Joby HandyPod Mobile Plus REVIEW | Mac Sources

4 min readApr 23, 2019

Joby HandyPod Mobile Plus

Portable tripod for ultimate mobile content creation.

When I got my first iPhone — back in 2007 — I never thought I would be using it as a primary camera — both for video and still photography. But here I am 12 years later and my iPhone is my favorite camera option for quick, on-the-go photography. Because I hadn’t given much thought to using an iPhone as a primary camera, I never, ever a mobile tripod a second glance until the past couple of years when I started using my iPhone more and more. As it turns out there are lots of different options out there for mobile phone tripods. I’ve actually used everything from the wire-framed foldable tripods to the more hearty ones like the new HandyPod Mobile Plus from Joby.

DETAILS

The HandyPod Mobile Plus is actually a special kit for mobile phone photography. It includes the HandyPod, which you can purchase as a single product, the Joby GripTight ONE mount, and a Bluetooth remote shutter. This kit is designed specifically to be an advanced mini tripod kit for phones. It features a push-button mechanism that enables positioning and locking of the ball head. The Bluetooth remote shutter makes it possible for users to take selfies, group photos, or capture creative angles. The HandyPod Mobile Plus works with smartphones up to ‘plus size’. It can be used as a handheld support, tabletop tripod, or phone stand.

SPECS

Weight: 0.41 lbs
Material: Aluminum, Rubber, Technopolymer, ABS Plastic
Dimensions: 1.65" x 2.09" x 7.48"
Accessory Compatibility: Impulse
Top Attachment: 1/4"
Ball Locking: Yes
Color: Black
Front Tilt: -90º/+30º
Lateral Tilt: -90º/+30º
Leg Type: Single
Leg Angles: 45º
Maximum Working Temperature: 140º F
Plate Type: fixed — with 1/4–20" screw
Safety Payload Weight: 2.2. lbs

USER EXPERIENCE

The HandyPod Mobile Plus arrived in a simple Joby branded box. I was thrilled to be able to test it out because I’ve been a HUGE fan of Joby ever since I had the opportunity to test out a GorillaPod several years ago. And, even though I wasn’t sure that a mobile phone tripod was worth the $50 price tag that this package goes for, I was still eager to try it out.

The design of the tripod is pretty typical of heavy-duty mobile phone tripods. The legs fold out into a fixed position and when they fold back up, they create a handle for continued use while moving. The 1/4–20 screw mount on top is multifunctional for use with most cameras and lights. I do want to mention that this tripod — even as sturdy as it is — is only rated to hold up to 2.2 lbs. So, even though it might be able to hold a DSLR, that doesn’t mean it should.

The GripTight ONE mount is an ingenious design for a smartphone mount. It folds flat unlike some other phone mounts and is still adjustable to accommodate larger phablet-sized phones. I used my iPhone XS with it and had no problems with sliding the phone in and out of the mount. Even though you could conceivably use the HandyPod as a phone stand, it would only be able to hold the phone in landscape mode because of the orientation of the phone mount.

Once I had my phone mounted on the HandyPod, I used it to capture a walk-around tour video. It’s no SteadiCam or gimbal, but I do feel like I have more control over camera movements while my phone is secured in the phone mount.

CONCLUSION

I feel like the Joby HandyPod Mobile Plus is the very best version of mobile phone tripod available. It’s easy to use and I love the curve that was designed into the legs because it feels so natural holding it. The ball joint is a little stiff for the first few times you use it, but having that ball head built into the tripod really makes all the difference we you are setting up shots. Even though there are many other third-party options out there for mobile tripod, I would strongly recommend investing in the Joby HandyPod. It’s much more sturdy than other brands and you have the option to get the HandyPod alone or as a part of a kit.

For more information, visit joby.com
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Originally published at https://macsources.com on April 23, 2019.