REMOVU S1 Quick Case Review
Is the new portable case for the REMOVU S1 gimbal worth getting?
The S1 is a popular action camera gimbal made by Korean company REMOVU. It is compatible with the GoPro Hero 3, 3+, 4, 5 & Session cameras.
One of the notable features of the S1, is that it includes a high quality case which is superior to those included with many other action camera gimbals. The case is sturdy, splash-proof, includes a handle and features clips for attaching the included shoulder strap. While being an excellent case for storing and transporting the S1, it's actually quite cumbersome to use while out and about.
Packing the S1 into the case requires the camera to be removed and the gimbal to be disassembled so that it will fit into the snug compartments. It takes a few minutes and isn’t something you want to do more than once per day.
This is where the new Quick Case comes in. It enables you to protect the gimbal and camera when not in use, without requiring any disassembly. As a single piece, the gimbal and camera fit snugly inside the Quick Case and can be retrieved, ready-to-use, in just a few seconds.
For continuous shooting throughout the day, this is a huge time saver!
No longer is it necessary to dismantle the gimbal inbetween shots. Wasting time packing it back into the standard case, or, risking your precious gear by leaving it unprotected, can now be a thing of the past. With the gimbal & camera ready-to-go, you’re less likely to miss those important shots.
Lets Dive into the Details
The Quick Case is constructed from the same materials as the standard case, which is a good thing because both are high quality and very well made. This means it also features the same rubber coating over the shell which allows it to grip really well in the hand and on surfaces. Don’t worry about it sliding away because it’s not going anywhere!
The shell is robust and will soften a knock or fall while protecting the gimbal and camera from damage. Just don’t expect it to survive a swing from a hammer though.
The zips on the case are quite stiff ensuring that it will never accidentally open.
The Quick Case sports a velcro strap allowing you to attach it to your belt and sheath the gimbal at your side. Just like a gun in a holster! An adjustable shoulder strap is included which optionally attaches to two clips at the top of the Quick Case.
The bottom-rear of the case features a loop and an additional clip. While another clip can be found at the top-front of the case. These presumably, are extra options for mounting the Quick Case to your gear.
When the case is open, a mesh storage compartment is revealed on the underside of the cap. It easily fits a couple of GoPro or S1 batteries & a microfiber cloth, but it is too small to fit the Hero 3/3+/4 splash-proof housing.
Pros
- Sturdy shell — for shielding against bumps and knocks
- Rubber coating — that provides excellent grip in the hand and on surfaces
- Velcro belt strap — for carrying your gimbal on your hip or attaching to other gear with straps
- Shoulder strap — for wearing over one shoulder or diagonally across your body
- Storage compartment — suitable for batteries, lens caps, cloths and other small accessories
- Additional clips and loop — for more mounting options
Cons
- Noisy zip tags — Any movement of the case results in the zip tags bouncing around and annoyingly, they’re quite loud! I can see this being a major issue when filming in quiet environments. This is much more noticable when the Quick Case is mounted on your hip with the velcro belt strap.
- Velcro Belt Strap — The strap itself feels quite well made and I love the double velcro. However the area where the top flap meets the case is thinner to allow bending. If there is going to be a problem with the strap, this is where it will be. My concern is that with a lot of use, this part of the strap could fray and tear. Hikers will probably find the Quick Case mounted to their hip very convenient. But who knows? After several long hikes the strap might just wear through.
Conclusion
The S1 Quick Case is a high quality portable case which is super convenient for on-the-go shooting. It does a very good job of protecting the S1 and attached camera from knocks, dust and splashes, as well as providing several options for wearing and mounting it. Not only does it looks great, it feels great too!
The only downsides to the Quick Case are the noisy zips that bounce around while moving and the potential for the velcro belt strap to wear through.
The zips may affect your audio when filming anywhere quiet. So you’ll need to hold them with your spare hand or find another solution like securing them with duct tape or wire ties (not ideal!). If you don’t intend to have the Quick Case on your body while shooting then this may not be a problem you encounter.
In my mind, the long term durability of the velcro belt strap is in question. However, as no-one has had one long enough to see how well they hold up to long term use, we can only speculate. Time will tell.
Now to the question — should I get one? Well, it really comes down to your shooting habits and whether you’ve found the standard case to be inadequate for your needs. If you‘re an on-the-go, from-the-hand shooter, and, having the camera & gimbal in reach and well protected is important to you — then absolutely! The Quick Case will be well worth the purchase.
If you tend to wear or mount the S1 instead, then the Quick Case won’t provide as much value to you.
Finally. As a traveller and hiker, I’ve found using GoPros with gimbals great but often awkard. Typically when I’ve stopped shooting, I’m still carrying the gimbal and GoPro in my hand because I don’t have anywhere convenient to safely put it until I need it again. I also dread taking it all apart to put back in the protective case because it’s so time consuming and fiddly. With the REMOVU S1 and its Quick Case — this problem is solved.
The REMOVU S1 Quick Case can be purchased at www.removu.com. At the time of writing it costs $29.90 USD.
