If you’re in the market for a new gimbal, the Moza Air is a great option to consider. It’s lightweight and easy to use, making it a good choice for both amateurs and professionals. In our Moza Air review, we’ll take a closer look at its features and performance to help you decide if it’s the right gimbal for you.
Moza Air Gimbal Review
Specification
Gudsen Moza Air is a motorized gimbal platform that can be used on handles. It provides steady views and smooth motion to videographers. After all the work is done and the batteries are loaded, it weighs in at 2.4lb/1.1kg. There are two large cutout runners and two sizes of threaded screws heads. It also has plenty of space for moving cameras forwards or backward.
There is a maximum distance between the camera retaining screw and the right-hand arm of 3 7/8in/97mm. This isn’t an issue when fitting the camera in the space. It is more important to attach cables to ports on either side of the camera.
The joystick located on the main handle allows you to control 360-degree tilt, roll and yaw movements. These actions can also be controlled remotely via Bluetooth 4.0. Moza Air allows users to control settings and motion. A micro USB port can be used to connect to remote camera control sockets.
Three 3.7V lithium-ion battery packs are used to power the device. They are inserted into the handle. Gudsen claims the 2000mAh capacity of the batteries can power the gimbal for between four and eight hours. The battery life of the camera will vary depending on its weight and how much power it needs to stay in place.
Design
The Moza Air 2’s design is very similar to any single-handed gimbal with a larger weight (hint: the DJI Ronin S). The back support arm connecting the roll and tilt axis was angled down so that you can see your back screen clearly.
It makes it much easier to reach the controls of your camera, if necessary. They have opted for a proven design and have not tried to reinvent the wheel. It’s a common saying that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
Zhiyun and other gimbal makers are moving towards two-handed designs. The Moza Air 2 stays with the one-handed design.
Handling
The Moza Air comes beautifully packaged in a Hardcase that contains a variety of accessories. I’m not certain what accessories I received with the standard kit.
The basic kit contains the main handle, gimbal and battery compartment. You will also find a set of handlebars that you can use with both your hands and the thumb controller to control the head movements.
The handle can be connected to compatible cameras to enable stop/start recording. There is also a bracket that can support heavy lenses. Attach a mini-tripod to the threaded base of the handle. This is a great way for the camera to balance and can be extended to provide a larger field of motion.
It can be difficult to change lenses during a shoot. To balance the gimbal, you will need to stop. A mini tripod is an excellent idea for when your kit has to be changed. It is a great way for your camera to be balanced if it has in-camera settings.
Moza Air’s arm brackets are easy to level. Moza Air’s three brackets can be balanced so it takes very little time.
The measurement markings on the arms make it easy to locate the right position for attaching an older camera or lens combination. It would be easier to hold the camera screw in place with a quick-release plate.
It can be extremely useful to use the stop/start function. The thumb rocker’s close proximity allows you to control the angle of the camera without having to move your hand from the handle. The rocker can only control the direction of the gimbal’s movement, but it cannot be used for tilting the camera to the left or right. Smooth motion takes practice.
Although the Moza Air is lightweight, it can be very heavy when in use. Although this is not a defect in the Moza Air, it can be heavy due to the fact that the camera must remain at an angle for extended periods of time.
For recording sound from a microphone mounted on a hot shoe, a small microphone will work best. You can use the gimbal in an upright position so that there is enough space for a microphone. The brackets can clash with the back of the gimbal tilted forward towards the flashlight position.
The camera can be carried underneath the gimbal for low-angle shots. There are also accessories that can attach a microphone to the camera. The Rode VideoMic Pro Hotshoe or Pro+ Hotshoe was used for most of the testing. It was attached to my handlebars as the camera was low.
Action In Motion
The second gimbal version I received was far superior to the first. The motor is more powerful and better tuned. The motor can hold more weight for longer periods without losing the camera. This is a significant improvement over the older model.
Amazingly, the gimbal can stabilize and support the camera from a wide range of angles. The gimbal allows users to create crane-like sequences, by moving the camera around from one angle to the next. Although side-to-side support is very useful, it is possible for cables and screens to stick out from either side of the camera.
Moza Air’s controller can be used to perform tilt-and-turn actions. You can hold the handle in a straight position so that you can rotate the camera 360 degrees around the vertical direction. Tilt motions can be subtler.
Although I didn’t expect to be able to get the camera to look straight at me, I would have loved to have seen more tilt angles. Extreme angles can’t be achieved with the head.
The controller’s increments aren’t precise and jerky so it won’t allow for fine movements while filming. The Bluetooth thumb controller that comes with the kit will be of great benefit to users. The Bluetooth thumb controller is more precise and has a greater range.
The thumb controller can control the head at different speeds, and it can be customized to make it work. It also allows the system to identify which camera it’s currently using. It is important that the camera brand be identified in order for the system’s operation to work correctly.
The Mimic motion control feature has made a significant difference in how movements are communicated to your head. Attach the thumb controller to the handlebars to set the desired mode. The thumb controller can be attached to the handlebars and set to the appropriate mode. This allows the user remote control of the head. The head will follow each action.
This allows you to make finer movements and have complete control over how fast your head moves. This is a significant improvement in the way the camera angle can control when the tripod mounts or the rig is carried by a third party.
Cabled remotes connect via USB to the camera’s remote control socket. You can initiate or stop recording using either the thumb controller or the buttons on your gimbal. Canon-compatible cameras can be controlled using remote buttons.
Because you don’t have to adjust your grip on a handle to stop/start, this is particularly useful. This will cause a few seconds of wobbly footage to each clip’s beginning or end. This feature is very helpful in saving time and increasing memory card capacity when there are many scenes.
Weight Capacity
Manufacturers have been creating one-handed gimbals with high-weight capacities in recent years. With a weight of 4.2kg (9.25 lb), the Moza Air 2 allows for a wide range of lens and camera combinations.
This makes the gimbal very versatile, allowing you to use any small mirrorless camera up to a Canon C200 and Sony FS5, but there’s a drawback. You won’t be able to hold a 1.6kg gimbal (with battery) and a 4kg camera/lens combo for long.
Power
The Moza Air 2 has four Li-ion 18650 batteries, which the company claims will give it a maximum runtime of 16 hours. The batteries were durable in my testing of the Moza Air 2 and I was impressed with their endurance.
The only problem with the batteries is that the labeling on how to mount them is so small, that I had to take a picture and zoom in to find the correct way. If you accidentally place the batteries in an incorrect way, I don’t know if there is any protection built-in.
There are many advantages to using 18650 batteries, which can vary in capacity depending upon the manufacturer, such as the fact that they are less expensive than the Ronin S battery (2400 mAh, $99 US). Moza sells four 18650 batteries at $49 each.
The App
The app was tested on my iPhone 5s. The first versions of the app were difficult to use and could hang. The app allows you to control the head using a virtual joystick. However, it is difficult to communicate precise instructions due to the lag.
You can program the head’s speed, calibrate motors and calculate angles for each controllable Ax. It was initially difficult to use but has greatly improved over time.
This app allows filmmakers to control the timelapse feature on the head. The app allows users to control the timelapse feature of the head.
You can move the head from one side to another or up and down. It can also travel in any direction throughout the timelapse segments. Initially, the head moved in a continuous manner throughout the sequence. For people who prefer slow shutter speeds, this was not ideal. My first timelapse sequences were somewhat jerky.
The firmware update allowed the shutter and head to sync, and the move stop-shoot/move sequence was created. This allows the shutter to open and the camera to remain still. This function works with cameras compatible to the cabled remote. The timelapse feature allows you to control the final result. You can also set the camera to start or stop shooting for any cameras that plug into your ears.
Moza Spark Power Supply System
An input port on the Air 2 provides an alternative way to power the gimbal. Three output ports allow for the powering of the camera and accessories with an optional Moza adapter cable. These outlets can power electronic follow focus, LED lights, and monitors.
The Battery Management System (BMS) is a key component of the Moza Spark power supply network. The Moza Air 2’s power consumption and accessories will be optimized by the BMS. The Moza Air 2 can increase its overall battery life by using BMS.
These are the power inputs and outputs:
- 5.5mm 16 VDC input
- 2.0mm 7.8 VDC output
- 5.5mm 12 VDC output
- Multi-CAN 7.8 VDC output
- Unfortunately, I was unable to test the power system because there were no adapter cables included in the kit.
Qualitative Construction
The Moza Air 2’s build quality is quite good. It feels solid and has a lot of weight. It doesn’t feel cheap as other Moza gimbals I have used. The adjustment points for the axis are easy to use and all latches lock down securely.
It is quite a bizarre design decision to have one lock on the roll, but none on the pan or tilt axis.
The joystick is well made and in a convenient position. The Moza Air 2 joystick Gudsen uses is much better than the dial-type that you will find on many other gimbals. It has a better tactile feel, and allows you to move your gimbal at different speeds and smoothly.
The battery compartment cover was difficult to remove and put on.
OLED Screen
The bright OLED screen of the Moza Air 2 makes it easy to see outside. Although the information is presented in a very basic manner, you can still see important information that is essential.
Roto Wheel
You can customize the Roto Wheel at the side of your gimbal and set it up in the menu for a variety of tasks.
You can use it to control zoom, follow focus, and the gimbals roll. If you have Nikon lenses that include the optional follow focus, you can change the wheels’ sensitivity speed and reverse the direction.
No inbuilt stand
The Moza Air 2 comes with a stand. However, you will need to attach it to the gimbal handle. The stand could have been built into the handle. However, that’s my personal opinion.
The Moza Air 2 comes with a stand. However, you will need to attach it to the gimbal handle. The stand could have been built into the handle. However, that’s my personal opinion.
The stand has a problem if you have heavier payloads. It is especially unstable if the stand is on the ground and in the wind or if the app remotely moves the gimbal. A sturdy stand would have been better for this gimbal.
Mounting points
Moza Air 2 offers a wide range of mounting options. The ARRI standard accessory mount is located on the handle of the Moza Air 2. It uses a 3/8-16″ thread and has two pins. This is a great feature that I have never seen before on a gimbal.
This connection will be used primarily to attach an arm to a monitor/recorder or monitor/recorder arm. It’s important that it has anti-rotation ports, so the arm doesn’t move about and get loose.
Gudsen included 3/8″ and 1/4-20″ receptors on the bottom of the hangle for gimbals. It is convenient to have two holes of different sizes so that the gimbal can be attached to almost anything. You will lose both options if the stand is attached to the bottom end of the gimbals handle.
Menu System
Although the menu system isn’t as intuitive as I would like, it isn’t difficult to use. It takes time to learn how the menu works, and how to change it quickly.
Instruction manual
Gudsen has included a comprehensive instruction manual with their gimbal. It is nice to have a hard copy manual in print and not need to search online for the information.
Operation
The Moza Air is not the easiest gimbal to use when switching between modes. There are 8 follow modes on the Moza Air: Yaw, Roll, Follow, Pitch, All, Follow, All-locked. This allows for a lot more flexibility than a gimbal. However, it can be a bit confusing. Sometimes, less is more.
The number of steps and options available to set the gimbal in different modes and configurations are mind-boggling. It is impossible to recall all the modes and steps without the manual.
Products that are too complicated for me personally do not appeal to my sensibilities. Gimbals should be simple to use if you only use them occasionally. There is an app that allows you to control all functions remotely. This is far more convenient than having to go through the menus.
You can lock or unlock the tilt/pan and roll axis by pressing the joystick button. It is a bit strange that one click unlocks or locks the Pan axis (which was the last one listed), two clicks unlock the Roll axis and three clicks lock or unlock the Tilt. It’s strange that the interface changes begin at the bottom and move up.
You can lock any axis by simply holding the trigger on the handle at the front. The gimbal will return to the locked or unlocked axis as soon as the trigger is released. Two clicks on the trigger will re-center the gimbal and three clicks will spin it around into selfie mode.
It’s nice that the menu dial switch can be used to control speed for all three axes simultaneously even if you’re not in the menu. This dial can be used to change the speed of the gimbal from very fast movements to slower ones, or vice versa. This is an extremely useful feature to have if you’re following someone or something.
You can change the Attitude parameters or put the Moza Air 2 in Inception Mode by going to the Advanced Setting Menu.
Conclusion
Moza Air Gimbal, a handheld stabilizer designed for smartphones and action cameras, is a 3-axis handheld stabilizer. The gimbal provides smooth, stable footage with 12-hour runtime. The Moza Air is a high-quality gimbal that you should consider if your camera needs it. The Moza Air is very easy to use and will provide amazing footage.
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