How to Get Started with the Moment BaseCage

Fast, Light Mobile Filmmaking Rig

If you want a clean, modular way to rig your phone for better video, the Moment BaseCage is the sweet spot—lightweight, rugged, and ready for accessories. Think NATO rails for grips, cold shoes for mics/lights, Arca-Swiss tripod compatibility, and plenty of 1/4"-20 + 3/8"-16 threads to build it your way.

Below is a step-by-step setup guide, plus pro tips for adding external SSDs, power, microphones, and filters/lenses. Whether you’re on an iPhone 16 or Android, you’ll be able to follow along.

BaseCage vs. SuperCage (Which One Do I Need?)

We offer two different mobile cages, both are tailored to different preferences:

Our BaseCage is slim, light, and modular. You can run one USB-C accessory at a time (e.g., SSD or mic or power). Add an external hub later if you need to split ports.

The SuperCage is basically the BaseCage... but with an integrated hub with labeled ports, HDMI, an extra hidden port, and record-to-SD capability. Lets you plug in multiple devices at once (SSD, mic, monitor, power).

If you want a minimal rig with maximum flexibility, start with BaseCage. If you know you’ll run several USB-C devices simultaneously, step up to SuperCage.

What’s in the Box

• BaseCage (open-rail, NATO-compatible top + sides)
• Industrial Phone Clamp (expands up to 90mm; fits Max or Ultra-large phones).

Note: We demo'd with iPhone 16 Pro for this article and video, but the process is similar across all phones.

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Basecage - Fast and Light Mobile Cage

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Quick Start (5 Minutes)

Within just a few simple steps, you'll be ready to go. Luckily, the BaseCage is easy to use and rig up:

1. Mount the Clamp
   • Loosen the base plate on the cage.
   • Position the phone clamp where your phone’s buttons won’t be pressed accidentally.
   • Tighten the base plate. (We keep it centered on iPhone 16 Pro; adjust as needed for Android layouts.)
2. Insert Your Phone
   • Open the clamp, seat your phone, and tighten until snug (don’t overtighten).
3. Add Hand Grips (Optional)
   • Slide NATO grips onto the side rails; lock them where they feel balanced.
   • You can run one or two handles. Some grips include a Bluetooth shutter — pair it in your phone’s Bluetooth settings to start/stop recording from the handle.
4. Pop It on a Tripod
   • The BaseCage has an Arca-Swiss base — drop it straight onto Arca mounts (e.g., Peak Design Travel Tripod).
   • If no Arca — use the 1/4"-20 or 3/8"-16 threaded mounts.

You’re now ready to shoot. From here, layer on power, audio, and storage as needed. More on that below.

Mounting & Build Points (At a Glance)

• NATO Rails (Top + Sides): Slide-on mounting for grips, clamps, and other NATO accessories.
• Cold Shoes (x4): On the sides and top—perfect for mics, lights, or small monitors/receivers.
• Arca-Swiss Base: Quick tripod attachment.
• 1/4"-20 + 3/8"-16 Threads (All Around): Universal mount points for cages, batteries, arms, and clamps.
• Cable Management Slots: Route and secure USB-C, mic, or power leads cleanly.

Add-On Setups (Step by Step)

A) Record to an External SSD (Long Takes, 4K/ProRes, Apple Log)

Phones fill up fast. High-bitrate footage (e.g., 4K ProRes) eats storage. An SSD lets you record longer and keep internal storage free.

Steps:

• SSD clamp (fits drives like Samsung T7)
• Short, reliable USB-C cable (we like flexible, low-drag leads)

Steps

1. Mount the SSD clamp to the top NATO rail (or any mount point you prefer).
2. Insert the SSD and lock it in.
3. Run your USB-C cable from phone → SSD. Use the cable slots on the cage to keep it tidy.
4. On iPhone, you’ll see an “accessory connected” pop-up.
5. In Moment Pro Camera or Blackmagic Camera app, set recording destination to the external drive.

Tip: Keep the cable short to reduce snagging. If a port is blocked, slide the phone slightly in the clamp, plug in, and slide back.

B) Add External Power (All-Day Shoots)

Keep rolling with consistent power. A base-mounted battery also improves balance and stability.

You’ll Need

• Battery plate or quick-swap battery mount
• External USB-C battery (small or V-mount style)
• USB-C cable (phone ↔ battery)

Steps

1. Attach the battery plate to the bottom of the BaseCage using a 1/4"-20 or 3/8"-16 thread.
2. Slide the battery into the plate.
3. Plug USB-C from battery → phone. You should see normal charging behavior.

Tip: Heavier batteries on the bottom add a low center of gravity—nice for handheld stability with dual grips and a lens/filter out front.

C) Plug In a USB-C Microphone (Cleaner, Directional Audio)

On-camera phone mics are fine, but a compact shotgun or wireless system will instantly level up your audio.

You’ll Need

• Shotgun mic or wireless receiver with USB-C out
• Short USB-C cable

Steps

1. Slide the mic or receiver into a cold shoe on the top/side of the cage.
2. Route the USB-C cable through a cable slot.
3. Slightly shift the phone in the clamp if you need port clearance, plug in, then re-center.
4. Open Moment Pro Camera — it should auto-select the USB-C mic. (You’ll also see an accessory-connected pop-up.)

Tip: If audio doesn’t switch, check app input settings and confirm the mic is receiving power (some mics need it).

Troubleshooting

If something feels off, here are quick fixes we've found most helpful for customers.

Buttons getting pressed

If your phone’s side buttons are getting triggered by the clamp, loosen the BaseCage’s base plate, slide the clamp so it clears your buttons, then retighten. Different phones put buttons in different spots, so don’t be shy about repositioning until it’s comfy and secure.

Mic not detected

When you plug in a USB-C mic, you should see an accessory pop-up and your camera app should switch to the external input automatically. If it doesn’t, reseat the cable firmly on both ends, make sure you’re using a data-capable USB-C cable (not charge-only), and check the input setting in the Moment Pro Camera (or Blackmagic Camera) app. Some mics also require power—confirm it’s on.

SSD not showing up

If your drive doesn’t appear, reconnect with a short, reliable USB-C cable and make sure the SSD is snug in its clamp. Open your camera app’s storage settings and set the recording destination to the external drive. On iPhone, look for the “accessory connected” pop-up; if you don’t see it, unplug and plug back in, then relaunch the app.

Bluetooth shutter not triggering

If the handle’s shutter button won’t start/stop recording, remove and re-pair the handle in your phone’s Bluetooth settings, then test again inside your camera app. Make sure the handle has battery power and that your app allows external shutter control.