iPhone as level indicator

[Simon M Wyndham]

Has anyone here used an iPhone or iPod Touch with an app like Tilt Meter pro  as a level indicator? It seems to me like a sensible use because the app can show you the attitude of the rig very accurately, but unlike a liquid bubble indicator it isn't affected by g-forces when going around corners etc. There are a couple of bike mounts available for these devices that should be easily clamped to the post.

On Tilt Meter Pro depending on the orientation of the iPhone/iPod it will show you horizon level indication only, or if the device is mounted face upwards (such as on a table) it will show you both fore and aft tilt angle as well as horizontal.

Thing is though, after all the talk on the various Steadicam forums about how a liquid bubble is useless for use while the rig is in motion I'm surprised that nobody has made mention of the iPhone/iPod as a way to solve this.

[Charles King]

Why would you really want to complicate things? Sure something like this would be cool but what's wrong with the good old fashion Bubble level?

[Simon M Wyndham]

I thought of it after reading Jerry's book, about how the bubble level was unreliable during lots of motion, such as going around corners etc. He also mentioned that he wished there was a solution that didn't suffer from such issues. He says "What we need is a level indicator that knows the difference between lateral acceleration and tilt". The iPhone level app does exactly this. One of the other things I like about Tilt Meter is that the motion is dampened, so it doesn't jitter, instead giving a really steady reading.

[Charles King]

Well, If I'm not mistaken there are electronic levellers available. I am not going to argue with the Man himself but I guess it depends the situation in which you are flying. Maybe flying high profile film camera in a studio settings with a higher demands will push you to want certain things that will make life even more pleasurable...finesse in oher words. But the bubble level has been used since the early days and is still being used n low or high profile jobs. I really do not thing another expensive tool like this will make a huge difference. But eh, it would be definately cool feature to have.

[Simon M Wyndham]

He mentions the electronic levellers, but says that they are still affected by acceleration forces. For seasoned pros this is perhaps less neccesary. But for someone like me just starting out I need all the help I can get! :-)

[Billy Taylor]

i am not sure if i understand the arguement...
Simon is saying that instead of dropping a wad on an electronic leveling unit, one can simply use a piece of kit he/she already has...that being the iPhone or iPod Touch...

I also understand Charles' p.o.v. possibly coming from a non-iPhone user like myself...

but if i HAD one of thse, i'd probably get the app and use it...maybe droid "does" it too...but then i'd need one of those...

i like both points of perspective...

as a "have-not" i reckon i will just get a few very cheap bubble levels or harvest them from dollar store tools...

but, Simon, that was a rather innovative use for the iPhone...how cool is it that there is a Steadicam product for it too?!?

[Charles King]

Yeah it is pretty cool but you also have to consider ways of mounting this thing on your sled in a way not to obscure the view of the monitor. How would you mount it? You need a holder for it. I have seen one and it is a bit clumsy to use on a sled. The Pro Pro GPI still uses the bubble system simply because it works and it is at a size more suitable for steadicam work.
On the other hand there is an electronic level for purchase that is much smaller.. See ebay