Hydra Electronic Suction Cup (6 Inch)(with Internal Batteries)

The Tilta Hydra electronic suction cup, 6 inches across, holds a camera on a car, on glass or on any other smooth surface. The built-in pump draws the vacuum at one press, with no hand pumping, then watches it and tops it up if it drops. An internal battery powers it, so no external supply is needed, and it fits Tilta brackets: baby pin, 19 mm rods, dovetail and the Manfrotto ball head.

The Tilta Hydra Electronic Suction Cup (6") is an electronic suction cup with its own motor, battery and vacuum monitoring. It attaches in two seconds and watches the pressure throughout the shoot — when it starts to drop, the motor pumps it back up. It carries 48 kg vertically and 30 kg horizontally, and a single charge lasts up to 19 hours.

A suction cup you do not have to watch

An ordinary suction cup holds only with the vacuum you created when you fitted it — and from that moment it only ever leaks away. The Hydra electronic cup has its own motor and battery, so it maintains the vacuum itself. If the pressure drops, the motor pulls out more air and tightens the cup again. That removes the most uncomfortable moment of any car shoot, when nobody knows how much longer the mount will hold.

Pressure sampled a thousand times a second

The built-in sensor reads the pressure a thousand times a second and continuously evaluates how well the cup is holding. The status can be read in real time on the wireless monitoring module — which is not included and is sold separately. Without it the cup works exactly the same, you just cannot see the figures.

48 kg vertically, 30 kg horizontally

The six-inch pad carries 48 kg (106 lb) when mounted vertically and 30 kg (66 lb) horizontally. Against the 4.5-inch model Tilta claims up to 100 % more suction force, so it holds a heavier rig, not just a small camera. The composite silicone pad seals on a wide range of surfaces.

Full vacuum in two seconds, and quietly

The new, more powerful motor reaches full vacuum in two seconds — 200 % faster than the previous generation. It stays below 60 dB while doing so, so it disturbs neither the sound recording nor talkback on set. A dedicated button releases it, and release also works wirelessly, so you do not have to reach for the cup.

Up to 19 hours on one charge

The built-in battery lasts up to 19 hours under normal conditions, about three hours longer than the 4.5-inch version — a shooting day without recharging. It charges quickly over USB-C with PD, and the USB-C 5 V / 1 A input lets it run from an external supply when the day runs long.

High-altitude mode

At altitude the atmospheric pressure is lower and an ordinary suction cup holds less well. The Hydra has a mode for it: press the pressure-release button six times and the electronics adapt. Tilta also recommends securing the setup with additional suction cups at altitude rather than relying on one.

IPX5: rain does not end the shoot

The cup is rated IPX5, so it takes rain and outdoor work and stays dependable in changeable weather. The shoot does not end with the first shower, and the cup does not have to come off when it rains.

On bodywork, glass and mirrors

The cup mounts on bodywork, glass and mirrors, and builds up unusual angles a tripod cannot reach. The composite silicone seals on smooth and lightly textured surfaces alike, so you pick the spot for the shot rather than for where something can be bolted down.

An optional pad that leaves no marks

For delicate surfaces Tilta offers the optional No-Mark pad, which helps prevent marks forming. Note that with it the maximum recommended payload is 30 kg (66 lb). The pad is not included and is sold separately.

Safe use

Suction cups in general can leave a mark on the surface. Tilta recommends protecting the area with film or other material; the risk rises in direct sunlight and heat. Use on wrapped vehicles is not recommended.

Fit the cup on a flat surface and keep the weight of the arm balanced over its centre. An arm extended past the cup, or side mounting, increases the risk — in that case Tilta recommends securing the setup with ratchet straps or safety chains as well. Always push down firmly when fitting, so that the pad is visibly compressed; a cup that has merely been set down comes off far more easily.