I love magic arm clamps of the camera mount world these things are the most versatile mounts around. But they vary in quality and capability.
This mount is top of the pile. The clamp opens and closes fast and clamps down TIGHT. It doesn't move. I use these on my bike to mount action cams. But I also use them in my studio to mount lights and cams to an overhead rig. My cams stay put with this. The clamp opens wide for larger bars and small enough that I can clamp it to the rear triangle of my bike.
The magic arm on this looks a little different but it is strong. The clamp on it grips down snug and holds the cam in place. It's got the capability to twist and turn in many directions, not all of these clamps can do as many directions as this one. You can really get the cam into a lot of angles easily.
Once you get it where you want it, it stays there.
Also, it's built to last with replaceable o-rings on the balls and grub screws at many mounting points.
Speaking of mounting points the clamp has 4 1/4 20 holes spaced around it, so you can add a light onto the clamp or an extension pole to really add more use to this clamp.
This might be the most versatile clamp in my kit, and I'm going to use only these from now on. he combination of ease of use and replaceable parts it a game changer.
This mount is top of the pile. The clamp opens and closes fast and clamps down TIGHT. It doesn't move. I use these on my bike to mount action cams. But I also use them in my studio to mount lights and cams to an overhead rig. My cams stay put with this. The clamp opens wide for larger bars and small enough that I can clamp it to the rear triangle of my bike.
The magic arm on this looks a little different but it is strong. The clamp on it grips down snug and holds the cam in place. It's got the capability to twist and turn in many directions, not all of these clamps can do as many directions as this one. You can really get the cam into a lot of angles easily.
Once you get it where you want it, it stays there.
Also, it's built to last with replaceable o-rings on the balls and grub screws at many mounting points.
Speaking of mounting points the clamp has 4 1/4 20 holes spaced around it, so you can add a light onto the clamp or an extension pole to really add more use to this clamp.
This might be the most versatile clamp in my kit, and I'm going to use only these from now on. he combination of ease of use and replaceable parts it a game changer.
22/04/2024
Pros:
-- Looks great
-- Versatile
-- Can mount 'most anything...camera, phone, GoPro, etc
-- Modular, re-configurable
-- Well designed
-- Fun to use!
Minor cons:
-- I wanted to move the clamp ball head to the other 1/4" mounting hole, but it took pliers to get it unscrewed (and yes, I removed the set screw first). It continued to require pliers all the way out, partially stripping the threads in the (aluminum) clamp. Likewise, it took pliers to screw into the other hole. (Other 1/4" mounting holes on the clamp jaws accept 1/4" screws just fine.)
-- The two rubber pads on the jaws are only parallel if you're clamping to something about 2" wide. Otherwise, only the tips of the jaws make contact. Keep a few scraps of inner tube or similar handy, to improve grip on smaller supports.
-- In my opinion, the threads for the jaw clamp should be finer; at max tightness it still feels like it might not hold... Current real life example: I have a tripod attached to the ceiling of my studio to facilitate recording time-lapse videos as I work, and I've used this clamp to attach my camera to the tripod head in a more convenient position for what I'm doing...but I also attached a lanyard to the camera in case the clamp loosens unexpectedly.
But overall I still like this kit better than any of the other ball clamps, vari-angle mounts, and so on in my existing adhoc collection—making it a 4.6 rounded up to 5 star item. Would recommend.
-- Looks great
-- Versatile
-- Can mount 'most anything...camera, phone, GoPro, etc
-- Modular, re-configurable
-- Well designed
-- Fun to use!
Minor cons:
-- I wanted to move the clamp ball head to the other 1/4" mounting hole, but it took pliers to get it unscrewed (and yes, I removed the set screw first). It continued to require pliers all the way out, partially stripping the threads in the (aluminum) clamp. Likewise, it took pliers to screw into the other hole. (Other 1/4" mounting holes on the clamp jaws accept 1/4" screws just fine.)
-- The two rubber pads on the jaws are only parallel if you're clamping to something about 2" wide. Otherwise, only the tips of the jaws make contact. Keep a few scraps of inner tube or similar handy, to improve grip on smaller supports.
-- In my opinion, the threads for the jaw clamp should be finer; at max tightness it still feels like it might not hold... Current real life example: I have a tripod attached to the ceiling of my studio to facilitate recording time-lapse videos as I work, and I've used this clamp to attach my camera to the tripod head in a more convenient position for what I'm doing...but I also attached a lanyard to the camera in case the clamp loosens unexpectedly.
But overall I still like this kit better than any of the other ball clamps, vari-angle mounts, and so on in my existing adhoc collection—making it a 4.6 rounded up to 5 star item. Would recommend.
20/04/2024
The jaw surface is fixed so on small objects forms quite an angle. Otherwise well made and looks good.
13/04/2024