<p>The Glidecam HD2000 is a weighted gimbal stabilizer.  It uses inertia of a counter weight and a balanced gimbal to prevent rapid changes in orientation and to an extent position of a camera.  They are used for stabilizing footage when you need more stabilization than optical image stabilization can provide but less than a steadicam or gyroscope rig provides (or the cost or size of a steadicam or gyroscope unit is prohibitive).</p>

<p>Unlike optical image stabilization, a weighted gimbal rig requires a fair bit of practice to master the use of as well as careful configuration and balancing to prevent the system from drifting.  A handle is attached to a near frictionless gimbal at the center of gravity so that the handle can move without the camera moving significantly.  It requires careful handling and manipulation to control the camera's angle while also requiring quite a bit of strength to hold the handle at the appropriate angle.</p>

<p>The main pro is that it provides far more stabilization than optical image stabilization, is relatively compact, light (roughly 50% heavier, though if you use monitors and such that can be used as counterweight ) and low cost (compared to more advanced stabilization systems.)</p>

<p>The main con is that it still adds quite a bit of weight to the camera rig.  They are difficult to use well and require careful movement and handling to get good results.  They also require far more physical exertion because of how you have to hold them (hard on your wrists.)  They also do not provide nearly the stabilization of more advanced systems such as a steadicam rig (chest support plus weighted gimbal) or a gyro-stabilized system (with high speed gyroscopes actually actively countering changes in orientation).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-20T20:55:03.870Z
2014-10-20T20:55:03.870Z
AJ Henderson
<p>The only real reason to get the Glidecam is if you don't have the budget for a proper Steadicam. </p>

<p>With any type of camera, the weight from holding it in front of you (the gimbal prevents you holding it close) is incredibly tiring and after a very short space of time you will find it impossible to stabilise properly.</p>

<p>A Steadicam takes the weight and distributes it through a body harness so your hands and arms are just used for guiding the camera, not supporting it.</p>

<p>The bottom end Steadicam rigs are only a couple of thousand pounds, so if you need a gimballed camera device, get one of these.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-22T13:32:10.840Z
Actually, there are some even cheaper than that.  I've seen kits as cheap as $850 for a 30 pound weight limit on the low end that achieve fine results as long as you don't need to use it all the time.
AJ Henderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-22T07:27:20.763Z
2014-10-22T07:27:20.763Z
Dr Mayhem
<p>Who can make the best use of a weighted gimbal stabilizer such as a Glidecam HD2000? What are the pros and cons of using one?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-20T20:43:10.457Z
Related, but probably not a dupe... https://video.stackexchange.com/questions/4370/how-can-i-smoothly-move-a-camera-without-a-dolly
AJ Henderson
<stabilisation>
Who should buy a Weighted Gimbal Stabilizer
Thyag
# Who should buy a Weighted Gimbal Stabilizer

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-10-20)

Who can make the best use of a weighted gimbal stabilizer such as a Glidecam HD2000? What are the pros and cons of using one?

**Tags:** stabilisation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Related, but probably not a dupe... https://video.stackexchange.com/questions/4370/how-can-i-smoothly-move-a-camera-without-a-dolly  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-10-20. Score: 1

The Glidecam HD2000 is a weighted gimbal stabilizer. It uses inertia of a counter weight and a balanced gimbal to prevent rapid changes in orientation and to an extent position of a camera. They are used for stabilizing footage when you need more stabilization than optical image stabilization can provide but less than a steadicam or gyroscope rig provides (or the cost or size of a steadicam or gyroscope unit is prohibitive).

Unlike optical image stabilization, a weighted gimbal rig requires a fair bit of practice to master the use of as well as careful configuration and balancing to prevent the system from drifting. A handle is attached to a near frictionless gimbal at the center of gravity so that the handle can move without the camera moving significantly. It requires careful handling and manipulation to control the camera's angle while also requiring quite a bit of strength to hold the handle at the appropriate angle.

The main pro is that it provides far more stabilization than optical image stabilization, is relatively compact, light (roughly 50% heavier, though if you use monitors and such that can be used as counterweight ) and low cost (compared to more advanced stabilization systems.)

The main con is that it still adds quite a bit of weight to the camera rig. They are difficult to use well and require careful movement and handling to get good results. They also require far more physical exertion because of how you have to hold them (hard on your wrists.) They also do not provide nearly the stabilization of more advanced systems such as a steadicam rig (chest support plus weighted gimbal) or a gyro-stabilized system (with high speed gyroscopes actually actively countering changes in orientation).


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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-10-22. Score: 1

The only real reason to get the Glidecam is if you don't have the budget for a proper Steadicam.

With any type of camera, the weight from holding it in front of you (the gimbal prevents you holding it close) is incredibly tiring and after a very short space of time you will find it impossible to stabilise properly.

A Steadicam takes the weight and distributes it through a body harness so your hands and arms are just used for guiding the camera, not supporting it.

The bottom end Steadicam rigs are only a couple of thousand pounds, so if you need a gimballed camera device, get one of these.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Actually, there are some even cheaper than that.  I've seen kits as cheap as $850 for a 30 pound weight limit on the low end that achieve fine results as long as you don't need to use it all the time.  

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