An affordable, lightweight, and responsive smartphone gimbal, enhanced with AI motion detection, and some snazzy video templates.
PTZ technology has been greatly improved in recent years. For example, Hohem iSteady V2 ( Check Latest price at Amazon. ) adds visual AI tracking to the mix and has considerable portability. But can this method really completely change the way you make videos?
Hohem iSteady V2: A Feature-Packed Gimbal
Due to the built-in camera, Hohem iSteady V2 has AI visual tracking function. There are many possibilities, from locking the position of the object and moving around it to letting the object pass the camera and follow it automatically. Mobile phones and PTZ can detect objects and faces through APP.
At the same time, gesture control allows you to shoot alone without having to press a button to record. Once the tripod is removed, the Hohem iSteady V2 gimbal’s anti-shake algorithm can prevent jitter, thus keeping the image stable. You can use your favorite camera app or use the dedicated Hohem Pro app for shooting, available for Android and iOS.
In addition to charging via USB TypeC, Hohem iSteady V2 can also act as a power bank, allowing you to charge your phone when shooting projects.
With the help of heading, pitch, motion, slow motion and time modes (movie-inspired presets inspired by Alfred Hitchcock, Christopher Nolan and others), the gimbal and the app provide All the tools you need to continue playing your movie. Look truly unique.
What’s Inside the Hohem iSteady V2
The folding size of the gimbal is 179x79x39mm (7.05×3.11×1.54 inches), with built-in Bluetooth and USB TypeC charging ports. The 2800 mAh lithium-ion battery can last up to 9 hours, and the battery has almost no increase in the weight of the device’s 585 grams.
An adjustable halo is installed around the AI sensor. It has three brightness settings, which is very suitable for low-light shooting.
The three-axis stabilizer provides 320 degrees of tilt, roll and rotation, and each axis has a separate motor.
Please note that Hohem iSteady V2 is not waterproof, so it is not suitable for shooting in the rain or underwater. It is available in black or white.
Is Your Phone Compatible With the Hohem iSteady V2?
Most mobile phones should be able to work with PTZ. Supports mobile phones with a width of 5590mm, a thickness of 11mm or less, and a weight of no more than 280 grams.
We tested the stabilizer with Sony Xperia and iPhone 12 SE, and they are very suitable. However, the phablet type device Doogee S95 Pro is not suitable for Hohem iSteady V2. Since you may want to use a rugged phone with a gimbal, this is a potential disadvantage, but with a suitable sturdy case and screen protector, you can achieve the same results.
Setting Up the Hohem iSteady V2 for Use
Before you start using the gimbal, it is worth taking a moment to install the mobile app. This allows you to use pan/tilt controls via Bluetooth and also has a camera app. All kinds of bells and whistles can be found in the app, you can learn more about it below.
After installing the APP and activating the Bluetooth function of the mobile phone, the device can be installed on the pan / tilt. This is done by loosening the fixed knob, unfolding the holder, and then placing the phone on the button. Be sure to complete this operation before turning on the pan / tilt; otherwise, the device motor will repeatedly execute its starting action. If repeated during “closing”, this can damage the universal joint.
After the gimbal is fully powered, the phone is installed, and the knob is fixed, you can press and hold the power button on Hohem iSteady V2. After the first power on, it will try to pair with your phone. Follow the instructions in the app to complete the process.
Using the Hohem Pro App With the Hohem iSteady V2
Complete the iSteady V2 experience, the mobile application is easy to use. Just open the app, click Start, make sure the video is selected, choose the correct camera, and click Record.
For AI tracking, you can select a face or object. Both of these options allow you to use the gimbal with relative confidence, and if you don’t shake the camera violently, your subject will remain in the frame. Faster motor adjustments will ensure better framing, but this will result in faster battery consumption and more demanding motion compensation.
Extra features are included in the app. Along with the video and stills mode, there is a selection of filters, along with a The application contains additional functions. In addition to video and still image modes, there are also a number of filters and a “gesture recording” system. This includes enabling and disabling the AI vision sensor and switching between landscape and portrait modes. Of course, these controls are repeated on the physical controls of the PTZ.
also includes a time lapse photography tool and a number of trendy effects. Panoramic videos, “Inception” style rotation, carriage zoom mode, time rotation with music, and intelligent time-lapse photography can be created. They are great for quick uploads to Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube.
At the same time, you can configure the camera and the gimbal, allowing you to switch slightly. So the joystick on the gimbal allows you to move the camera or you can switch it to pan and rotate the camera. Speed, motor response and other settings can be adjusted.
Use the Hohem iSteady V2 Gimbal for Vlogging
With the help of a convenient tripod (with standard quarter-inch screws for attachment), the gimbal can be set up for relatively still photography on a smartphone.
This has multiple uses. As mentioned above, the app supports some time-lapse photography projects, but you can also easily use a tripod to photograph passing objects. Or, change the camera and use AI face detection to make sure that if you move a little, you won’t get lost.
Combined with a tripod and AI face detection, the Hohem iSteady V2 gimbal is well suited for video blogging.
Does the Hohem iSteady V2 Gimbal Deliver Steady Images?
What you really want to know is whether Hohem iSteady V2 is suitable for outdoor running. To better understand the stability of the device and its ability to absorb the tremors and vibrations of sudden hand movements, I took it to the local forest and filmed my 10-year-old twins chasing them.
You can see this result in the attached video. Obviously, due to the motor and gyroscope in the gimbal, I expected the movement to become smooth. However, I am not ready to remove much jitter from the lens.
The moving camera just slides across the landscape, no matter what happens to my feet.
Hohem iSteady V2 – A Smartphone Gimbal Enhanced by AI
Hohem iSteady V2 is easy to install and lightweight, easy to protect the eyes and easy to use. The grip is easy to hold, the two main buttons are responsive, the zoom slider is quite accurate, and the joystick is responsive according to your needs.
Add gesture control and remote control, as well as the option to use the gimbal without a feature-rich application, and you have an excellent portable movie production kit that is only a little heavier than a mobile phone.
The biggest surprise of Hohem iSteady V2 may not be the weight or quality of the app, but the price (Check Latest price at Amazon). Its features are much cheaper than you might expect, and for this reason alone, it should be considered before competing gimbals.
Related: Zhiyun Smooth Q3 Review: The Best Budget Gimbal for Instagram, TikTok
