REMOVU S1 GoPro Gimbal Review

Entering into an ever growing market, the REMOVU S1 GoPro Gimbal promises to stabilize your shots, allowing you to capture action-packed scenes with ease.

The REMOVU first materialized as a project launched on Indiegogo in 2015. The innovative feature-set showed promise — so much promise that the project received 824% of its initial funding goal.

South Korea has been labeled as the next global hub for tech startups, and companies like REMOVU make it easy to see why. REMOVU promises excellence, and they intend to deliver on it.

The Specifics

For starters, the REMOVU S1 is actually made up of two components: the gimbal itself, and the handle.

While you might be tempted to think of the handle as part of the gimbal, in this case, it really isn’t. The camera mount can be separated from the handle and mounted anywhere to offer portable shock protection. The handle can then be used to control the gimbal from a distance via the joystick mounted in the handle.

As any good gimbal should, the S1 uses brushless DC motors. The S1 has 2 OLED displays, which offer all the information you would want to know about the state of your gimbal.

Finally, the S1 bills itself as the world’s first fully rainproof gimbal.

Unboxing

See what comes in the package when you buy a REMOVU S1 GoPro Gimbal

Usability

Weighing in at 380g, the Removu S1 GoPro Gimbal is comfortable in the hand and easy to maneuver. While moving at high-speed, the S1 adapts quickly and absorbs jumps and jolts handily.

The S1 offers 3 modes: Pan, Follow, and Lock. These modes are pretty standard fare, but the S1 is a little more transparent with its offerings.

The OLED screen on the handle will display which mode the gimbal is in so you’re never left to guess.

Speaking of the handle, it’s surprisingly convenient. Using the joystick in tandem with the separated mount offers surprising flexibility to work outside the lines a bit.

The Good

One of the standout features of the REMOVU S1 is the ability to remote control the gimbal from a distance of up to 10m using the handle.

For example, mounting the gimbal to the front of your car, will offer you some unique shots.

The handle you’re holding inside the car will allow you to manipulate the gimbal to make sure you’re getting the best angle.

Because the S1 is rated to handle heavy rain, if it starts raining, you don’t need to stop your car to unmount the S1.

The OLED display on the handle shows you the mounts remaining battery life, so you don’t waste time “filming” with a dead battery.

The Bad

Starting off with our biggest complaint, the S1 picks up a LOT of noise when it’s being manipulated via the joystick.

When the gimbal is controlling itself, things are fine. As soon as you control it independently, the GoPro seems to pick up every movement of the S1’s motor. If you use an external mic you’re okay, but it isn’t ideal for controlling your camera with the internal mic.

Other than that issue, the REMOVU S1 seems to offer up on what it’s box promises.

REMOVU S1 GoPro Gimbal – The Bottom Line

While your grandmother’s gimbal might just be a broomstick with a Polaroid camera duct-taped to the end, The S1 isn’t your grandmother’s gimbal.

The S1 is loaded with technology and packed with features.

Whether this is the gimbal for you depends on how you intend to use it.

Do the advanced controls and independent mounting excite you? If so, you wouldn’t be doing yourself a disservice by investing in the REMOVU S1 3-Axis GoPro Gimbal.

If you don’t see yourself mounting your camera and controlling it remotely, you might want to wait till the $350 price tag drops, or look into cheaper alternatives.

 

 

Not sure if this 3-Axis gimbal is for you? Then check out our recommendations for top handheld GoPro & smartphone gimbals.