Smoothing out a Surui Gimbal Head

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PAUL50

PAUL50

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I have a Surui gimbalhead. It’s relatively new. Recently I had it out in the field and it gave me fits. It’s well built but the problem is that it’s action is sticky and while trying to pan instead of a smooth and fluid motion it was jerky and it caused me to lose shots. Hard to keep the single point on a deers eye. I’m tempted to take it apart and try to lube it. Has anyone had a similar experience or suggestions on how to smooth it out or is it time for a Wimberley. Your advice greatly appreciated. By the way, this wasn’t operator/technique failure. I tried several different ways to skin this cat and try as I might could not get it to smooth out. Thanks
 
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I've had ballheads lke that. When you're sitting at home doing nothing, grab your gimbal and start twirling it though its movements. Time will loosen it up—or you could pay your kid/s to do it for you.
 
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In my experience I've learned that some what less expensive gimbals use a less than optimal bearing and ball that will wear quicker that a gimbal from say Kirk or Wembley. I've used both of Kirk's gimbals and had no problems for over eighteen years of use.
 
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Larry Shuman said:
In my experience I've learned that some what less expensive gimbals use a less than optimal bearing and ball that will wear quicker that a gimbal from say Kirk or Wembley. I've used both of Kirk's gimbals and had no problems for over eighteen years of use.
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I’m suspecting that’s the problem. So I’m once again agonizing over yet another Purchase. Just thought I’d put out a feeler to see if there is a fix. I’ll start with Palouse’s thought to just keep working it in hopes it’ll loosen up and get smoother. But I’ve got to say the Surui action was tight and sticky this week and it cost me shots. Thanks Larry.
 
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I tried that once on an inexpensive gimbal head after watching a few YouTube videos. It was a really inexpensive $75 gimbal. It was packed with a very high viscosity packing compound. I removed it and replaced it with a less viscous material and it worked easier but I don't know that it worked any better. The PH-20 is not a cheap gimbal so I don't know if I would risk it. Is it possible to contact Sirui and ask what they recommend? I eventually began shooting more video and opted for a fluid head.
 
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