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VR Camera Care: How to Care for your Vuze XR Camera

We put together some common recommendations to help you take good care of your Vuze XR camera. These simple tips for proper maintenance may help you avoid an unnecessary support call or repair claim. These recommendations could even extend the life of your gear and you'll be confident that you are using your equipment correctly. When you are confident in your gear you can focus on creating content.

CLEANING

Keeping your XR camera and lenses clean is probably the easiest and most important thing that you can do. Unwanted elements such as dirt, dust, sand, water, and smoke can damage your gear or impair its ability to perform. Extreme heat or cold and humidity can also be harmful, so keeping your equipment clean and protected is good preventative maintenance. Of course, Vuze cameras are designed to perform under a variety of conditions with the utmost quality in mind. Even with everyday use it's helpful to know how to keep your equipment in good shape.

Cleaning tips

While you are cleaning the Vuze XR it is a good time to check camera functionality. This is a helpful step before a big trip or event that you plan to use the camera at.

Keeping your XR lenses clean will avoid spotty or blurred video/images. There are additional parts of the camera that are important to clean and check as well. Cleaning the body, camera door, and bottom thread helps maintain functionality.

The thread mount at the bottom of the unit should be clear, shiny, and empty of any dirt, sand, or other contamination which might stop it from mounting securely. Over tightening the bottom thread with pliers or other tools is not recommended as you may bend the metal threads, mount, or camera itself.

The XR VR180 camera release button should work with some resistance when pressed. The lenses should swing open freely and come to a full stop at the end of their travel and remain there. Closing them to a 360 closed position should happen with a solid click to lock the lenses back in place.

Make sure that the MicroSD card inserts smoothly and is easily removable. The card can only be inserted in one direction. It is spring loaded and a gentle press will release it for easy removal.

The USB C connection should easily hold the cable connection firmly and should not fall out. If the cable is falling out of the connection or not sitting correctly in the connection you should inspect the USB C cable and connector to ensure there is no debris. Test the USB C cable with other devices and if it is damaged, replace it with an undamaged cable.

The camera door should easily open and seat back in place with a firm press at the top and bottom of the door. It should sit flush with the body of the camera. Gently applying pressure up and down the length of the door should seat it into position. Tools should not be used to pry open the door as they may damage or cut the door material, resulting in a poor or uneven fit.

Choosing the right cleaning tools

Keeping your gear clean is easy with the right tools. Start with a soft bristle brush to remove brush and debris from the camera and lens. Be sure to clean in both the open and closed positions so that you clean all surfaces. Do not use a brush that has paint, makeup, dirt, or grease on it as you may transfer that to the lenses or scratch the lenses.

A hand air blower is a great tool for gently blowing dust and debris off the lens. It can also be used to clean the Micro SD card, USB C slot, and bottom threaded mount. A microfiber cloth can also be used to clean your lenses. Be sure to inspect the cloth before using it to confirm that it is free of dirt, sand, and grease. Start in the middle and work towards the edges in a light circular motion. You can also use it to wipe down the camera body. You should not use a wet cloth, as water can harm your camera and lenses. Any of these approved cleaning items can easily be found online or at any camera store.

Household items should not be used to clean the camera lenses. The following should not be used:

  • Paper towels are abrasive and will scratch the lenses
  • Regular tissues and toilet paper have too much lint
  • Household cleaners can also damage the lens coating
  • Pencil erasers can scratch
  • Canned air has too much pressure

After you clean your camera it is a good idea to take a test video and photo in both VR180 and 360 mode to ensure images are clear and everything is working properly.

STORAGE

A big step to keeping your gear clean is proper storage and protection. The Vuze XR has a supplied sleeve which should be used to store the XR when not in use. Additionally, using a camera bag or camera case will not only protect your camera but ensure that you have all the right equipment for your next shoot in one place.
It is important to protect the lenses at all times. If you are using other camera bags or cases the inside material must be made out of camera lens safe materials so that the lenses are not scratched. Putting the XR into a pant or jacket pocket with other obects is not recommended without additional protection of the lenses. The pocket material may scratch unprotected lenses or the pocket contents can hit them which may cause lens cracking with enough pressure.

Your XR is sensitive to extreme temperatures, like most cameras, and should not be left inside a vehicle on a hot day. Storing the camera in extreme cold should be avoided as well. Do not place it near open flames or extremely hot surfaces, like ovens and heaters. Additionally, your XR camera should not be used in the rain or in water splash environments without the underwater case.

When working with the XR, when it is connected to a computer via the USB connection, the XR can be opened to the VR180 position and laid on its side. This protects the lenses and allows for the USB C cable to be connected at the same time without a risk of falling.

If you wish to store the XR on a desk or table surface it can be opened to the VR180 position and laid on its side. The XR should not be in a standing position in either shooting mode, VR180 or 360, as it could be bumped resulting in a fall. The XR can be mounted on a tripod or other stable mount to keep on a flat surface as long as the tripod or mount is stable. If you aren’t actively working with the camera it should be returned to the case and stored properly.
SHOOTING CONTENT

When shooting video or photos from a hand-held position it is important to use the included Vuze XR hand strap to ensure that the camera does not accidentally fall. If you've had the hand strap for a while, check to make sure it is not worn or torn. Replace worn and torn straps with an undamaged strap.

Other acceptable ways to prevent accidental falls is with a solid tripod, gimbal, selfie stick, or mount. Selfie sticks or similar items should not be used if it is not securely mounted or if the item is not strong enough to support the XR.

We hope that you have found these simple tips helpful. If you need more help you can always email us at support@vuze.camera or chat with our online support team at or through our Facebook page.