11-14-06
Gorillapod
I am an amateur digital photographer. I have a full size tripod, but rarely used it. It was too big and bulky to take on hikes along with my 2-year-old daughter and all her stuff. I ordered the Joby Gorillapod. This tripod has legs that can be strongly wrapped around poles, branches, or ledges, and can fit in a small pouch or a large pants pocket. I liked that I had a environmentally friendly packaging free option. When it arrived I was surprised at its lightweight and small size. But surprisingly, it is amazing. Both my camera and DVR stay upright and stable on most any surface.
-- Karl [Also recommended/reviewed by Fred Sobotka and Jeremy J.]
Joby Gorillapod
$20
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Joby
Favorite (15)
Ash
This is digging up a really old post, but I wanted to make a quick comment about tiny tripods. For years I used a PedCo Ultrapod II, which I bought at REI in San Francisco. At the time it was an REI-branded version; it survived years of being mounted on a motorcycle and many trips abroad until I gave it away to a good friend who fell in love with it.
I recently went to replace my Ultrapod and looked at the Gorillapod extensively. Compared to my old Ultrapod, though, the Gorillapod seems fiddly, heavy, and expensive. I re-ordered the Ultrapod II from Amazon (it was about $15), and am once again really pleased with it.
The Gorillapod is probably a bit better for mounting on the top of a pole (as pictured in the ads). But for mounting on the sides of poles, trees, chairs, as well as setting upright on rocks, tables, suitcases, for quick and accurate adjustments, and for supporting both light and heavy cameras extremely securely (strapped to a motorcycle handlebar at 100 mph on a freeway!), I like the Ultrapod best.