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Anybody has experience with the WHM-BG Artificial Horizon Modules


axel ebermann

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Can't wait to get mine. I've ordered a lot of stuff over B&H and I've always been satisfied of the speed my stuff were shipped. So I ordered it over them a month and a half ago and didn't receive it yet. On the B&H website it says that the lead time is 7 to 14 days prior to order. I asked them about it almost every weeks since the delay is passed and they keep postponing the shipping date, they tell me that it is Tiffen that doesn't ship their stuff on time so that's why I don't have it yet...

 

All in all, frustrating process... Does someone had issues like that before with Tiffen?

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Just saw this, thanks for mentioning my idea Chris =) I'll post some pictures when I get a chance on set later.

 

Hey Marc, I got mine from Betz, but not sure if they stock them. That said you're always welcome to stop by my place (Munich, Nymphenburg) and check it out.

 

As for real world experience, I love it. But: you can't rely on it for vehicle mount work on steep corners. At least mine, goes off on corners, and does so slow enough to make it kinda believable, then slooooooooowly returns to level. If you believe it youll bank turns like crazy. I found out on a test and believe my feeling for framing and horizontals in the monitor then. Actually mine hasn't got the latest firmware updade yet, so that might improve it (does it, steve?) (that's another thing I dont like - no usb port for updates, might be considered unnecessary if there arent any updates, yet there was one already a week after I got mine, and now I needto send it in =( ...)

 

For the cable, I made one (or had it soldered at Betz I think) with a P-Tap and a 90* plug on the Wagner side so the cable doesn't stick out like the straight ones.

 

But overall its a great little unit I'd immediately recommend at its price point.

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As promised, 2 photos of how the wagner main unit is mounted on a spare original Zephyr monitor mount, and how the display just mounts to the top of the monitor with dual lock. Both rock solid, and the sensors are close to the post, which may not be as necessary as with others but couldn't hurt.. Powered from P-Tap on the V-Lock plate (which I converted to have two P-Tap outs).

 

Those monitor mounts are really useful, as you see I have another one for accessories, and yet another one for quick low-mode monitor switchover to the lower rod (though that one just got rendered unnecessary with the new monitor yoke).

post-13652-0-54968200-1393253310_thumb.jpg

post-13652-0-22607800-1393253324_thumb.jpg

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Hi Mark, Hi Victor,

 

Yes they are my design, yes they are out of my 3d printer, and yes, after some tiny refining I'll make them available for you to buy =)

 

Stay tuned, I'll post something soon. Wanted to make sure the design works and stands up to real-world operating first. It does and does more than you see on the picture (low-mode switching is a breeze). Also with getting this you'll free up the original mounting base and thus gain a free accessory mount like mentioned above, so two birds one stone if youre looking for that.

 

Enough hijacking =) give me a few days, and I'll post more.

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I've done a few mods to my Wagner level. The main thing I did was to open up the case and extend the wiring, and move the Hirose connector to the same side as the power jack. I've heard that new Wagner levels may be coming from the factory like this now. The way I have the level mounted on my PRO sled (right in front of the post, above the jumper block) meant that if the level had the connectors on both sides, it would end up sticking out inches from my post, and totally screwed my monitor bracket. With both connectors on the same side of the box, it was way easier to mount up and add to the rig. I also built up a nice little mount piece to attach the level to the 2 4-40 holes on the PRO bayonet mount (where the original PRO level attached).

 

When I'm back at home this week I'll take some pictures.

 

Overall, I love the level. It seems pretty accurate, even during reasonably quick moves, and it's a lot easier to watch in my peripheral vision than my old bubble level was. It's certainly a cool product, especially considering the price.

 

The only things I'd love to add would be a brighter LED panel (as it is it needs a bit of a sun shade on really bright days), a few more mount points, and the removal of the 10 and 5 degree modes and the addition of a 1 degree (or even greater) mode for straight lateral moves that have to be dead level. I've never switched it off the 2 degree mode, and even then, I sometimes find that I'm only a couple of LEDs off, and could use more resolution.

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Just saw this, thanks for mentioning my idea Chris =) I'll post some pictures when I get a chance on set later.

 

Hey Marc, I got mine from Betz, but not sure if they stock them. That said you're always welcome to stop by my place (Munich, Nymphenburg) and check it out.

 

As for real world experience, I love it. But: you can't rely on it for vehicle mount work on steep corners. At least mine, goes off on corners, and does so slow enough to make it kinda believable, then slooooooooowly returns to level. If you believe it youll bank turns like crazy. I found out on a test and believe my feeling for framing and horizontals in the monitor then. Actually mine hasn't got the latest firmware updade yet, so that might improve it (does it, steve?) (that's another thing I dont like - no usb port for updates, might be considered unnecessary if there arent any updates, yet there was one already a week after I got mine, and now I needto send it in =( ...)

 

For the cable, I made one (or had it soldered at Betz I think) with a P-Tap and a 90* plug on the Wagner side so the cable doesn't stick out like the straight ones.

 

But overall its a great little unit I'd immediately recommend at its price point.

Thank you Frederic for this feedback and your invitation! The next time I´m in Munich I will contact you with pleasure, will send you a e-mail in advance.

BTW your 3D printing for the yoke looks very interesting. Is it strong enough?

Cheers,

Marc

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Hi Marc, happy to help =)

 

For details and pics of the monitor yoke please see my new thread in the monitor section,

(But yes, it's more than strong enough).

 

 

Tom, that sounds interesting.

In my case, the original way the cables plug in on opposing sides work out very well, but interesting to hear they've changed it.

Totally agree with you on a higher resolution mode!

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