Introduction
As a tourism photographer and videographer, I like to film urban and nature landscapes. I generally leave the sports and animal domains to other enthusiasts.
I discovered the Wiral Lite cable camera system several months ago, and it has become an essential tool in my videography kit. When I was approached to review the product for this PHOTONews special report I was delighted to share my impressions. I find this device to be a fascinating alternative to drones and gimbals – and I recommend it as an ideal addition to bring a new perspective to your video and photo assignments.
WIRAL Lite Cable Camera Motion System
The WIRAL Lite cable camera motion system allows you to achieve smooth shots without complex carts or rails. The complete system includes a carrying case, a cable and a Quick Reel, a remote control, a removable battery with a charger, two stop clips, a GoPro type adapter, a mobile phone adapter and a tripod head. You can also download a mobile application available for IOS and Android.
Characteristics
- Compatible with mirrorless cameras, action cameras, 360° cameras, mobile phones.
- Supports a weight of 1.5 kg
- Installs in 3-5 minutes
- Withstands cold Canadian winters
- Distance in 50 m or 100 m version
Installation
I was a little apprehensive about the installation when I bought the Wiral Lite, but It was an easy task to produce great results the first time around. The visual instructions provided are very helpful and easy to follow. WIRAL Lite states that the installation takes about 3 minutes. This seems to be realistic, but it could take a little longer depending on the type of camera you use.
A Brilliant Concept…
The WIRAL Lite travels on a 50 m or 100 m long cable at varying speeds, primarily slow for timelapses, moderate for cinematic shots and fast for sports. At each end of the cable, it is preferable to install the safety clips (stopper) to allow the WIRAL Lite to slow down rather than hitting the ends.
The Wiral Lite has two control options: a wireless remote and a mobile phone app. The included wireless remote provides controls for adjusting speed, start/stop, modes such as timelapse, electronic shutdown settings, and battery life indication. The Wiral Lite mobile app provides the same features as the remote to control speed, start/stop and timelapse, and additional features such as ping-pong back and forth motion and auto-tracking mode to follow your subject without the need to actively control the unit. It has a quick and easy touch interface to control all settings, movements and features on Android and iOS. The app also provides tutorial videos to guide you through different Wiral Lite techniques. Using the mobile app has become a must for me.
The removable battery that powers the Wiral Lite provides approximately three hours of operation, and a battery charger is also included. I was very impressed with the battery’s ability to hold up in winter mode compared to the cameras I used for filming. After running out of 5 action camera batteries, and 2 batteries for my 360° camera, the WIRAL Lite battery was still functional.
The device comes with a 1/4″-20 thread for mounting a variety of attachments, as well as a ball mount head with a 1/4″-20 thread to mount your camera. Over time, I have installed several peripherals on the WIRAL Lite. Here is a short list with my comments:
Mobile phone
Since most people already have a mobile phone, this device is readily available to you at no additional cost. On the other hand, I prefer having my phone in my hand and managing another device on the WIRAL Lite. The mobile phone holder provided by WIRAL Lite includes an anti-vibration system and it is by far the best I have had in my possession.
Mirrorless camera
I only use the mirrorless camera for doing timelapses. It’s a very good choice to do timelapses over a length of 50m or more.
Action camera
A very practical solution, light and easy to use. Personally, I accompany it with a gyroscopic stabilizer, and I succeed in my video shots every time I use it.
360° camera
As the 360° camera films all sides at the same time, it is possible to create camera movements. I find that when I use the 360° camera I get the best results. It also has the advantage of being small and thus fits easily into the carrying case of the WIRAL Lite.
General Impressions
I am a certified drone pilot, but the unique nature of the WIRAL Lite system has saved my assignments several times, especially when I was unable to use a drone. There are two reasons for this; the restrictive legislation concerning the use of a drone, and the reactions of people who are in the area where you would fly a drone. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it is to get a drone flight permit in a state or federal park – but setting up a WIRAL Lite is easy. Also, people are curious about the technology, and they feel safe when I shoot with the WIRAL Lite. There are many situations where flying a drone is simply not possible – for example, in a wooded area, where the WIRAL Lite is essential. The device has many advantages – it is easy to operate, safe, and unobtrusive. The WIRAL Lite is also much quieter than a drone.
I find the price affordable for a complete set, especially in comparison to the price of a drone. Unlike a drone, it is not necessary to change it every year. It was a profitable purchase in my case.
Image taken from the WIRAL Lite with a mirrorless camera
Conclusion
The WIRAL Lite is an affordable tool for taking cinematic shots. It is easy to use and easy to transport. I found it to be an excellent addition to a drone. It now occupies a privileged place in my shoots.
For more information, please consult the official website: : https://wiralcam.ca/
I also suggest this page: https://wiralcam.ca/wiral-lite-app-speed-curves-feature/
About the Author
Bernard Dery, known to his friends as “BernardVideo”, specializes in time lapse videos, drone footage, 360 images, tourism and landscape photos. His passion for creative imaging led him to become an excellent video editor. To view a selection of images and videos by BernardVideo please visit:
BernardVideo: https://www.youtube.com/BernardVideo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernard.dery
A propos de l’auteur
BernardVideo se spécialise dans les timelapses, dans les prises de vues par drone, les prises photo 360, les photos touristiques et les photos de paysages. Ses passions l’ont amené à devenir un excellent monteur vidéo.
BernardVideo https://www.youtube.com/BernardVideo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernard.dery
