SwiftCam G3S User guide

STARTUP GUIDE
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
*Compatible with Hero 3, Hero 3+ & Hero 4
winner
SAVOUR THE MOVING MOMENT

Contents
1. Overview 1
1.1. Specications 1
1.2. Package contents 2,3
2. Basics 4
2.1. Set up 4
2.1.1. Insert batteries 4
2.1.2. Mount GoPro 4
2.1.3. Put on balancing weight 4
2.1.4. Normal Calibration 5
2.1.5. Switch on the gimbal 6
2.2. Switch shooting modes 6
2.3. Power indicator & shooting mode indicator 7
2.4. Operating angles 7
2.5. Vibration 7
3. Free rmware upgrade through PC 8
4. Advance Calibration 9,10
5. Q&A 11
6. Warranty information 12
6.1. How to obtain warranty service 12
6.2. Limitations and exclusions 12

1.1.Specications
Handheld Gimbal
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
1. Overview
P.1
Name G3s
Model SC-HG-G3S
Operating Angles Pan axis: 360
Pitch axis: 0 - 270
Roll axis: +/- 50
Weight
(Battery Included)
374g
Battery Type AAA alkaline battery 1.5V x 4 - LR03 / UM4
AAA rechargeable battery 1.2V x 4 - HR03 / UM4
Operating Temperature -10 to 40C
Folded Dimensions 309H x 80W x 47D (mm)
Expanded Dimensions 276H x 96W x 81D (mm)
Package Weight 731g
Package Dimensions 285L x 15W x 70H (mm)
Shooting Mode
Mode \ Axis Pan axis Pitch axis Roll axis
Full Follow Mode Follow Follow Lock
Pan Follow Mode Follow Lock Lock
Full Lock Mode Lock Lock Lock

Includes:
1.G3s x1
2.U Mount x1
3.Bottom cap x1
4.Screw x1
5.Balancing weight x1
6.USB data link cable x1
7.Flannel bag x1
8.Startup guide x1
U Mount
Bottom cap
Arm
Joystick
USB cable port
Shooting mode indicator
1.2.Package contents
P.2

Screw
Magnet
Magnetic Position Locking System
The arm structure can be magnetically held
in its desirable position when unused to
ensure convenience in storage and travel.
Power button
Power indicator
Balancing weight
USB data link cable Balancing weight
Flannel bag
P.3
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro

2.1.2. Mount GoPro
1. Loosen the screw.
2. Turn the arm 270 anticlockwise. The logo“G3s”is facing
the front.
3. Turn the mount anticlockwise and the screw hole is at the
bottom.
2.1.1. Insert batteries
G3s supports AAA battery power system.
Insert batteries in correct polarity and
tighten the bottom cap.
2. Basics
2.1.Set up
2.1.3. Put on balancing weight
For Hero 4, it is recommended to put on the balancing
weight for the optimized balancing point.
Simply stick on the arm as shown.
4. Put the GoPro into the mount and hold it rmly.
5. Mount a bit the hook of the U Mount to the
mortise.
6. Adjust the screw hole at the bottom and the hook.
7. Turn the GoPro clockwise and the screw hole is
facing up. Tighten the screw.
8. Turn the GoPro anticlockwise so that the screw is at
the bottom. Turn on GoPro.
P.4
45° VIEW
2
3
4 5

Normal Calibration procedure:
1. Power o G3s.
2. Push joystick upward, press and hold it in the up
position.
3. Keep holding the joystick and then press power
button once to switch on the gimbal.
4. The shooting mode indicators will blink for 2s.
Hold until both blue and green indicator lights
turn on together, then release the joystick.
5. Lay down G3s on a at surface within 10s. G3s will
power o after around 40s.
6. Gyro calibration completes.
2.1.4. Gyro Calibration
Before use, follow the below procedure to do Gyro calibration for best
performance. Gyro Calibration can also be performed whenever the following
occurs:
2
3
4
1. The GoPro holder appears slanting downward when the gimbal is held
upright.
2. The GoPro holder drifts slowly despite the gimbal is held still.
3. In the process of Factory Parameter Reset
P.5
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro

2.1.5. Switch on the gimbal
1. Hold G3s in an upright position with thumb
on joystick.
2. Horizontally turn the camera facing outwards.
Hold the GoPro in a horizontal position.
3. Press the power button once and the power
indicator will light on.
4. Press the joystick for 2s to switch on.
Release the arm when it automatically
adjusts to balancing point.
Press
once
Press
for 2s
2.2.Switch shooting modes
1. Hold G3s in an upright position.
2. Press joystick once to switch shooting modes.
Mode 1: Full Follow
(Blue mode indicator light on.)
GoPro follows but smoothens
pitch (tilt up, tilt down) and
pan movements (pan left, pan right).
Mode 2: Pan Follow
(Green mode indicator light on.)
GoPro locks on tilt up/down axis but
follows and smoothens
pan movements (pan left, pan right).
Mode 3: Full Lock
(Amber mode indicator light on.)
GoPro locks on all axis including
tilting up/down and panning left/right.
Pan Follow
Full Follow Full Lock
Important note
Do not switch on when G3s is not in upright position.
Do not shake G3s.
Important note
Do not switch shooting mode when
G3s is not in upright position.
P.6
(SwiftCam G3s - How to start up?)
Watch more on YouTube:
Watch more on YouTube:
(SwiftCam G3s - How to switch the shooting modes?)

2.3. Power indicator & shooting mode indicator
2.4.Operating angles
2.5.Vibration
Vibration is the signal of improper usage.
To stop the vibration,
1. Hold G3s in upright position and press joystick for 2s.
2. The arm will get balanced automatically. Adjust the
camera angles by joystick when the arm stops.
Shooting mode indicator
Blue light on
Shooting mode: Full Follow
Green light on
Shooting mode: Pan Follow
Amber light on
Shooting mode: Full Lock
Blue light blinks
G3s is not in proper usage.
All light blink together
Low battery.
P.7
Watch more on YouTube:
(SwiftCam G3s - Proper Usage)
Power indicator
Blinks three times.
G3s is in normal operation.
Blinks rapidly.
Low battery.
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
Important note
Do not exceed the operating angles of each axis.
Important note
Do not adjust G3s by hand.
Pitch axis: 0 - 270
270°
Roll axis: +/- 50
+50° -50°
Pan axis: 360
360°

3. Free rmware upgrade through PC
1. Power o G3s. Plug the provided USB data link cable in the
USB port on G3s.Connect with a PC running on Windows 7/8.
Driver will be installed automatically.
2. When installation nishes, right click“Start Menu” and select
“Device Manager”.
3. Select “Ports (COM & LPT)”. Check the COM port number of
“Prolic USB-to-Serial Comm Port” If the COM port number is
out of 1-29, reset the COM port number.
3.1. Right click“Prolic USB-to-Serial Comm Port”.
3.2. Select“Properties”.
3.3. Select“Port Settings”.
3.4. Select“Advanced”.
3.5. Select“COM Port Number”and reset COM Port Number
(COM1-29).
4. Download the rmware package“Version 0.18 (ZIP)”from the
ocial SwiftCam website.
5. Unzip "swiftcam_g3s_rmware_v_0_18.zip".
6. Open folder "swiftcam_g3s_rmware_v_0_18".
7. Open program“swiftcam_g3s_rmware_loader_v_0_18.exe”.
8. Select the corresponding COM port number.
9. Select rmware le“swiftcam_g3s_rmware_v_0_18.bin”.
10. Click“Load and Connect”.
11. Lay down G3s on a at surface. Power on G3s to start update.
Wait until rmware update is 100% completed.
12. Click“OK” and close the loader.
13. Power o G3s and unplug the USB data link cable.
Important note
Do not stop the program or power o G3s or unplug USB data link cable until it is 100% updated.
P.8
Firmware Package
“Version 0.18 (ZIP)”

P.9
4. Advance Calibration
Do the Factory Parameter Reset whenever the following occurs:
1. The motors of gimbal cannot energize as normal
2. The gimbal does not power on as normal
3. The gimbal does not stabilize (moving intensely) after power on
Factory Parameter Reset Steps:
1. Download the Firmware Package
2. Upload to default rmware [ swiftcam_g3s_rmware_reset ] by the Firmware
Uploader
3. Do the ACC Calibration (refer to ACC Calibration steps bellow)
4. Do the Factory Temperature Calibration
a. Environment condition requirement: at temperature around 20-25 degrees.
b. Power on G3s.
c. Push joystick downward, press and hold it in the down position.
d. Keep holding the joystick and then press power button once to switch on the
gimbal.
e. The shooting mode indicators will blink for 2s. Hold until both green and
amber indicator lights turn on together, then release the joystick.
f. Lay down G3s on a surface within 10s. G3s will power o after around 40s.
g. Temperature Calibration complete.
5. Do the Gyro Calibration (refer to Gyro Calibration steps on P.5)
6. Test and ensure the gimbal can start as normal
7. Upload the latest rmware (v0.28 or latest) by the Firmware Uploader
8. Assistance Software (v1.09) can be used
Do the ACC Calibration once whenever the following occurs:
1. The holder appears seriously slanting left or right over 10 degrees when the
gimbal is held upright. (Small degree adjustment can be done through the
Assistance Software)
2. In the process of Factory Parameter Reset
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro
4e
4c

P.10
ACC Calibration Steps:
1. Power on G3s.
2. Push joystick toward the left, press and hold it in the left position.
3. Keep holding the joystick and then press power button once
to switch on the gimbal.
4. The shooting mode indicators will blink for 2 seconds. Hold until the blue
indicator LED turn on in solid and the amber LED starts ashing, then release the
joystick.
5. Place the handle vertically on a level surface and hold the gopro camera in
horizontal position.
6. Turn the joystick to the right position then press it and hold until the the blue and
amber indicator LEDs turn o.
7. G3s will power o after around 10s.
8. ACC Calibration complete.
2
4 5
6
Blink
horizontal
vertical

P.11
5. Q&A:
Q1. Why my SwiftCam G3s has no power even with new batteries?
A: System reset is needed, performance Factory Parameter Reset.
Q2. Why my SwiftCam G3s has no power even the front blue LED is light on?
A: Check if the batteries are new/ fully charged by checking the status of Shooting
mode indicator. (They ash if battery power is low).
Q3. Why my SwiftCam G3s cannot stop moving intensely after powered on?
A: System reset is needed, performance Factory Parameter Reset.
Q4. Why my SwiftCam G3s drifts slowly despite the gimbal is held still?
A: This could be due to Temperature change, performance Gyro Calibration once.
Q5. Why my SwiftCam G3s slant to one side seriously (over 10 degrees) when the
gimbal is held steady?
A: ACC Calibration is needed.
Q6. Why my SwiftCam G3s slant to one side slightly (smaller then 10 degrees) when
the gimbal is held steady?
A: You can adjust the camera level position by using the Assistance Software.
Q7. Why my SwiftCam G3s slant to one side when rotating the whole gimbal?
A: Gyro Calibration is needed.
Q8. Why my SwiftCam G3s become unstable easily when doing sport rming with
new batteries?
A: Adjust faster Follow Speeds using Assistance Software.
Q9. Why my SwiftCam G3s joystick control speed is very slow?
A: Adjust faster Joystick Speeds using Assistance Software.
3-axis handheld stabilizer for GoPro

6. Warranty information
SwiftCam warrants to the original purchaser (“Buyer”) for 1-year full warranty (eective
starting from the date of purchase) that this SwiftCam product will be free from defects
in materials and workmanship under normal operations.
6.1. How to obtain warranty service
Buyer may obtain warranty service by contacting SwiftCam/dealers. If the product is
shown to have defects in materials or workmanship during the warranty period,
SwiftCam/dealers will replace it with one that is at least functionally equivalent. The
replacement product may not be new, but if will be in good working order, and will be
warranted for the balance remaining of the original warranty period. Buyer must return
the original defective product to SwiftCam/dealers.
6.2. Limitations and exclusions
This warranty does not cover the following: Buyer’s costs incurred for removal or
reinstallation of the product; normal wear and tear; uninterrupted or error-free
operation of a product; and failure or damage resulting from misuse, accident,
modication, unsuitable physical or operating environment, natural disasters, power
surges, or improper maintenance by anyone other than SwiftCam/dealers. This warranty
is voided by removal or alteration of identication labels on the product or its parts.
SwiftCam/dealers shall not be liable for more than the amount of actual direct damages
suered by Buyer, up to the amount paid for the product, regardless of the basis of the
claim against SwiftCam/dealers.
P.12

W. www.swiftcam.com
T. [phone]
E. enquir[email protected]
SG3S201506V5
SAVOUR THE MOVING MOMENT