Joby Gorillapod GP1 - Capture more of the Great Moments
Written: Apr 24 '09 (Updated Apr 25 '09)
Pros:Flexible, grips most surfaces, relatively inexpensive
Cons:none
The Bottom Line: The GP1 Joby Gorillapod Original is a tripod for fast moving individuals that capture photos where there aren't always flat surfaces - 99% of us.
The Original Joby Gorillapod is an amazing new tripod that my wife pointed out to me in Backpacker Magazine. This is fitting considering that most of my pictures on the Appalachian and John Muir Trails that actually have me in them were balanced on rocks or taken by another hiker admiring the same view.
We purchased Kodak's Zi6 to capture our baby's growing moments and quickly picked up the Joby Gorillapod so we could get in the images as a family - not individually.
In comes the Joby, flexible gorillapod. The Joby comes in various sizes:
the Go-Go (GPS/PS2s/cameras with mobile accessories)
The Original (most personal cameras <11.5oz)
the SLR (<1.75 lbs)
the SLR-zoom (<6.6 lbs)
the Focus (11 lbs)
THE ORIGINAL JOBY
The Original comes with the tripod and camera tripod mount attachment. The attachment allows you to screw the attachment into your device for temporary or permanent use. You then just pop the attachment into your tripod at the “lock ring.” You can transition from holding your device to mounting it on the tripod in under a second to get the best images.
The Joby GP1 is a multi-bulbous tripod that bends around objects, flexes to increase/decrease elevation, and its rubber feet grip most surfaces. You can even bend the legs to have your camera hang upside down and then rotate your images later on.
The Joby is a great addition to whatever device you decided to purchase to capture your life’s moments. Why spend a lot of money on a camera/camcorder and not get to be in the images or movies? Or why miss great shots outside because you fear your camera falling over or getting wet? Now you don’t have an excuse.
One thing some people might not like is that the Joby is hard to get back into its original configuration of straight legs. I think once you bend the legs and one its >2 dozen joints you might not get it back straight again.
I’ve hung my Zi6 from the mantle, balanced it on the hood of my car, and simply placed it on the dinner table. When we got the tripod I tested it first by wrapping it vertically around some fireplace tools and it held up great. I haven’t been out hiking yet with the arrival of the new baby, but I’m sure I’ll be able to capture much more than I have been able to in the past.
The Original Joby comes in 7 colors and weighs 1.6 ounces (Yes! Lightweight for backpacking)
Recommended: Yes
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