Gimbal
1 x Carrier bag with belt
1 x USB cable
1 x Power adapter (charger)
1 x Camera assembling plate
1 x Quick start quide
1 x Warranty card

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Product Overview
Technical data
Communication interface
Integrated: Bluetooth Version 2.0+EDR / 2402 MHz to 2480 MHz
Max. transmitting power 2,5mW/ Range ca. 10m
(Models from Mai 2017 support Bluetooth Versin 4.0. Older
models can be upgrated from our Pilotfly service.)
Operating system Windows, MAC OSX, LINUX und Android APP
Number of IMU sensors 1x Camera-IMU, 1x Frame-iMU (if the system is equipped with
encoder, then it is deactivated)
Number of Encoders 3 (all three motors are with encoders)
Power supply:
Integrated battery 4S Li-Po 14.8V / 1800mAh
Battery endurance Ca. 26 hours – depending on the weight of the mounted camera
Charger – Power adapter AC 100 ~ 240V 0,5A 50Hz/60Hz; Modell: FY1681000
DC 16,8V / 1,0A
Movement range YAW 360°
ROLL Left 100°, Right 240°
PITCH Top 220°, Bottom 100°
Accuracy min. ± 0,01° max. ± 0,04°
Unladen weight ca.1,2kg
Max. additional load (Motor load) 2,2kg
Dimensions 370 x 190 x 190mm
Operating conditions Temperature: -10°C to max. +40°C
Humidity: 20-75%

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Table of contents
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.............................................................................................11
1.1 M EANING OF THE SYMBOLS USED IN THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL ........................................................11
1.2 I NTENDED USE ...............................................................................................................................12
1.3 P OSSIBLE DANGERS FOR CERTAIN PERSON GROUPS ........................................................................12
1.4 P ERSONAL RIGHT AT THE PICTURE OF ONE ' S OWN ............................................................................12
1.5 T HE USE AT CERATIN PLACES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ......................................................13
1.6 P OWER SUPPLY AND OPERATING CONDITIONS ..................................................................................14
1.7 P RECAUTIONS AT HANDLING WITH L I -P O ACCUMULATORS .................................................................15
1.8 S AFE DISPOSAL ..............................................................................................................................16
SETUP AND OPERATING..................................................................................................................17
2.1 U NPACKING ...................................................................................................................................17
2.2 F IRST STEPS ..................................................................................................................................18
2.3 A SSEMBLING AND ADJUSTMENT OF THE CAMERA ..............................................................................20
2.4 S WITCH ON AND BASIC OPERATING ..................................................................................................23
2.5 F INE - TUNING USING THE S IMPLE BGC GUI SOFTWARE ......................................................................24
MAKING A BLUETOOTH CONNECTION...........................................................................................25
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION.............................................................................................................26
4.1 I NSTALLATION ON W INDOWS ...........................................................................................................26
4.2 I NSTALLATION ON L INUX .................................................................................................................26
4.3 I NSTALLATION ON MAC OS.............................................................................................................27
4.4 I NSTALLATION OF THE A NDROID A PP ...............................................................................................28
USING THE SOFTWARE PC/MAC - OVERVIEW...............................................................................30
5.1 O VERVIEW OF THE S IMPLE BGC SOFTWARE GUI..............................................................................30
5.2 C ONNECTING THE G IMBAL WITH THE S IMPLE BGC S OFTWARE GUI ...................................................31
5.3 S AVING AND LOADING PROFILES ONTO THE COMPUTER .....................................................................32
5.4 W RITING AND READING PROFILES ONTO / FROM THE G IMBAL ..............................................................32
5.5 M AKING A BACKUP WITH THE BACKUP MANAGER ...............................................................................33
5.6 C ALIBRATING THE G YROMETER .......................................................................................................34
5.7 C ALIBRATING THE A CCELEROMETER ...............................................................................................35
5.8 B ASIC SETTINGS FOR BEGINNERS – V IEW LEVEL “BASIC”.................................................................36
5.8.1 RC-Settings (Remote control, Joystick settings)........................................................................36
5.8.2 Follow-Mode.............................................................................................................................37
5.8.3 Service (Assigning the Mode-button, Startup behavior).............................................................39
5.8.4 Firmware Upgrade....................................................................................................................39
5.9 E XTENDED SETTINGS FOR ADVANCED USERS – V IEW LEVEL “ADVANCED”.......................................40
5.9.1 RC-Settings (Remote control, Joystick settings)........................................................................40
5.9.2 Follow-Mode.............................................................................................................................40
5.9.3 Service (Assigning the Mode-button, Startup behavior).............................................................41
5.9.4 Firmware Upgrade....................................................................................................................41
5.9.5 Stabilization (Reducing vibrations)............................................................................................42

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Table of contents
5.9.6 Monitoring (Real-Time view of the sensors - raw data)..............................................................42
5.9.7 Hardware (Calibration of the gyrometer and accelerometer).....................................................42
5.9.8 Adjustable Variables.................................................................................................................42
5.9.9 Scripting....................................................................................................................................42
5.10 F INE - TUNING BY ADJUSTING THE PID SETTINGS – ADVANCED........................................................43
5.10.1 Manually optimising the PID control settings .........................................................................43
5.10.2 Automatically optimize the PID control settings.......................................................................46
5.11 U SING THE TIMELAPSE SETTINGS – ADVANCED .............................................................................48
5.12 BUZZER AND LED SETTINGS – ADVANCED..................................................................................50
5.13 U SING THE DIGITAL FILTER ( REDUCING RESONANCE ) - EXPERT .......................................................51
5.13.1 Notch filter – Reduce vibrations on certain frequencies...........................................................51
5.13.2 Low-pass filter – Reduce high-frequency vibrations................................................................52
USING THE ANDROID APP...............................................................................................................54
6.1 G IMBAL SETTINGS ..........................................................................................................................54
6.2 M ISC SETTINGS ..............................................................................................................................55
6.3 RC SETTINGS .................................................................................................................................56
6.4 F OLLOW MODE ...............................................................................................................................57
6.5 M ONITORING ..................................................................................................................................57
6.6 C ONTROL ......................................................................................................................................58
6.7 S ETTINGS ......................................................................................................................................59
FAILURE / REPAIR ............................................................................................................................60
MAINTENANCE AND CARE ..............................................................................................................62
PUT OUT OF OPERATION, STORAGE, TRANSPORT .....................................................................62
SERVICE.........................................................................................................................................63
EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY (DOC)...............................................................................64