Gorillapod = Amazing

[roadtripper]

Before I confess my love for this product, I must state I have no connection to this company or product.

That being said, I just picked one of these up and it is one heck of a cool product. I just got the SLR-ZOOM Version ($50 smacks) and i'm VERY impressed. It will come in very handy for landscape shots for me.

Anybody using these things?

 

[bikehikeskifish]

It's on my short list of things to buy myself, or suggest my wife get me for (insert the next holiday here, which will be my birthday in a few months...)

How is the setup time? I carry my P&S (Canon A570 IS) in a small pouch attached to my shoulder strap. I would primarily want this for portrait mode (otherwise I usually find a rock.)

Tim

 

[Quietman]

I have and it is very useful and cool looking to boot!

Just don't let the kids keep play with it non-stop until the joints loosen up. Mine will no longer hold the camera even horizontally

Gorillapod

 

[roadtripper]

Set up time is very quick, but now I'm curious as to how long the joints stay strong.

Quietman - how much abuse did it take before it stopped working properly?

 

[Tuco]

I haven't used it enough for it to stop working properly yet but for use on uneven surfaces (re- slanted rocks) and attaching to tree limbs etc it is fantastic. Opens up the type of shots you can get of yourself while alone on a hike.

 

[Quietman]

Mine is the mini version and unfortunately, the mount on my A540 is way off to one side, on the opposite side of the batteries and this creates some extra stress. It is the 2 joints just under the mounting pad that have become lose.

I'd say that it took a fair amount of abuse before it became unstable, so I wouldn't worry too much. I would just try to resist the natural temptation to see how many shapes you can twist it into, as I can't place all of the blame on the kids!

I received a new one for Christmas, and I'll let you know how it holds up.

 

[Tim Seaver]

Not a Durable Product

They are a great concept and work for a little while (probably more so the smaller the camera you are talking about), but the joints invariably become loose or even completely separate, and worse yet, the first set of joints will snap off if regularly flexed to near their limit. I have found this throughout the entire size range of their products.

Someone could make a bundle if they were to make a high quality version of the same concept, but with more attention to detail in materials and design, but the "GorillaPod", or any of the similar products using the plastic spherical joints, are not up to anything beyond setting up your 4 ounce P&S on your dining room table, IMHO.

Having thoughtfully trashed their product, I still must admit bringing one along now and then when going very light, being fully aware of their fragile nature.

 

[grouseking]

They are a great concept and work for a little while (probably more so the smaller the camera you are talking about), but the joints invariably become loose or even completely separate, and worse yet, the first set of joints will snap off if regularly flexed to near their limit. I have found this throughout the entire size range of their products.

Someone could make a bundle if they were to make a high quality version of the same concept, but with more attention to detail in materials and design, but the "GorillaPod", or any of the similar products using the plastic spherical joints, are not up to anything beyond setting up your 4 ounce P&S on your dining room table, IMHO.

Having thoughtfully trashed their product, I still must admit bringing one along now and then when going very light, being fully aware of their fragile nature.

I have to agree, and thats why I never bought it. It looked like a really cool contraption, but I picked it up, and I could tell it wouldn't hold up, especially with my bulky camera. Maybe if I had a little one...

But on the other hand, it is a great idea, and like Tim said, if they could make it a bit more sturdy I'd buy 3 of them.

grouseking

 

[Quietman]

I bet that if I wrapped a little duct tape around the joints it wouldn't be so lose