Platypod - Beanbag Pod - Mini Tripod anyone use one

Facebook thought I needed to know about this gadget and has 'pushed' it to me several times. I use the 'boost' feature of Facebook for our Children's Centre it works for us but it can be annoying when vendors use it repeatedly to push the same thing out to me. A case of I can give it but don't want to take it eh? anyway I guess repeatedly suggesting I NEED one of these has me thinking - see annoying ads work. .....

BUT I'm not sure I'd buy one of these Platypod Proâ„¢


I may make my own. Looking at it we are talking a flat bit of steel and adjustable screw legs.

I did look on their website about the advantages - travel's easy - very low level shots.

But this looks like a DIY project I could manage to make and save $50 (not sure if that is CDN$ or US$).


But before I buy or build I thought I'd ask if anyone uses something like this.



There is also a beanbag type. Here is one THE pod Tripod Alternative - beanbag with a bolt travel




And ya gotta love Amazon.CA - for a mere $5,821.28 (+S&H) you can have one by Apex: https://www.amazon.ca/Apex-89815900...id=1462710410&sr=8-6&keywords=camera+bean+bag


It is camo so that makes it worth whatever anyone wants to charge for it. Note this is the just the "mini" version. Designed to be used on your car window. ... for almost 6 grand I could buy a car to put it on.


The PlatyPod would be easy to make. The POD at $30 is cheap like borscht. DIY Platypod would require a ballhead or something else to mount the camera adding to the cost.

Question is if these are worth it. Anybody use one?

Plus I already have one of those small travel tripods


That one does fit into my Tamrac backpack. Not the worlds best but small and stable enough.

We do hike, especially when we go camping.

The "platypod" could also be used for creative very low level shots.

And I like to tinker so building one could be fun.

There was some talk here a couple years back of 'ground pods'.
http://nikonites.com/photography-q-and-a/19917-ground-pods.html?highlight=ground+pod#axzz484ZLW7xE
My thoughts were creative ground shots and just setting it the table on our deck for whatever comes along during coffee time. I was planning to make one similar to that in the youtube video mentioned in the thread above. I never seem to find the spare time. I've got the rubber feet and a spare small ball-head compatible with my plates. I might add a means to quickly fasten it to the deck rail as well.

You can do the same with a large ziplock bag and popcorn kernels.