How to Balance Your Gimbal with the Osmo Mobile Counterweight

Quick Answer

Attach a counterweight to your Osmo Mobile gimbal to offset the weight of heavy iPhone gear, then fine-tune the balance for smooth, stable footage.

Step-by-Step Balancing Guide

1. Mount your iPhone and gear: Attach your iPhone and any accessories (lens, mic, etc.) to the gimbal as you normally would for filming. Check that the gimbal is powered off before adding the counterweight to avoid motor strain.
2. Attach the counterweight: Slide the counterweight onto the gimbal's arm opposite the phone. Position it so it counterbalances the extra weight of your gear. Start with the counterweight in the middle; you'll adjust it later.
3. Power on and observe: Turn on the gimbal and let it self-balance. Watch for any tilt or drift in the phone's position. If the gimbal still tilts, the counterweight isn't enough or is positioned incorrectly.
4. Fine-tune the counterweight position: Slide the counterweight along the arm until the gimbal holds your phone level without constant motor correction. Small adjustments make a big difference—move it in tiny increments.
5. Test with a recording: Record a short clip while walking and panning to confirm smooth stabilization. If you notice shakiness, repeat the fine-tuning step. Always test with the exact gear you plan to use, as different accessories change the balance.

Product Spotlight

• Counterweight - Osmo Mobile 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / SE: The SANDMARC Counterweight is compatible with Osmo Mobile 6, 5, 4, 3, and SE gimbals, adding balance when heavy accessories or large iPhone models are attached. This lets you mount heavier gear like external lenses or microphones without the gimbal failing to balance, so you can capture stable footage with your full rig.