Why You Need A FeiyuTech Vimble 2A Gimbal (For GoPro Videos)

Why did I buy a FeiyuTech Vimble 2A gimbal for my GoPro Hero 5 Black? It starts with a cancelled vacation to Dominican Republic and twists around the COVID-19 induced nightmare.

Not hi-tech. But, when we visit a resort in the Caribbean, I do a ‘walking tour’ video for our YouTube Channel. It’s basic. But, they get more views than you’d imagine so I keep doing them.

To buy or get more information: FeiyuTech Vimble 2A (Amazon)

In the past, I’ve simply mounted the GoPro to the handle of the stroller and shot the footage while one of our kids is napping (example – Memories Flamenco Beach Resort: Walking Tour). This year, they had simply moved beyond the stroller age. I needed a different plan. I needed a gimbal.

But then, the vacation was cancelled due to the lockdown. And with that lockdown and the accompanying travel restrictions, I needed new content for the video channel. I had a brilliant idea to do walking tours of hiking trails in the area. After all, people were now forced to stay close to home and would be looking for places like this to get some some exercise and fresh air. I needed a gimbal.

So, I ordered my FeiyuTech Vimble 2A gimbal. It was $119 CAD from Amazon. It has proven to be worth every penny.

What A FeiyuTech Vimble 2A Gimbal Can Do For You [Video]

The following video was taken this summer at a secret island I and my family kayak and canoe to. If I had to guess, the island is about two acres. You can never be at a spot on the island where you can’t see the water.

The island is rugged and there is no real cleaned and groomed trails, just a couple of rough pathways. In the video, I first traverse the island, filming handheld. I then follow the same route, filming with the aid of the Vimble 2A. You’ll see in the video that the difference is quite drastic.

You’ll notice in the section of video filmed with the gimbal that unnatural noise can be heard. That noise is the gimbal in motion, correcting for the horizon. I do not use an external microphone yet. If I did, I believe that noise would not be recorded.

My Thoughts On This Product

First off, I’m entirely happy with this gimbal and believe that my money was well spent.

There is more to the gimbal than recording a smooth video. I’m not overly technical so I haven’t used much in the way of options (and probably won’t). There is a downloadable app that allows you to pair the gimbal with your smart phone. I did not try this simply because the reviews were mostly negative.

I mentioned the noise above. Again, I believe that an external microphone would negate this. I believe that the ‘noise’ is more vibrations on the casing than actual noise.

The battery life is through the roof. After a full charge, they say it will last for eight hours of use. I believe that statement. I’ve never had this thing go dead.

I have had an issue with a sensitive ‘ON button’. When stored in the soft case that comes with the product, the gimbal easily but accidentally turns on when bumped or squeezed. There are two axis points that you manually lock when the product is not in use. When the gimbal is turned on with these in lock position, it tries in vain to turn. It will work hard enough that the axis points are burning hot to the touch.

Which brings up the next point… When using, don’t forget to unlock each axis. I left one locked when I was first playing around with it and nearly burnt my finger because it heated up so much.

The handle is extendable. It’s not a lot but it does add some length. At the bottom is a standard 1/4″ thread hole which opens up a whole world of mounting options. It comes with a ‘tripod’. This is a two inch high extension that acts as a stand but I wouldn’t call it stable or sturdy.

With the 1/4″ thread hole, this can easily be mounted on top of any tripod or ‘selfie-stick’.

As for compatibility, this is specifically built to house a GoPro. More specifically, it is built for the GoPro Hero 5, 6 and 7. However, FeiyuTech is a reputable brand of gimbal products for a wide range of different cameras, big and small.