[VinnyP]

I picked up a Gimbal style support for £103 delivered from India. It arrived after about a week with no issues. These are just my initial impressions as I haven't had a chance to field test it yet but if you shoot a lot of squirrels out of a bedroom window I can 100% recommend it! . I will try and compare it with the Wimberley and also say how well it works.

For more details of the supplier see this thread

The seller was helpful and confirmed in advance that (unlike the Wimberley) you do not have to use Arca Swiss plates and can use your own QR plates and mounts. Mine (Novoflex) bolted on easily and I am happy it's not going anywhere. Either way you will have to budget for some kind of attachment method just like the Wimberley. The company will supply compatible plates for most lenses for a lot less than Arca Swiss or Wimberley (2 plates for my 2 long toms from Wimberley would cost more than this Gimbal!!!).

Obviously it is not as well finished as a Wimberley and up close you can see slight casting marks on unmachined sections but nothing that causes me any concerns. It is free moving when released on nylon bushes and holds very well when tightened. The adjusting knobs are hard rough plastic and easy enough to grip and use. I think they would be better if knurled like the knob to adjust the platform height. They look a standard part as are the bushes so I should be able to replace them if they niggle me in the future.

It is reassuringly substantial and a simple design that works as expected. I tried it with the 300 and 600 with and without TCons. In all cases it was easy to use, well balanced and steady with much better vibration damping. It is a huge improvement on a ball or 3 way pan and tilt and definitely better than a (Still much more expensive) Wimberley sidekick that I often use, the company I got this from also do a sidekick style model for about £50 I think.

I feel it represents excellent value for money but am not so sure I would feel this way were it not for the £500 Wimberley as it is a simple design and I imagine easy to construct.

Anyway I am sure it will get a fair bit of use and I can't see me breaking it so will have it for a good few years.

[stepheno]

Thanks for that Vinny Will you pop a review i the Equipment Reviews when you've done an extensive test?

[VinnyP]

Happy to.

[VinnyP]

Now done thanks for uploading it.