★★★★★
Professional grade Camera Gimbal
It is a very well-made and designed camera gimbal that can support a lot of weight. The build quality is premium, and the motor is strong enough to hold my heaviest-setup mirrorless camera with the cage installed.
I love the apparent design of the control panel more than the small LED screen usually seen on the other brands. The button operations are fast and smooth to use, and they are more user-friendly to operate outside under bright sunlight.
The AB point feature is an excellent function built into this gimbal. I also love the integrated sling handle design, which makes holding much easier and more comfortable.
★★★★★
User friendly, smooth motors, awesome design
I am really enjoying this gimbal! I am coming from using an AK2000S (an older Feiyutech product which is out of production I think). I wasn't sure how I would like this gimbal design which I would consider "non-standard". However, after putting the SCORP-C to the test, there are quite a few differences I rather enjoy.
Build Quality and Size:
The build quality of this gimbal seems very good to me. The arms are sturdy and large, having not problems accommodating my tiny Canon R50, but quite capable of handling much larger cameras and lenses. The buttons are all nice to the touch, and have a reassuring feel when you press them. No guessing if you pressed it, and not prone to misses or miss-hits.
The size of the gimbal is great, significantly more stout. I also fine the layout of buttons on each handle to be logical and always at your finger tips. The buttons aren't just placed anywhere, it was clearly thought through.
Built in rear handle:
A short word on the rear handle. My previous gimbal had an attachable handle, but by the handle being built in you can put the buttons right on it. I find the gimbal easy to lift one handed by either handle. The angle of the rear handle is very convenient, and makes filming, especially youth events where everyone is short, much simpler.
Buttons and App:
Oh how I love the buttons! Contrary to the belief of many manufacturers, a touchscreen isn't the best solution all the time. This SCORP-C let's you control the gimbal with a button for 99% of the changes you'll need to make. If you need to do fine tuning, invert joysticks, etc... Connect the Feiyu SCORP app (available via google play) and make the more detailed adjustments.
Speaking of the app, while this doesn't have native AI tracking like the newer SCORP2, this DOES allow you to use your phone like a remote control. Turn your phone left or right, and the gimbal will pan left/right. Tilt you phone up/down, and the gimbal will do the same. My phone (Motorola Edge 2023) doesn't seem to have roll sensors, or the app doesn't support roll.
Setup and Balancing:
I found setup to be very easy. In the manual, there is one page that explains what the button presses do, and another pages that explains how to balance the camera and which buttons perform horizontal calibration and motor calibration. Really straightforward. If there is any lack of clarity, the Scorp app has a bunch of videos you can watch that will show you what to do.
Additionally, after getting everything balanced, if you often use the same lens there are little "place keepers" that you can set to know where to adjust your gimbal too when setting it up the next time.
What could be improved?
Not a fan of the brackets they send with the gimbal to mount the camera on. My older gimbal had an arca clamp on a longer Arca plate that you could then adjust in the gimbal. This would allow you to remove the camera with a screw clamp, rather than a screw. I much prefer an option where the gimbal plate can be more quickly removed, and is a miss in my opinion. This can be easily rectified by getting a universal plate like the one I mentioned.
I also wish this came with a case to transport it in. A bit disappointed I'll need to shell out an additional $30+ to get the Feiyutech case, maybe they do this to keep costs lower.
The two above items are forgivable in my opinion. Regrettable, but forgivable.
I really enjoy the form and function of this gimbal.
