Tutorials

MECHA is a smart device that can be used to automate the movement or triggering of various devices and pieces of equipment, such as a camera mounted on a panoramic head.

In general, MECHA can rotate anything that can benefit from controlled rotation, not only cameras directly or mounted on a panoramic or ball-head but also turntables holding objects to be photographed or filmed, as well as lights or stands for presentations, to mention just a few.

It can greatly reduce human errors, enhance efficiency, and capture images otherwise impossible.
MECHA is modular in design, consisting of motorized rotators (such as E1, E2, P1), and controllers (such as C1 and C2).

The MECHA C2 Controller is a dedicated dual-axis controller with an OLED display and external battery.
It can be connected to two rotators, so it can control two rotators simultaneously.

On the other hand, C1 is a single-axis controller with LED indicators and a built-in battery. It can control only one rotator at a time.

For automated dual-axis applications, you need either one C2 Controller and two rotators or two C1 Controllers and two rotators.

The C1 Controller connects wirelessly to another C1, thus two C1 can be assembled in DAC (Dual Axis Combo) and control two axes.
However, it is possible to shoot a multi-row panorama by using only one motorized rotator and one C1 Controller if you manually tilt the upper rail of your panoramic head.

E1 is currently the smallest and lightest of our motorized rotators, E2 follows, then P1, which is a much larger and heavier rotator.

MECHA can be mounted on a tripod and on any other stand that has a mounting screw.
It can rotate along with anything mounted on it or can rotate only the object mounted on it.

The rotations and moves can be pre-programmed and launched using its buttons or can be wirelessly launched via its web interface from any device that can run a web browser.
It also has support for IR remote – just like a camera has its remote or a TV set has one – and it also supports wired remote (via AUX port).

The use of the NN IR remote control can be enabled and disabled from the Configuration page, or with the code 3232, when using C1, but also from the OLED menu, when using C2.
By default, the use of the IR Remote Commander and Receiver for MECHA is enabled.
It allows basic controls and execution of program presets wirelessly, without using a smart device.

The built-in battery of C1 lasts for one day after a full charge, and it can be charged even while it is in use, from a power bank or outlet adapter, thus allowing non-stop operation.

The C2's battery is external and it can quickly be replaced when needed.
You can carry spare batteries and quickly refuel MECHA before or during a shooting session. A power cable splitter is available for using 2 sets of batteries at the same time for extended operation and changing batteries without a pause.

MECHA can be controlled mainly in two ways: by using the web User Interface and by using its own buttons.

How to access the MECHA's User Interface?

Start by powering on MECHA by long pressing the power button.

MECHA can be set as AP (Access Point), STA (Station), or even both: AP+STA, as well as no Wi-Fi, in which case the control is possible only by using the buttons and remote commander.

C1 users can set MECHA in AP+STA mode by pressing 3 when the LEDs under the battery symbol blink like a light that splits.
C2 users can use the OLED Config menu for this purpose.
The default Wi-Fi is AP, and it can be changed to STA or AP+STA.
MECHA is trying to connect to the most recent network it was connected to.

The desired mode can also be set as default on the MECHA's Configuration page.

When MECHA is in AP or AP+STA mode, it broadcasts a SSID to which a smartphone can be connected using a password, which is 12345678 by default.
MECHA's default Wi-Fi network name has the word "MECHA" in it.

Once the smartphone is connected to the MECHA's SSID, the MECHA's User Interface can be accessed in the browser at 192.168.8.1, which is the MECHA's static IP address.

To be able to access the MECHA's User Interface from your computer, your computer and MECHA must be connected to the same wireless network, and MECHA must be set in STA or AP+STA mode.
Then the User Interface can be accessed in the browser at a dynamic IP address.

To benefit from all features implemented in MECHA, update its firmware to the latest version available. The easiest way to update the firmware is via the Internet, and we recommend watching our videos on this topic.

How to control MECHA by using its buttons?

Let's have a look at the MECHA C1 Controller.
When MECHA is idle, some codes can be entered to perform specific tasks and tests without using the User Interface.

For example, 131 and the right-arrow button will launch a preset for shooting 6 shots around in clockwise rotation.
A fisheye lens can be used on a ring-type panoramic head, like R1, mounted on MECHA.

Whenever you enter codes, press the buttons consecutively, one at a time.
See the chapter "MECHA's Current Codes" in the C1 User's Guide for the complete list of codes.

If only one MECHA is used, a cylindrical panorama can be shot automatically.
And if the tilting is done manually, even a spherical panorama can be shot using the code again for each row, after manual tilting.

When two MECHAs sare used, if they are wirelessly connected in DAC, the entire spherical panorama can be done automatically, without the need for manual tilting, using the code 1312 and the right arrow button.
Use the left arrow button to rotate in the opposite direction.

This code can be used to shoot a multi-row panorama plus nadir and zenith, the starting position being Level.
These codes must be entered on the horizontal MECHA, the lower one, when it is idle, in MECHA DAC.

The conventions for displaying characters on C1 controller LEDs are featured in this Table of Equivalences.

The codes also allow you to perform operations such as: displaying the firmware version on the LEDs, updating the firmware, enabling and disabling the motor, restoring your MECHA to its original factory settings, and many others.

When using the C2 Controller, the presets can be selected and launched from the OLED Preset menu. The OLED display can guide you through all the major operations and settings, making C2 much more intuitive than the single-axis C1 controller with LED indicators only.

MECHA comes with various configurations for single or multi-row applications, each with different payload.
Components can be mixed and matched for different applications and payload. New rotators and controllers are backward compatible, offering inexpensive upgrade pathways.
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