Dji RONIN-M Camera User Manual

RONIN-M

2015.10

V1.6

User Manual

2

©

Disclaimers and Warnings

Congratulations on purchasing your new DJI product. Please read this manual and disclaimer carefully

before using this product. By using this product, you hereby agree to this disclaimer and signify

that you have read it fully. You agree that you are responsible for your own conduct and any content

created while using this product, and for any consequences thereof. You agree to use this product

only for purposes that are proper and in accordance with local regulations, terms and any applicable

policies and guidelines.

By reading this disclaimer, you also agree:

1. Any part of this disclaimer is subject to change without prior notice, refer to www.dji.com for the

latest version.

2. DJI reserves the right of nal interpretation of this disclaimer.

Do not modify or adjust the Ronin-M.

The Ronin-M has been calibrated before it leaves the factory. No adjusting or amending to the Ronin-M

is allowed. Make sure to use the original battery, otherwise performance may be hindered, and

internal malfunctions and damage to the gimbal may be caused. Please download the corresponding

Assistant software.

As DJI has no control over use, setup, final assembly, modification or misuse, no liability shall be

assumed or accepted for any resulting damage or injury. By the using, setting up, or assembling of the

product, the user accepts all resulting liability. DJI assumes no liability for damages or injuries incurred

directly or indirectly from the use of this product.

DJI and Ronin-M are registered trademarks of DJI. All names of products, brands, etc., appearing

in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owner companies. This

shall be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent or authorization of DJI. No patent

liability is assumed with respect to the use of the product or information contained herein.

FCC Compliance

Ronin-M complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device accepts any interference

received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Required Notices to Use in Taiwan

This device has been granted a designation number by the National Communications Commission

(NCC) according to the Technical Regulations Conformity Certication of Specied Radio Equipment.

Article 12 Certied by the type of low-power radio-frequency electronics, non-licensed, company or

users are not allowed to change to frequency, increase the power or change the characteristics of the

original design and function.

Article 14 The use of low-power radio-frequency electronics shall not affect aviation safety and interfere

with legal communications.

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3

Using the Manual

Legend

Important Hints and Tips References or Denitions

Download the DJI Ronin-M Assistant App

Download and install the DJI Assistant app.

Search for "DJI Assistant" on the App Store and then follow the instructions for iOS installation.

Search "DJI Ronin" on the Google Play and then follow the instructions for Android installation.

iOS 7.0 or above

http://m.dji.net/dji-ronin

Android 4.3 or above

4

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Contents

Disclaimers and Warnings 2

FCC Compliance 2

Required Notices to Use in Taiwan 2

Using the Manual 3

Legend 3

Download the DJI Ronin-M Assistant App 3

Introduction 5

In the Box 5

Ronin-M Diagram 7

Getting Started 7

DJI Intelligent Battery 7

Tuning Stand 9

Assembling the Handle Bar 10

Installing the Handle Bar onto the Gimbal 10

DJI Intelligent Battery Installation 10

Mounting the Camera 11

Conguring the Handle Bar 13

Balancing 13

Step 1: Balancing the Vertical Tilt 14

Step 2: Balancing the Roll Axis 14

Step 3: Balancing the Tilt Axis 14

Step 4: Balancing the Pan Axis 15

Advanced Roll Adjustment 15

DJI Ronin-M Assistant App Tuning 16

Download and Install 16

Basic Settings 16

Advanced Settings 17

DJI PC / MAC Assistant Tuning 22

Install DJI PC / MAC Assistant 22

Settings 24

Remote Control 28

Connecting the Remote Control to the Ronin-M 28

Remote Control Power LED Indicator Status 29

Remote Control Battery Level Indicator Status 29

Remote Control Features 30

Adding a Third-Party Transmitter/Receiver 31

Operation Modes 31

Underslung Mode 31

Upright Mode 31

Briefcase Mode 32

Maintenance 32

Troubleshooting 33

Specications 34

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5

Introduction

Developed for lmmaking professionals, the DJI Ronin-M marks a generational leap forward in camera

stabilization technology. The technology built into the DJI Ronin-M allows a broad spectrum of cameras,

of varying sizes and weights, to be stabilized during lming. Based on the successful design of the DJI

Ronin Handheld Gimbal, the DJI Ronin-M is lighter, smaller, and more convenient to use.

A brushless gimbal stabilization system is not simply three brushless motors moving on three axes. The

motors work with position feedback and the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) to communicate with DJI’s

custom 32-bit processor, which processes movement calculations in milliseconds. This reduces angular

vibration to less than ±0.02˚ of translated movement, meaning that the camera will remain perfectly

steady. The Ronin-M can be used in three different operation modes: Underslung Mode, Upright Mode,

and Briefcase Mode.

In the Box

Gimbal

×1

The gimbal includes built-in DJI motor drive modules, an

independent IMU module, a 32-bit DSP processor, a power

supply module, a Bluetooth module, a transmitter/receiver

module, a camera shelf, and a power breakout box.

Handle Bar

×1

Customizable handle bar for the gimbal. The handle bar

is assembled from five parts, including a top handle, two

handle bars and two grips.

RemoteControl–2.4GHz×1

Control the gimbal’s movements, switch work modes, and

select gimbal speed.

Tuning Stand ×1

For suspending or storing the gimbal.

Introduction / In the Box

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Charger ×1

Automatic switching charger 110-240V

DJI Intelligent Battery ×2

Power source for the gimbal.

Supplies power for other external devices.

Cable Pack ×1

ANSI cable

JIS or CE cable (varies by region)

Micro-USB Cable×1

For rmware upgrades.

Camera Mounting Plate ×1

For mounting your camera onto the gimbal.

Accessories Package

Camera Screw A (1/4'')×2

Camera Screw B (3/8'') ×2

Camera Screw C (1/4'')×2

Camera Screw D (3/8'') ×2

Lens Support ×1

Lens Support Screw ×1

Allen Wrench ×2 (3 mm & 3/16”)

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7

Ronin-M Diagram

Getting Started

DJI Intelligent Battery

Before you start using your Ronin-M, be sure to charge the battery. The DJI Intelligent Battery was

specially designed for the Ronin-M. It has a capacity of 1580mAh, a voltage of 14.4V, and a variety of

power management functions. Only charge the DJI Intelligent Battery with DJI approved charger (MODEL:

BC235144015). When the DJI Intelligent Battery is fully charged, the Ronin-M has a maximum run-time of

three hours.

DJI Intelligent Battery Charger

[1] Top Handle Bar

[2] Side Handle

[3] Quick Release Mount

[4] Pan Motor

[5] Pan Adjustment Slider

[6] D-BUS Receiver Port

[7] USB Port & CAN Bus Port

[8] Bind Button

[9] Gimbal LED Indicator Light

[10] DJI Intelligent Battery

[11] Roll Motor

[12] Tilt Motor

[13] Fore and Aft Adjustment

[14] Tilt Vertical Adjustment

[15] Roll Adjustment

[16] IMU Port

[17] P-TAP Accessory Power Port

[18] USB Accessory Power Port

[19] P-TAP Port (rear side)

[20] DJI Lightbridge Port (rear side)

[21] GCU

Port (rear side)

Ronin-M Diagram / Getting Started

[

1

]

[

2

]

[

4

]

[

3

]

[

8

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[

9

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[

5

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[

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[

7

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[

10

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[

11

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[

12

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[

14

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[

15

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[

13

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[

16

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[

18

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[

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20

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Getting Started

Socket

DJI Intelligent Battery Functions

Balanced Charging Automatically balances the voltage of each battery cell during charging

Capacity Display Displays current battery levels

Overcharge Protection Charging stops automatically when the battery voltage reaches 16.8V,

preventing overcharge damage

Over-Discharge Protection Discharging stops automatically when battery voltage reaches 12V,

preventing over-discharge damage

Short-Circuit Protection Automatically cuts power supply when a short circuit is detected

Sleep Protection Sleep mode is activated after 20 minutes of inactivity, saving power

Charging Temperature

Detection

The battery will charge only when the temperature is between 0℃ and

55˚C

DJIIntelligentBatterySpecications

Type LiPo

Capacity 14.4V, 1580mAh

Charging Environment Temperature 0℃~40℃

Operating Environment Temperature -10℃~40℃

Charging/Discharging Environment Relative Humidity ＜80%

Read the user manual, disclaimer, and battery safety guidelines before use. Users take full

responsibility for all operations and usage.

Always use DJI approved chargers. DJI takes no responsibility for any consequences

resulting from the use of non-DJI approved chargers.

Charging the DJI Intelligent Battery

1. Connect the charger to a wall socket (100-240V, 50/60Hz).

2. Connect the DJI Intelligent Battery to the charger.

3. The battery level indicator lights display the current charge level as the DJI Intelligent Battery

charges.

4. The DJI Intelligent Battery is fully charged when the battery level indicator lights turn off.

Disconnect the battery from the charger when charging is complete.

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Using the DJI Intelligent Battery

[1] Battery Level Indicators

[2] Power Button (with LED indicator)

[3] Thumb Screws

Getting Started

[

3

]

[

1

]

[

2

]

High

Low

Battery Level

3. The upper half of the tuning stand can be removed by loosening the rear knob. You can mount it on

any C-stand stud that ts into the mounting hole. When mounting this part to a C-stand, check the

balance of the stand so that it will not tip over. When placing the C-stand on a table, ensure the table

is at and level.

Checking the battery level: When the DJI Intelligent Battery is turned off, pressing the battery power

button once will display the current battery level.

Powering on: When the DJI Intelligent Battery is turned off, press and hold the power button for 1 second

to turn on the DJI Intelligent Battery.

Powering off: When the DJI Intelligent Battery is turned on, press and hold the power button for 1 second

to turn off the DJI Intelligent Battery.

Tuning Stand

You can use the tuning stand to hold the Ronin-M during setup or for storage. To unfold the tuning

stand, follow the steps below.

1. Hold the tuning stand in the upright position.

2. Remove the lower legs from their vertical position and install them into the bottom base of the stand.

Remove the upper legs from their vertical position and install them into the upper base of the stand.

Be sure the locator slots are lined up.

[

2

]

[

1

]

Rear Knob

Mounting Hole

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Assembling the Handle Bar

1. Attach the handle bars to both sides of the top handle and tighten the grip screws.

Getting Started

2. Attach the grips to the handle bar and lock them in the preferred position.

Installing the Handle Bar onto the Gimbal

1. Place the handle bar in position, as shown below, then slide it horizontally into the gimbal and

tighten the lock-knob.

2. Holding the gimbal by the grips, make sure that the gimbal is not obstructed during a 360 degrees

pan. The installation is complete.

DJI Intelligent Battery Installation

1. Loosen the screws on either side of the DJI Intelligent Battery. Slide the DJI Intelligent Battery

directly into the gimbal and then slide it down. Be sure the battery’s thumb screws go t into their

locating slots, so that the DJI Intelligent Battery makes full contact with the gimbal’s electrical leads.

2. Tighten the screws on the DJI Intelligent Battery to lock it in place.

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Make sure the DJI Intelligent Battery is turned off during installation.

An incorrectly installed battery may lead to (1) Poor battery connection, or (2) Unavailable

battery information.

Mounting the Camera

The Ronin-M uses an adjustable camera mounting plate that allows you to easily balance, install, and

remove the camera. The Ronin-M has been tested with the following types of cameras. Other cameras

similar in size and weight may also be compatible.

Black Magic Cinema Camera Canon 5DMKIII Nikon D800

Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera Canon 6D Panasonic GH3

Canon 1Dc Canon 7D Panasonic GH4

Canon 5DMKII Canon C100 Sony Alpha 7

Camera Size Requirements: The maximum

depth from the center of gravity on the camera

base plate is 120 mm. The maximum height,

measured from the top of the camera base plate,

is 195 mm. The maximum width is 160 mm as

shown in the image to the right.

To avoid obstructing camera movement, the

use of soft connection cables is recommended.

1. Attach the camera mounting plate to your camera using the provided camera screws A, B, C or

D. Camera screws A and B only t the holes of the mounting plate, while camera screws C and

D only t the slot of the mounting plate. Be sure to use the correct 1/4" or 3/8" screws. Secure the

camera as rmly as possible. Some cameras have two tripod mounting holes. If two mounting

holes are available on your camera, use them both. Choose the correct screw holes, according

to your camera’s conguration.

2. Install the lens support by gently pushing it up, so that it is applying light pressure to the lens.

Then tighten the thumbscrew.

195mm

160mm

140mm

120mm

Getting Started

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Why do you need to use a lens support?

Certain cameras have a very tight lens securing system, and some cameras such as the

Canon 5D MK II and MK III have very loose lens securing systems. The Ronin-M balances

the camera as one solid unit. If the mounted camera has a loose lens securing system, the

lens support must be used. This is because a loose connection between the lens and the

camera body may allow vibrations that travel through to the camera but not directly to the

lens, resulting in the two masses shaking at different frequencies. The resulting oscillations

will be transmitted to the IMU, causing the whole gimbal to shake. If the lens support ts, it's

best to use it at all times.

The lens support can be installed facing outward or inward to accommodate different lens

types.

Ensure alignment of the camera plate and then tighten the mounting screw, before

tightening the lens support.

3. With the gimbal facing outward on the tuning stand, slide the mounting plate into the receiver

until the safety lock engages. Make sure the gimbal is not turned on when balancing the camera.

4. When the camera achieves a rough balance, tighten the camera base side clamp. You can

adjust the tightness of the clamp with an M3 Allen wrench.

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ConguringtheHandleBar

The customizable handle bar of the Ronin-M can be removed, if necessary, by following the steps

below.

1. Loosen the two grip screws where the handle bar meets the gimbal, as shown.

2. Remove the grips from the handle bar.

3. You can remove one or both sides of the handle bar.

4. The resulting conguration is shown below.

Balancing

To obtain the best performance from the Ronin-M, proper balancing is a must. Accurate balance is

critical for shots where the Ronin-M will be subjected to extreme movements or accelerations (running,

horseback riding, biking, car mounts, helicopters, etc.). Proper balance will also offer a longer battery

runtime. There are three axes that need to be accurately balanced prior to turning on the Ronin-M and

setting up the software.

The camera needs to be fully configured, with all accessories, prior to installing and

balancing the camera on the gimbal. If the camera has a lens cap, be sure to remove it prior

to balancing. Be sure that the Ronin-M’s power is turned off while balancing the camera.

Balancing

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Step 1: Balancing the Vertical Tilt

To adjust the vertical balance, you will need to change the camera’s vertical position. Adjust the height

of the crossbar to achieve vertical tilt balance.

1. Rotate the Tilt Axis so that the camera lens is pointing upward and loosen the two vertical

adjustment tabs.

2. Gently slide the camera mount crossbar forwards or backwards until the camera points upwards

when released.

3. Tighten the tabs and manually rotate the assembly, simulating tilt, to ensure there is no binding in

the tilt motor. When proper balance is achieved, you can rotate the camera to any tilt angle, and it

will stay in that position.

Balancing

Ensure the measurement marks match up on either side of the vertical bars. If they do not

match up, the assembly could possibly be skewed higher or lower on one side, which would

cause the tilt motor to bind.

Step 2: Balancing the Roll Axis

Balancing the camera, from left to right, on the Roll Axis is also required. When the proper left/right roll

balance is achieved, the camera will stay level.

1. Loosen the two lock-knobs to allow the camera and mounting plate to slide left and right.

2. Slide the camera left or right until the Roll Axis remains level.

3. Tighten the two lock-knobs to lock the camera mounting plate in position.

When adjusting the roll balancing position of the camera, only loosen the two lock-knobs a

few turns to allow the camera base to slide. Do not loosen the lock-knobs excessively.

Step 3: Balancing the Tilt Axis

Balancing the camera on the tilt axis is also necessary. When the proper fore and aft tilt balance is

achieved, the camera will stay level when you remove your hand (while holding the roll axis in position).

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Advanced Roll Adjustment

If additional roll adjustment is needed in cases where the camera itself is too light in comparison to the

tilt motor assembly, advanced roll adjustment can be achieved by loosening the indicated screws and

pushing the assembly to the right or left.

[1]

[2]

Balancing

1. Loosen the camera base's side clamp to allow the camera and mounting plate to slide forwards

and backwards.

2. Slide the camera forwards or backwards until the tilt axis remains level. Only very small

adjustments are required to achieve the proper balance.

3. Tighten the side clamp to lock the camera and mounting plate in position. If properly balanced,

the camera should be able to remain steady at any given tilt angle.

Step4:BalancingthePanAxis

The entire mass below the pan motor must be balanced on the central axis line of the pan motor. To

achieve this balance, you must adjust the pan axis slide.

1. Open the clamp [1] on the pan axis and turn the knob [2] to slide the assembly. Identify if the

Ronin-M is front heavy or rear heavy.

2. While the Ronin-M is resting on the tuning stand, try rotating the Ronin-M along the pan axis by

lifting one side of the handle bar. If the camera does not swing, the pan axis is properly balanced.

Tighten the clamp after balancing is completed.

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DJI Ronin-M Assistant App Tuning

After balancing the mechanism, you can ne tune the balance by adjusting software parameters in the

DJI Assistant App.

Download and Install

1. Download the DJI Assistant app:

For the iOS version, search “DJI Assistant” in the App Store, then follow the installation instructions.

Search “DJI Ronin” on the Google Play then follow instructions for the Android version.

2. Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your mobile device and orient the camera in the standard

operating position (facing forwards). Turn on your Ronin-M, then open the DJI Assistant App.

3. When using the DJI Assistant App for the rst time, you will be prompted to register using a valid

e-mail address.

4. Connect your device to the Ronin-M by following the step-by-step instructions in the DJI

Assistant App. After connecting to the gimbal’s main control, you will see the Wizard menu.

When the indicator at the top of the screen displays solid green and the blue light is blinking, the

connection is complete. The green LED on the Ronin-M will also light up.

After enabling Bluetooth on your mobile device, return to the DJI Assistant App to connect to the

Ronin-M. The Ronin-M will not appear in the mobile device’s Bluetooth device list. It can only be

connected via the DJI Assistant App.

Basic Settings

The functions accessible in the Wizard are the most basic functions you may want to adjust upon

receiving your Ronin-M. These options are also the most frequently used functions during standard

operation. You can adjust all of these settings in the Wizard menu.

N/A

？

Gimbal

Mode：

Wizard

Pan SmoothTrack

Tilt SmoothTrack

Roll SmoothTrack

Speed

Pan Axis

Tilt Axis

Deadband Accel

SmoothTrack Adjustments

0

0 0

0

Roll Axis

0 0

0

Test Pan Speed

SmoothTrack Test

Test Tilt Speed

Gimbal Control Viewer More

N/A

？

Gimbal

Mode：

Wizard

Auto Tune Stability

Briefcase Mode

Pan SmoothTrack

Live Data

Calibrate

Briefcase Mode

SmoothTrack Mode

0

Power

Pan

Tilt

Roll

Angle

Tilt SmoothTrack

Roll SmoothTrack

Gimbal Control Viewer More

Pan

Thumb

Controller

Remote

Operator

Tilt

Control Speed Adjustment

15

1515

40

Speed

Pan Axis

Tilt Axis

Deadband Accel

0

0 0

0

Roll Axis

0 0

0

Test Pan Speed

SmoothTrack Test

Test Tilt Speed

Test Roll Speed

？

Gimbal

Wizard

1. Calibrate

Auto Tune Stability provides an easy one-touch button for automatic conguration of each axis. The

trajectory, speed, power, and stiffness of motors are automatically tuned for the camera conguration

that is mounted. Auto Tune Stability should be tapped whenever a new camera configuration is

mounted or whenever the lens or accessories are changed. This will ensure stability and provide ideal

calibrated settings.

DJI Ronin-M Assistant App Tuning

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DJI Ronin-M Assistant App Tuning

Wizard

Gimbal

Motor

Push Mode

Mode:N/A

SmoothTrack

Gimbal Control Viewer More

？

0

0 0

0

00

0

Mode:N/A

Motor

Gimbal

Pan Axis

Stiffness

Power Angle

Trim

Tilt Axis

Roll Axis

Pan

Tilt

Roll

Auto Tune Stability

Live Data

Configuration

？

Gimbal

Test Pan Speed

Test Tilt Speed

SmoothTrack

SmoothTrack Adjustments

Test

Speed

Deadband Accel

Pan Axis

Tilt Axis

0

0 0

0

Roll Axis

0

Gimbal Control Viewer More

Pan SmoothTrack

SmoothTrack Mode

Tilt SmoothTrack

Roll SmoothTrack

2. Live Data

This data represents the feedback from each motor axis. If a particular motor axis indicates a power

reading greater than 10, this often means the mechanical balancing of the camera hasn’t been properly

adjusted. A properly balanced camera rig will display readings close to 0 power on each axis, but these

values may vary. The angle reading indicates the current angle of each axis in relation to center.

3. Briefcase Mode

When Briefcase Mode is switched on, the Ronin-M will be able to seamlessly transform into this

operation mode. With Briefcase Mode turned off, the Ronin-M will allow the camera to roll when the

Ronin-M is tilted past the standard roll axis parameters.

4.SmoothTrackMode

When SmoothTrack Mode is enabled, the Ronin-M will can be "steered," on the selected axis, by the

camera’s operator. The steering/translation speed can be adjusted for each axis independently. When

the Ronin-M's top bar is rotated left or right, the camera will move, smoothly following the user’s input,

and stop at the appropriate angle. In the SmoothTrack options menu, the settings for the pan axis, roll

axis and the tilt axis can be independently adjusted.

The pan axis speed will determine how fast the camera will travel while translating a pan movement. Pan

deadband will determine how much movement the gimbal will tolerate prior to translating the camera’s pan.

The roll axis speed will determine how fast the camera will travel while translating a roll movement. Roll

deadband will determine how much movement the gimbal will tolerate prior to translating the camera’s roll.

The tilt axis speed will determine how fast the camera will travel while translating a tilt movement. Tilt

deadband will determine how much movement the gimbal will tolerate prior to translating the camera’s tilt.

The SmoothTrack pan, roll, and tilt speed can be tested. Ensure there is no obstruction of the camera

before tapping the test button.

5. Control Speed Adjustment

The remote control speed can be adjusted here. This setting represents the maximum speed in the pan and

tilt axis when the remote control sticks are pushed all the way in any given direction.

Advanced Settings

There are more advanced functions you can adjust through the Assistant to meet your requirements.

Gimbal Menu

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1. Motor Adjustment

The Auto Tune Stability button allows for automatic adjustment of each motor’s stiffness (as relayed from the

sensors and interpreted by the Ronin-M) to accomplish an optimized setting. Besides the stiffness, there

are other electronic settings being tuned. It is highly recommended that the Auto Tune Stability button be

tapped whenever a new camera conguration is mounted or the lens or accessories are changed. This will

offer the optimal stability and settings.

Each axis has its own stiffness and trim adjustment. The motor stiffness adjustment allows the user to ne

tune the amount of power that is applied by the motors as they react and balance the weight on each axis.

The higher you adjust the stiffness settings, without causing any vibrations or oscillations to the gimbal, the

better your experience will be. In most cases, the Auto Tune Stability settings will be suitable.

2. SmoothTrack Mode

Refer to the Basic Settings section for details relating to SmoothTrack Mode.

3. Push Mode

Enable Push Mode to allow the pan and tilt axes to be adjusted by hand when the Ronin-M is turned on.

Control Menu

1. Deadband

The thumb controller and the remote operator control can have independently adjusted pan and tilt

deadband settings. The larger the deadband, the more stick movement will be required to translate

into actual movement of the gimbal.

Gimbal Control Viewer More

N/A

Mode：

Wizard

Control

Deadband Maximum Speed

Smoothing Endpoint

Channels Settings

？

Gimbal Control Viewer More

Deadband Adjustment

Thumb

Controller

Remote

Operator

Pan

Tilt

Control

Deadband

6

？

Gimbal Control Viewer More

Control Speed Adjustment

Thumb

Controller

Remote

Operator

Pan

Tilt

Control

Maximum Speed

40

15

2. Maximum Speed

Maximum Speed is a function that prevents the control stick response from being a linear response,

which is also known as an increasing response curve. This means the amount that the gimbal moves

on the pan or tilt axis is not directly proportional to control stick manipulation. Control stick response

can be adjusted to be milder below the first half of control stick travel and increased to a higher

speed towards the last half of control stick travel. The preset exponential curve is calibrated based on

maximum speed input. The maximum speeds of the thumb controller and the remote control sticks

can be set independent of each other.

DJI Ronin-M Assistant App Tuning

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19

？

Gimbal Control Viewer More

N/A

Mode：

Test Pan Endpoints

Test Tilt Endpoints

Endpoint Adjustments

Test

Pan Axis

Left Right

Up Down

Tilt Axis

Control

Endpoint

0 0

？

Gimbal Control Viewer More

Smoothing Adjustment

Thumb

Controller

Remote

Operator

Pan

Tilt

Control

Smoothing

15

3. Smoothing

When the control stick input is released, the translated movement will be smoother and slower than

if the smoothing is increased. If smoothing is set to 0, the slowdown will be translated as an abrupt

stop. The thumb controller and remote operator control sticks can be set independently. Pan and tilt

smoothing can also be independently adjusted.

4.RemoteControlEndpointsAdjustment

Pan axis endpoints can be adjusted independently, for left and right movement, when used with a

remote control or the thumb controller. Pan axis endpoint settings determine the farthest points to

which the gimbal will rotate left or right during controller input.

Tilt axis endpoints can be adjusted independently for up and down movement when used with a

remote control or the thumb controller. Tilt axis endpoint settings control the maximum points to which

the gimbal can rotate up or down.

The pan and tilt endpoints can be tested. Ensure the camera is unobstructed before tapping the test

buttons.

If the ability to rotate 360˚ on the pan axis is needed, simply adjust the pan endpoints to 0. If endpoints

are set to 0, the pan axis will not move when the "Test Pan Endpoint" button is pressed.

5. Channels

The channel indicator provides feedback during remote operator conguration. Pan, tilt, and roll can

be re-assigned to either of the remote control sticks. Each axis can also be reversed.

6. Settings

Controller Priority: If both input devices simultaneously send control signals to the gimbal, the input

from the selected controller will take priority and will control the device at that given time.

Pan/Tilt Remote Speed Adjustment: Click to choose combined or independent settings.

Speed Toggle Presets: These presets will allow you to change the SmoothTrack speed remotely. If the

remote control is turned on, the Speed Toggle Presets for SmoothTrack will take precedence over the

DJI Ronin-M Assistant App Tuning

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User Manual

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Gimbal Control Viewer More

？

N/A

Mode

：

Control

Settings

Controller Priority

Remote Operator

Thumb Controller

Pan/Tilt Remote Speed Adjustment

Combined

Independent

Speed Toggle Presets

Pan

Fast

Normal

Slow

RollTilt

？

CH 0

CH 1

CH 2

CH 3

CH 4

CH 5

CH 6

CH 7

Gimbal Control Viewer More

Control

Channels

Pan

Normal

REV

Normal

Tilt

Roll

Assistant settings. Once the remote control is turned off, the SmoothTrack settings in the Assistant will

take over.

Viewer Menu

？

Viewer

Control Viewer More

14.50V

0:01:59

35.40

。

Power

Angle

Pan Axis

Tilt Axis

Roll Axis

Voltage

Temperature

Time

2

-2

0

-0.01

。

-0.45

。

1.89

。

Gimbal

Gimbal Control Viewer More

？

＊＊＊@

＊＊＊

.com

N/A

Mode

：

More

Briefcase Mode

Motor Kill

Calibrate Center

Calibrate System

Restore Default Settings

Accounts

Roll Control

Internal Receiver

Silent Mode

The viewer provides all the essential live data for monitoring the gimbal’s electronics, as well as

feedback from the motors. Power is indicated for each axis. The current angle of each axis is also

indicated. The voltage of the battery, temperature of the main electronics, and also current uptime can

also be monitored via this menu.

DJI Ronin-M Assistant App Tuning

Ronin-M

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21

More Menu

Briefcase Mode

When Briefcase Mode is switched on, the Ronin-M will be able to seamlessly transform into this

operation mode. With Briefcase Mode turned off, the Ronin-M will allow the camera to roll when the

Ronin-M is tilted past the standard roll axis parameters.

Motor Kill

When the Motor Kill switch is activated, the Ronin-M is still powered on, but the motors will be powered

off. This will allow an adjustment to the gimbal or camera without having to turn it off completely.

Prior to turning off the Motor Kill switch, make sure the gimbal is positioned in the standard operating

position. The Motor Kill switch can also be used if the gimbal operator experiences an issue or needs

to make a quick mechanical adjustment to the gimbal or camera setup.

Roll Control

When the Roll Remote Control is off, the roll axis movement cannot be controlled by a remote control

or the thumb controller.

Silent Mode

Enable Silent Mode to reduce the level of noise that is created by the motors in environments such as a

quiet room. By enabling silent mode, larger and sudden gimbal movements may not be as accurately

stabilized during use in situations such as running when silent mode wouldn’t really be needed. Use

silent mode in quiet conditions where light motor noise may be an issue during audio recording.

Otherwise, it is recommended to leave silent mode off.

Internal Receiver

When the Internal Receiver is off, the gimbal cannot be controlled by a remote control or the thumb

controller, and can only be controlled by other devices via a D-Bus or Lightbridge connection.

Calibrate Center

If the Ronin-M’s pan axis is off-center, you can recalibrate the true center of the Ronin-M using this

switch. Using a remote control, position the pan axis at dead center, then tap the Calibrate Center

button. Tap “Center” again in the pop-up to conrm. Restart the device after recalibrating the center.

Calibrate System

Calibrate System is only used if you notice any kind of drift in any of the axes. To calibrate the system,

place the Ronin-M on the tuning stand and make sure it is completely steady. Ensure a 90 degrees

movement of the camera with the lens pointing straight down is possible without any interference from

video monitor wires during the movement. Then tap the Calibrate System button and let the process

nish before picking up the Ronin-M. Do not move the Ronin-M during calibration. Restart the Ronin-M

after calibration is complete.

Restore Default Settings

This will restore all of the factory default settings that can be congured through the DJI Assistant app.

Device List

To force the DJI Assistant App to nd the Ronin-M, open the "Device List" and the app will search for

Bluetooth devices it recognizes.

DJI Ronin-M Assistant App Tuning

22

©

DJI PC / MAC Assistant Tuning

You can also congure the Ronin-M and upgrade the rmware through the DJI PC/MAC Assistant.

The conguration settings of the DJI Assistant App and DJI PC/MAC Assistant are the same.

There is no need to repeat settings adjustment in both Assistants.

The DJI Assistant App and the DJI PC/MAC Assistant program cannot be connected at the

same time. If running the DJI Assistant App on your mobile device, be sure to disconnect

the micro USB cable before using the DJI PC/MAC Assistant on a PC/MAC.

Install DJI PC / MAC Assistant

Installing and Running on Windows

1. Download the DJI WIN DRIVER INSTALLER from the Ronin-M product page on DJI.com. Connect

the Ronin-M to your PC via the provided USB cable and be sure the Ronin-M is powered on prior

to installing the DJI WIN DRIVER.

2. Download the appropriate Assistant installer from DJI.com.

3. Double click the Assistant installer and follow the steps to nish the installation.

4. Run Assistant.

5. Upgrade the rmware or congure parameters using the Assistant as needed.

The Assistant installer supports Windows XP, Win7, and Win8 (32 or 64 bit).

Installing and Running on Mac OS X

1. Download the Assistant installer (.DMG) from the Ronin-M product page on DJI.com.

2. Run the installer and follow the prompts to nish the installation.

3. When launching for the rst time, if using Launchpad to run the Ronin-M Assistant, Launchpad

will block access because the Assistant has not been reviewed by the App Store.

DJI PC / MAC Assistant Tuning

Ronin-M

User Manual

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23

DJI PC / MAC Assistant Tuning

4. Locate the Gimbal icon using the Finder, press “Control,” then click the icon (or right-click the

icon using a mouse). Choose Open from the shortcut menu, then click Open in the dialog box to

launch the program.

5. After the rst successful launch, double click the Gimbal icon, as usual, to launch the program

using Finder or Launchpad.

The DMG installer supports Mac OS X 10.9 or above.

Ronin-M Assistant on Mac OS X and Windows are the same. Assistant pages shown in this

manual are from the Windows version.

Ronin-M

User Manual

24

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Settings

Adjust the following basic functions before using the Ronin-M: Auto Tune Stability, Briefcase Mode,

SmoothTrack, and Maximum Speed Adjustment.

The denition and function of every button in the DJI Assistant App and DJI PC Assistant are the same,

refer to the section describing the DJI Assistant App for more details.

Basic

1. Gimbal

Motor: The Auto Tune Stability button allows for automatic adjustment of each motor’s stiffness settings

(as relayed from the sensors and interpreted by the Ronin-M) to accomplish an optimized setting.

Each axis has its own stiffness and trim adjustment.

Live Data: This monitors the feedback from the motors on each axis.

Briefcase Mode: Select the checkbox to enable Briefcase Mode.

EnableSilentMode:Select the checkbox to reduce motor noise.

Internal Receiver Off: Select to prevent the gimbal from being controlled by the included remote

controller or the optional thumb controller. The gimbal can then only be controlled by other devices via

a D-Bus or Lightbridge connection when the Internal Receiver is off.

Roll Remote Control Off: Select this checkbox to prevent the roll axis movement from being controlled

by the included remote controller or the optional thumb controller.

Motor Kill Switch: Select the checkbox to enable the Motor Kill Switch.

SmoothTrack: Select this checkbox to enable SmoothTrack. Note that the pan axis and the tilt axis can

be adjusted independently.

The pan and tilt SmoothTrack speed can be tested. Ensure that there is nothing obstructing the

camera when running the test procedures.

Reset Password: If you forgot your Bluetooth connection password, click here to reset your password.

Calibrate Center: If the Ronin-M’s pan axis is off center, you can recalibrate the true center of the

Ronin-M using this switch. Using a remote control, position the pan axis at dead center, then click the

Calibrate Center button. Click “Center” again in the pop-up to conrm.

DJI PC / MAC Assistant Tuning

Ronin-M

User Manual

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25

The thumb controller and the remote operator control sticks have a Deadband, Maximum Speed, and

Smoothing adjustment, all of which can be set independently.

Endpoint: Pan axis endpoints can be adjusted independently for left and right movement when used with

a remote control or the thumb controller. Tilt axis endpoints can be adjusted independently for up and

down movement when used with a remote control or the thumb controller.

If the ability to rotate 360˚ on the pan axis is needed, simply adjust the endpoints for pan to 0. If endpoints

are set to 0 for 360˚ pan ability, then the "Test Pan Endpoint" function will not change the pan axis.

The pan and tilt endpoints can be tested. Ensure that the camera is unobstructed when clicking the test

buttons.

Controller Priority: If both input devices simultaneously send control signals to the gimbal, the input from

the selected controller will take priority and will control the device at that given time.

Viewer Menu: The Viewer Menu provides essential live data for monitoring the Ronin-M’s electronics and

feedback from the motors. Power is indicated for each axis. The current angle of each axis is also indicated.

Push Mode Mode: Enable Push Mode to allow the pan and tilt axes to be adjusted by hand when the

Ronin-M is turned on.

Calibrate System: Calibrate System is only used if you notice any kind of drift in any of the axes. To

calibrate the system, place the Ronin-M on the tuning stand and make sure it is completely steady.

Ensure a 90 degrees movement of the camera with the lens pointing straight down is possible without

any interference from video monitor wires during the movement. Then tap the Calibrate System button

and let the process nish before picking up the Ronin-M. Do not move the Ronin-M during calibration.

Restart the Ronin-M after calibration is complete.

Auto Tune Stability: The Auto Tune Stability button allows for automatic adjustment of each motor’s

stiffness settings (as relayed from the sensors and interpreted by the Ronin-M) to accomplish an

optimized setting.

Default: Click here to restore all settings to the factory defaults.

2. Control

DJI PC / MAC Assistant Tuning

Ronin-M

User Manual

26

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3. Channels

4.Battery

This page provides all of the essential information regarding the Ronin-M’s battery.

This is a channel indicator to provide feedback during remote operator conguration. Pan, tilt, and roll

can be re-assigned to either of the remote control sticks. The controlled axis can also be reversed.

Pan/Tilt Remote Speed Adjustment: Click to choose combined or independent settings.

Speed Toggle Presets: These presets will allow you to change the SmoothTrack speed remotely. If

the remote control is turned on, the Speed Toggle Presets for SmoothTrack will take precedence

over the Assistant settings. Once the remote control is turned off, the SmoothTrack settings in the

Assistant will take over.

DJI PC / MAC Assistant Tuning

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User Manual

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27

You can check which version of the DJI Assistant App you are using in the Info tab.

The S/N is a 32-digit authorization code that is used to activate certain functions. The authorization

code for your unit is entered after it is manufactured. You may be asked to enter a new S/N after

upgrading. Fill in the S/N and then click the Write button. If you enter an invalid S/N more than 30 times,

the Ronin-M will be locked and you will need to contact customer support.

Info

Upgrade

You can view the latest rmware version information on this page. Upgrade the rmware by following

the steps below:

1. Connect the Ronin-M to your computer via the Micro-USB cable and wait until the indicator LED

in the PC Assistant blinks blue.

2. Click “Upgrade”.

3. Wait for the download to nish.

4. Click “Upgrade” again and then click “Conrm”.

5. Power the Ronin-M off and then on after the upgrade is complete.

Ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.

Close any antivirus programs and network rewalls.

Ensure that the Ronin-M is powered on during the upgrade. Do not power off the Ronin-M

until the upgrade is complete.

Do not disconnect the USB cable during the upgrade.

DJI PC / MAC Assistant Tuning

28

©

Remote Control

[

2

]

[

4

]

[

6

]

[

5

]

[

3

]

[

7

]

[

8

]

[

9

]

[

10

]

[

11

]

[

1

]

[

12

]

[

13

]

[1] Antenna

[2] Carrying Handle

[3] Left Dial (reserved)

[4] 3-Position Switch MODE

[5] 3-Position Switch FUNCTION

[6] Joystick 1

[7] Joystick 2

Connecting the Remote Control to the Ronin-M

1. Turn on the Ronin-M.

2. Press the Bind Button (shown below) of the Ronin-M once. The Ronin-M’s LED indicator will blink

green quickly at that time.

3. Slide the power switch to the right to power on the remote control. If the LED of gimbal turns solid

green light, the remote control and the Ronin-M have been successfully bound.

The binding process only needs to be done once, unless the bind button is pressed or if the

Ronin-M needs to be bound to another remote control.

Bind Button

Remote Control

[8] Neck Strap Attachment

[9] Power Switch

[10] Power Indicator

[11] Battery Level Indicator

[12] Battery Charging & RC Assistant Port

(Micro-USB port)

[13] Reserved Port

Ronin-M

User Manual

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29

Please make sure that the remote control is sufciently charged before use. If the low-battery

alert sounds, (refer to Remote Control Power LED Indicator Status below), please recharge

the battery as soon as possible.

Charge the remote control’s battery using the included Micro-USB cable. Using the incorrect

type of charging cable may cause damage.

Turn off the remote control before charging. The power LED indicator will glow solid green

when the battery is fully charged.

When using the remote control, ensure that the antenna is at least 20cm away from any

person.

RemoteControlPowerLEDIndicatorStatus

PowerLEDIndicator Sound Remote Control Status

—

Solid

Green None Functioning normally

—

Solid Red None Charging (remote control is powered off)

—

Solid Yellow None Remote control joystick calibration error, re-calibrate

—

Solid Red

BB---BB---

Low voltage (from 3.5 V-3.53 V). Recharge the remote control

Quick Red ashing

B-B-B

......

Critical low voltage (from 3.45V-3.5V); recharge the remote

control immediately

Slow Green ashing

B--B--B

......

Alert will sound after 15 minutes of inactivity. It will stop

once you start using the remote control.

The remote control will turn off automatically when battery voltage drops below 3.45V.

Charge the battery as soon as possible when the low voltage alert appears or sounds.

Remote Control Battery Level Indicator Status

The battery level indicator displays the current battery level. The following is a description of the

indicators.

:

The LED is in a solid state on

:

The LED is blinking

:

The LED is off

LED1 LED2 LED3 LED4 Current Battery Level

75%~100%

50%~75%

25%~50%

12.5%~25%

0%~12.5%

<0%

Remote Control

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Remote Control Features

MODE:The MODE switch is used for toggling SmoothTrack.

1. In Position 1, SmoothTrack is off. The remote control is free to control

the pan axis and stops and holds the last position determined by the

pan axis control stick.

2. In Position 2, SmoothTrack is on. The remote control is free to control

the pan axis and stops and holds the last position determined by the

pan axis control stick.

3. In Position 3, SmoothTrack is on. The gimbal will reorient and reset the

pan angle to the forward-facing direction when the pan axis control

stick is released.

Position 1

-Free, SmoothTrack Off

Position 2

-Free, SmoothTrack On

Position 3

-Reset to Center, SmoothTrack On

FUNCTION: 1. There are 3 possible selections: Fast, Normal, and Slow. The value

of each speed can be preset in the DJI Assistant App or DJI PC/

MAC Assistant.

Position 1

-Fast Position 2 -Normal Position 3 -Slow

2. Activating Motor Kill Switch

Quickly ip the FUNCTION Switch between Position 1 and Position

3 at least three times to activate the Motor Kill Switch. Repeat this

process to turn off the Motor Kill Switch. Be sure to position the

camera in the standard operating position before re-activating the

gimbal’s motors. The Motor Kill Switch is useful if the gimbal operator

runs into an issue or needs to make a quick mechanical adjustment

to the gimbal or camera setup.

Left Stick (Default settings): Horizontal movements on the left stick control the roll axis.

Vertical movements have no denition.

Right Stick (Default settings):

Horizontal movements on

the right stick control the pan

axis.

Right Stick (Default settings):

Vertical movements on the right

stick control the tilt axis.

These stick settings can be customized in the DJI Assistant App or DJI PC/MAC Assistant.

Ronin-M

User Manual

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31

Adding a Third-Party Transmitter/Receiver

The Ronin-M supports 3

rd

party transmitters/receivers, such as D-Bus. Connect the transmitter through

the integrated port (refer to the Ronin-M Diagram for the location of the D-Bus port).

Operation Modes

There are three operation modes for the Ronin-M: Underslung Mode, Upright Mode and Briefcase

Mode.

Underslung Mode

Underslung Mode is the standard, default mode. The Ronin-M can be used in this mode without any

adjustments.

Upright Mode

Flip the gimbal forward 180 degrees and it will automatically change to Upright Mode. Alternatively,

you can change the gimbal into upright mode before turning it on. Upright Mode is ideal for car

mounts or other top down perspective camera positions, as it allows you to shoot higher and/or at eye

level. Upright Mode can also be used without any adjustments. Do not ip the gimbal sideways (left or

right) to convert to Upright Mode.

Operation Modes

Ronin-M

User Manual

32

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Briefcase Mode

Briefcase Mode allows you to hold the Ronin-M in a slim prole close to your body. To use Briefcase

Mode, tilt the gimbal 90˚ to the left or right on the roll axis. You can turn Briefcase Mode off in the DJI

Assistant app, in which case the Ronin-M will never automatically transform into Briefcase Mode. In

Briefcase Mode, the remote control cannot pan, tilt, or roll the gimbal.

Maintenance

The gure below shows the proper conguration for transporting the Ronin-M with the Tuning Stand.

Using the hook-and-loop straps, lock the Ronin-M in place, as shown. Be sure to remove the straps

prior to turning the Ronin-M on again.

The Ronin-M is a precise machine and is not waterproof. Keep it away from sand and dust when in

use. After use, it is recommended that you wipe the Ronin-M down with a soft dry cloth. Never spray

any cleaning liquids onto the Ronin-M.

©

33

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution

1 Motors appear to be weak After balancing the camera, launch the DJI Assistant App or the

DJI PC/MAC Assistant and press Auto Tune Stability. Wait for

the process to nish and the stiffness settings will be displayed

on the screen.

2 The gimbal is vibrating,

even after tapping the

Auto Tune Stability button

(1) Check to make sure all knobs are tight, including the pan

motor knob.

(2) Check to make sure the camera screw is tight. Push on the

camera plate to make sure it is not loose or sliding on the

gimbal’s camera mount.

(3) Try decreasing the stiffness setting of each axis. By looking

at the "Power" readings for the axes, you should be able to

tell if there is one particular axis being affected.

3 Pan axis seems to be

off-center

Open the DJI Assistant App or DJI PC/MAC Assistant, select the

Calibrate Center and follow the on-screen instructions.

4 Ronin-M seems to be

drifting

Place the Ronin-M on the Tuning Stand and enter the DJI Assistant

App or the DJI PC/MAC Assistant. Tap/click the Calibrate System

button and let the process nish before picking up the Ronin-M.

5 SmoothTrack does not

work

(1) Turn on the remote control and be sure that the MODE

switch is not in Position 1 (the uppermost position).

(2) Check whether SmoothTrack is turned off in the DJI Assistant

App or the DJI PC/MAC Assistant software.

(3) Check whether the SmoothTrack deadband is turned up too

high. If it is, reduce the deadband value in the SmoothTrack

Menu.

6 Motors turn off

automatically

Check your camera balance. If the power level in the Gimbal

Motors Menu indicates an output of 10 or more, on any axis,

rebalance the camera.

7 Gimbal turns off and

doesn’t come back on

Restart the gimbal. There is a motor protection algorithm built

into the Ronin-M to protect the electronic components. If any

particular motor enters a protection mode (motor shuts off six

times within a one minute period), the Ronin-M will deactivate

the motors and will not reactivate them until the unit has been

restarted.

8 Forgot the Bluetooth

password

Connect the Ronin-M to the DJI PC/MAC Assistant and click the

"Reset Password" button to reset the password.

9 Video footage appears to

wobble from side-to-side

or up-and-down

The SmoothTrack speed setting is too high or the SmoothTrack

deadband setting is too low. Decrease the SmoothTrack speed

or increase the deadband.

34

©

Specications

General

Built-In Functions

Three Operation Modes

Underslung Mode

Upright Mode

Briefcase Mode

Built-in, independent IMU module

DJI Specialized Gimbal Drive

Motors with Encoders

Bluetooth Module

USB Connection

2.4 GHz Receiver

Temperature Sensor

DJI Advanced 32-Bit DSP

Processor

D-Bus Receiver Supported

Peripheral

Camera Tray Dimensions

Maximum depth from the center of gravity on camera base plate: 120mm

Maximum height measured from top of the camera base plate: 195mm

Maximum width: 160 mm

Accessory Power

Connections

12V Regulated P-Tap x 2; USB 500mW x 1; DJI Lightbridge x 1

GCU Input Power 4 S Ronin-M Battery

Connections 2.4GHz Remote Control; Bluetooth 4.0; USB 2.0

PC

/

MAC Assistant Software

Requirements

Windows XP SP3; Windows 7; Windows 8 (32 or 64 bit); Mac OS X

10.9 or above

Mobile Assistant Software

Requirements

Mobile Device: iOS 7.0 or above, Android 4.3 or above

Mechanical&ElectricalCharacteristics

Working Current

Static current: 300 mA (@16 V)

Dynamic current: 600 mA (@16 V)

Locked motor current: Max 10 A (@16 V)

Operating Temperature -15 °C ~ 50 °C (-5 °F ~ 120 °F)

Weight 2.3 kg (5.07 lb) fully loaded with handlebar

Gimbal Dimensions 500 mm (W) x 210 mm (D) x 420 mm (H)

Working Performance

Load Weight Capacity

(Reference Value)

3.6 kg (8 lb)

Angular Vibration Range ± 0.02°

Maximum Control

Rotation Speed

Pan axis: 90°/sec; Tilt axis: 100°/sec; Roll axis: 30°/sec

Mechanical Endpoint Range

Pan axis: 360°

Tilt axis: 105° Up, 190° Down

Roll axis: ± 110°

Controlled Rotation Range

Pan axis control: 360

°

Tilt axis control: Up 105

°

to Down 190

°

Roll axis control: ± 25

°

Specications

The content is subject to change.

Download the latest version from

http://www.dji.com/product/ronin-m

If you have any questions about this document, please contact DJI

by sending a message to [email protected].

©

Dji RONIN-M Camera

Product's Documents

User Manual

Specifications

Dji RONIN-M Questions and Answers

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