Can the other two gimbal axis be controlled with custom software?

[Cpt Tylor]

My solos are collecting dust and I'm thinking about repurposing a gimbal for another photography project. I need a way to pan/tilt a small object for macro video work. Can I leave the solo whole and through software control the other two axes to go through a sequence of motions? Then I could just 3d print a part to put my subject in that fits where the gopro goes and point the camera at that.

I saw someone else had converted their gimbal to handheld, is that just matter of powering it? It would lose controllability, but I could mount it on a rail in front of my camera and wave it around by hand and get an idea of whether to proceed along this route or start from scratch, or hack the gimbal apart and use its components.

I see DJI phone gimbals can be controlled by a phone app but really prefer to control it from my PC or an arduino or something I can tie into the system I've already built for my macro work.

Any suggestions on how to achieve this on a shoestring budget?

I have a very old Futaba 72Mhz TX/RX with 4 180deg servos in the closet from an RC plane my dad never built, but figure if I use servos I'd need to update position, take a photo, repeat, and do it stop-motion style instead of recording video, and that would take forever to do this with thousands of subjects.

Thanks!

PS - anyone spotted a solo fighting for democracy in Ukraine? Breaks my heart to think if drone delivery ever becomes the norm it'll be hell on their PTSD. I'd of bet a lot more than the cost of a new solo, gimbal, batts, props, and gopro when it came out that delivery drivers for fast food wouldn't be a job in 2025. Can't believe its been 10 years.

 

[jonbrotherton]

I don't believe anyone has done any development for it. The gimbal firmware was only released a short time ago.

There are some very inexpensive gimbals that will do this.

 

[Cpt Tylor]

I don't believe anyone has done any development for it. The gimbal firmware was only released a short time ago.

There are some very inexpensive gimbals that will do this.

such as?
I see tons of cheap gimbals but the only ones that I can find info on with programming appear very limited, like the DJI Ronin SC has an app but it looks like you can only set a few points for the cam to move between (I really need curves or at least many points) and you have to trigger the start from their app. Thanks.

 

[jonbrotherton]

such as?
I see tons of cheap gimbals but the only ones that I can find info on with programming appear very limited, like the DJI Ronin SC has an app but it looks like you can only set a few points for the cam to move between (I really need curves or at least many points) and you have to trigger the start from their app. Thanks.

Look on ebay for BGC gimbal, or a Tarot gimbal. They can take direct pwm input to operate pan and tilt. Here's one. 3DR Tarot Brushless Gimbal Kit for GoPro Hero3 Hero 3DR Iris+/Quad/Y6/X8+ Drone | eBay

 

[Sgee]

Sounds like a killer macro rig idea! You’ve got a few solid options:

1. Control the Solo Gimbal via Software – Use MAVLink or PWM signals via Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or PC for automated pan/tilt.
2. Convert to Handheld – Power it externally and move it manually on a rail for testing.
3. Use RC Servos – Your Futaba TX/RX + 180° servos could work, but stop-motion would be slow. Stepper motors + Arduino would be smoother.
4. Repurpose a Phone Gimbal – Some DJI/Zhiyun gimbals can be hacked for PC/Arduino control.

If you want automation, hack the Solo gimbal or go Arduino + stepper motors. For quick testing, just power the gimbal and move it by hand.