1 - I would like to add that the mounting thread is 1/4 - 20 the same thread as a standard camera tripod. I have some all metal infrared cams mounted on mine but never checked the weight of them. I know there way less then 1.5 lbs though. You may need to experiment a bit with the weight thing. If the camera's weight doesn't hang over to far and its not top heavy the Ninja may move it. (has plastic gears as far as I know)
2 - When you purchase the Ninja it should come with a controller. (CR14A) That will send the RF needed to Pan-n-Tilt the unit.
3 - The Ninja comes with a hard wired 76 inch cable attached with a 1/8 inch female stereo type plug. The power pack is a 2-pin AC plug type with a rated output of 12VDC at 200MA. The output lead measures 78 inches long with a male 1/8 inch stereo type plug.
4 - All of mine pan smooth and at the same rate. No jerking at all. Speed is not adjustable.
5 - Mine all start and stop without any jerking.
6 - See above posts.
So far all of them have been able to handle the heat and the cold of summer and winter.
(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)----KDR
At about 50 feet from the stage the pan should be slow enough to get a good long view of the stage with no problems... (other then maybe the weight.)
My cam on my driveway is about 50 feet away. I was just panning back and forth and I would say it will keep up with a normal person walking. Doesn't really fall behind or move ahead of them.
If you do a wall mount the Ninja comes with a nice L shaped bracket to mount it to a wall. There is not much space behind the Ninja for anything to hang out though.
(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)----KDR