Cinetics Lynx Motorized Camera Slider Reviews
Nice build and smooth 3 axis movement, but needs improvement
By Jeremy
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2022-02-10
The Lynx has the potential of being 5 stars, but there are improvements that need to be made. The positives are smooth 3 axis moves and build quality. I've had the slider since September 2021 and the times I've used it with AC power it has worked flawlessly. I emphasis AC power. I have discovered that the internal battery will no longer hold a charge and the AC adaptor doesn't seem to be charging as the green light will not remain on. Having tried using it with 3 different types of batteries none seemed to work well. This leads to customer support, which I'm still trying to understand. I have sent emails and called and replies are few and far between. I think this is a one man operation to handle customer support which is Justin. If the battery situation can be resolved this can be a 5 star item, but until then....long ac cords might be needed in remote locations! I'll add that the cables that operate the 3-axis moves could be better designed. The risk of them running along with the slider and getting caught can be an issue.
Decent but don't expect solid phone support
By Ian
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2019-07-14
This is a decent slider system (note that I did not use it with the extensions so I can't comment on some issues others have had). I like the UI on the controller and all that seems to work well and fast. The phone support is where it falls apart. Often the app would continuously display the same prompt in a loop or send the slider to one side where you'd have to remove power to reset it. The feature set that does work with the app is quite limited as well.
Nicely Made, Works Very Well, Quality Components
By John
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-03-12
I bought my Cinetics Lynx 3-Axis Motorized Slider primarily for real-time video to act as an automated cameraman; and secondarily for timelapse video. Ive used it now on three shoots and on the last one also found a third purpose: The Slider motor can work as a handy turntable for close-up small product shots.
Other reviewers have commented on the lack of good documentation, particularly for initial setup, and I echo that. But if you are the patient and mechanical sort you will figure it out, and likely be pleased with the units overall performance as I am.
I found its standard 24 length too short for the video work I do, so I ordered the optional 36 rails and they now extend the system to the perfect length.
Video shoots so far have been with Nikon 810 and 850 DSLR cameras and lenses mounted. The slide, pan and tilt moves executed by the unit have been smooth and even. The controller display and firmware 1.1 looks and operates like it was programmed in 1992, but such is the nature of commercial-grade automation. It is not made to be smartphone-pretty, but it does work and performs all of its tasks well.
What I like: The quality of the components. All of the pieces and parts of the system are well made and sourced from good quality materials. The overall design is ingenious and the system performs its tasks flawlessly. Hence my 5-star rating.
What could be better: The documentation, as mentioned over and over in these reviews. And, there should be one storage bag to keep all of the components together. As it is now, you wind up with 2 bags, one for the pan/tilt motor, and another one that, along with more bags inside, holds everything else.
On the controller, you can save only three (3) move routines. And once saved, you cant edit them. To make just a slight change to a routine, you must go back and re-program the entire routine from scratch.
I recommend the system so long as you understand that it is a bit wonky in its construct and does take patience to set up and learn to operate properly early on. But once you get the hang of it, youll have a very fine 3-axis slider system made of good materials that should last for years to come.
Im on the lookout now for a second one...
Great for for the price.
By k
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2018-12-13
At first there were a couple hiccups but Cinetics backed their product 100% with outstanding customer support and ironed out the issues with little to no delay. Not many companies out there will go the distance like Cinetics did.
This is not only is a slider with a 3rd axis. It also moves vertical within the weight limits which lifts most good lenses and mirrorless/dslr cameras on the market. I have had some slight shakes in the downward motion, but the footage was easily fixed in post with a stabilaztion filter. Other than that it is butter smooth. It has variable speed settings, but the faster it moves the noisier it gets. It is near silent while moving slowly.
Underneath it has multiple 3/8 female screw holes for an array of mounting options and comes with extension rails that will get you to 48 inches long. Most companies make you pay extra for those. Although you may need to do some light sanding where the two sets of rails connect.
It’s easy to set up and break down. It’s probably not best for long day run and gun situations. Once mounted on a tripod and head, it gets pretty heavy. I do advise getting a robust tripod and head if you are just going to mount it directly on a single tripod along with Kessler Crane Kwik Release Receivers and plates to make it easier.
The menus in the control box are pretty straight forward, but I wish it came with some sort of instruction manual instead of a sheet saying go to this web site to show you how to put together.
While doing time-lapses it is best when the camera is not in auto focus, as it won’t fire if it has to focus. The slider and camera are only as smart as you program them to be, and their settings have to coincide with each other. It does take some practice. Some of the back and forth with Cinetics could of been avoided with proper instructions.
It also has a mobile app but isn’t the most user friendly. Sometimes the app takes some time to connect with the slider, but once it is connected it’s fine. It would be nice if the save programs you create on the box could transfer to the app and vise versa. I believe you can only save 3 extra custom programs. It comes with 3 but I’m not sure if you can over write those. Overall the app works as a good second option, but can use some improves. Its good to have when its dark out especially on a larger screen than the controller box.
I had some issues with the head crashing into the slide motor because there is no fail safe if the home position isn’t set right in the program. If something changes in the program the head will not know where it’s position is on slider and go hay wire. It’s best to just redo the program over from scratch if you want to change something. This is another thing where a written manual could help.
I wish it had a slider cart locking mechanism when it is doesn’t have the belt and motors attached. That would help if I wanted a simple slider for quick shots at an event. The tilt and pan head has and acra swiss plate and it’s own carrying case, but doesn’t fit in the case with the rest of the slider and motors. The pan and tilt head can be used on it’s own as long as the controller box is connected.
Over all I’m happy with this slider and will probably have it for some time. It is well built and seems like it can stand the tests of time. When and if you do buy it, test it out throughly upon receiving it. Don’t expect it to work flawlessly the first time out of the box. It may take some time to set it up the way you want it. Once set, its great!
Great product, not so good product experience.
By Aaron
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2018-11-24
I absolutely love the smoothness of this slider. It’s very quiet and easy to operate. If I were to rate it for quality of smooth video footage and ease of operation, I’d give it 5 stars. But there are a few things that need to be improved on. For one, the storage pouches are ridiculously small. The slider components like the motor and pan and tilt mechanisms do not fit into their provided square pouches unless you disassemble them further, making on-location assembly just as time consuming as the day you first put it together. Secondly, the connectors that connect each component to the power supply pull out too easily. There’s got to be a way of making that connection a bit more secure. Something that small needs some kind of reinforced clip to keep it in place. Thirdly, I’ve had the carriage run into the motor one too many times after setting the home position and then changing my mind on a program. It wasn’t pretty. This motor is strong and it kept on jamming the carriage towards itself, forcing the band to skip until I pulled the power to the motor. Finally, can you believe this doesn’t come with a detailed manual? I’m still trying to figure out what the hole with “+” means. And if you’d like an instructional video to show you how to assemble and work the slider, the website points you to an unofficial YouTube review. This slider does an amazing job, but when it comes to product experience, there’s so much to be desired. At this price point I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect more. These are details that should never be overlooked.
Fantastic Tool and Great Support
By J
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-07-24
This is by far the most versatile slider on the market today! You have so many options when setting it up, that it's like having a "big boy's" Tinker Toys.
I am using my in a different fashion and needed some advice to make it run smoothly, and the tech support was second to none. They helped me every step of the way and even do follow-ups to make sure that everything is working.
More companies and products should be run and built this way. I'm looking at getting a second one in the near future.
Thank you Cinetics for having a solution for my problems! Keep up the great work!
Great Rig but ...
By Phillip
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-03-10
It is an outstanding rig that I has been on my wish list for some time. I am a wedding photographer and a sports photographer and I use this rig as a method to give the bride a different perspective on the wedding. It is a little cumbersome and sometimes hard to put together at a wedding venue but it’s worth the trouble. He works very well with my canon 1DX Mark II.
Well worth it
By Andrew
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-07-13
If you do not need the follow focus feature then this slider is well worth it. I have used it for interviews and time lapse. Did exactly what I wanted.
