MicroJib adds another twist on GoPro pole mounts
The GoPro camera accessory maker is back on Kickstarter with three new poles to add more life to your movies.
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The MicroJib might look like an average GoPro pole mount, but a simple twist of the handle shows it's much more.
Instead of keeping the camera fixed at the end, you can use the MicroJib's handgrip to tilt your GoPro up and down or pan it left and right a full 360 degrees. The pole extends from 16.5 to 33.5 inches (42 to 86 cm) and the handle can be locked in place so you can use it as a typical pole mount, too.
The original MicroJib was a successful Kickstarter project, and now the company is back on the crowdfunding site with three new products: the MicroJib 2, MicroJib XL and the Flow. The 2 is essentially the same as the first MicroJib, but with smoother movement and a removable wrist strap that's attached by a standard tripod mount. It's also now safe for water use. The MicroJib XL has the same features as the 2, but extends from 22 to 60 inches (56 to 152 cm).
The Flow doesn't have the MicroJib's pan-and-tilt mechanism, but claims to be the first extendable floating handgrip for GoPro cameras. Collapsed it's just 6.5 inches (16 cm), but will extend to 23 inches (58 cm).
At the moment you can get in on early bird contributions, which puts the Flow at $24 and the MicroJib 2 and XL are $79 and $109, respectively. Those prices convert to about AU$30 or £20 for the Flow, AU$100, £60 for the 2 and AU$140, £80 for the XL. The products are expected to ship to backers in October.
I've used the original MicroJib and it's certainly worth getting if you want to get more creative with your GoPro. That said, CNET's reporting on crowdfunding campaigns is not an endorsement of the project or its creators. Contributing to a crowdfunded project comes with risk. Before contributing to any campaign, read the crowdfunding site's policies, such as those for Kickstarter and Indiegogo, to find out your rights (and refund policies, or the lack thereof) before and after a campaign ends.