If you’re looking to add some professional-grade flair to your video projects on an amateur budget, the Wiral LITE might be the most affordable cable-cam system on the market. This remote-controlled cable cam system carries cameras up to 3.3lbs on either a 165 or 328ft line, comes in a small, lightweight package and doesn’t require professional skills to operate.
The Wiral LITE’s creators first achieved massive success with their Kickstarter campaign, acquiring over a million dollars in funding (considerably higher than their $30,000 goal!). The creators then decided to give more people the chance to pre-order the Wiral LITE on Indiegogo. Again, their funding goal was absolutely smashed.
Between its standard threaded camera mount and included GoPro adapter, the Wiral LITE carries POV cams or any mirrorless camera weighing up to 3.3lbs. There’s even an adapter to carry smartphones too.
The cable cam offers a few advantages over filming with drones: Not only is the cost considerably lower, but the Wiral LITE can travel through tight spots where drones can’t fly (such as forests) and get close to the action. The unit can also be used in ‘no-fly’ zones, not to mention indoors. Finally, the cable cam operates silently so there’s no background noise to contend with.
The Wiral LITE’s mounting system makes it easy to set up a shot in a few minutes. First, users loop the end of the cable around an object and through an attached carabiner (or clip the carabiner to something). Once you’ve strung the line across to your other anchor point, a hold-down strap clips onto the cable reel and you can snug things up with a simple tug.
Then just route the line through the Wiral’s guide wheels, clip the two end stops wherever you want them on the line and you’re ready to shoot. After shooting, the quick reel winds up the cable while leading it through a guide to prevent tangles.
In normal mode the Wiral LITE can achieve a top speed of 28mph, and the speed is controlled using a dial on the remote. It also offers three time-lapse modes that travel at set speeds which go down to 0.01mph. The remote has a range of 200m, so even with the longer line you can stand back and oversee your shoot from an ideal vantage point.
The remote control has end-stop assistance buttons to help the unit slow down as it approaches the stops. There’s also an LED indicator that shows battery life, indicates what speed mode you’re in, and confirms that your devices are wirelessly paired. The battery lasts 3 hours, and is removable for charging.
The Wiral LITE’s body measures 10.8x3x1.7” when folded, and weighs 1.3lbs. The quick reel is almost the same size as the carrier, and with a 50m cable and the remote included the whole kit weighs in at just over 2 lbs.
While both funding campaigns are finished now, the Wiral LITEs are expected to be in production by spring 2018. The full retail prices quoted in their Indiegogo campaign are $399 USD for the basic kit and $550 for the Wiral LITE bundle which includes the 100m line, an extra battery, a smartphone mount, and a travel case. For more info check out the Indiegogo page here.
