Tilta Shock Absorbing Arm for Hydra Alien Pro

The Shock Absorbing Arm for Hydra Alien Pro is the core of the car mounting system — on its own, without the accessory case. It carries 4 to 13 kg in three payload modes and the damping resistance is set on a 0 to 100 scale, by touch on the OLED screen or remotely with the Nucleus Nano II handle up to 100 m. Damping is electromagnetic, backed by a pneumatic chamber, a fluid reservoir and springs. Tilta tested the arm up to 120 km/h.

Electromagnetic damping on a 0 to 100 scale

The shock absorbing head works on an electromagnetic principle and is run by its own wireless control unit. Resistance is set in two ways: by touch on the OLED screen on the arm itself, or remotely with the optional Nucleus Nano II handle at up to a hundred metres. In the main menu the value moves in steps of five, in the secondary menu one at a time. The screen shows battery voltage, the selected payload mode and the current damping; firmware updates over USB-C.

A steady image even at 120 km/h

Tilta tested the arm up to 120 km/h. Alongside the electromagnetic head, the arm runs hybrid damping made of three parts: a pneumatic chamber keeps the vertical travel smooth, a fluid reservoir takes the sharp jolts and high-tension springs take the slow vibration. The camera stays steady even on broken tarmac, and the shot often needs no further stabilisation in postproduction.

Swappable damping blocks

The shock absorbing head takes honeycomb rubber damping blocks in two stiffnesses — softer for light rigs, harder for heavy ones. Swapping them takes a couple of minutes, so the arm matches whatever is hanging on it. The blocks kill high-frequency vibration that neither the spring nor the fluid damper catches on its own. The lightweight set is sold separately as HDA-T18-LSK and holds eight pieces.

Dovetail plate, suction cups or Speed Rail

The bottom of the arm is a dovetail foot with a sliding mount, locked at every position by a retractable safety pin. Through it the arm reaches the vehicle in three ways: on dovetail plates with suction cups, on 19 mm rods, or with a 50 mm clamp on a Speed Rail structure, which Tilta recommends for large gimbals such as the DJI Ronin 2. The plates, suction cups and clamp are not part of this package and are bought separately.

Three payload modes

The arm works in three modes: light for 4 to 7 kg, medium for 7 to 10 kg and heavy for 10 to 13 kg. Light mode suits DJI RS series gimbals with a mirrorless camera and the Ronin 4D, medium suits the Movi Pro and the DJI Ronin M with a compact cinema camera such as the KOMODO, heavy suits the DJI Ronin 2 and professional cinema cameras. Once paired, the DJI RS 4 Pro, Ronin 4D, Ronin M, Ronin 2 and Movi Pro can be controlled wirelessly.

Mounting points on the arm

Along the whole length of the arm there are 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threads with locating points, plus M5 for Manfrotto and Ronin 2 attachments and M6 for Movi parts. The head carries a Manfrotto quick-release plate and a slot with a locking lever for the shock absorbing head. The bottom is a dovetail foot with a tie-down and a safety pin; one of the 1/4″-20 threads is meant for the eyebolt of a safety rope.

Power and operation

The arm runs an internal power network, so cabling is not solved part by part. Supply voltage is 14.8 to 24 V and maximum power draw 150 W. The V-Mount power modules (HDA-T18-PM-V) and the batteries are not part of this package and are bought separately. Operating temperature is −20 to 80 °C, the body is grey aluminium alloy and the arm itself weighs 5.5 kg.

Manufacturer’s notice

Tilta accepts no liability for damage, injury or legal consequences caused directly or indirectly by the use of this product; by using it you are deemed to have accepted all the terms of the user manual. The Movi Pro adapter is available through custom order from the manufacturer.