- Are you looking for the best tripod for vlogging?
Whether you vlog with a DSLR, an iPhone,
or pretty much any other camera out there,
we're gonna take a look at the new SwitchPod,
which could definitely be your answer.
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Hey, it's Justin Brown here from Primal Video.
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And all the links to everything we mention in this video,
you can find linked in the description box below.
So, let's jump into it.
Now, when it comes to vlogging tripods,
there really hasn't been a ton of innovation
in the market to date.
And it's really surprising given the popularity of vlogging,
and the fact that the requirements
of you to carry around a tripod,
and to better film yourself at the same time,
and the flexibility in that,
really doesn't match how traditional tripods are built.
Most vloggers result to options like the JOBY GorillaPod,
which is a flexible tripod that can be adjusted
for carry-around use.
But it's also super clunky to switch back
to a more static tripod to set it up on a desk,
or on a flat surface.
A couple of friends of ours,
Caleb Wojcik from DIY Video Guy,
and Pat Flynn from Smart Passive Income,
recognize that there was a problem
and they came up with their own solution.
The SwitchPod.
It's a purpose-built vlog tripod
that's designed to be portable, travel-friendly,
and easily switched between carry-around and set-down modes.
After checking it out for ourselves,
it's clear that these guys have put together
a really great option for a lot of their users,
whether they're vlogging or not.
And no matter if you're using DSLR point-and-shoot,
or even just your smartphone.
So, on this video, I am gonna run through my thoughts
on the SwitchPod and everything you need to know
to decide if it's the right option for you.
And, while we're taking a look,
let me know down in the comments
what's your go-to tripod for traveling or vlogging.
I'd love to hear.
All right, so as we go through,
I am gonna be comparing it to the current
vlogging tripod king, the JOBY GorillaPod,
to give you a bit of context
as to where the SwitchPod stands out,
and also where it may be a better option
for specific-use cases.
All right, so the SwitchPod is super lightweight.
It's incredibly strong,
and it easily switches between vlogging mode, or hand-held,
to expanded mode to set it down.
Now, this one of the biggest stand-out features
with the SwitchPod,
and it can actually transition with the tripod
between the two different modes
single-handedly and super fast.
Comparing that to the GorillaPod with it's flexible legs,
which is really clunky,
and really needs two hands to pull each leg out,
and it takes a little bit of time
to transition between the two modes.
Between holding it and placing it down somewhere.
Now, over time, those flexible legs on the GorillaPod
do lose their strength and end up slipping.
So with the design of the SwitchPod,
you've really got no chance of this happening.
The SwitchPod is really comfortable to hold,
and has purpose-built hand grips or hand placement marks,
all the way up the legs, which make it comfortable to hold.
But also make it really easy
to hold and balance the camera on there.
Compare that to the JOBY,
which isn't purpose-built for this at all,
is not comfortable to hold,
and it's really not designed to be used this way.
There's a screw section under the head
where you mount your cameras,
allowing you to easily tighten
or loosen your camera on there,
so you're able to get it on or off quickly.
And it also removes the need
to carry any tools or screwdrivers or anything,
with you to be able to have that option.
On the bottom side of the GorillaPod,
you've got a flat screw section.
Meaning, if you want to tighten everything up,
to make everything stable,
then you're going to need a screwdriver
to be able to do that.
Just like on the GorillaPod,
the SwitchPod has little rubber sections on the feet.
So, it's gonna be nice and soft when you're putting it down.
But, also, so you're not gonna scratch any surfaces
if you're moving this around.
But they've also added magnet in the legs
to keep them stuck together,
either when you're not using it
or when you want to use it in hand-held mode.
And they've also added mounting points on the legs,
which you could use to mount a microphone, a light,
or really any other accessory.
In regards to the downsides, or what it's not.
It's not as flexible.
Meaning that if you do want to hang it in a tree
or wrap it around a pole
or put it in a really uneven surface,
then it's not gonna do as good a job
as something like the JOBY.
For the vast majority of vloggers,
this isn't gonna be a big issue.
Just like with the JOBY,
if you're gonna be mounting it on uneven surfaces,
then you could attach a ball head to the top
for greater control, for leveling and everything,
while you're shooting.
But even with that, I'll tell you for most people,
you're probably not even gonna need the ball head
with the SwitchPod tripod.
So looking at pricing then,
the JOBY GorillaPod sells for around the $90 price point,
for the 5k model, which is the strong one, the popular one.
The SwitchPod's gonna be selling for under $100.
I'm pretty sure it's gonna be in the range of 80 to $100.
So, who would I recommend this for,
and for what use cases.
Obviously, if you're doing vlogging
then you seriously need to consider this.
If you're doing lots of traveling.
If you want something that's portable, that's light.
Something that you can use single-handedly.
And something that's not gonna deteriorate
or lose it's strength over time,
then this is probably the tripod for you.
On the flip side, if you're someone
who really likes to put your camera in random places,
and you need the flexibility in those legs,
to mount it random places, like in a tree,
or round a pole or something like that,
then you're really gonna be needing
something like the GorillaPod,
because there's no other tripods
that are gonna to give you that flexibility.
But even in that use-case, it's highly likely
that if you ask someone that likes to get super creative
and mount your camera different random places,
that you're probably not doing that all day, everyday,
or for the bulk of your filming.
So, it could be the case where you consider one of each,
and that way you've got the best of both worlds.
You've got something for the bulk of your filming,
for the day-to-day stuff.
And then you've got something that's flexible
to mount in random places.
I'll tell you, for most people out there vlogging,
the SwitchPod is gonna be where it's at.
So, big props to Caleb and Pat.
I think what they've created here
is something that is really awesome.
It's gonna be an absolute game changer in this space.
And, again, links are in the description box below
to where you can find out more.
All right, it's that time in the video
where there are videos linked on screen.
One of them is one that we think
is going to be a great fit for you.
And the other one is what YouTube is suggesting.
So, who knows what it is.
I hope you like them.
I'll see you soon.