How many times have you looked at something and said, “Why didn’t I think of that?” That’s exactly what I said the first time I saw a miniature tripod made by JOBY. They’re brilliant, they perform as advertised, and they’re as popular among shooters as ice pops on a hot summer day.
Designed to handle a range of weight loads and available in a variety of configurations, from JOBY’s ever-popular GorillaPod Tripod, to Action Cam and 360 Video Mounts, Smartphone Tripods and Mounts, Tablet Mounts, and Vlogging Rigs, what makes JOBY’s support system so unique is that unlike the rigid, stalk-like legs of traditional tripods, most JOBY supports have flexible legs that can be bent and wrapped around poles, fences, goalposts, bike handles, and other places that would be challenging, if not downright impossible, to securely mount a camera otherwise.
JOBY GorillaPods
The idea behind GorillaPod tripods was to create a table tripod that could support a small to medium-size camera while remaining affordable, simple, lightweight, and easy to stow away, regardless of how full your camera bag might be. And yes—they should also be stylish. In the case of GorillaPods, they’ve knocked the ball clear out of the park on all counts, as JOBY continues to evolve the brand to this very day.
Thanks in part to the unique design of their “hinged-ball” legs, GorillaPods can support many times their own weight, and do so from places you typically would not mount, hang, or suspend a camera. While conventional tripods are best used on level surfaces, the “bendability” factor inherent to GorillaPods makes them ideal for shooting stills and video on irregular surfaces. Though select models are made of aluminum, most GorillaPods are primarily made of ABS plastic, a poor conductor of cold, which can be an advantage when shooting in colder environments.
JOBY currently offers a choice of 19 flexible tripods that, despite weighing anywhere from a mere 1.3 to 17 ounces, can support cameras and/or related accessories weighing up to 11 pounds. Depending on the model, GorillaPod tripods enable you to set your camera anywhere from 3.5" to 15" off the ground. They are available with ball heads, pan/tilt heads with extra-long handles for smoother panning, and bare flat tops with ¼"-20 threads, and they can also be had with or without a quick release.
Not all JOBY tripods have flexible legs—several models in fact have rigid legs. For shooting tabletop or from ground level, it doesn’t get simpler that the JOBY HandyPod, which features an integrated ballhead with ¼"-20 screw threads that is compatible with most consumer camera thread mounts. To shoot with your smartphone, all you need to do is add a JOBY GripTight ONE phone mount and you’re good to go. When folded for travel, the HandyPod takes on the form factor of a plump minnow, making it easy to stow away.
The JOBY TelePod Mobile, which is billed as an “all-in-one smartphone camera support” that can serve as a tabletop tripod, a selfie stick, a grip, or a stand for supporting a smartphone (2.2" to 3.6"), compact camera, 360 camera, action cam, compact light, mic, or related accessories weighing up to 0.7 lb.
Ideal for vlogging, JOBY’s TelePod Mobile features an integrated ball head and includes a JOBY GripTight ONE Mount for Smartphones for mounting your smartphone and a JOBY Impulse Bluetooth Remote, which enables you to trigger the shutter on your smartphone (iOS or Android) up to 90' away from your camera position.
You can also go a step further with the JOBY GripTight PRO TelePod, which provides a choice of four operational modes (Hand Grip, Extended Grip, Elevated Grip, & Tabletop Tripod), can support loads up to 2.2lb, and can telescope out to 31".
GorillaPods and Accessories for Smartphones and Tablets
JOBY GorillaPods designed specifically for smartphones and tablets include the JOBY GripTight ONE GorillaPod Stand and JOBY GripTight PRO 2 GorillaPod. We already mentioned the GripTight ONE, but for those looking for a bit more stability or strength for their bigger and better phone there is the GripTight PRO Smartphone Mount. It'll work with smartphones 2.2-3.6" wide, including cases, and has a standard 1/4"-20 thread for mounting to practically anything (like a GorillaPod!).
JOBY also happens to produce one of the best tablet mounts in the industry. The JOBY GripTight PRO will securely attach a 7" to 10" tablet to any tripod with ¼"-20 threads. Made of ABS plastic with TPE grip pads and stainless-steel plates, the JOBY GripTight PRO can also be used to hold smartphones securely.
For times when you need to secure your camera to a smooth, nonporous surface, such as a car panel or polished wall, there’s the JOBY Suction Cup and GorillaPod Arm, which as the name indicates, includes a GorillaPod Arm with five balls and sockets for camera positioning. Also included is a GoPro tripod mount.
Have you ever used a GorillaPod? If so, where is the most far-fetched place you’ve ever mounted a camera? If you have a fun GorillaPod story, please share it with us in the Comments section, below.
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