This is a new one for me, but a welcome change to my usual. I get a fair amount of electronic equipment to test out, but I have never gotten a smartphone gimble before, and I can see so many uses for this thing, just not for me personally. The FeiyuTech Vimble C is a portable stabilizing gimble meant to fit all kinds of phone sizes. The built in tech is impressive, and the videos shot with this thing are lovely.
This build is coming out of China right now, so we can expect a nice cheap price, and a less than stellar warranty, enough there to satisfy but nothing to write home about. The materials used, and the tech under the hood, are pretty much identical to the higher end gear you see from western firms too
The company behind this build, FeiyuTech, are dedicated to hand held stabilizers. It’s a niche market, but one that looks to be growing. The company have been making a name for themselves since 2007, slowly but surely entering the western markets. Their tech has evolved a fair bit since the early days, and I think it is now easy to argue that they sell some of the best quality low cost options in this particular market.
So let’s get tot he review proper, take a look at the design and build quality.
FeiyuTech Vimble C Smartphone Gimbal Design and Build Quality
No better place to start than with a look at the device itself. The FeiyuTech Vimble C is a fine piece of kit. The build quality is excellent, and there is some real heft to the thing. I like a good solid feel to my electronics, and this hits the nail on the head. I am happy to say that it fits in the hand nicely, a major concern when I say the thing. Ergonomics were clearly a concern during the design process, and FeiyuTech seems to have got it right. I can reach the buttons without strain, and they have a satisfying click to them.
When the motor actives there is little discomfort, and any jolt you might feel from it is compensated for by the on board tech. The color options are basic, but they are there. More a fan of the white finish than the black, goes with my phone better, but seen as the vast majority of handsets out there are black I imagine that will be the color of choice for most. In the box we have a the thing itself, a USB Cable, a Counter Weight, the Battery, the Manual and a Warranty Card.
The core feature set of the build is in the stabilizer. You are buying this to make videos smooth, and it does that well, but the attention to detail is an added bonus. you handset can be orientated any way you like, vertical, horizontal, and head on, or any combo of the three if you want to get a dutch angle with your shooting. The motors are powered by an on board li-ion battery, with a micro USB charger port. I’m been messing with the thing all day and haven’t needed to charge it once, so I imagine you’ll get a good long time out of a full charge.
Using the build could not be easier. You connect it via Bluetooth and strap it in. Done and done. It can use the on board functions of many phones, including face tracking, panorama shots and time lapse shooting. The most interesting thing for me is the stability shots. Any budding film maker can shoot a decent panning shot for peanuts. You don’t need ludicrously expensive stuff to shoot a movie. Creating has been getting cheaper and cheaper across the board, from low cost digital audio processing to high MP cameras included on phones, this is simply another step in that direction.
Overall, what we have here is a useful piece of tech. The core design is nice, and the color options are real nice. Using it is simple, with a fast set up time and a decent battery life. The FeiyuTech Vimble C Smartphone Gimbal hits all the right notes in the form and function department, but what about the price? No use thinking about film production if you are priced out of this handy hand held build. Thankfully, I think you will find it more than affordable.
FeiyuTech Vimble C Smartphone Gimbal Pricing and Warranty
I have looked around and found two different prices for this build. The core FeiyuTech site lists the price as $139.00 flat. Which is excellent, but Alibaba has it at $189.00 regularly, with it currently discounted down to $138. It’s still a bargain even at the higher price, but I would be much more inclined to go for the low one. I have looked around for similar builds, and for this level of tech you are more likely to spend $200, give or take $10. I do not recommend you go for any model in the sub $100 range, as they are no where near as versatile, with many being little more than phone holders.
The warranty card that comes with the FeiyuTech Vimble C Smartphone Gimbal is actually not bad. You get 7 days to return the device if you don’t want it, with an extension for 15 days available upon request. The core warranty is for 1 year, with them covering any damage sustained due to normal use. They claim that accidental damage is not covered, but I think it is easy to argue that as a outdoor device, used primary for photography, that normal use should cover a vast array of rough and ready scenarios. This build is not IP rated though, so be sure to keep it away from debris, dust and water.
Overall, the price is good, especially the $138 one. If you can get it at that price then by all means do so, as it might be that the core FeiyuTech site is listing a discounted price without displaying it as such. the warranty is impressive for a Chinese firm, as the vast majority of retailers over there offer very limited coverage.
FeiyuTech Vimble C Smartphone Gimbal Conclusion
This is an excellent little build. The core tech is impressive, and the price point is excellent. The look of the build is up to snuff, and the feel is great, with a nice bit of heft to it, though not so heavy as to be uncomfortable. It is not rated to withstand the elements though, so I advise you to not use it in debris strewn or wet environments, else you might lose your warranty. The price is on point, and the warranty, as stated, is better than I thought it would be. If you want to take better pictures, or want a low cost way of shooting a nice panning shot on your phone, this is one of the best options on the market for the thrifty film maker.
Discounts and Coupon Codes
Step 1: Click here to activate the coupon codes
Step 2: When checking out use the coupon code HYPGR4705 for $25 OFF
EXPIRATION DATE: Oct. 10th
