Flexi-Pod SLR camera tripod

Flexi-Pod SLR camera tripod

The SLR is the big brother of the standard Flexi-Pod camera tripod. Both have the same unique flexible ball-jointed legs that allow the camera to be positioned in almost any orientation and also attached to beams and tree branches. The SLR variant is just larger and can hold up to 1kg (although I suspect it can actually hold more in certain configurations). When straightened, the legs serve the same function as a standard small non-extendable tripod.
Each leg is made up of 8 interlocking joints that meet at the base of the main joint which is also flexible with a joint between it and the tripod head. The ball joints have a rubber ring on them which helps grip onto various sized cylindrical extrusions (poles, branches, beams, etc.).
The head itself has a further base plate that can be quickly detached and reattached with the flick of a small lever. There is also a safety ring that needs to be twisted before the plate will detach so you can lock the base plate to the tripod head securely.

The good:
- Grip. The Flexi-Pod can use its three flexible legs to wrap around many objects and this opens up many opportunities which a normal tripod or monopod would find difficult. The rubber rings mean the camera will resist slipping around smooth objects that it is wrapped around. The angle the camera sits does not have to be horizontal, which opens up creative options. The feet at the end of each leg is also rubberized so it shouldn't slip on most surfaces when in standard upright form.

- Light. The tripod itself is quite light with no extending legs and the ball joints are narrow between each connection, so there is minimal material where it is not needed.

- Versatile. By bending or straightening the legs, you can set the camera up in almost any vantage point. It also works just like a normal small tripod and you can move the legs together for a quasi-monopod form. It has a standard mount that is tightened with any small coin so you don't need to carry any special tools or keys.

- Fast. The detachable base plate is very quick to attach and reattach so you can have your camera setup for a steady shot but you can also detach the camera anytime for an impromptu shot very easily and very quickly.

- Cheap. The version from Flexi-Pod is a cheaper knock-off of another brand. It's made from cheaper parts and probably cheaper labor and as such, is much cheaper to buy than the other brand. This doesn't mean it sacrifices much in terms of functionality though. At most you may find the rubber wears a bit quicker or the joints don't stay as stiff when new, but if you look after it, it will function just as well.

The Bad:
- Ugly. The Flexi-Pod is very ugly. The design requires it to be so, so you may find your subject getting distracted by it or drawing unwanted attention to yourself.

- Limited. Unlike a traditional tripod, it cannot support large heavy lenses attached to full body SLRs. The joints are all potential failure points, so nearing the maximum load may be dangerous, and potentially costly. It also doesn't extend so it's limited in height. You will need to prop it up onto something first for something like a portrait shot.

- Wobble. The rubber and joint design allows a lot of flexing to take place, which can turn into vibrations in the camera. A useful companion to this setup would be a cable or wireless remote shutter release. Alternatively you can use the timer to give it enough time to settle down before the shot is taken.

- Packaging. The packaging is plastic. This could have easily been packaged in a cardboard box or even free standing. It seems a bit wasteful.

- Fit. The baseplate is somewhat loose after inserting into the head socket, and could have used some cushioning material. There is already some of this on top of the baseplate so I don't understand why a small amount wasn't put around the socket. It would have made the for a much snugger fit and reduced vibrations/movement of the camera.

- Colour scheme. Black and grey. It should have just stuck with black for everything. I find it hilarious that the packaging actually shows a picture of a different tripod with much better all-black looks. It almost makes me want to hunt down this better looking version.

Conclusion:
The Flexi-Pod SLR definitely has some drawbacks in both function and build quality, but it more than makes up for it with versatility. Used as a companion tripod it would fill in all the gaps where a traditional tripod falls short. I would have liked to have seen a master locking mechanism for all the legs so once you had them set up, you could trust the tripod wouldn't collapse or shift position due to weight. If you want to avoid using the camera's timer, definitely invest in a remote shutter release with this tripod. A remote release is a handy tool anyway and you will find much use for it and even away from a tripod.

Score:
8.5/10

Up next: Cobi nostalgia themed USB1.1/2.o Webcam and Spotlight.