Review: Quik Pod Monopod for Cameras and Mobile Phones

Do you ever go on a trip and want to take a photo of yourself, but have nobody around to ask to take a picture? Even if you are with other people it’s always nice to have more than one person in a shot, otherwise you just end up with someone getting left out of all the photos. We have taken a lot of photos on vacation where it’s just me or just Eric and very few of the ones we have together are taken far enough away to make a difference, because you can’t see what’s behind us or where we are. That close-up can be Paris or Moscow or San Diego or our backyard. You just never know.

photo courtesy of Quikpod.com

When I discovered the Quik Pod, I was thrilled to pieces. Finally a way to take photos from farther than arm’s length without having to ask a stranger – or find one – who may or may not speak English. Sure, we’ve gotten some strange looks when using it, but most people are more intrigued when they see what the Quik Pod can do. You can imagine my surprise when I found out they now make an attachment for your mobile phone. I mean, more travelers are using their phones to document their trips than cameras, so it stands to reason that this is a genius move on their part.

phone not included :)

Quik Pod was nice enough to send me their mobile kit so I could test it out. The new Explorer II extends farther than my original one and is now waterproof and includes a small mirror, so you can see if you’re actually in the shot if you are using your phone's back camera, or your regular camera, and can’t see the screen. Nothing like taking a bunch of pictures and seeing you’ve cut off half your heads, right? The phone attachment can be a bit cumbersome, but if you’re used to using your mobile for everything, it will only take a few more seconds to pop it into the holder and start snapping away with your timer.

We didn’t have occasion to go anywhere fun in the past couple of weeks, so here are some photos I took of myself and of me and my dog with my phone's camera. You can’t even tell I’m holding anything to take the pictures, which is pretty much the point.

I promise my dog is not evil

I have owned a Quik Pod for several years and love its compact nature. It easily slips in any bag I’m carrying and is very sturdy. I love the weight of it, because you know it’s not going to fail and leave your camera in pieces on the ground (the same can be said for the mobile attachment, which has an easy dial to keep your phone snug) and it is also a nice security device. You can’t bring a taser with you on your trip, but this awesome photo helper can double as a weapon if you need one. Now, I’m not saying you should go around beating people with it, but if you had to, you could. It’s especially comforting if you travel alone or you get caught in a zombie outbreak.

You know what other cool stuff you can do with your Quik Pod? If you purchase the Explorer, you can attach the included compact tripod legs and take pictures farther away or of an even bigger group of travelers. That’s perfect for those family reunion cruises people take or class trips to France. Nobody gets left out and you don’t have to perch your camera precariously on a ledge and hit the timer and run back to the group and still try to look good. I have used a lot of things as a substitute for a tripod on my travels: my purse, a fence, a window sill and a ketchup bottle. Yes, I’m creative, but it would have been way easier with one of these.

Take awesome photos or video of your underwater activities with your underwater camera. Not only is the Quik Pod Explorer II waterproof, it has a fantastic wrist loop that is rubberized and adjustable, so even if you lose your grip, it’s unlikely to fall off  your arm and be lost forever in the depths of the ocean. That would be a bummer. All your amazing video of you swimming with sharks and sea turtles...gone. You can bet those creepy bottom-of-the-sea fish aren’t re-watching that footage by their phosphorous antennae glow.

Want to take video of a concert or something else where the crowds are thick and you are short? Use the Quik Pod to extend your reach and see above everyone’s head without having to sit on someone’s shoulders and block the view of more people behind you.

As long as your camera or camcorder has a tripod dock, you can use the Quik Pod. You just screw it right on and you’re ready to take a ton of self-portraits! Want a new angle for your shot? Simply adjust it by turning the dial.

Here are some photos I’ve taken with my camera and my Quik Pod:

More information

Where you can buy it: Quik Pod online, Amazon, various international on and offline merchants

How much it costs: from $24.95

Other specs: comes with carry bag | weighs just 5 oz | 9” closed and extends to 38.5” | stainless steel shaft

Like Quik Pod and their great products? Find them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Disclaimer: I was provided a Quik Pod and mobile attachment for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Travel Light and in Style

Every time I go to an airport, I’m surprised by how few people have unique carry-on bags and even suitcases they check. Maybe they don’t want to stand out and like to read the tag on every bag that passes on the conveyor belt to make sure the one they are picking us is actually theirs. It could be that they just don’t care what their bag looks like as long as it holds clothes and rolls well. You don’t have to be a boring traveler, though. Let your carry-on say something about you and your personal style.

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Chances are, if you are hoping to save money on your trips, you are trying your darnedest to fit everything you can into a carry-on bag (and your purse). That means that you won’t be checking that bag and you’ll be dragging it everywhere you go – at least until you get to your hotel. Do you want to tote around some boring black bag that looks like everyone else’s and gets lost in a crowd? Sure, black goes with everything, but it’s much easier to spot a bag that is colorful and nobody will mistake your bag for theirs in the overhead compartment of the plane.

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Look for a bag that fits your needs and then find a color or pattern that fits your personality. There are going to be a million more bags that come in black than any other color, but that makes it a challenge and also will give you that much more satisfaction when you finally find “your bag”. I look for sturdy wheels, a long handle (since my husband may be pulling the bag at any point), a top and side handle for easy handling and separate compartments. I’m not one to be happy with a bag that is basically a box with wheels. I like pockets and separators and the ability to expand it if necessary. Make sure the bag you choose has a warranty of some kind and is built to last. There’s nothing worse than having luggage that falls apart when you are in the middle of your trip.

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Saving on travel is great, but your carry-on is not where you want to skimp on cost if you don’t have to. Find the bag, then find the deal on it. I say, if you end up paying $300 for a great bag that you love and is sturdy enough to last you for years, it’s worth it in the long run. A round-trip for your checked luggage can cost you an average of $50. Take six trips and your carry-on bag has paid for itself in fees you didn’t pay, because you could take it on the plane with you. It’s not often you will find a bag that retails for hundreds of dollars and not find it on sale somewhere, so make sure you shop around. Amazon often has great discounts on bags, but you can also browse the sales at eBags and other luggage outlets online. Don’t be afraid to check out eBay as well. Many times you will find a gently used bag or a brand new one for much less than other places online.

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Being the bag-lover I am, I have a selection of carry-on bags that I rotate when I travel. Some bags are good for one kind of trip and others for a different kind of trip. If you travel a lot, you may want to acquire a few. Each can reflect your personal style in a separate ways and work for weekend trips, longer trips or family trips. Maybe you’re taking a getaway with the girls where you will only need a few outfits and your beauty bag. It may be much smaller than a carry-on you take on a long vacation with your family. Don’t forget to check to be sure whichever bag you choose fits within the airlines’ carry-on size limits, too. A great carry-on will make you proud to haul it around airports and hotel lobbies and get you even more excited for travel than you already were. And once you get the right bag, you can start working on your vacation wardrobe!

Statement Pieces Can Lighten Your Travel Bag

Travel planning is not always a fun part of trips, but it is something that needs to be done in order to go on your trip. Many people hate to organize their travel and, even worse, pack. What to take, what not to take, what if it rains or you are invited to a fancy dinner? Nobody wants to look like a tourist on their trips and they certainly don’t want to look back at their vacation photos and wonder what they were thinking when they put an outfit together. There are ways you can look great and still pack light if you know how, and that’s with accessories.

At home you may use accessories as finishing touches, but on vacation, statement pieces can make a whole outfit take on a different look. Jewelry doesn’t take up that much space, so you can bring several key items that will give your plain and neutral clothing a big boost and pop of color. When you pack light, you have to make some necessary choices in what you take and what you don’t. Will you need that sparkly cocktail dress if you are planning on sightseeing all day? Probably not. Should you bring those stilettos that only work with one outfit and kill your feet after five minutes? Definitely not.

If you have a little black dress that is versatile – you can wear it to both a soccer game and high tea – then that is what you should pack. When wearing it for everyday jaunting around town, you can throw on a pair of sandals and go. If you find yourself suddenly going to a fancy dinner, change your purse, add some jewelry and you’re set. Statement jewelry is a great way to turn any boring outfit into something more fabulous. Do you tend to wear a lot of tank tops when you travel? Imagine how blah a plain black tank and jeans are. It works for sightseeing and staying comfortable. With a chunky necklace and a blazer or cardigan, you’ve immediately turned it into a date outfit.

Don’t go overboard with your jewelry choices, as you’re still trying to pack light. Two or three wow pieces are really all you need. The question you need to ask yourself is “When will I have occasion to dress up on my trip?” If it’s a business trip and you need to impress clients, you can definitely bring a few more items to look put-together and fresh every day. They won’t notice you’re wearing the same skirt suit if you wear a different top and necklace each meeting. In fact, with ballet flats being as popular as they are, you can definitely find a great pair that are comfortable for walking and also work for more formal occasions. You can wear them with everything, from shorts to dresses. They pack well, but are also perfect for wearing on the plane.

So, next time you’re packing and get a case of the “what ifs”, remember that you can stick to a neutral color palette and still look like a million bucks. Pack items you know you will need – four bottoms and five tops is the magic formula – and then choose a pair of shoes, a small clutch and your best statement jewelry to dress it up when the need arises. Just make sure you aren’t taking your most valuable jewels, because you don’t want your vacation ruined if anything happens to them. The goal is to look great, without making yourself a target for thieves. You can easily find beautiful pieces that are also budget-friendly. Who knew that you could look like a fashionista without checking any bags?