I've been using the Steadicam JR for almost 2 years now for my wedding video productions. I'm getting good results with it until recently when I change my drop time to follow what was recommended.

I noticed that when the drop time is set to 2-3 seconds (as recommended) the stabilizer sways a lot more than when it was bottom heavy. When it was bottom heavy drop time is around 1 second.

I also noticed adding more weight seems to add more stability to the cam.

Do you share the same experience? Anyone of you get good results and stability with a 2-3 second drop time?

I've had the same problem as you. I have a VX2000 with NP-F950 battery which puts me almost exactly at 5lbs, the recommended maximum weight for the Steadicam JR. If I balance the Steadicam so that the drop time is as recommended by the manual the rig is too top heavy; if my camera starts to tip over in any direction it drops right on over and won't right itself. Basically the Steadicam is useless balanced this way. I had to add more weight. I don't know why the rig behaves this way.

I think the key to a good stabilizer is the overall weight. I'm now convinced that a bottom-heavy setup for the Steadicam JR is the preferred way of getting the rig to be more stable.

I used the JR last Saturday and it went very well in its performance.