“Shoulder rigs might not win any awards for smoothness, but they’re reliable and don’t need a firmware update every time the temp drops.”
That’s been my experience too. I tried using a gimbal last winter to get some footage of my old asphalt roof after a windstorm. Looked great in the living room, but once I was up there with gloves on, the controls were fiddly and the battery tanked in the cold. Ended up switching back to my basic shoulder mount halfway through—less hassle, and I could focus on not sliding off the ridge.
If you’re just documenting shingle wear or checking for moss, a little shake isn’t a dealbreaker. I’ve found that as long as you keep your steps steady and brace your elbows, you can get clear enough shots for insurance or repair quotes. Gimbals are cool tech, but for quick inspections on steep or icy roofs, I’d rather have something simple that won’t quit on me when it’s below freezing. Maybe if I was filming a promo video, I’d fuss more about stabilization... but for regular roof checks? Shoulder rig wins for me.