Until you have it in your hands, it's hard to really grasp the concept of the Motorroid Universal Motorized Kit. Typically it is designed to motorize just about any Video Camera Slider on the market. Now, the more I use it, the more random ideas I have of how to incorporate it into simple dynamic camera movements.
Here's a couple of DIY projects (video below) using the Varavon Motorroid Kit in ways it was never intended to be used. Don't take the build quality on these DIY projects too seriously, it was something I whipped up in a matter of minutes to show proof of concept of what can be achieved.
The basic parts comprise of a strong motor and a pulley on the opposite side that can be attached with one bolt (or screw). When used with a cog belt, the system is strong enough to lift a good amount of weight completely vertically. For use with projects that don't need to pull heavy weights like my DIY Motorized Track Dolly or DIY Motorized Jib Crane, simple twine or rope will work just as well. I'm exaggerating with this large Jib, but don't forget about all those Carbon Fiber Mini Video Jibs (found here) which would be fun to motorize for travel projects.
Finally when the Time Lapse Control unit becomes available for this Motorroid kit, it will really open up some interesting possibilities for very smooth and consistent motion control projects. Even on my best day, I don't think I can perform a very slow Crane up movement for several minutes straight with one consistent speed.
Now i'm sure some of you will ask about the track dolly, so if you're looking for a Video Tripod Track Dolly, the only thing I can suggest is GO with the FAT WHEELS -not those thin roller blade type wheels.
Typcially all the high end professional tripod track dolly systems always use the fat skate wheels NOT the thin rollerblade wheels, and there is a performance difference. Here's a link to a bunch of Video Tripod Track Dollies over on eBay (found here)
Video Tripod Track Dolly Caster Wheels
So what's next? Maybe pull a wheeled dolly (Pico Dolly) across the garage floor instead of laying down tracks, or pull a GoPro on a cable cam setup across the park (I may try this one). Hopefully this opens up some ideas for what these new tools can do to add interesting movement to your footage. You can find the Varavon Motorroid Kits following via eBay (click here)
Varavon Motorroid Universal Motorized Upgrade Kit
Cheesycam
@Josh Harrison - I don't think that would work out too well taking the product apart just to modify it. If you're looking for motor controls for sliders, check out ServoCity.com.
Josh Harrison
@Emm - I realize this is WAY late to the game, but do you happen to know if the motor could be changed out to get faster speeds. Their site says 20 secs for 1 meter as the fastest speed.
Eric
Emm, Which crane are you using in this video? It looks a little heavier than the travel-jib. Is it a DIY one or is it available somewhere?
Thanks for all your great reviews!
lorenzo pickett
This is why I faithfully come to Cheesycam!! Em you make this stuff look so easy man, keep it up!!!
jayhas
Good job on those quick DIYs Emm! You sure will spur more ideas to come out from these demos.
Emm
Post author@Dean - Yes, there will be a video up soon on this.
Dean
Emm- but uses the existing controller, yeah?
Emm
Post author@Dean - The new Konova motorized crane / slider / pan tilt head, looked pretty good at NAB. There will be a video up soon on this blog.
Emm
Post author@Javier - The Servo City will take up a few pounds, so as long as you use it with a light camera it will still work on those mini jibs.
Dean
superpinoy bro. love it.
controller worth waiting out and holding off the konova?
Javier
Emm, would this kit with one of those carbon fiber mini jibs and a servocity motorized pan tilt head be a good option for having a light and not too expensive fully motorized jib?
Javier
I am interested in using this kit with one of those Carbon fiber mini jibs.
Would it be also possible to add the Servo City MPT1100-SS Pan & Tilt System to this setup for a non-expensive fully motorized jib?
Would the jib hold the weight (with a light DSLR)?
Emm
Post author@Steven - Haha yeah pretty random, but at the same time very safe. The crane is balanced so if the rope detaches, it stops where it's at. Also the Motorroid kit has built in 'limiting switches', so you can add a small piece to the rope (or belt) to tell it when to stop at each end so it doesn't continue to Jib Up/Down, or Dolly Left/Right. The advanced controller coming out soon will provide even more options.
Steven
Emm, this is seriously scary.