Review: EVO Rage 3 Axis Gimbal for DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras (Gen2)

Anyone who has used a DSLR to shoot video knows how challenging it can be to get stable handheld footage, especially when on the move. A gimbal is a good solution to this problem, and the EVO Rage Gen2 is a great gimbal.

The quality of the EVO Rage Gen2 is immediately evident upon opening the sturdy storage case. The gimbal is lightweight, yet capable of supporting a payload of 0.76 – 3.96 pounds (350 – 1,800 grams).

Prior to using the gimbal for the first time, you need to fully charge the batteries. It is worth noting that there is a battery charger and micro USB cable included, but there is not a USB A/C adapter. While the batteries are charging, it would be a good time to familiarize yourself with how the camera mounts to the gimbal, and how to balance the tilt, roll, and pan axes. Check that there is clearance in all directions before powering on the gimbal to prevent damage to the motors. EVO does provide tutorial videos to help with camera balancing and setup on their webpage www.EVOGimbals.com

The camera mounting screw – and all of the adjustment screws – are large and very easy to adjust with just your fingers; there is no need to use any tools.

There are 3 modes of stabilization pre-programmed on the Rage gimbal:

Pan Follow Mode – Tilt & Roll axis are locked. Pan axis rotates smoothly with turn of wrist. Use joystick up & down to control tilt angle of camera.

Lock Mode – Tilt, Roll and Pan axis are locked. Use joystick to manually control pan & tilt.

Full Follow Mode – Roll axis is locked. Pan and Tilt axis smoothly follow handle. Use joystick left and right to adjust the horizon angle (dutch).

Switching between these modes is as easy as clicking the mode button on the handle. I found that this was a very easy way to switch between the modes, and different situations called for different modes.

Once I had the batteries charged, and the camera balanced on the gimbal, it was time to turn it on. The gimbal motors started up, and the camera was perfectly balanced and ready to go.

It was a brisk fall day, so I decided to go to the dog park and let my dogs run around for a while. This gave me the opportunity to test out the gimbal as I chased them around. Not only did the EVO Rage Gen2 gimbal provide stable footage, it allowed me to shoot using the gimbal in the inverted mode, producing an angle I would not normally be able to achieve. I was able to get down very close to the ground and shoot at the same level as the dogs, yielding much more compelling footage.

After the dogs wore me out, it was time to go home. I took the opportunity to showcase my vintage motorcycle that I have been restoring for the past few years. I did a 360 degree walk around of my bike, and the gimbal did a fantastic job stabilizing the footage.

For users who want to take the EVO Rage Gen2 to the next level, I’d recommend purchasing the CCI control cable, which is sold separately. The CCI control cable is compatible with Sony and Panasonic Lumix Series cameras, so it would be a great multi-tool for your arsenal. The CCI control cable allows you to use the gimbal as a start/stop tool, as well as control zoom and focus using the controls on the handle.

I like how the EVO Rage Gen2 identifies the need to be portable and mobile, as it has the ability to connect to the EVO remote app (available for Android and iOS). There is also a wireless remote control available (also sold separately) giving you the ability to control the gimbal from about 40 feet away. Since the gimbal is tripod compatible, this option would allow you to control the camera like a robotic camera.

Overall, I was very impressed with the quality of the EVO Rage Gen2 gimbal, and its ability to stabilize the footage even when I was running across a dog park. The controls are easy to use, and since the handle works in standard configuration, or inverted, it allows you to be able to shoot above a crowd, or lower than normally possible. I would highly recommend the EVO Rage Gen2 gimbal for anyone who shoots video on a DSLR. You will not be disappointed.

Special thanks to my son Beckett Olson for being the dog handler for the shoot, and to my daughter Delaney Olson for her video editing skills.

About the Author: Nate Olson is the Director of Video Production at TN Marketing in Minneapolis, MN. He has worked in many different rolls for Outdoor Photography Guide over the years.

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