Hohem iSteady M6 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer for Smartphone

The Hohem iSteady M6 Smartphone Gimbal enhances the professional-quality stabilization of your smartphone videos. With high-torque motors and automated movement programs, it ensures steady and captivating shots.

Featuring robust controls, an OLED display, and seamless app connectivity, this gimbal is an ideal choice for travel vloggers and other on-the-go content creators.

Design and Features

The Hohem iSteady M6 kit is tailored as a smartphone gimbal catering to YouTubers, streamers, amateur filmmakers, and enthusiasts seeking smooth and steady videos.

To unlock the full range of features, you’ll need to download the Hohem app, available for both Android and Apple devices.

A standout feature in the kit is the inclusion of a magnetic fill light with an AI vision sensor, harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Examining the bottom reveals magnets and pins facilitating communication with the gimbal.

To engage the AI feature, a simple OK hand signal in front of the camera initiates face tracking.

The gimbal dynamically follows your movements, even without using the Hohem app.

Compatibility extends to your phone’s native camera app and popular platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

The kit comes with a tabletop tripod, providing stability for solo video recording without the need for extensive equipment.

The Hohem iSteady M6 Gimbal incorporates a 0.91″ OLED display to convey essential information such as Bluetooth connectivity, current mode, battery level, and more.

The M button facilitates seamless switching between modes, including pan follow, pan and tilt follow, lock, POV or all follow, sport, and inception – the latter setting your phone to spin 360 degrees until manually stopped.

On the left side, a multifunctional wheel serves various purposes, from focusing and adjusting camera tilt to controlling the color temperature of the magnetic light.

A and B buttons enable setting up timelapses, allowing the gimbal to follow a designated path while recording over time.

The right side features the power button, a USB-C port for charging the gimbal’s battery, and a 1/4″ threaded port for attachments.

The USB-C port serves a dual purpose, allowing simultaneous charging of the gimbal and your phone using the provided cable.

At the front, a multifunctional trigger enhances control, enabling Sport mode, All Lock mode, gimbal recentering, and a switch to ultra-wide mode.

The thoughtful design and comprehensive features make the Hohem iSteady M6 Gimbal a versatile tool for content creators seeking professional-level stability and functionality for their smartphone videos.

Hohem iSteady M6 Specifications

Stability and Load Capacity

A desktop vlogging setup with a gimbal tripod and a smartphone perched on top—this might become my new favorite.

When it comes to gimbals, stability is paramount, and the Hohem iSteady M6 excels in this aspect.

Throughout my usage, I never sensed any slack in the Hohem iSteady M6’s grip on my smartphone, even when my gimbal technique wasn’t perfect.

Speaking of stability, I paired the iSteady M6 with an iPhone 14 Pro Max, housed in a case, adorned with a Moment lens, and equipped with a filter.

Remarkably, the iSteady M6 effectively stabilized my mobile video kit, seamlessly accommodating all the additional accessories.

Even when approaching the maximum payload of 500g, the iSteady M6 adeptly managed the weight of my smartphone.

The sturdy removable tripod base employs a standard threaded connection.

Moreover, the included tripod serves a dual purpose as a selfie stick-type handle.

The tripod proves to be an excellent support for the gimbal’s weight, offering stability even during motion.

The tripod truly shines when utilizing the AI Vision sensor, allowing the camera to track movements in real-time.

With its standard threaded connection, the tripod base offers versatility, enabling attachment to various stands of your choice. I personally mounted it on a light stand for a period, enhancing my ability to capture eye-level shots.

Features and Accessories

The hohem iSteady M6 stands out with a multitude of features, and I’d like to highlight some of the most beneficial ones.

Fill Light

The fill light, serving as the AI sensor, not only enables real-time tracking of your movements but also provides instant access to a fill light whenever needed. Offering various color temperatures and RGB capability, the fill light is remarkably bright, capable of illuminating a pitch-dark scene even at a low brightness setting of 15%.

Controls

Let’s delve into the controls of the Hohem iSteady M6.

On the front-facing menu screen, the red dial on the right facilitates zooming in and out, as well as initiating recording. These functions are optimized when using the iSteady M6 app for seamless zoom and shutter button operation.

The control on the left governs the gimbal’s movement. The menu button allows cycling through different gimbal modes, including:

• PF (Pan Follow): Locks tilt and roll axes, enabling smooth left or right camera movement.
• PTF (Pan & Tilt Follow): Locks the roll axis, allowing left and right as well as up and down camera movement.
• L (All Lock): Freezes the camera in its current position.
• POV: Allows the gimbal to follow all axis movements.
• S (Sport Mode): Speeds up gimbal movement for faster motion without compromising stability.
• ICP (Inception Mode): Creates a 360-degree spin on the pan axis.

The prominent wheel on the left is used to toggle through various menu settings, primarily controlling the fill light but offering other functions as well.

The A and B buttons play a crucial role in the gimbal’s features, allowing you to set points A and B for gradual movement between the two points over one minute.

This is beneficial for capturing time-lapse shots or adding dynamic camera movement when filming solo.

On the back, you have the lock to prevent gimbal movement, and the trigger button, which proved handy for switching between front and rear-facing camera modes.

The trigger also handles automated calibration and activates Sport Mode with a single tap.

Moving to the fourth face of the gimbal, you’ll find the charging port and the power button.

The 1/4 threaded port serves as a mounting point for accessories that may be too large or heavy for the gimbal arm, such as microphones or additional lighting.

AI Vision Sensor and Magnetic Fill Light

The AI Vision sensor stands out as one of the gimbal’s best features. It enables real-time motion tracking, allowing for 360-degree self-videos without requiring assistance from another person. Solo videographers will appreciate the freedom to capture intricate shots without relying on an extra set of hands.

Quick Note on AI Tracking

The AI tracking feature utilizes hand gestures for functions like starting and stopping recording, as well as reframing your composition. While there’s a learning curve to master the hand gestures’ positioning for optimal detection, they prove to be a great time-saving feature and my preferred control method over alternatives like app or voice commands.

The Hohem App

While there’s a dedicated Hohem Joy app offering advanced features, the iSteady M6 works seamlessly without it. The app enhances gimbal control settings, but the gimbal is compatible with the iPhone’s native camera app and supports face-tracking with virtually any camera app.

In conclusion, the Hohem Joy app excels in providing nuanced controls over the gimbal’s settings, adding value beyond in-app camera functionalities.

FAQs

1. What is the price of the Hohem iSteady M6 gimbal?

The Hohem iSteady M6 gimbal is priced at approximately $200 USD. However, opting for the version without the AI vision sensor and fill light combo allows you to acquire this gimbal at about ¾ of the full price.

2. What is the battery life of the iSteady M6 gimbal?

The battery life of the iSteady M6 gimbal is rated at 18 hours under ideal conditions. When extensively using the AI vision sensor, the battery life is around 6 hours. While six hours is still substantial, it’s recommended to use AI features judiciously to preserve the battery for standard gimbal use.