Tilta Hydra Alien Arm and Predator - Review, Upgrade and Improvements. Is it The Road to Hollywood?

In this episode I wanted to show you some pros and cons of the Tilta Hydra Alien Car Mounting System and the Tilta Hydra Predator clamp. I check how it works with DJI RS2 and even with DJI Ronin 2 PRO.
I have also made small upgrades such as Dji External GPS Module, Tilta Remote Control Kit for RS 2 and Hollyland Mars 400s PRO instead of RavenEye.
What I like and what I don't like, and how to improve it quickly and easily!!
1. Rubber Buffers (spring arm connector with damper.) www.kippusa.co...
2. Hollyland Mars 400s PRO bit.ly/HLMars40...
3. Tilta remote control kit for rs2
tilta.com/shop...
4. Hydra alien monitor bracket
tilta.com/shop...
5. DJI External GPS MOdule
store.dji.com/...
Great CineMilled Vehicle Rigging Tutorial
• In Depth Vehicle Riggi...
Tilta Hydra Alien Arm and Predator - Review, Upgrade and Improvements. Is it The Road to Hollywood?
#DJIRS2 #TILTA #masterfullyCrafted

[@AustralianImage]

You are the only person that uses this sort of gear that talks comprehensively about general safety and the safe use of such devices on cars etc. Most people just go on about how great the images are and leave out the most important aspects.

[@AlexanderKlose]

While hanging out of a cars trunk with a gimbal and no savetystrapping at all :D

[@JoATTech]

Adam: Tilta is amazing, works great. Also Adam: modifying tilta for 5$, makes it 10 times better.

[@thomaspappinphotography2593]

Tilta, hire this man. He’s walk through for the float was enough for me to be ordering one.

[@topherwallace5307]

Awesome video. I love your mentality when approaching gear. So many people complain about this or that small thing that doesn't work like they want it to and that is the end of their story. You try to understand why the manufacturer made the decisions they did and then modify small pieces to make the product work better for you. It inspires me to think outside of the box when maximizing my gear for my needs.

[@AD-lh3jk]

Truly shows how one’s outlook and ability to tinker aides in optimising their circumstances, instead of simply accepting a product as is. Makes for a more independent, and imo professional mindset I suppose

[@bobbymercer8940]

You create the absolutely best instructional video's of any person on KZbin. Not a single extraneous word and best of all, your every comment and/ or criticism is always backed up with solutions. The perfect movie person: you don't just talk about problems, there are ALWAYS problems. You are the BEST at talking about solutions.

[@jonahvandeburgt1187]

This was just the video I was waiting for, I want to put it on a mountainbike 👌🏻

[@xyrean]

Be carefull if it is made from carbon

[@tallguytrav]

I don't even currently need this, but now I want one. Your reviews are comprehensive and inspiring which I don't think many other people achieve. Keep it up!

[@BestboyAdam]

soo good to hear that man :)🙏

[@daringadventurepictures]

How have I only found your channel now? So so useful, thank you for superb videos 👍🏻

[@joenicklo]

Adam, just found your channel from someone posting in the Halcyon Discord. First, let me say that i love that you mentioned prepping the surface by cleaning and also using safety straps.

[@casperjonathan]

There is no other videos on youtube that I watch as carefully and as many times as yours, thank you for this awesome content

[@BestboyAdam]

Casper, soooo good to hear that man 🙏

[@marlonking5924]

You're the reason why Tilta keeps delaying the RS2 products😂😂 so they can make them better. I appreciate that!!! Maybe you should work for them so they can have it right from the beginning so people like myself don't have to wait 3 months from the time of order 😩.

[@raksh9]

This is the first time I've seen such detailed, useful content about this aspect of film making. Super stuff.

[@BestboyAdam]

thank you !!!

[@tomgorelik]

Bought the kit a month ago and continue to rewatch this video to get more acquainted with it. Thanks Adam 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@pro_late]

You are an absolute legend for modifying everything you toch to get it to work to perfection! As someone who loves to work with his hands himself and is always looking how to modify things, I salute you!

[@LuisAugustoSaumell]

Again, Dude, you're a technical class while analyzing the gear-Thank You...

[@BestboyAdam]

Luis, thank you !! The pleasure is all mine 🙏😀

[@avdpost]

Thank you for being critical about the shake that I have seen as well. This is exactly what I have been waiting to see. Now let's watch.

[@AD-lh3jk]

Thank you for the honest and comprehensive review, especially with the inclusion of your own troubleshooting You’re honestly doing a better job at illustrating the important points, especially in regards to safety in comparison to Tilta’s own rigging video which I stumbled first and realized how weird it is to not include redundancies. Even people in the comments of that video were being more insightful

[@BestboyAdam]

Thanks Aditia Abdurrashid, I'm doing the best I can.

[@Videogrant]

You are explorer, problem solver, creative thinker, crazy brain guy. Thank you Adam.

[@ItsDPMikey]

Thank you for your service. Real life scenario test videos like the ones on your channel have helped me with my purchases.🙏🏻

[@Levi_Allen]

Beautiful walk through

[@lmillermmms]

Adam back at it again. I’m really crying right now.

[@steveanimatrix3887]

I really wish you could make a video concentrating only on specifically what you did to mod it, with links to parts, etc. Not all of us are on facebook to send you a private message and I think this would be a HUGE service and benefit to Hydra Car Mount owners who are suffering with this stiffness.

[@griptopia]

thanks for the video by the way we ran into the same issues with the camera mount system. So we made a custom mount for the damper also, we are camera motorcycle specialists. awesome stuff adam

[@firasalouini1870]

i hope you to get 1m subscribers because you deserve it ❤️

[@LiquidLensPhotography]

Agreed! 💯💯💯

[@CaliforniaFrank]

Dude.. Adam, THANK YOU for sharing this! You’re the only one on YT going into detail about this setup and idk why! You’d think more KZbinrs would touch on this a bit more, but I guess not. Nonetheless WE thank you for the upload!

[@gen19musicchannel35]

Man, your videos are just great! We have a very similar mindset in modifying things. It's great that you are always finding ways to turn a flaw into a asset!

[@Berserkeroffroad]

Thank you for this video and your tips for using it with smaller setups.

[@Alberto_Seghezzi]

hands down for this guy. really handy and helpful reviews! as a passionate for blackmagic dji n tilta too i love to see some good reviews with no limits on the pros n cons. thanks !

[@ChadVader143]

Mine just arrived. Thank you for this vid! I am hyped to get to work with this thing!

[@JustinVandergaast]

Excellent video again! You have a really positive mindset about your craft. Can't wait for your next one!

[@BestboyAdam]

thank you Justin 🙏

[@mezzanineh15]

Another super video! I found a great way to smooth up the footage. I doubled up the existing vibration isolator plate with a large soft Damperzen vibration isolator plate. This really takes out a lot More vibration and even small bumps. I also found the original plate was far too stiff and small for this ultra light gimbal. I hope to upload a video soon illustrating before and after. All the best! Samuel R

[@BestboyAdam]

Samuel, Great idea, send a photo or video if you have one 💪

[@blackburst1]

Samuel, how do you mount the Damperzen to the original plate? Do the holes line up to just use screws or do you need to modify the system or add a quick release?

[@nathanael_marguereta_dop]

I'm also really interested on that !

[@UHwiro]

You heard my request. Lol Adam you are the best. Next time you should ask to Tilta for Motorized slider with RS2

[@BestboyAdam]

:)

[@joshbutcher1466]

@@BestboyAdam What size rubber buffer did you use?

[@MannWayne]

Great review with lots of great info. Thanks so much for taking the time to do these videos.

[@MAD_Media]

Adam! Keep up the great work on these Tilta DJI Ecosystem products! I have the Hydra Alien, and waiting for my Float! I find a lot of the times that people who trash a product it’s usually the result of them not knowing how to use it, or didn’t take time to “learn” how to use it. I haven’t had a chance to put my Hydra to the test yet, but so far I am really impressed with the build quality overall - can’t wait for my Float to arrive!! Cheers 🍻

[@scottievee330]

I've seen videos of equipment "you" built and its bad ass!! You're the technology McGuyver. Props.

[@BestboyAdam]

Thank youuu Scottie💪

[@bryangarrett226]

Man. Your content is incredible. Keep it up, we need more people creating content like this!

[@BestboyAdam]

thank you Bryan!!!

[@noahsamuelmedia]

Definitely appreciate how in-depth your review was!! Great job!!

[@TheProVideo]

Great video, thank you, i build my own car mount, and it works great, i am not sure should i buy tilta Hydra Alien Arm or keep using my Mount.

[@gchrisfx]

finding your comments in 2024 is crazy lol

[@TheProVideo]

@@gchrisfx lol yes man , this comment is 3 years old

[@BAKAMAKAMEDIA]

Thank you so so much detail. Have been on the fence with changing Gimbal and moving into an arm and wireless setup for filming and your videos have instilled confidence and better knowledge into my head of what I need and what I can expect! Much love from the US Arizona

[@akmedia4239]

By far the best guy on youtube! please make more videos

[@BestboyAdam]

sooo good to hear that !!!💪

[@BezMedia]

Great video! I've been looking for the best solution to be able to use my Ninja V wirelessly with this setup instead of my Iphone. Looks like I'll definitely be buying the Hollyland you're using. I just received my alien hydra and it is absolutely incredible. One thing I did find which helped drastically fix my wireless video connection using the Raveneye + Ronin Phone app was by turning my car radio off.. On 5ghz and 2.4ghz i found that it was laggy /choppy and would sometimes even disconnect when on 5ghz.. as soon as i turned my car radio off it ran smoothly with no interruptions or lag spikes. Thank you for another great video!

[@Prime.2media]

What are those black tips on the end of the screws at 6:51 called Adam? I just realized i need those to help keep the bigger spring intact

[@Archer_Works]

Thank you so much! I was holding out because of the vibration problem and was looking for solutions!

[@yourcarexpert9363]

Super insightful material. Thank you Adam!

[@BestboyAdam]

my pleasure !!! 😀

[@Deepakkumar_73577]

Much much love and support from🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 India🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@BestboyAdam]

Deepak, soo gooood to hear that, thank you !!!

[@pieterdommisse4875]

Thanks was just searching the fix of this problem!

[@BestboyAdam]

my pleasure !!!

[@AlexanderKlose]

Thanks for that great review. Fun part is that you say we should not think that gear is not professional because of a lower price. To be honest what you have there is super professional and costs way way more than most filmmakers can effort for they´re productions. Even renting all that is to expensive for a lot of productions on the middle production budget a lot of companys have.

[@MattLambley1501]

Epic review! Super informative - answered all my questions!!

[@CaribbeanCyberStream]

hey great video…ive got a question…when balancing the gimbal on a crane or car rig do you balance it upside down or before you place it on the crane or rig? Thank you

[@sergiofilmmaker94]

this video is super helpful. Thanks so much. I wish you had links for the small springs to make it easier to buy.

[@TAMINO.]

Thank you so much for this Video! You helped me a lot with my problems with my Alien Arm. It would have been a lot easier to rebuild it if you would have shown the fixes a little more in detail and maybe mention the exact sizes of the screws and Springs etc. But anywas thanks again! :)

[@BestboyAdam]

tamino, contact me on fb, I'll send you pictures

[@productionsvincetv510]

Hey ! I just bought this Tilta arm… Because of you… Can I have the pictures of the exact sizes of the springs ? And maybe where you bought the exact pieces for the modifications ? Tks a lot ! I never tought o would invest in a car mount

[@RandomSquareDots]

Love the detail you put into your videos. Great job!

[@BicycleLoveWorld]

Hi Adam, Great video. Could you give me the reference of the longer screws you used on the Tilta damper? I can't find them anywhere

[@nakamoto9724]

He says he used a 40mm (1.5") screw in this video. I modified my plate today and the 1.5" was a bit small. Tomorrow I will try some 2" 10 - 32x socket head cap screws. That is the size of the thread = 10-32x. He uses socket head cap (top of screw is not threaded)

[@BicycleLoveWorld]

@@nakamoto9724 thanks for your reaction. The problem is that I live in Belgium and we use metric screws. UNC is hard to find. I would be great if you keep me posted if you found the correct screws. You can find my contact info on my KZbin channel. Best regards, Helgi

[@BenjaminRowlandTV]

Fantastic review as always! This is a great channel!

[@isaac.explorer.oficial]

Tilta is disrupting the photography and professional video market with their products. Less than 2 years later, nearly everyone with skills can be as professional as a production and film company. Thank you for this review, might consider buying this setup and Tilta Float.

[@liamstrain]

Thank you for this, Adam. Nice work all around. I really like your solution for the remote focus pull and RS2 controller - lots to consider for customizing here. Cheers!

[@BestboyAdam]

thank youuuu Liam 😍

[@AndyJohansen]

I really love your videos. You explain everything really well!

[@BestboyAdam]

great to hear that Andy 🙏

[@josephlane5198]

Adam, could you please tell us which springs you used to alter the vibration setup and where we might find them in the US. Thanks much. FYI, I've long since subscribed, watch and rewatch all of your videos on the RS2, Tilta Float and Hydra Alien. Really great stuff.

[@gearbox122]

Adam, last time on the tilta float you showed you had an extra 20v output, could you pls make a video explaining how you did that? thank you in advance

[@ozzmanzz]

Simply brilliant!

[@BestboyAdam]

thanks !!🙏

[@leoniddolgopyat3495]

What a great beautiful job is done by you! Thanks!

[@gchrisfx]

For the Rubber Buffer mod, whiich variant do i need to get? and can you provide a link to the other little bracket attached as well please. Amazing video to improve the tilta alien car rig

[@darkknightwithanidea1845]

Brilliant !! As always

[@BestboyAdam]

💪

[@digitalsuites]

You are a genius may God bless you I really enjoy your videos Very, very instructive. Thanks 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@trukach]

Thanks for the useful review! I am going to buy Hydra Alien)

[@Deepakkumar_73577]

Many many thanks to you dear sir❤❤❤i really appreciate your work, your work just awesome and next level explanation, again thank you so much Sir🙏🙏🙏

[@AdobeExpert]

Nice work adam!

[@chadron44]

I just tried removing one of the allen screws on the shock mount, and it immediately stripped out the head :( Now what? guess i am going to have to drill and tap. I really like the Hydra so far, but this is a set back. Not Bestboy Adam's fault, obviously. Great Video, thanks!

[@nakamoto9724]

It's the Lock Tight they put on those. They are hard to get off! I used a wrench and allen key

[@tutekmedia]

Super omówienie tematu! Dzięki!

[@PowerheadProductions]

I love your focus on safety, and your willingness to modify things to suit your needs. Thank you for the reviews and advice. (and accent is cool too.) Is it possible that the spring was too stiff because you were not using the batteries in the normal location perhaps? Seems like it's one instance where more weight on the arm might make the shot smoother.

[@BestboyAdam]

my pleasure !!! 😀in fact I also tried it with batteries on the spring arm, it was a little better but still not perfect

[@UHwiro]

My best part is 11:33 to 11:40. I'm impressed.

[@Deepakkumar_73577]

You are my hope sir, thank you so much sir

Mistrz! Na święta siadam i dodaje w swojej hydrze dodatkowe sprężyny ;)

[@20twentyproductions87]

Thanks for this review! I am debating between the hydra pro and the Proaim airwave. The main question I have is which hydraulic arm is the better made product. They both look great, but without a direct comparison, it’s hard to know which is the better stabilizing setup. If you’ve got any insight that would be great!

[@KevKlopper]

Tilta should hire you.

[@mackhavoc477]

I would love to see you revisit this with the DJI Ronin 4D!! I just got mine and am debating on the Hydra Alien/Predator. And with the Tilta 4D handle, that gives a much better mounting option to the Alien/Predator than the stock handle (Only 1 3/8 hole, but the Tilta is full of them and 1/4!) or mounting it upside down. Would love to see that kind of setup in action and an honest review, if possible! BTW, I love using the 4D with my 21ft Proaim Alphabet crane and the High Bright Remote!! A few lighting rig safety cables attached to 1/4 & 3/8 eye lifting bolts mounted to the 4D give me more safety than just the one 3/8 bolt I use to connect the camera to the crane. When the Tilta handle comes I will be able to use 2 3/8 bolts to mount the camera to the crane (Whew!)!

[@reynoldsc]

Brilliant video and great explanations about how to fix the issues you didn't quite like. Im guessing that there's no way of attaching a weight either before or after the dampener rather than putting in new springs?

[@paul.454]

Hey Adam. Thx for the video. My suction cap always loses. One of them. The other two work. Do you have a tip?

[@SUPERTEKNONINJA]

Macgyver is that you? amazing stuff.

[@simongentry]

the added weight seems to solve the issues - are there not weights that can be added either to the gimbal or end of arm?

[@vincesanantonio5638]

Safety first! That's the real film maker :)

[@andrewdavies328]

Hi Adam, Great video as always, just a quick question do you know the size of the screws used for the shock absorber mod? Many thanks

[@haraldhecklentertainmentme8002]

I like the extra springs.... ❤️ to fight against fibration.... 🙏

[@buddyfx7026]

Hello Adam! Question, the Hydra OD is 2in from what I've been told by at Tilta. Do you think the best way to adapt to standard rails would be to attach the hydra to a 2in tube the use some 360 speedrail clamps to attach that pole to a standard size speedrail? Their poles they sale are very expensive, especially if you're trying to rig a truck and triangulate. Thanks in advance!

[@joec5129]

Great information

[@brown2840]

What type of washer is used on the top of the springs please?

[@kevin-haggerty]

Quick question and it may be already answered. How are you powering the rs2 without the battery handle attached

[@RBRMEDIA2022]

You are a lucky guy to have contact with Tilta, we are still waiting to know when the Floats will ship, we have been waiting for two months. Do you know anything about this?

[@kellypiteur6807]

Merci pour ce partage !! 😀

[@Benaaa63]

Thank you for all the content, everything is very usefull to the creatives wich don't know where to begin ! Would you one day make a video about how you ended making films ?

[@dpanmo9151]

now comes some new product, tilta Hydra Alien Car Mounting System Pro Kit V-Mount HDA-T02-A-V Gold Mount HDA-T02-A-AB shopnews.aliexpress.com/shopnews/postDetail.htm?postId=6000025389048746&appType=101&src=&albslr=200042360&albbt=5

[@mudturtlemediallc8438]

Where can you attached the weights? Just tried since I am using a 5dmkiv on an RS2. Although there are 1/4" holes all over the base plate, the studs on the weights are too short to reach them. Ended up using a couple of 1/4" extensions from a small gobo rig. Adjusted the arm spring tension and the dampening but the arm does not easily return to horizontal from above nor will it return at all from below. It's disappointing that Titla features DSLRs in almost all of it's advertising, but the system doesn't work well for light cameras.

[@dpanmo9151]

now comes some new product, tilta Hydra Alien Car Mounting System Pro Kit V-Mount HDA-T02-A-V Gold Mount HDA-T02-A-AB shopnews.aliexpress.com/shopnews/postDetail.htm?postId=6000025389048746&appType=101&src=&albslr=200042360&albbt=5

[@onefingerproduction3180]

Congrats on the video. 2 questions i have for you if you have the time to answer. 1. Would you combine the Hydra with the cardanic joint you used in the previous dyi rig? and 2. Why not using the GPS module from Tilta? I see you are using a GPS module for the Ronin S but on the RS2 with adapter.

[@VancouverRealEstateFilms]

Can’t seem to unscrew the Allen screws that hold the tensioners... tried pretty hard and seems like I’ll either break the wrench or screws when trying to remove the tension springs... any ideas?

[@CountrywideHire]

Hey Adam, you mention the GPS module in this video. Who makes this, DJI? Did you find it helpful at all for high speed stabilization?

[@DerZaubererFN]

Very helpful! Thank you very much!

[@clavadetscherfoto]

hi adam you know that i bought all the gear just because of you and i will highly recommend tilta and dji to give all the gear to this man before kicking it out ! one questions about the springs for the rebuild of the shock absorber. could you be more specific about the tension they have or/ and the type? thank you.

[@ThaasProductions]

Hey man very cool modifications! I do have a question and would love to hear your reasoning behind it. What is the purpose of having one smaller spring and one larger spring for the vibration dampener modification? Are the two different size springs just to make it stiffer or does it at some kind of characteristic to the shock absorbing ability of it?

[@peak9productions752]

Loved the video! watched it 10x trying to do the same mods. Just wondering for the rubber buffer which thread fits the dampner? the webiste shows M4,M6,M8...

[@BEMARBURNOUT]

Hiya! Did you manage to find out? :D

[@JayVSin]

I am having the same problem. Did you ever find out?

[@vanderbenc]

Dobre video ! dzieki Adam :)

[@i2mpro]

What are the settings you used on the RS 2 as we can't go anywhere without the wind blowing it all over the place and making almost all the footage to shaky to use. Thanks so much and awesome work!