GVB 3-Axis Handheld GoPro Gimbal: Review (PROS & CONS)

If you are looking for a small, handheld gimbal at a low price, for your GVB action camera or Gopro Hero, then the GVB 3-axis gimbal could be exactly what you are looking for.

The gimbal is made for the cheaper GVB action camera, but it will works with GoPro HERO cameras.

The GVB 3 axis gimbal is definitely one of the lower end devices, but don’t let the price tag put you off, as the device is fairly good at what it designed to do, stabilize your GoPro footage and make your camera action look professional.

Real life use

It is really easy to set up, after you connect the gimbal to your camera (about a 5 minute job) you are literally ready to go and shoot!

The only thing that might hold you back from filming perfect images straight away is getting use the modes as it is with all gimbals.

The 3 modes on the GVB gimbal are as follows:

1. A Single Press (single flash light). This activates the “Heading Follow” mode where the pitch and roll camera angles remain constant and still, while the heading follows the handheld position. This mode setting is the default mode, right from the outset.
2. A double Press (double flash light): This activates the “Heading and Pitch Follow” mode. The camera will remain still and the roll angle will remain constant.
3. Long Press – button held in (light stays on): this activates the “Lock mode” where the heading, pitch, and roll are all locked into a point in one direction regardless of the handheld movements.

GVB Gimbal specifications

• Static Attitude Tracking Accuracy – Minimum: 0.01° – Standard: 0.02° – Maximum: 0.05°
• Motion Attitude Tracking Accuracy – Minimum: 0.1° – Standard: 0.2° – Maximum: 0.5° (motor overload < 2G)
• Overload Current Protection – 800 mA
• Pan Angle – -150° (left) to 150° (right), held in vertical, -50° (left) to 50° (right), held in horizontal
• Tilt Angle – -100° (down) to 180° (up), handheld in horizontal
• Roll Angle – -45° to 45°
• Panning Following Rate – Minimum: 3°/sec, Maximum: 150°/sec , Tilt Following Rate, Minimum: 2°/sec, Maximum: 50°/sec
• Working Voltage – 12 VDC (9 to 17 VDC)
• Dimensions – 9.4 x 3.0 x 2.6″ (23.9 x 7.6 x 6.6 cm)
• Weight  – 10.7 oz (303.3 g)

The GVB Gimbal operates with 3 x 650mAh rechargeable batteries and the device comes with 4, leaving you one spare.

The batteries slot into the handle shaft and are really well hidden.

You can easily see how much power you have via a small blue LED light on the motor.

If the LED light flashes 3 times, this ensures you have full power, 2 flashes indicates you have enough power to run.

One flash signals you are running low and constant flashing tells you that your gimbal batteries need a power up.

On the underside of the gimbal handle, there is a small USB socket, allowing you to directly charge the batteries without having to remove them from the device itself.

It is great to have power indicators, as there is nothing more frustrating than getting to your filming site and realizing your gimbal has no juice!

Overall review

If you are looking for a gopro gimbal that will do the job at a budget price, then the GVB 3 – axis is a really good starting point, especially if you are just starting out.

It is close to the quality you can get with a Feiyu G3 Gimbal, for around half the price.

Do not expect it to withstand harsh conditions, or provide the same pro-level stabilization as top of the line gopro gimbals, but it will do the job.

To be noted, it seems that the customer support for GVB is very hard to reach, if not non existent. The product comes with a 1 Year warranty, but if it happens to malfunctions after that it may be hard to have it repaired.