User's Manual

Step 1 - Release Weight
Bar
Carefully unpack the BackPacker.
Do not lift, push, pull, or carry by the
wire. Loosen the bottom Weight Bar
Knob, thus allowing the Weight Bar
to be gently pulled from the chassis.
Slide the bar out of the chassis until
it stops. Retighten the Knob back
down securing the camera bar and
the weight bar into the chassis at it’s
longest length.
!
Step 2 - Mount your release
plate to Tripod Bracket
The BackPacker’s tripod bracket
has a number of bolt holes for
connecting to your tripod’s release
plate. Whenever possible, use the
thickest available bolts. Remove the
release plate from the tripod head,
secure two screws from the release
plate through the plate and onto the
Tripod Bracket. (Release plates are
NOT included. You must use the
release plate that came with your
tripod, or purchase an optional plate.
Most tripods have their own, unique
plate. We do sell a version
compatible with Manfrotto 501 and
Benro KH25.)
Step 3 - Mount on Tripod
Make sure your tripod is going to be
able to hold the weight of the
camera, crane, weights and other
devices you will have mounted.
Slide the release plate now
connected to the crane into the
tripod head. Tighten the release
plate tightening knob that secures
the plate into the tripod head. Make
sure the plate is held in securely, so
the crane will not slip out. Test by
tilting the head all the way forward
and back.
Step 4 - Mount Camera
Remove thumb screw from Camera
Mount Bracket. Save the washers and
the wingnut for later. Insert thumb
screw into camera’s tripod mount hole
with one of the washers, just a little so
that there is space between the washer
and the camera. Slide camera into the
camera bracket. Carefully tighten
thumb screw so camera will not move
on bracket. Set this end of the crane
on a nearby chair or table.
Step 5 - Mount Weights
(Approximately 2 - 2.5x
camera weight)
Add some weights to the Weight bolt,
until the camera just raises up off the
table. Use the washer and nut to hold
weights safely. Run the star knob
against weight to lock it on. You can
adjust the length of the weight bar, by
loosening the Weight Bar Wing Nut, and
sliding the weight bar forward and back
until you get the unit balanced.
Step 6 – Install optional
cables for remote and
external video
If using wired remote control and/or
external video, you should add your
optional remote control extension and
video extension output cables at this
time. Use tape or tie wraps to secure
the cable to the Camera Bar and
Chassis and connect to controller and
or video monitor. Avoid loose cables.
Make sure the cable is free from wire
cable and pulley, and does not prevent
free boom, sweep and tilt motion.
SteadyTracker Company offers a
variety of extension cables for your
remote control and for your video and
audio monitoring.