MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.
Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1318513
Balancing Act You have to move up to the top of the folding gimbal to see what has changed in the OM 4 and that change is pretty dramatic. On previous models, mounting your phone required some fine adjustment to get the balance close enough for the stabilizing motors to work efficiently. The breakthrough feature on the OM 4 is the magnet it uses to either attach directly to the phone or to a clip that can stay on while the phone is in your hand or in your pocket. Yes, DJI found itself a step ahead of Apple in making use of magnets on the iPhone. Though not a charger, this adds a great deal of utility and convenience. For the mounting, you have two options. One is to use the spring clip plate, which is robust enough to attach to the phone while it’s in a slim-ish case. The other option is to use the included Ring Holder that mounts directly with adhesive to your phone. Thus, on the OM 4, there is no balancing required. Just clip the plate to the middle of the phone and you’re all set. A large notch in the mount and clear guidance on what side of the clip needs to be on the camera side, everything lines up perfectly. The stabilizer can handle it from there. If you need to use the phone as a phone, just power down the OM 4 pull the phone off. The stabilizing power of the OM 4 is impressive and our first tests provided a significant challenge to its abilities (your reviewer missed a few steps coming down a ladder a few days earlier). Though the iPhone itself offers a degree of stabilization, it is nothing to compare with what DJI’s gimbals can do. For best results, use what is commonly called a “ninja walk” with knees bent, using your leg muscles more than your feet. (If you’re more into classic comedy than samurai dramas, any old Groucho Marx flick will show you how it’s done.) The stabilizer also proves itself to be of considerable use in keeping your phone steady for low light or long telephoto shots. The OM 4 folds down small enough to fit in a jacket pocket and even with the clip adapter on, your phone remains pocket-friendly, with both devices ready to go at a moment’s inspiration. Retailing at $149, which includes a soft case and very neat tripod, we think that the OM 4 is one of DJI’s best values, solidly built and exceptionally well designed. At that price, Osmo 3 owners may want to consider an upgrade.