Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus Gimbal Stabilizer User Manual

1. Product Overview

The Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus is a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer designed for smartphones, providing enhanced stability for video recording and photography. It features advanced anti-shake technology, intelligent tracking, and various creative shooting modes to help users capture smooth, professional-quality footage.

Image: The Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus Gimbal Stabilizer in use, capturing stable footage on a beach.

2. Package Contents

Verify that all items are present in the package:

• Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus Gimbal Stabilizer x 1
• Tripod x 1
• Carry Case x 1
• Type C Charging Cable x 1

3. Setup Guide

3.1 Unfolding the Gimbal

1. Hold the gimbal handle firmly.
2. Gently unfold the gimbal arms until they lock into position.

3.2 Mounting Your Smartphone

The phone clamp supports devices with a width between 2.28 to 3.50 inches.

1. Extend the phone clamp and insert your smartphone. Ensure the phone is centered and securely held.
2. For optimal performance, remove your phone case if it adds significant weight or bulk.

Image: A smartphone securely mounted in the Hohem iSteady Mobile Plus gimbal clamp.

3.3 Balancing the Gimbal

Proper balancing is crucial for stable footage and to prevent motor strain. The iSteady Mobile Plus requires balancing primarily on one axis.

1. After mounting your phone, ensure the gimbal is powered off.
2. Adjust the sliding arm (tilt axis) until your phone remains level when released. The phone should not tilt heavily to one side.
3. For larger phones, such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, extend the arm as far as possible without obstructing the panning motor. The gimbal's motors are designed to compensate for minor imbalances.

Image: Illustrates the process of balancing a smartphone on the gimbal.

3.4 Initial Charging

Before first use, fully charge the gimbal using the provided Type-C charging cable.

• Connect the Type-C cable to the gimbal's charging port and a USB power adapter (not included).
• Charging typically takes approximately 1.5 hours for a full charge.
• The indicator lights will show charging status and battery level.

3.5 Hohem Joy App Connection

To access all features, download the Hohem Joy app and connect via Bluetooth.

1. Scan the QR code in the product packaging or search for "Hohem Joy" in your smartphone's app store (iOS 10.0 or later, Android 6.0 or later).
2. Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone.
3. Power on the gimbal.
4. Open the Hohem Joy app and follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your iSteady Mobile Plus.

4. Operating the Gimbal

4.1 Power On/Off

• Power On: Press and hold the power button until the indicator lights illuminate.
• Power Off: Press and hold the power button until the indicator lights turn off.

4.2 Control Panel Overview

Image: Detailed view of the gimbal's control buttons and joystick.

• Joystick: Controls manual pan and tilt movements.
• Mode Button: Cycles through different operating modes (PF, PTF, Locked, POV). Triple press to activate Inception Mode. Five presses to auto-calibrate motors.
• Trigger Button: Located on the front of the handle. Double press to recenter the gimbal. Press and hold to activate Sport Mode. Press once then hold to lock all movements.
• Zoom Slider: Controls the zoom function within the Hohem Joy app.

4.3 Operating Modes

The gimbal offers several modes for diverse shooting scenarios:

• Pan Follow (PF): The camera pans left/right following your hand movements, while tilt and roll axes are locked.
• Pan & Tilt Follow (PTF): The camera pans left/right and tilts up/down following your hand movements, while the roll axis is locked.
• All Locked (L): All three axes are locked, keeping the camera pointing in a fixed direction.
• Point of View (POV): All three axes follow your hand movements, providing a dynamic first-person perspective.
• Sport Mode: Activated by pressing and holding the trigger button. Increases motor response speed for capturing fast-moving subjects.
• Inception Mode (600° Auto Rotation): Triple press the mode button. The gimbal will rotate your phone 360° vertically, creating a dynamic spinning effect. This mode offers a 600° wide rotation range.

Image: The iSteady 6.0 Anti-shake technology ensures stable footage even during dynamic movements.

Image: The 600° auto-rotation feature for creating unique, dynamic video effects.

4.4 Portrait Mode

Quickly switch to portrait (vertical) mode for live streaming or social media content.

• Manually rotate the phone clamp to switch between horizontal and vertical orientations.

Image: Demonstrates switching the gimbal to portrait mode for vertical video recording.

4.5 Hohem Joy App Features

The Hohem Joy app unlocks the full potential of your gimbal:

• Face/Object Tracking: Draw a rectangle around a subject on your phone screen, and the gimbal will automatically follow it.
• Moment Templates: Access pre-programmed video templates like Inception, Fantastic Rotation, CloneMe, Panoramic Video, Timelapse, and Dolly Zoom for one-click cinematic effects.
• Beauty Touch-up: Enhance your appearance in real-time during recording.
• Pan Mode Switching: Control gimbal modes directly from the app.
• Gesture Control: Use hand gestures to start/stop recording or take photos.

Image: Smart tracking feature in action, following moving subjects effortlessly.

5. Charging and Power Management

5.1 Charging the Gimbal

Use the provided Type-C cable to charge the gimbal. A full charge provides up to 13 hours of operation.

5.2 Reverse Charging (Power Bank Function)

The gimbal can act as a power bank to charge your smartphone.

• Connect your smartphone to the gimbal's USB output port using an appropriate charging cable.
• Note: The USB-C port on some phones (e.g., iPhone 15 Pro Max) might be blocked by the tilt motor when mounted, limiting this function for those specific models.

Image: Highlights the gimbal's long battery life and ability to reverse charge a smartphone.

6. Maintenance

Proper maintenance ensures the longevity and performance of your gimbal.

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the gimbal. Avoid liquid cleaners or solvents.
• Storage: Store the gimbal in its carry case in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
• Battery Care: For long-term storage, charge the battery to approximately 50-60% every three months to maintain battery health.

7. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, refer to the following common problems and solutions:

• Gimbal is unstable or motors are vibrating:
  Ensure your smartphone is properly balanced before powering on the gimbal. Re-balance the phone by adjusting the sliding arm. If the issue persists, perform an auto-calibration by pressing the mode button five times.
• Gimbal does not power on:
  Check the battery level. Charge the gimbal fully using the provided Type-C cable.
• Phone is too heavy for the gimbal:
  The gimbal supports phones up to 9.88 oz (280g). If your phone exceeds this weight, or if accessories like heavy lenses are attached, the motors may struggle to stabilize. Try removing heavy cases or accessories.
• Cannot connect to Hohem Joy App:
  Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and the gimbal is powered on. Close and reopen the app, or restart both your phone and the gimbal. Verify that the Hohem Joy app has necessary permissions.
• Short battery life:
  Ensure the gimbal is fully charged. Battery performance can degrade over time or in extreme temperatures. Avoid over-discharging the battery.

8. Specifications

Image: Visual representation of the gimbal's universal compatibility and physical specifications.

9. Warranty and Support

For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the official Hohem website or contact their customer service directly. Keep your purchase receipt for warranty validation.