I've only had it for about a week now but it's been fun experimenting in our backyard and neighborhood (uploaded a clip just walking down the stairs for giggles. It looks insane - like I'm floating!) Can't wait to actually take it on hikes and things to make more scenic videos. Oh! And when I walk by people with it, I don't get side-eye like I do when I'm using my AF-100 or the OSMO. I think people just assume we're using a cellphone with a selfie stick, which is awesome (less people looking into the lens and messing up the shot.)
It somehow arrived the same day I ordered it - I don' t know if that's an Amazon Prime thing or this manufacturer specifically. I feel like this camera and the packet of gelatin I ordered arrived faster than an ambulance would in L.A., ha ha! It came in a much sturdier case than I was expecting, which is great (the OSMO came in a cloth bag so I had to make a case for it.) I was a little nervous about the instructions that came with the package because some of the grammar is off, but you'll get the gist. Dinging one star from material quality just because of that - it took me a while to read through the book due to the grammar. The video demo on the website/on the product descrption is actually better than the paper instructions it comes with.
It came with a USB cable which I plugged into my desktop computer to charge (worked fine) so I'm not going to bother with buying a separate cable to plug into the wall. It charges on my laptop with no problem as well. I let it go overnight so not sure how long it takes to charge.
I have tried it with my MotoX4 and Pixel 1 with no problem (Pixel 1 is the footage above.) I was able to get it to work without even installing the software, but in order to control the zooms and things, you will need to install the software for sure. Installed the software on Pixel with no problem (haven't tried Moto yet.) I'm going to use it with my Pixel 3 once I get the hang of it. I was nervous that my phone would fall out of it, but so far, no problem. I have to avoid the temptation to wrench it manually and use the actual controls on the handle. It feels good in my hand and it's easy to pass off to a friend/collegue if you need them to take over the shot. Works pointing outwards and also in "selfie" mode.
I'm just so excited! Considering that not too many years ago, you had to get an $80,000 steadycam to get these kinds of shots, I'm impressed that you can use your better-quality cellphone and a Hohem to make your walk-and-talk Aaron Sorken-style walk-and-talk footage. Or more realistically, your selfie videos. :P But seriously, I once met the man who did steadycam for the Rocky Movie franchise; he walks with a cane and has chronic pain because of the rig. I'm thrilled that the technology is moving away from people destroying their bodies to get a smooth shot.
I probably wouldn't use it to do any kind of professional pans/zooms/tilts since the button is more to setup your shot than change it smoothly on the fly (no ease in/ease out feature.) But I honestly, can't believe how good it stabilizes and how light it is. I was surprised that it also came with a little tripod that folds up neatly. I guess I wasn't paying attention when I bought it because I see it now in the picture. It's pretty good! I hate carrying around the other tripod I have because it doesn't fit in any of my cases. It is also removable but I leave it on because I'm lazy and don't want to lose it.
I might buy a couple more of these as gifts since my father-in-law has a top of the line cellphone and loves gadgets. It will probably be overkill for him to be filming ultra-smooth video of his grandson drooling or whatever in 4K, but his old work buddies will probably be impressed. :D