[Tech] Pedco Ultrapod, Best Alternative to Gorilla Pod
INTRODUCTION ^
Let me ask you a question. In the current world where everyone owns a camera in one way of another in the form of either a compact camera, system camera or a phone camera, which terms actually owns the internet search results and e-commerce website? Tripod! Specifically, portable tripod.
As smartphone camera gets more and more powerful, many people are willing to sacrifice a bit of Image Quality (IQ) for that portability. Unless you are doing this professionally, most rather carry light and enjoy the photography process than to drag around a heavy camera bag with those accessories and heavy tripod.
The most popular portable tripod if you haven't heard, is the Joby Gorilla Pod which is a flexible tripod that is made up of interlocking balls allowing you to shape it to fit the object you are attaching it to. Those are expensive for a reason as much as they provide you an ingenious way to mount your camera to most objects firmly, they come with a flaw. The more you flex the tripod legs, the faster the wear and tear kicks in. As time goes by, your expensive investment slowly becomes an expensive decoration on your desk.
Now, that is what this post is for. I am going to provide you with in my opinion the best alternative to Gorilla Pod in terms of usability and price.
DESIGN & BUILD ^
Basic Specification
Dimensions (folded): 7.25” x 2” x 2.25” (18.4cm x 5.1cm x 5.7cm) Pan Adjustment: 360 degreesTilt Adjustment: +/- 90 degreesAngular Adjustment: +/- 20 degrees Max safe load: 10 lbs(4.54kg) Strap length: 13” (33cm) Product Weight: 4.7 oz (133g) Made of 30-percent glass-filled nylon resin with aluminum threaded components
In a folded state, the ultrapod looks not much different from your standard table top portable tripod but in the unfolded state, it starts looking way different.
The ball and socket mounting system allows the mounted camera to be adjusted 360 degree on a Tilt angle on (a) and 90 degree on an angular angle on (b).
EASE OF USE ^
The dual adjustment system allows total flexibility on how you can rotate your camera mount plus the 33cm long Velcro, it allows you a totally different way of using this portable tripod. You can scrap it to a handle bar, the railings, the window's grill or even an existing tripod as a secondary mount.
The Velcro scrap is pretty durable for you to feel safe attaching the tripod on seemingly dangerous position. Just make sure you secure the Velcro firmly together and you will be good to go.
WEAKNESSES ^
Despite it having a very unique design and a slightly different way of mounting, this unique portable tripod is not without its weaknesses.
Firstly, the durable Velcro system only has a length of 33cm and that means if you need to tie the tripod to object which is way thicker than the length of 33cm can handle, you will not be able to do so.
Secondly, the rubble stopper on the leg of the longer end of the tripod can loosen up very easily and if you are not careful, you can drop it unknowingly without even realizing it.
Lastly, the most suitable objects to tie the legs to are rounded ones and that means if you need to attach it to non-rounded or irregular ones, I will suggest you not mount anything that is too heavy because it can slip easily. The grip between the legs and the object you are attaching it to most likely will not be that strong.
CONCLUSION ^
With smartphone camera getting more powerful, the demand for accessories for them keeps increasing. Tripod is definitely one of those must have accessories to have but the portability and price had always been the blockage. Now not anymore with Pedco Ultrapod for its creative way of mounting and for half the price of Joby Gorillapod at $29.99USD. It is a no brainer and definitely worth a try.
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