Imagine you’re at this great educational event with your Fiip Ultra HD video camera and want to do an interview with the keynote speaker, Thomas Homer Dixon (author of the The Upside of Down:  Catastrophe, Creativity and the Renewal of Civilization).  And then it hits you — you forgot to bring the tripod!  It’s a bit of a sinking feeling when you realize you’re going to get shaky footage.

So what is one great solution?

Get the Gorillapod SLR Zoom!  I can tell you from experience of researching the other tripod options that if you want a good travel tripod this is the best on the market right now (I nearly blew my eyes out searching).  Here are the top 10 reasons to make this your travel tripod of choice.

First off you can…

1.  Use It Practically Anywhere

You can use your camera or video recorder anywhere because the Gorillapod’s legs can bend in any way you want and lock tight.  You can hang it upside down, wrap it around a branch, stick it to the railing and change the legs around so the camera is stable.

What kind of straight legged tripod can pull that off?  Even if you’re rock climbing you can make use of your camera with this handy beast.

And this thing is…

2.  Strong

Every version of the Gorillapod can handle a heavier camera up to the SLR Zoom — a 60 mm lens or 6.6 pound camera (the SLR version does 30 mm lens ones).  For a little mini camera like the Flip Ultra HD this would be considered over kill.

Even with extra bells and whistles like a ball head, the Gorillapod is up to the test.  One professional photographer had this to say:

Although it will take a large ball head, that does add to the weight you are expecting it to support. I attached my 20D with a 24-105 lens and with a 70-200L lens and used it as a tripod to start with. With the legs bent slightly outward in the middle to give added strength, it is surprisingly strong. It took the weight of the combinations without a problem. It supported in my case 6 pounds 3 ounces – the Canon 20D with grip and the 70-200 lens in my tests.

For the cost of maybe $10 more compared to the Gorillapod (basic) it’s definitely worth it if you intend to get a better recorder or camera in the future.  Reviewers on Mountain Equipment Co-op’s Web site all say you should get the strongest version SLR Zoom if possible.

And as a bonus it’s…

3.  Small

With the legs straight, side by side you can get this down to about 10 inches (25 cm).

Meaning that it’s…

4.  Easy to Pack

Packable into a Blur sling pack of course!  And if you want to get creative you can play with the legs until you can fit it in any kind of space or bag.  If you’ve got a camera bag or large pocket you’re totally set for the great outdoors.

Not only that it is…

5.  Super Light

The Gorillapod weighs only 1/3rd of a pound.  Even the SLR Zoom feels like a feather weight compared to tripods I’ve lugged around before.

So now you can…

6.  Carry It Anywhere, ALL the Time

Because it’s so light.  Now you can stick it in your everyday carry bag along with your digital camera or Flip Ultra HD and voila, instant videographer!

And have you personally missed a photo opportunity for yourself?  Because the Gorillapod is…

7.  Good For Group Shots

So you never ever have to miss those holiday shots in the first round.  Same for when doing a video by hand just makes no sense.

And it’s also great for…

8.  Time Shutter Release Shots

Because you can keep the camera steady as the countdown begins.  Like you heard before you can hook this thing any way you want.

And just to sweeten the deal it has…

9.  Options

Well you have the option of getting 3 different versions of the tripod (basic, SLR and SLR Zoom).  Frankly get the strongest one money can buy so you have rock solid support.  The Gorillapod also comes with 2 screw mount options for 1/4″ and 3/8″ so you can stick on any camera.  That works well with the Flip Ultra HD, which uses 1/4″.

And it can come in…

10.  Environmentally Friendly Packing (If You Want)

This “unpackaged” version skips the blister packing for $5 less.  Interestingly enough, the SLR Zoom always comes this way while the lighter versions come with or without extra packaging.

So in conclusion…

The Gorillapod SLR Zoom is one of the best travel tripods by far.  Other ones are harder to adjust and can be more unstable.  Anyhow, dozens of people have given this tough little guy great ratings on Amazon.

It’s definitely great for amateur photographers and video enthusiasts especially those who use a Flip Ultra HD for recording.  So what are you waiting for?  Go grab one now and get the best shot while on the go wherever you are!

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