Flow Series: Gimbal Modes

Applicable Models: Flow, Flow Pro, Flow 2, and Flow 2 Pro

With multiple smart modes, the gimbal adjusts the rotation directions of the pan, tilt, and roll axes, making camera movements smoother and more controllable.

Understanding gimbal's three axes

The gimbal controls the phone's orientation through the pan axis (horizontal rotation), tilt axis (vertical rotation), and roll axis (left-right tilt) to achieve stable shooting.

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Pan Axis

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Tilt Axis

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Roll Axis

For a more intuitive operational demonstration, please refer to: Gimbal Modes

What is the gimbal "deadband"?

The deadband is similar to the "play" in a car's steering wheel. It refers to the threshold that triggers the gimbal to react.

Larger deadband: The gimbal ignores minor shakes of greater amplitude, resulting in a more stable image, suitable for smooth camera movements.
Smaller deadband: The gimbal is more sensitive to any subtle movements, and stops faster after movement. This requires the user to have better control of the gimbal and keep it steady.

Detailed explanations of gimbal modes

The gimbal has 6 powerful shooting modes. Among them, 4 can be quickly enabled using the Touch Panel, and the other 2 are activated using the Trigger Button.

Using the Touch Panel

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Mode	Icon	Core Features	Applicable Shooting Scenarios
Auto mode	AUTO	Adaptive intelligence, beginner friendliness The roll axis motor is locked, while the tilt and pan axes follow the direction of the handle. The Auto mode has a larger deadband threshold than the Follow mode, resulting in a more stable image. The gimbal automatically adjusts the deadband size based on your status (static, walking, or running). For example: When running, the deadband expands to better compensate for hand shakes. In a stationary state, the deadband decreases, making the gimbal more responsive to hand rotations.	Vertical movements (from a view, up or down to a person). Tilt and pan movements.
Follow mode	F	Two-way following, responsive control The phone screen follows the handle's movement both vertically and horizontally. Compared to the Auto mode, it has a smaller deadband, making the gimbal more responsive in following without automatically adjusting the deadband threshold.	Vertical movements (from a view, up or down to a person). Tilt and pan movements. Providing direct control, more suitable for experienced users.
Pan Follow mode	PF	Horizontal lock, stable panning The phone screen only follows the handle's movement horizontally, ensuring more stable horizontal camera movements. The tilt and roll axis motors are locked, preventing the phone from nodding up/down or tilting left/right.	Panning shots. Arc movements.
FPV mode	FPV	Free axes, unlimited creativity All three axis motors are unlocked, allowing the phone to rotate freely in any direction. The Zoom Wheel can be used to control the phone's roll rotation for special effects.	Simulating FPV (First-Person View) effects, often by holding the gimbal in an underslung grip. Achieving spinning movements using the Zoom Wheel.

Using the Trigger Button

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Mode	Trigger Method	Core Features	Scenarios
Lock mode	Long-press the Trigger Button until all 4 mode indicators light up	All three axes are locked, maintaining the phone's posture and direction to minimize perspective shift	Follow shots, Dolly zoom shot, Hyperlapse, and Hitchcock zoom
Active Plus mode	Short-press the Trigger Button > release > long-press again	Enhances the following responsiveness of the 4 touch panel modes (not supported in the Lock mode)	Any scenarios that need fast following (e.g., basketball, football, etc.) or whip pan

FAQ

1. How to activate the Active Plus mode?

Press and release the Trigger Button, then immediately press and hold it again. At this point, the gimbal's 4 indicator lights will flash three times, pause, and then flash three more times, indicating that the Active Plus mode has been activated.

2. Does enabling the Active Plus mode consume more battery?

No. The Active Plus mode itself does not increase gimbal battery consumption.

3. How to activate the Rotation mode / Barrel Roll mode?

Flow and Flow Pro: First switch the gimbal to the FPV mode, then turn the Zoom Wheel on the SmartWheel to rotate the phone.

Flow 2 and Flow 2 Pro: Long press the C button to activate the Barrel Roll mode.

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Flow Series: Gimbal Modes

Applicable Models: Flow, Flow Pro, Flow 2, and Flow 2 Pro

With multiple smart modes, the gimbal adjusts the rotation directions of the pan, tilt, and roll axes, making camera movements smoother and more controllable.

Understanding gimbal's three axes

The gimbal controls the phone's orientation through the pan axis (horizontal rotation), tilt axis (vertical rotation), and roll axis (left-right tilt) to achieve stable shooting.

insta360

Pan Axis

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Tilt Axis

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Roll Axis

For a more intuitive operational demonstration, please refer to: Gimbal Modes

What is the gimbal "deadband"?

The deadband is similar to the "play" in a car's steering wheel. It refers to the threshold that triggers the gimbal to react.

Larger deadband: The gimbal ignores minor shakes of greater amplitude, resulting in a more stable image, suitable for smooth camera movements.
Smaller deadband: The gimbal is more sensitive to any subtle movements, and stops faster after movement. This requires the user to have better control of the gimbal and keep it steady.

Detailed explanations of gimbal modes

The gimbal has 6 powerful shooting modes. Among them, 4 can be quickly enabled using the Touch Panel, and the other 2 are activated using the Trigger Button.

Using the Touch Panel

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Mode	Icon	Core Features	Applicable Shooting Scenarios
Auto mode	AUTO	Adaptive intelligence, beginner friendliness The roll axis motor is locked, while the tilt and pan axes follow the direction of the handle. The Auto mode has a larger deadband threshold than the Follow mode, resulting in a more stable image. The gimbal automatically adjusts the deadband size based on your status (static, walking, or running). For example: When running, the deadband expands to better compensate for hand shakes. In a stationary state, the deadband decreases, making the gimbal more responsive to hand rotations.	Vertical movements (from a view, up or down to a person). Tilt and pan movements.
Follow mode	F	Two-way following, responsive control The phone screen follows the handle's movement both vertically and horizontally. Compared to the Auto mode, it has a smaller deadband, making the gimbal more responsive in following without automatically adjusting the deadband threshold.	Vertical movements (from a view, up or down to a person). Tilt and pan movements. Providing direct control, more suitable for experienced users.
Pan Follow mode	PF	Horizontal lock, stable panning The phone screen only follows the handle's movement horizontally, ensuring more stable horizontal camera movements. The tilt and roll axis motors are locked, preventing the phone from nodding up/down or tilting left/right.	Panning shots. Arc movements.
FPV mode	FPV	Free axes, unlimited creativity All three axis motors are unlocked, allowing the phone to rotate freely in any direction. The Zoom Wheel can be used to control the phone's roll rotation for special effects.	Simulating FPV (First-Person View) effects, often by holding the gimbal in an underslung grip. Achieving spinning movements using the Zoom Wheel.

Using the Trigger Button

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Mode	Trigger Method	Core Features	Scenarios
Lock mode	Long-press the Trigger Button until all 4 mode indicators light up	All three axes are locked, maintaining the phone's posture and direction to minimize perspective shift	Follow shots, Dolly zoom shot, Hyperlapse, and Hitchcock zoom
Active Plus mode	Short-press the Trigger Button > release > long-press again	Enhances the following responsiveness of the 4 touch panel modes (not supported in the Lock mode)	Any scenarios that need fast following (e.g., basketball, football, etc.) or whip pan

FAQ

1. How to activate the Active Plus mode?

2. Does enabling the Active Plus mode consume more battery?

No. The Active Plus mode itself does not increase gimbal battery consumption.

3. How to activate the Rotation mode / Barrel Roll mode?

Flow and Flow Pro: First switch the gimbal to the FPV mode, then turn the Zoom Wheel on the SmartWheel to rotate the phone.

Flow 2 and Flow 2 Pro: Long press the C button to activate the Barrel Roll mode.

Was this information helpful?

Online Chat

Office Hours: 24/7

Start Chat