Before operating an iPhone gimbal, what crucial initial step must be completed to ensure smooth, stable footage and prevent motor strain?

The crucial initial step that must be completed before operating an iPhone gimbal is physical balancing. This process involves meticulously adjusting the iPhone's position within the gimbal's mounting clamp until its center of gravity is perfectly aligned with the gimbal's rotation points. The phone should remain level and stable across all axes—tilt (up-down), roll (side-to-side), and pan (left-right)—even when the gimbal's motors are powered off. Proper balancing is essential because an unbalanced iPhone forces the gimbal's motors to constantly fight gravity, leading to significant motor strain. This strain not only rapidly depletes battery life and can shorten the lifespan of the motors, but it also compromises stabilization quality, resulting in less smooth footage with potential micro-vibrations as the motors struggle to maintain position. To achieve balance, the iPhone, with all intended accessories like lenses or cases attached, is first securely mounted. The user then slides the phone within the clamp along each axis until it no longer sags or tips in any direction. For instance, if the phone consistently tilts forward, it needs to be slid backward in the clamp until it maintains a horizontal position independently. Only after this static balance is achieved across all axes should the gimbal be powered on.