Wieldy HDV PRO Iron Triangle Carbon Fiber Video Camera Stabilizer

• • 86 Comments

A few others have already received their Wieldy stabilizers and have also posted up little video reviews like YouTube member Nitsan Simantov and YouTube member Chrisbottrellphoto. I received my version quite a while ago, but am only getting to posting something now. Here's a closer look at what these new Wieldy Carbon Fiber Video Camera Stabilizers have to offer.

I compare it side by side against the more expensive Glidecam HD4000 which runs for about $569 (seen here), while this new Carbon Fiber Wieldy can be found for just $250 US (found here). In the video (above) I even show how similar the counterweights are, that they can be exchanged with one another. [Update: I noticed prices have gone up since my purchase]

Screen Shot 2012-11-27 at 11.15.41 PMWieldy stabilizer carbon fiber
find-price-button Wieldy DV Pro Iron Triangle Stabilizer

Besides the affordable price, the new Wieldy has several features the Glidecam HD series stabilizer don't provide such as an adjustable Gimbal, non-rotating sled, and carbon fiber post. Other popular features found on the more expensive Glidecam HD like fine-tuning knobs (trim), adjustable sled weights, and quick release stage has been designed into this Wieldy almost exactly. Overall a great product for the price, and it performs well. Additional information, photos, and other video examples of the Carbon Wieldy Stabilizer in use can be seen following the link to the product page via eBay (Click Here).

Wieldy Iron Triangle DV Pro StabilizerWieldy Stabilizer Cheesycam
find-price-button Wieldy DV Pro Iron Triangle Stabilizer

You can also find the Wieldy bundled with a dual arm stabilizer from another seller. It's being rebranded under the name 'CAME' (terrible name). A few listings from this seller show the dual arm vest bundled with this same Wieldy Carbon Fiber stabilizer (Click Here).

Wieldy Carbon Dual Arm VestWieldy
find-price-button Dual Arm Support Vest with Carbon Stabilizer

For reference you can find various Glidecam HD Series Stabilizers for sale via B&H (Click Here).
Glidecam HD Stabilizer
find-price-button Glidecam HD1000, HD2000, HD4000 Video Stabilizers

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86 thoughts on “Wieldy HDV PRO Iron Triangle Carbon Fiber Video Camera Stabilizer”

  1. Benjamin

    Hello EMM
    Well, first of all, congratulations for your site, it helps me a lot.

    I’ve been studying a lot about stabilizers and vest. From what you have recommended I have very present Wieldy as an option.
    But the truth I do not know all the possibilities that exist, and which brand is best recommended.
    Many know that the price sometimes lie. Buy the most expensive is not always best.

    I plan to buy the Wieldy but I live in Chile, shipping costs and customs taxes raise the price since $ 676 to $ 1,000.
    And I know Wieldy not come with LCD screen and other things.
    Lately I bought the Slider Konova, incredible, and I saw the Konova Steadycam but they stopped making this product. Between Konova and Wieldy there are many differences, even in the price.

    I want to know if it’s worth buying the Wieldy by $ 1,000 dollars or is it better to save and buy another better for not much money?

    Can you make a list of stabilizers + vest + arm that you think is recomended for price and quality?

    I hope you can do that.

    regards
    Benjamin

    Note: Sorry for my english

  2. Dagan

    @Emm

    Well one thing i first experienced with the Glidecam 2000 Pro was that inability to have static balance because the gimbal was off. I never tried adjusting that model, but years later I bought the glidecam 2000 HD because I was told it could adjust the gimbal for that fine tuning static balance.

    It's very frustrating to have a stabilizer be OUT of balance just because you rotate the camera to face another direction...

    Last question; Can you achieve static balance in every direction with the Wieldy? If not, I will probably just buy the arm and vest and hope you show us how to use the glidecam with it LOL.

    Thanks for the response Emm.

  3. Emm

     Post author

    @Dagan - This does not have the ability to calibrate the gimbal like the Glidecam. The design is different, as the Glidecam and some Steadicam models offer extra spacing inside the gimbal housing as 'an alternate adjustment'. It is not there to compensate for bad bearing. Why would anyone use bad bearings?

    One way to think about it is the bearings that are located in the hub at the wheel of your car. The bearings are designed to fit and balance as perfectly as possible. At super high speeds if the bearing was not 'True', then the car would wobble. There is no way to center the bearing on a high speed vehicle. If the bearing is bad, the bearing is bad. Hopefully with these type of stabilizers, they are just using high quality bearings. Gimbal adjustments may be seen as an alternate adjustment for fine tuning balance.

  4. Dagan

    Emm, I am quite concerned about what Britt mentioned ^

    I have a Glidecam HD2000 and the gimbal had to be calibrated. Does the gimbal on this Wieldy have that option as well? If not I would be concerned about the off balance and needing to worry about shipping it back. But being able to adjust the gimbal up and down, carbon fiber really attract me to selling my Glidecam and picking up this Wieldy set.

    Your help is much appreciated Emm.

    Thanks for running such a great site!

  5. Britt

    On both my glidecams the gimbal had to be calibrated. It would be in balance in one direction but lean if you turned the post. Any problems with this on doing that?

  6.

    Can anyone confirm if this can really support the 7KG's it claims? That's plenty of head room for my kitted out FS100, I just keep reading a number close to 10lbs from forum posters. Thanks in advance!

  9. Emm

     Post author

    @Jack - These are often rebranded and now sold with a vest system. I think most people are going straight to the vest.

  10. Jack

    They haven't sold one on eBay in 2 months?... Did the company go out of business. Emm you might know something that I don't .

  11.

    I have a problem to balance the Wiledy stabilizer so that when turned around an axis was balanced even while swiveling. It looks like a crooked gimbal.

  12. My

    I wish they sold one now so that I could use it for Chinese New Year recording. The vest suite is over the budget for me as a poor college student and there is only one retail seller 🙁 . Why won't someone start selling them in the U.S. so that shipping and time isn't a problem.

  13.

    Hey,

    Thanks Emm for doing this review!

    I was wondering if anyone knew the tariffs and duties cost for this coming into the US?

    Can't wait till I get mine!

  15.

    Hey Emm! On the HD4000 the top sled can unscrew from the shaft and the bottom weight stage can also unscrew. Can the Weildy do the same thing or do you have to use an allen wrench to get them off?

  17. Generally

    Rarely will a manufacturer release a new version at a cheaper price.

    So yes just to rake more money in - MkII

  18. Emm

     Post author

    @Sally - I wouldn't hold my breathe for a 'Mark II' version to be released anytime soon, and even if it was I guarantee it would be way more expensive. The original wieldy works fine, and I don't see any problems. I think they just want to change the design so they are not similar to the Glidecam.

  19. Sally

    I purchased and just found out he has a MkII to be realesed thats even better in early 2013, oh well.

    HEY EM what do u think of the dual arm as opposed to just getting a single arm. I was hoping to try and mimic some small crane moves with the extra extension.

  20.

    i was just about to purchase this until i found out it was sold out. great review on your part. ive been using my DIY stabilizer for awhile but want to get more flying action on my shots. please keep us posted when it's available. many thanks from NY.

  21. Emm

     Post author

    @Alex - It cannot break down any smaller. The top stage is screwed in place, and the bottom sled is attached to the sliding post. It will not break down into smaller pieces.

  22. Alex

    Does anyone who has bought this know if it can be broken down into smaller pieces for packing/lugging around the world? Emm says in this video "that's the smallest it breaks down" so maybe I misunderstood. I can break down my Glidecam into three pieces for packing and that works great. Can this one do that as well? Thanks in advance for the info.

  23. Pingback:

    NEW Dual Arm Stabilizer Vest vs Steadicam Merlin Vest » CheesyCam

  24.

    I wrote a seller who carries two very similar-looking dual-arm vests with different prices (currently up as ebay items #110987259782 and 110986397079) to ask the difference between them.

    'photolight' replied:
    "This item and 110986397079 have similar quality, the price difference is due to we get this item from other factory with high cost."

    FWIW.

  25. Emm

     Post author

    @Zach Fine - These vest are all different, I can attest to that. In fact in a few hours i'll post something and you'll know what I mean... There is only one aftermarket vest that I've tried that works smoothly, and that information will be up in a few.

  26.

    Very curious about those dual-arm vests. Seems there's two on eBay one with blue rubber on the handle of the sled and one with black. The black is slightly more expensive, though both have a dual-arm and both use carbon fiber. Anyone know the difference between them?

    It's hard to contemplate an $800 purchase without seeing more information and examples out there. Are these machined more accurately than previous low-cost efforts from China that had arm bones with joints at odd angles (e.g. menbo-cy008 bone detail shot a ways down this page: https://homebuiltstabilizers.com/hbsboard/index.php?topic=4159.30). Maybe this is a different manufacturer.

    The few example videos I see online are mostly very wide-angle shots (which minimizes instability) and feature people manhandling the sled (it should float in front of the vest, be controllable with body movements, and take a very light touch to control). The manhandling could either be my misinterpretation of what I'm seeing, or evidence that the rig isn't balanceable to the point that it floats properly.

  28. sally

    Em are you able to fly your 60D with the screen flipped out? Just want to know if its worth trying or a waste of time?

    THANKS

  29. Paul Abrahams

    Ok, my next step was to add a QR kit to it. Sorry I got the sled and top plate mixed up. The grub screws were under the top plate but yes, the sled for the counter weights I'll try raising that half way which will raise the Gimbal.

    thanks @Emm

  30. Emm

     Post author

    @Paul Abrahams - This Wieldy is not a small stabilizer, so you'll need to add some additional weight to the camera. If the bottom sways, you need to raise the sled. Start with the sled about half way so you can fine tune the counterbalance up or down.

  31. Paul Abrahams

    Thats better, I'm not fighting it as much now but gently guiding it. To get the spring arm horizontal I have the spring on its slackest. How do you counter the slight pogo-ing or bounce? Maybe I need a touch more top weight with the 60D, batt grip perhaps? I have 2 weights on each side (bottom) which work ok on the Vest but handheld I get bottom sway so I usually take 1 weight off each side and raise the gimbal. Right approach?

    Thanks for your help @Emm I know you have a 60D which is lighter than the 5D and you've probably flown both.

    After wearing the Vest for a few days, I agree its very comfortable.

  32. Paul Abrahams

    Thanks @Emm I think everyone that gets the Wieldy Stabilizer & Vest should tighten every screw they find. I found a few loose on the Vest. Just now I found the little allen grub screws that fasten the sled to the center post were loose, they can be easily missed.

    It might balance a bit better now. 🙂

  33. Emm

     Post author

    @Wes Jerdon - I have not used the larger Flycams, but i'm impressed with the Wieldy. I would suggest looking into a vest system. There is one that is bundled with a Wieldy stabilizer, but rebranded under a different name.

  34.

    Hey Emm! First time posting, LOVE this site! Thanks for everything!

    I am buying my first ever stabilizer here soon. I have the Canon 5D Mark III and will be using a 24-70mm (1st gen). What would be better between the two? The Weildy one listed (when it comes back up again) or this Flycam 3000 WITH wrist brace. I do have some wrist problems, so thats why I am looking at the one with the brace.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Flycam-3000-Stabilizer-with-Arm-Brace-for-Canon-7D-T3I-5D-60D-Canon-Nikon-DSLR-/290693244722?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43aeaae732

  35. Emm

     Post author

    @Paul Abrahams - You can adjust the tension of the arm to make it carry more or less weight. The arm should extend almost horizontal across (not going up or down) and that would be about the proper setting. I have the same vest, and works like a charm. Will be posting a video by Sunday.

  36. Paul Abrahams

    Hi Wieldy owners and flyers. I've spent a few days now trying different methods to balance my Canon 60D + 17-55mm. At one stage I had adjusted the two bottom plates and got myself in a world of bother. But I seem to have it close now. Going by the Wieldy Videos they balance a 5D using 1 weight on each side. I noted that this is ok for hand held but when I went to the Arm Vest I added another weight each side and moved the gimbal lower for drop time. The spring seems a little too strong for flying weights around 1.5k.

    I've never flown anything before so its trial and eror for me. I have noticed that its nigh impossible to get pin point centre balance.

    I thought the Arm Vest freely supported the stabilizer but I'm realising it acts more like suspension. I have the Arm on the left with my left hand holding the handle for the horizontal plane and my right hand guides the stabilizer just under the gimbal.

    Am I geting close to how this works?

    Is spring is replaceable?

    Is the Merlin Pilot much better?

  37. Pingback:

    More Wieldy Carbon Fiber Stabilizers Available » CheesyCam

  38. impoze

    @JK

    I fly my 5D MK III and a 24-70L on it. I've got 2 plates front and back as well,

    have you balanced the drop time yet?
    also have a look where your handle is, as this also changes the weight ratio.

    these are my measurements though

    Handle to Top stage - 3.6cm
    Base Extension - 14.3cm

  39.

    Hey Emm, got my Wieldy a few days ago. I've had a lot of trouble getting it to balance with a 5D MK III and a 24-105mm f/4 L. I have two weights on the front, and two on the back, and have followed all the setup videos/reviews... no luck. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

  40. Emm

     Post author

    @Tyler Durston - The Flycam Nano is much smaller and cheaper, but obviously this Wieldy has the fine tuning knobs that are desired in the Glidecam HD series. I think the Wieldy is a great stabilizer, but check the other review linked in the first paragraph from Chris who has already compared the two units https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRf34TouXfY

  41. Tyler Durston

    Emm, I would be curious to know what your thoughts are on this one compared to the Flycam. I currently own the flycam but am a little frustrated with how it is so easily unbalanced. I am looking to upgrade to either the wieldy or the glidecam. Suggestions?

    Thanks for all that you do for all of us!

  43. Jen

    Hi there
    I was wondering whether people rated this as a better stabiliser than the opteka steadyvid pro?

  44. rabby

    Emm,
    Do you think 7kg/double arm kit would work with barebone scarlet? I don't have one but my friend does. We were thinking about getting a kit. Thought I ask you. Not sure, if we have to go higher (load) BMCC should work fine...don't know, if only I can only get it.
    Thanx
    Rabby

  45. impoze

    Just a note,

    a lot of the edges are quite sharp, i've cut myself a few times,

    I'm probably going to file them down or tape them up, esp the edges near the knobs.

    anyone else got these sharp edges?

  48. ElBurke

    @mad I talked to orpheus_c and photolight, and both of them wanted to complete the transaction outside of eBay.

    but the weird part is that one of them offered to ship with FedEx which will cost around $110 and the other one said he will only ship with airmail which will cost $119 and he said that fedEx should be more expensive than the steadycam itself.

    now im really worried.

    and Im in Kuwait

  51. ElBurke

    Guys, the seller is asking me to complete the transaction outside of eBay. he says that he cant ship to my country if the transaction is made through ebay.

    what do you think, should I do it? he is asking for my PayPal account so he can send the invoice, which should be safe, but I'm worried. especially since I'm buying it with the dual arm stabilizer.

  52.

    My one on ebay got 'bought' by a buyer who's not paying or replying to emails.
    Really annoying.
    If anyone wants to buy it, email me. (In UK but will ship wordwide)

  53.

    Geez, is this guy/company making them one at a time? Is there a company website for these or are they only showing up on ebay.

    Looking to get my first stabilizer and after watching all the reviews, this seems to be the best one.

    @eem in another review on mics, you mentioned that if you were flying the cam, you wouldn't want to use a shock mount but hard mount it on the camera instead. IS that to prevent wiggle and noise?

  59. Emm

     Post author

    @Greg - The stabilizer is good, but so far we have not found a good combo. The vest arm is a bit stiff compared to other more expensive vests on the market.

  62. Greg

    Hi.
    i want to buy my first pack (vest + dual arm + stabilizer)
    but i think about quality.
    what about quality between all the pack glidecam and on of those you showing on this review ?
    there is a very big difference ?

    ps: sorry for my english (i'm french) XD

  63. impoze

    he has different shipping costs to different countries

    its at the bottom of the description:

    Shipment

    Shipping weight 3 Kg. Reference shipment price (in US$)

    USA - by EMS $55.4

    Canada - by EMS $59.2, by airmail $49

    UK,France, Ireland, Denmark - by EMS $59.2, by airmail $54.8

    Finland, Nowway, Belgium - by EMS $59.2

    Austria - by EMS $59.2, by airmail $47.8

    Australia - by EMS $43.7

    Russia - by EMS $75.2, by airmail $49.9

    The Neatherlands - by airmail $ 51.3

    Korea, Japan, Singapore,Tailnad, Malasyia - by EMS $43.2

    The Poland - by airmail $ 43.6

  65. Simon

    Hey guys, long time listener, first time caller. Mine just arrived the other day and I have to say I'm impressed. This is my first stabilizer, so I was really happy that I could get the smooth results I've been seeing here and on youtube with a minimum of effort. Yeah shipping cost was up there ($64?) but I got part of that refunded after I ordered. Apparently it's only $50 to get this thing to Australia.

  69. Emm

     Post author

    @Steven - Haha good eye Steven. Yes it was the MogoPod. I think it won't be released for another two weeks.

  73. Arash D.

    This is a great deal. However the only complain I have is the shipping cost. The first time I saw this product, the shipping cost was 54$. Now it has gone up to 64$.
    Other than that I would have bought it right away.

  74. pops

    @Emm - Thanks, I was planning on the quick release. but... was hopeful I wouldn't need to add a whole bunch more weight. I tried the modified smoothee but found it not to be consistent over time. I think the weight vs. adjustments started taking their toll so I put it to use with the RX100.

    Thanks for the feedback. Either way... this appears to be a nice product.

  75. Emm

     Post author

    @pops - I'm thinking the GH2 might be too light for the Wieldy. You might have to throw on a quick release plate and possibly a bit of weight above the GH2 hot shoe.

  76. pops

    I ordered one over the weekend. I'm hoping to be impressed when it arrives. I have a hd4000 smooth shooter setup. This seems like a nice compliment for a lighter GH2 rig.

    What are the thoughts of those that have already received theirs?

  78.

    Nice review Emm.

    My review unit is up on ebay since I already have a Glidecam.

    As for the higher price, the original listing was $250 USD and after the cost of shipping and import tax/fees into the UK the total was quite a bit more, hence the higher price in the UK.

    I will accept reasonable offers and I can send internationally if you contact me first so I can check shipping and insurance price.

  79. Emm

     Post author

    @KC Gonzalez - As mentioned earlier, this particular setup would be too light for the vest spring tension. The vest build quality is nice, but you'd have to add more weight to get the spring to 'bounce' when walking. If you just need a vest for slow movements or stationary type dolly shots, the vest will work with light setups.

  80. KC Gonzalez

    I don't know if it's just me, but those wide angle shots with quick turns make me dizzy as fuuuuu.

    Anyways awesome review, Emm! Seems like a good buy, but how well would it work with that cheap vest you bought a few weeks ago?

  81. Emm

     Post author

    @Jason H - It's not quite as big as the Glidecam HD4000 so it's naturally lighter, not an exact comparison. It's probably closer to the HD2000, yet the Wieldy can telescope taller. The Carbon Fiber helps shave a bit of weight, but not a massive amount of weight.

  82. Emm

     Post author

    @Derek - Sold out already. There were a few before I posted this article. 'Cheesy Effect'. I'll keep an eye out and let you know when they are available again.

Comments are closed.