The Price

$30

The Verdict

It's handy, even if we'd like to see the price drop by $10.

Taking the Gorillatorch out of the box, my immediate reaction was that it was a bit smaller than I'd expected. Especially compared to their dSLR tripod, pictured here, it's a little guy.
But the small size isn't necessarily a bad thing. Coupled with bright light output (that will blind you head-on) and feet that will stick firmly to metal surfaces (seriously, if you twist the light, the legs flex while the feet stayed glued), it's incredibly multifunctional. You can wrap or stick the torch almost anywhere you need some extra light.
I also loved the six-shooter style AA battery compartment.

Of course, this is an LED light. And that means it's more of a spotlight than a warmly diffused bulb. Reading requires creative positioning to avoid the overexposed center. Luckily, the LED is on a dimmer, so you can tweak the output pretty aggressively.

My biggest qualm is the price. For $30, I'd prefer the LED to be removable so the tripod could be used to hold a camera as well. But if you've got a good job, then sure, the Gorillatorch will scratch that consumer itch. [Gorillatorch]


Magnetism in feet is quite strong

Extremely high quality, flexible Gorillapod legs

Useful, dimming LED

Removable head would be welcome

Sometimes harsh spotlight output

The flexible ball-and-socket tripod legs can affix to or balance on just about any surface and it is compatible with almost any kind of mobile device that you might want to use hands-free. Expect it to be available in late summer for $35.

Joby Launches Gorillamobile, Ingenious Tripod with Widespread Mobile Device Compatibility and Limitless Functionality

Features include four interchangeable quick-release adapters, flexible leg joints with rubberized grips, secure locking mechanism and travel friendly design

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - July 29, 2009 – Joby, the world renowned designer of the Gorillapod line of innovative camera tripods, is pleased to announce the Gorillamobile. Representing the first product in a new product line, the Gorillamobile promises unparalleled tripod compatibility for almost all mobile devices. Featuring the critically acclaimed ball-and-socket tripod legs that affix to and balance on any surface, the Gorillamobile provides consumers with a universal system for mounting any portable device. Photo-taking, video-recording, talking and movie-watching have never been easier!
The Gorillamobile is ideal for mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players, portable gaming devices, GPS units, mini video cameras, pocket projectors and almost any other mobile device a consumer might want to utilize in a hands-free manner. The Gorillamobile pack includes a custom-engineered suction cup mounting system, two removable high-bond adhesive clips and the traditional universal camera adapter to ensure maximum compatibility. Whether the user needs a temporary hold or prefers something more permanent, the adapters provide the solution.

"The Gorillamobile will satisfy the overwhelming demand we've had to develop a portable and delightful product for the person seeking a tripod and flexible mounting system for all his mobile devices," said Joby COO Forrest Baringer-Jones. "The Gorillamobile truly creates endless possibilities and is sure to become a ‘can't leave home without it' product."

The Gorillamobile weighs under 2 ounces, is just under 6-inches tall and has a MSRP of $34.95. The product will ship in late summer and will be available globally.

[Joby]

In our original post, we speculated that using a gun stock for shooting a camera seemed like a good way for a photographer to get shot. And we wondered how common these stocks could be. Duran wrote back with a short, informed response, but I was able to twist his arm into telling us a bit more.

Pointing a long lens mounted on a stock is indeed a recipe for getting shot if you're not careful. In fact in training at Fort McCoy, Wi., I was "shot" by Soldiers on practice missions.

I was not where they expected me to be... i.e. mixed in with the opposition who happened to be shooting at them at the time. Thus, I was "shot" at with blanks during the training even though I was in uniform. They *saw* what they assumed was a rifle in an area where bad guys were shooting at them..

This, of course, is why we train. Even as military media, we need to train in realistic conditions. It was a learning event for both myself and the Soldiers in training.

At Kajaki Dam in Afghanistan, I was there to get some on the ground coverage for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan National Army. The Afghan National Army troops there are "spot on" as the Brits say and the dam has great strategic importance. There are lots of bad guys.
I took my Bushhawk stock along for the ride out to Kajaki. The stock is of limited use as in remote regions such as this, the local population has never seen a DSLR so they limited trust when you're pointing a long lens at them. In operations where we were going patrols or at night with night vision I'd use it a lot. However, when going where the bad guys are, there is little worry as I was with some of the best Soldiers in the world.

Okay, so why risk losing your life. Good question. Lemme see if I can figure it out.

Ok. It is an extremely stable platform to shoot pictures with (i.e. that's why rifles are designed that way). It is very natural and comfortable which results in good images. When using long lenses, holding the camera steady is damn important.

Plus, you can sling the camera stock while walking. This is very important when trying to keep up with Soldiers that are in *much* better shape than you (lost 20 pounds during the tour). Although I'm a Reservist, there's only one standard... so I have the keep up with Olympic-grade athletes when on Active duty.

Monopods work very well but are a pain in the ass when on the move. You have to open them, then close them when you're going to roll out. Which happens unexpectedly at times :)

Handholding with two hands is about the only way and how most of the world gets it done. I would not advise *any* media in a war zone to use a stock. In my case, I'm a member of the armed forces and I'm with the guys with the guns. We used to joke about it in that the Taliban would wonder if we bought some some secret weapon since we were the only Americans at Kajaki. Either way, the bad guys would shoot at me anyway on any patrols with little regard if I had a camera or a rifle.

My main thing was not to make the local population feel threatened...
I have to say that there is something inherently fun about shooting a camera like a rifle. It is really more fun than I should admit. I found myself grinning every time I used the darn thing.

I guess there's just something obsessive with me and rifle stocks for cameras. I actually designed one in drafting class in high-school but it wasn't until this last tour that I ponied up the cheese to buy one. It's just a lot of fun.

- Jeff Duran

or Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Duran one weekend a month, two weeks a year (unless called to go to far away places and meet new people... and take their picture).

A special thanks to Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Duran for writing in and sharing his experiences. You can see more of his photos here and here.

An aluminum tripod base packed with rechargeable batteries supports a gun backed by two CO2 tanks and a 400 round hopper. Streaming 2.4Ghz video to a remote rigged with a display, players can see the battlefield in real time and tilt/pan/shoot accordingly. But you'd never pay its $1959.99 asking price, right? You'd pay way more to upgrade with some of these enticing options.

• 360-degree rotation
• Night Vision
• Zoom Lens
• 1000-round hopper
• LED spotlights
• Real bullets

OK, that last option may not be officially supported. [product via technabob]

The QuikPod can be connected to any camera using a standard tripod socket. The arm extends from 18 to 53 inches and includes a wide-angle mirror to help you compose your photos. It also includes a rubberized monopod adapter tip, aluminum end cap, wrist strap, hiking clip, belly pad, carry bag and quick release camera mount. So in only a few short days those crappy photos where you stick your arm out to take a picture of you and your extremely short girlfriend will be a thing of the past. Available soon for around $50. [Adorama via Wired]

Sony Ericsson's IPK-100 phone kit includes a micro-tripod with flexible legs and friction feet for its Cyber-shot range of camerphones. Also in the kit is a branded protective case for your phone that can be attached to your belt (always a good look, I feel). No pricing as yet, but it should be onsale in the next quarter. – Ad Dugdale

Tripod for CameraPhones [Cellular News via Textually]

Product Page [Via CG]

Cellpod—A Tripod For Your Cameraphone [OhGizmo!]

With the level of resources large corporations have at their fingertips, why isn't there more interesting design in everyday products? Just look at the lower right of this diagram - not only can you cook up some hot dinner, but you can fight off hordes of vampires while doing it. –Mark Wilson

Bonfire Tripod Burner [uberreview]

QuikPod is offering a $5 coupon on the QuikPod exclusively for Gizmodo readers, bringing the price down to $24.95, and they are throwing in the leg accessories that turn the QuikPod into a traditional tripod for free. To get this deal, follow the link below and navigate to the shopping page. Simply type Gizmodo into the search box and the special deal will be available for purchase. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [QuikPod]

Tripod Belt [Brando via Red Ferret]

This tripod is small enough to fit in your pocket but good enough to support a hefty camera. The one touch setup extends the tripod up to 5.5 inches, and the non-slip rubber feet and LED base light makes for perfect positioning.

Here at Giz HQ, we call Charlie "the tripod". Because he takes a lot of pictures. – Jason Chen

News Release [PR Newswire via Mobile Whack]

The TrekPod. [Red Ferret]

Purchasing information for TrekPod [Shopping.com]

The Pod [Bogen Imaging]