ZHIYUN SMOOTH-Q Manual

Packing List

The product package comes with the following items. In case that any item is found missing, please contact ZHIYUN or your local selling agent.

Get to Know SMOOTH-Q

Check the product package before use, make sure that all items below have arrived with the product. In case that any item is found missing, please contact ZHIYUN or your local selling agent.

Payload : 75g-200g
Horizontal Arm Adjusment Range: 15mm(0.6 inch)
Mounting Clamp Supporting Range: 58-85mm(2.3-3.3 inch)

Charging Guidelines

Mobile Charging

The USB Port at the bottom of the stabilizer handle can be used for convenient charging of your smartphone while mounted on the stabilizer, which guarantees extended working duration both for the stabilizer and the mounted smartphone.

NOTICE
An L-shape charging connector is required when the smartphone is mounted horizontally on the mobile clamp.

Stabilizer Charging

Connect the Micro USB Port on the side of SMOOTH-Q's handle to a power source via the Micro USB charging cable for direct charging of SMOOTH-Q.

APP Download and Installation

Download the APP from the "Downloads" page on ZHIYUN's official website www.ZHIYUN-TECH.com, or by directly scanning the QR code:

(Android 5.0 above or iOS9.0 above required) to download.

Users can download the APP by searching "ZY Play" in Google Play:

or APP Store:

The ZHIYUN APP is subject to regular update, try out now to discover more functions.

Smartphone Installation

Push and hold open the camera clamp, slide the smartphone in as close as possible against the tilt axis motor, and clamp on.

Do not power on the stabilizer before the smartphone is properly mounted.

Balance Adjustment

Gravity Center Adjustment

If the smartphone fails to stay in level and keeps tilting when mounted, loosen the Roll (Y).
Axis Thumb Screw to adjust the gravity center by sliding the horizontal arm (as marked red in the Figure) until the smartphone stays still and vertical on the tilt axis.
Tighten the Thumb Screw after the smartphone is well balanced in level to ensure normal operations.

Proper adjustment of gravity center ensures better power saving during operation. The stabilizer may still function well when the gravity center is not properly configured, however, it may lead to more power consumption on the motors, and can greatly affect the torque output.

Switching Mobile Mounting Direction

Loosen the Mobile Clamp Thumb Screw on the back and rotate the mobile clamp to the desired direction (either in horizontal or vertical).Tighten the Thumb Screw to ensure normal operations.

NOTICE: Make sure the stabilizer is powered off before changing the mobile mounting direction.

Start Up

Control Panel Introduction

Joystick Operation
Joystick controls the smartphone movement when pushed or pulled up/down and left/right.

Power ON/ofF
Power on the stabilizer by pressing the Power button for about 3 sec. The Power button is used for camera shooting controls when paired to the Mobile APP.

Micro USB Port
Connect the stabilizer with a USB power source using a Micro USB cable for charging. Connect the stabilizer with a computer using a Micro USB cable for firmware upgrade and on-line calibration.

Battery Level Indicator
Shines BLUE light when the stabilizer is in normal operation, the flashing frequency of the BLUE light indicates the current battery level:

1. Quick flash 4 times for battery level of 76% - 100%.
2. Quick flash 3 times for battery level of 51% - 75%.
3. Quick flash 2 times for battery level of 26% - 50%.
4. Quick flash 1 time for battery level of 1% - 25%.

Shifter Lever Operation
When connected to the smartphone with the APP on, push the Shifter Lever up/down to adjust the focal length.

MODE Button
The stabilizer enters Pan Following Mode by default each time when powered on. Switch into Locking Mode by single pressing on the MODE button. Double press the MODE button to enter the Following mode. Single press the MODE button under the Following Mode will return to the previous mode.

Status indicator

1. The yellow light is indicator of switching ON/OFF the gimbal. (Switch on: the light quickly flashes for 3s and keeps on for Is, then goes out; Switch off: the light quickly flashes for 3s and then goes off.)
2. The yellow light is charging indicator too. (flashing light shows charging; keeping on shows charging finished.)

How to Power ON/OFF

Long press the power button for 3 sec. to power on/off.

Introducing Gimbal Control Modes

Mode switch:
The stabilizer enters Pan Following Mode by default each time when powered on. Switch into Locking Mode by single pressing on the MODE button. Double press the MODE button to enter the Following mode. Single press the MODE button under the Following Mode will return to the previous mode-Quick press MODE three times and the camera will turn 1800 along the pan axis while the active control mode remains unchanged.

Mode Switch Schematic Figure

See ZHIYUN's product training videos on www.zhiyun-tech.com for more operation tips.

• Pan Following Mode:
  The smartphone pans left/right following the movement of the stabilizer while the tilt and roll axes are locked. Push the joystick up/down allows manual control of the tilt axis.
  
• Locking Mode: This mode locks movement of all three axes to keep the camera still and stable. Push the joystick up/down and left/right allows manual control of the tilt axis and pan axis.
  
• Following Mode: The camera pans and tilts following the movement of the stabilizer. Push the joystick left/right allows manual control of the roll axis.
  

Introducing Connection Ports and Various Operations

Micro USB Port

1. Connect the stabilizer to your computer using the Micro USB cable for firmware upgrade and on-line calibration.
2. Connect the stabilizer to a power source for direct charging. The stabilizer can operate while charging.

Firmware Upgrade

Connect the stabilizer to your computer using the Micro USB cable for firmware upgrade and on-line calibration. Calibration can also be operated through mobile APP.

Visit ZHIYUN's official website: www.zhiyun-tech.com.
Click to open the 'Downloads' page, and find the Firmware Upgrade Tutorial package. Download the driver, calibration tool and latest firmware corresponding to your stabilizer.
Upgrade firmware following the instructions indicated in the Firmware Upgrade Tutorial.

Calibration Method

1. Visit ZHIYUN's official website: www.zhiyun-tech.com.
2. Click to open the 'Downloads" page, and find ZHIYUN' s Gimbal Tools as well as online calibration tutorial;
   OR
3. Operate calibration on mobile APP by connecting to the smartphone.

APP Operations

Connecting the Stabilizer to Smartphone

1. Power on the stabilizer.
2. Turn on Bluetooth in Settings of your smartphone.
3. Tap ZHIYUN's APP icon to open. Tap the signal icon on the top of the APP screen to search for nearby signals, choose your stabilizer to connect.

How to Take Photos & Videos

Photo/Video Switch thru the Stabilizer
Single press the Power/Shutter button to take a photo.
Double press the Power/Shutter button to start/stop video recording.

Photo/Video Control and Settings thru APP

1. Tap the Photo/Video icon on the left of ZY Play operation screen to switch between "PHOTO" and "VIDEO" shooting.
   1. When in phot oshooting mode, tapping on the right side of the screen will open a menu, on which you can select a shooting mode: single shot, panorama, and long exposure.
   2. When in video shooting mode, tapping allows you to select a recording mode: default, slow motion, time lapse and moving time lapse.
2. Tap on the left of ZY Play operation screen to switch between the rear and front cameras.

Long press the Function Button can also make front/rear camera switch. Long press the shifter to W or T on gimbal can also make switch.

How to Adjust Stabilizer Parameters

Tap the Gear icon onscreen to open the "Settings" menu, and select PTZ.Tap to select a specific item and then adjust the parameter by rolling up/down. Tap Save to finish adjustment.

How to Activate Handwheel Manual Control Mode

1. Tape on the right of the operation screen, select to activate Manual control mode.
2. Under Manual control mode, single press the Function button on the stabilizer handle can switch between settings options including focal length, ISO, white balance, shutter speed and exposure compensation.
3. In each of these settings options, you can make precise adjustment by rolling the Handwheel up/down.

How to Use Object Tracking

1. Tap on the bottom left of the operation screen to activate Object Tracking function (the stabilizer enters Locking Mode automatically when this function is activated).
2. After the function is activated, drag to draw a box onscreen around the target Object will enable auto tracking.
3. Tap Exit beside to stop Object Tracking.

Initialization and Calibration

Initializing the Stabilizer

Initializing the Stabilizer

Initialize the stabilizer under the following circumstances:

• Slight deviation is found in the tilt angle of the camera in level position after startup.
• Slight deviation is found in the roll angle of the camera in level position after startup.
• Frequent small angle correction is found when the camera is in level position while the stabilizer stays still.

Initialization Procedure

1. Power on the stabilizer.
2. Long press the MODE button to enter standby mode.
3. Put the stabilizer still on a table surface in random pose, wait for about 10 sec., and the stabilizer will automatically complete initialization.

On-line Calibration

Calibrate the stabilizer when any of the following circumstances occurs:

1. Deviation is found in the balancing of the smartphone even after initialization.
2. The stabilizer has not been used for a long time.
3. The stabilizer is exposed to significant temperature change.

Calibration Method

1. Visit ZHIYUN's official website: www.ZHIYUN-TECH.com.
2. Click to open the 'Downloads" page, and find ZHIYUN' s Gimbal Tools as well as online calibration tutorial;
   OR
3. Operate calibration on mobile APP by connecting to the smartphone.

Product Specifications

Warranty

Claim Procedure
If failure or any problem occurs to your product after purchase, please contact a local agent for assistant, or you can always contact ZHIYUN' s customer service through email at
service@zhiyun-tech.com
or website at
www.zhiyun-tech.com.

Contact Card

Website

Weibo

Vimeo

Google+

Facebook

Wechat

Youku

Youtube

Tel: +86-773-2320856
Web: www.zhiyun-tech.com
E-mail: service@zhiyun-tech.com

Glossary

The following terms are used throughout the product literature to indicate various levels of potential harm when operating this product.

Procedures, which if not properly followed, may incur property damage, grave accident, or serious injury.

Procedures, which if not properly followed, may incur property damage and serious Injury.

NOTICE: Procedures, which if not properly followed, may incur property damage or minor injury.

Read the ENTIRE User Guide to become familiar with the features of this product before operating. Failure to operate the product correctly can result in damage to the product or personal property and cause serious injury. This is a sophisticated product. It must be operated with caution and common sense and requires some basic mechanical ability. Failure to operate this product in a safe and responsible manner could result in injury or damage to the product or other property. This product is not intended for use by children without direct adult supervision.
Do NOT use with incompatible components or in any way otherwise as mentioned or instructed in the product documents provided by ZHIYUN. The safety guidelines herein contain instructions for safety, operation and maintenance. It is essential to read and follow all of the instructions and warnings in the User Guide, prior to assembly, setup or use, in order to operate the product correctly and avoid damage or serious injury.

Safe Operation Guidelines

• .
  1. SMOOTH-Q is a high-precision control device. Damage may be caused to SMOOTH-Q if it is dropped or subject to external force, and this may result in malfunction.
  2. Make sure the rotation of the gimbal axes is not blocked by external force when SMOOTH-Q is turned on.
  3. SMOOTH-Q is not waterproof. Prevent contacts of any kind of liquid or cleaner with SMOOTH-Q. It is recommended to use dry cloth for cleaning.
  4. Protect SMOOTH-Q from dust and sand during use.
• 
  To avoid fire, serious injury, and property damage, observe the following safety guidelines when using, charging, or storing your batteries.

Reading Tips

Legends:

Hints and tips

- Important.

Battery Safety Guidelines

1. Prevent the batteries to come into contact with any kind of liquid. Do not leave batteries out in the rain or near a source of moisture. Do not drop the battery into water. If the inside of the battery comes into contact with water, chemical decomposition may occur, potentially resulting in the battery catching on fire, and may even lead to an explosion.
2. If the battery falls into water with the stabilizer during use, take it out immediately and put it in a safe and open area. Maintain a safe distance from the battery until it is completely dry. Never use the battery again, and dispose of the battery properly as described in the Battery Disposal section below.
3. If the battery catches fire, use water, water spray, sand, fire blanket, dry powder, or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher immediately to put out the fire. Please extinct the fire by applying the methods recommended above according to the actual situation.
4. Never use non-ZHIYUN batteries. If replacement or backup is needed, please purchase new batteries from ZHIYUN's official website or authorized channels. ZHIYUN takes no responsibility for any damage caused by non-ZHIYUN batteries.
5. Never use or charge swollen, leaky, or damaged batteries. Never use or charge if the battery smells, or overheats (exceeding maximum temperature of 160 ºF / 71 ºC). If your batteries are abnormal, contact ZHIYUN or a ZHIYUN authorized dealer for further assistance.
6. The battery should be used within the temperature range from -10 ºC to 50 ºC. Use the battery in environments above 50 ºC can lead to a fire or explosion. Use of battery below -10 ºC can lead to serious battery damage.
7. Do not use the battery in strong electrostatic or electromagnetic environments. Otherwise, the battery protection board may malfunction.
8. Do not disassemble or use any sharp object to puncture the battery in any way. Otherwise, the battery may leak, catch fire or explode.
9. Do not mechanically strike, crush, or throw the battery. Do not place heavy objects on the battery or charger.
10. Electrolytes inside the battery are highly corrosive. In case of accidental contact of any electrolytes with your skin or eyes, rinse immediately with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
11. Do not use the battery if it has been involved in a crash or heavy impact.
12. Do not heat the battery and never put the battery in a microwave oven or in a pressurized container.
13. Do not place the battery cell on a conductive surface (such as a metal desk surface).
14. Prevent use of wires or other metal objects that could cause positive and negative short-circuit to the battery.
15. If the battery terminal is dirty, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. Otherwise it will cause a bad battery connection, which may result in energy loss or charging failure.

Battery Charging

1. Do not attach the batteries to a wall outlet or car charger socket directly. Always use a ZHIYUN approved adapter for charging. ZHIYUN takes no responsibility if the battery is charged using a non-ZHIYUN charger.
2. Do not put the battery and charger near flammable materials or on flammable surfaces (such as carpet or wood). Never leave the battery unattended during charging to prevent any accident.
3. Do not charge the battery immediately after use, because the battery temperature may be too high. Do not charge the battery until it cools down to normal room temperature. Charging the battery with its temperature over 40 ºC or lower than 15 ºC may lead to leakage, overheating, or damage.
4. Examine the charger before use, make sure there is no damage to the enclosure, cord, plug, or other parts. Never use a damaged charger. Do not clean the charger with any liquid containing alcohol or other flammable solvents. Disconnect the charger when not in use.

Battery Storage

1. Keep batteries out of the reach of children and pets.
2. Do not leave the battery near heat sources such as a furnace or heater, or inside of a vehicle on hot days. Never expose the battery in any environment with temperature of over 60 ºC. The ideal storage temperature is 22 ºC - 28 ºC.
3. Store batteries in a dry environment.
4. Do not leave the battery unused for too long after it has been completely discharged to prevent over-discharge of battery which may result in battery damage and permanent failure.

Battery Maintenance

1. Never use the battery when the temperature is too high or too low.
2. Do not store the battery in any environment with a temperature of over 60 ºC.

Transportation Notice

1. Discharge the battery power to 5% or lower before carrying the battery on an airline flight.
   Only discharge the battery in a fireproof location, ideally in a dry and open area.
2. Do not store or transport batteries together with metal objects such as eyeglasses, watch, and jewelries, etc.
3. Do not transport damaged batteries. When transporting, be sure to discharge the battery to less than 50%.

NOTICE

• Battery Use
  Make sure the batteries are fully charged before each time of use.
• Battery Charging
  The battery will stop charging automatically when it is full. Disconnect the batteries from the charger when fully charged.
• Battery Storage
  1. Discharge the battery to 40%-65% if it will NOT be used for over 10 days. This can greatly extend the battery life.
  2. The battery enters hibernation mode when voltage gets too low. Charge the battery will bring it out of hibernation. Battery Disposal If the battery cannot be fully discharged, do not leave it in the recycling box, but contact a professional battery disposal/recycling agent for further assistance.

Documents / Resources

References

• ZHIYUN-TECH
• Google Play
• App Store - Apple

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download ZHIYUN SMOOTH-Q Manual