Here's a new (optional) V-Mount Battery Adapter for the CAME-TV Prodigy (and ARGO) Gimbal that I believe will really help improve the overall efficiency of the Prodigy system when used with large cameras. First benefit is that V-Mount batteries can offer larger capacities than the 18650 batteries the system normally uses. This means longer run time and higher sustained voltage. Instead of having to charge individual cells and carry several loose spares, v-mount batteries are much easier to manage.
Secondly, with the new Gimbal V-Mount Battery Adapter you'll be able to power many cameras from the D-Tap out on the V-Mount battery which means you can relocate your power, free up more space in the frame allowing you to slide your camera back a few more inches to support heavier or longer lenses. By relocating the battery to the rear, I believe this also offers better YAW balancing of the system. With a proper D-Tap splitter, you can power other accessories as well (i.e. monitor, lighting, etc).
One caveat of the CAME-TV Gimbal V-Mount Battery Adapter is that it requires a compact v-mount battery which have a smaller physical height than your average v-mount. There is not enough clearance on the CAME-TV Prodigy and Argo Gimbals to support tall v-mount batteries. CAME-TV offers a number of different Compact V-Mount Batteries (found here) available in 65wh, 95wh, 120wh, and 130wh. They are very much the same size with slight differences in weight depending on the capacity you choose. I personally would suggest going for something like the 120wh or 130wh compact v-mounts.
CAME-TV Compact V-Mount Batteries
Of course there are other brands that make compact v-mount batteries which may work. Some models of the CORE SWX and IDX Cue are around 15cm in height, but I haven't been able to test (yet) this to confirm if it will actually work. The overall height of a CAME-TV Compact V-Mount battery is 14cm. So if you find a battery that is the same (or smaller) in height, I feel it should work as well. You can find the new Prodigy / ARGO Gimbal V-Mount Battery Adapters via CAME-TV.com (here)
Cheesycam
Post author@Paul - Good question. I'm not sure if the way the battery actually connects is the same.
PAUL
Hi there Emm
At first glance the the form and fit on the Came v lock adaptor looks very similar to the battery fitting on the original DJI Ronin. long shot I realise... but do you know whether it might also fit the Ronin to allow v lock powering?
Regards
Pierre
And what about the CAME-ELASTIX Gimbal ? (vs easyrig+flocine serene+puppeteer?)
Raby
Emm,
Thanks for the review. I was wondering what you think of Came-Kong exo, compared to Tilta armourman 2 you did review back then. Since Came Kong is much cheaper, but don't know how it performs.
Thanks
Rabby