Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal Review: The Best Selfie Stabilizer Tool
Smartphones have revolutionized the way we capture moments, giving rise to a new trend: selfies. Likely, most people have snapped a selfie at some point. Yet, instead of stretching your arm to capture that perfect shot, consider the Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal, designed to elevate your selfie game and enhance your photo and video experience.
This content is sponsored by Hohem, but the insights and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, who retains full editorial control even for sponsored posts.
All You Need – Minus Instructions
One challenge with new gadgets is navigating through inadequate instructions. The Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal includes a charging cable, a magnetic AI tracker, an Allen wrench, a warranty/disclaimer document, and a quick-start guide. What it notably lacks, however, is a comprehensive instruction manual.
The quick-start guide primarily utilizes images without accompanying text, making it challenging to understand the various buttons and features of the gimbal’s detachable remote. In my quest for clarity, I turned to YouTube, watching the tutorial three times and taking extensive notes to grasp its functionalities.
After watching multiple videos, I discovered a treasure trove of remarkable features this gimbal offers, fulfilling all the roles of a selfie stick or compact tripod. With time, I continue to learn about the many functionalities even after using it for several weeks.
Configuring the Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal
Despite the absence of detailed documentation for the Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal, setting it up was straightforward. After charging it using the USB-C cable, I attempted to unfold, install my phone, and power it on. Initially perplexed, I resorted to my first tutorial video, which cautioned against inserting my phone into the gimbal while it was turned on, as this could damage the motors. The correct order is to charge it, download the Hohem Joy app, unfold the gimbal, insert the phone, and then power it on by holding the side button for three seconds. Fortunately, I didn’t cause any harm.
Upon powering up, the gimbal animates, transitioning from a “floppy” state to positioning the camera toward you, provided you’re holding it with the remote buttons facing you. This initial experience hinted that this device is innovative.
Connecting to the Hohem Joy app was seamless. It involved establishing a Bluetooth connection and granting access to the phone’s microphone and camera. The app then initiated an online walkthrough. Despite this, I still grappled with understanding the gimbal’s features.
Utilizing and Mastering the Gimbal
Although I had previously used a gimbal, it had been four years, and significant advancements have been made since then. Unlike my earlier fears about weight support, the Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal confidently accommodates my new iPhone 16 without any issues.
After two viewings of a YouTube tutorial and navigating the app, I anticipated a family gathering with relatives I hadn’t seen in years—a perfect opportunity for photos. However, once outside for group pictures, the controls slipped my mind despite the prior tutorial. I successfully used tripod mode to take a photo of my sister-in-law’s farmette while I was recalling the features.
One challenge I faced on that day was the need for connecting via Bluetooth each time I powered it on. I had to establish a connection, start the app, and wait for it to reconnect before I could use it. Unfortunately, I lacked a complete understanding of the functionalities, making it difficult to navigate during subsequent events.
Features of the V3 Gimbal
What I truly needed was a dedicated session to explore and understand the Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal’s features. I did so one evening with a friend, and I fell in love with its capabilities. Attending events without it now seems unimaginable. It offers versatility as a handheld camera, operates in both normal and selfie modes, and functions as a compact tripod.
While testing it out in tripod mode in my kitchen, I envisioned numerous applications for it. It would have been ideal for those team photos I had hoped to take, and it would have been a great asset during the kids’ Halloween event I facilitated earlier that day. In handheld mode, it would have excelled at the adult Halloween gathering held the night before.
The gimbal includes a small, detachable remote, enabling you to capture images from a distance with ease. The controls remain consistent whether the remote is connected or not. My friend and I managed to take a memorable selfie, with the remote visible in my hand. Although you can use hand gestures to control the camera, I faced challenges with their responsiveness—such as using the “okay” sign to initiate the Magnetic AI Tracker and an open palm to halt it; turning it off with my palm proved tricky.
Selfie capturing can be done two ways: either by having the gimbal rotate the camera to utilize the rear lens or switching to the front-facing camera through the Hohem Joy app. Using the app grants more control since, when the gimbal spins your phone, you lose sight of your framing. Thankfully, the AI tracker keeps you centered and can adjust the light’s brightness and tone through the settings.
Despite its initial complexity, the gimbal becomes user-friendly once you familiarize yourself with it. There are many functions and buttons to remember, which can initially be overwhelming. During a demonstration, my friend quickly adapted and captured her own selfie. Within the controls, you’ll find a joystick for adjusting angles and buttons for zooming and focusing. Additionally, you can monitor battery life, Bluetooth status, and more on the small display of the removable remote.
Where to Find It
I have numerous upcoming occasions where I am eager to utilize the Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal. This gimbal truly serves as an ideal companion for my smartphone. I’m looking forward to capturing stunning images during my upcoming cruise in Hawaii. The photos taken on land are going to be fantastic! However, I am uncertain if it will work on the ship due to its Bluetooth reconnection requirement upon each power-up. Regardless, I foresee many years of use from this gimbal.
Had I not faced the steep learning curve, I could have enjoyed using it during additional events. A thorough tutorial could significantly ease this learning process. The Quick Start Guide simply doesn’t encompass the extensive range of features, buttons, and potential scenarios.
You can grab the Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal for an incredible price of just $129.
Leave a Reply