Today we’re looking at smartphone camera mount accessories. The built in cameras on Smartphones are more and more advanced as time passes. Low light is less and less of a problem and storage is near infinite with expandable memory cards. These mounts help you to use your phone as you’d use a traditional point and shoot camera. They allow you to quickly set up for a tough shot when you need a steady base. All of these solutions are small enough to store away in any bag so you always have them when a shot presents itself.
Click here to see a quick video slideshow of some of the mounts I’ll be talking about here today.
Thank you again to all of these device makers for supplying their product for review.
GripTight Micro Stand for smartphones by Joby – available here for $29.95
Very small footprint and it folds away even smaller, Easily attaches to your keychain, all metal construction for the tripod, The actual phone holder attaches to any standard tripod, swiveling ball joint
Mobile Grip Mini Fold-Up Smartphone Tripod by Arkon – available here for $17.95
Plastic construction doesn’t feel that great, not up to the standard of Arkon’s usual products, actual phone holder attaches to any standard tripod, included carry bag, folds up for storage, easily adjust angle
SlingShot by Woxom – available here for $19.95
Very innovative, tripod legs fold into handle for storage, works as a bit of a steadicam, holds any smartphone on the US market with or without a case, actual phone holder attaches to any standard tripod, swiveling ball joint head, virtually unbreakable, you can literally fold the phone holder over on itself and it springs back.
Steady tool by Gerber – available for $64
Fully functional multi tool, lifetime warranty, foldaway tripod support legs, nylon case with belt loop and storage for removable suction cup mount, mount holds tight, swiveling ball joint
These solutions are very diverse while still utilizing the same functionality for the most part. I can’t necessarily compare them to one another, but I will give you a couple stand out facts about the devices.
The GripTight and the Mobile Grip Mini Fold-Up Smartphone Tripod will NOT fit the Galaxy Note 2. They will hold any other phone, but the current models don’t expand enough to hold the Note 2. The SlingShot really is great for crowds and self-portraits. You can easily reach above the crowd at a concert to film your favorite band as if they were playing a private show just for you. Also, with the Note 2’s built in voice commands for the camera app, you can hold the phone away from you and say cheese and voila. Your favorite photo app will be overflowing with pictures of your happy face. The Steady tool is very well made. All of Gerber’s products come with a lifetime warranty so you can feel safe spending a little money with them. The suction cup is made of sticky polyurethane and it grabs the front or back of the phone with ease. I have to finish with Arkon’s offering… unfortunately. Arkon’s mini tripod was a mess from the start. If you don’t handle this with a light touch, you’ll break it, plain and simple. I was careful and I still had decorative screw covers pop off. You just never really feel safe using this thing, especially with a phone that retails for $700. I've seen a lot of great products from Arkon over the years and they run a great company and I’ve seen firsthand that they care about releasing a quality product. For whatever reason though, The Mobile Grip Mini Fold-Up Smartphone Tripod was not made in that tradition. I was excited for the idea of it, but do to the poor execution, I cannot recommend that you purchase the Mobile Grip Mini Fold-Up Smartphone Tripod from Arkon.
ENJOY YOUR GADGETS!
@gadgetPOP
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