Camera mount for iPad or tablet

Inveresk said:
This looks promising . . .

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/serialkickers/archmount-the-sturdy-ultraportable-tripod-mount-fo
Click to expand...

Oh, that looks spectacular!! I messaged them on Facebook to ask if it would fit my tablet, but then I found this video, and I'd pretty well say a yes. Key, which Asus do you have? He tried a couple in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-YwhzU1zx04

But it won't start shipping until May and I need it in two or three weeks. lol. Hopefully they will meet their goal.

So yeah, I think this is the one. Huge thanks for sharing it with me. I shared this thread with them in the message, so maybe they will post about it.

Update: I just backed it for $33 USD for the mount, the bracket, and shipping. I really hope it meets the goal.

keylight said:
NAB is not something I do every year, but it's really great for researching new tech and gear, and making decisions about where to spend limited $$ on equipment. I probably see/learn more about where to invest my limited $$ in equipment for the next year in three days, than I do the rest of the year.

And entrance (to the exhibits at least) is free with this link: http://registration3.experientevent.com/showNAB131/Default.aspx?App=EO&Passcode=SMI01

Hotel isn't too bad. I think I'm paying about $80/night. The plane ticket is the worst of it. But don't forget, this is all tax deductible as a business expense since you're in the business.
Click to expand...

So I could probably do two or three days for a little more than $500. Still, for that, I should probably take a "proper" vacation. (The little voice in my head is laughing at me for thinking I could take a non work related vacation, lol)
 
Last edited:
Looks very promising! I've got the Asus TF700 which is basically the same as the TF300 in terms of size, so it looks like it'll work. My only hesitation is that I don't think this would work very well mounting it so the tablet is horizontal to the ground. But honestly, that's a very small hesitation. I may have to back this as well.

Great find Inveresk! And thanks for pointing out the video Brandon!
 
Yikes! Only 7 days left and they're far from the goal. Hope they make it!

You know, I see they're based in Austin. With SXSW going on, I hope they try to get out there and it in the hands of people!
 
True. How would you be using it that you'd need it horizontal? You could get one of those little ball heads that moves around. And they have a 90 degree bracket that costs $5 more. I'm not sure exactly which way it works, but I went ahead and added the $5 in for it.

Yeah, they are at SxSW and are apparently getting good buzz from it. I was reading Kickstarter FAQs and it said that something like 85% percent of projects that reach 20% of their goal end up fulfilling their goal. If that makes sense. So I wonder if that's typical that it doesn't finish up until close to the end a lot of times. You know, how you wait on an ebay auction until it has one hour left before bidding?

They will be selling them, even if they don't succeed on Kickstarter. Here's the reply I received on Facebook.

Thanks for the interest! I have joined that forum and am awaiting full account activation -- you are the second person to catch a link to our Kickstarter from that forum.

We are very interested in producing this design for a variety of tablets, but have opted to start with the iPad. We will try to test the fit for you if we have not already. I have alerted Steve to your message -- he has more specifics about the fit.

If this is a must-have item for you, we will be able to get a 3D printed one to you regardless of the Kickstarter outcome. This can also have an earlier delivery date. By supporting us, you will be able to sign up for this 3D printing option before the end of the Kickstarter.

Thanks!
Aaron
Click to expand...
 
BrandonT said:
True. How would you be using it that you'd need it horizontal? You could get one of those little ball heads that moves around. And they have a 90 degree bracket that costs $5 more. I'm not sure exactly which way it works, but I went ahead and added the $5 in for it.

Yeah, they are at SxSW and are apparently getting good buzz from it. I was reading Kickstarter FAQs and it said that something like 85% percent of projects that reach 20% of their goal end up fulfilling their goal. If that makes sense. So I wonder if that's typical that it doesn't finish up until close to the end a lot of times. You know, how you wait on an ebay auction until it has one hour left before bidding?

They will be selling them, even if they don't succeed on Kickstarter. Here's the reply I received on Facebook.
Click to expand...

Good to hear they are at SXSW. Hope they reach the goal. I've backed the project (with the metal bracket). Also hope they'll supply a variety of lengths on the bunggie cord thing.

I agree, it isn't very clear about the bracket, but I think this is what it's doing. That's a tripod head mounting plate attached to the back or L-bracket:

L-plate.jpg
 
Hi all, this is Aaron, from the team producing the ArchMount. Thanks for all your interest! I am attaching a couple of pictures to clarify the construction and use of the ArchMount with the iPad.

Regarding shooting in portrait:
Keylight essentially has it correct -- with a couple of differences. The first photo shows the bracket. On the bottom, it has a flat base that extends along the entire flat region of the base of the ArchMount, for stability. The portion that sticks up from the bracket base fits into a cutout in the ArchMount, and has a through-hole for the tripod screw. So the tripod screws directly into the threads of the ArchMount. The system is extremely stable, as the ArchMount is secured at two points (also at the back).

This stability, while precluding the iPad from rotating into the portrait mode along its back-mount, also means that you can adjust your tripod to shoot portrait, just as you would your SLR -- by adjusting the tripod head itself. This is actually very stable.

Regarding shooting using a horizontally-mounted ArchMount (for document scanning, say):
To mount the iPad horizontally, you do not need a 90-degree bracket. The back of the ArchMount will directly connect to the 1/4-20 screw of your tripod.

Again, thanks for your interest! I will try to make myself available for any future inquiries!

Best regards,

Aaron


bracket.jpgbracketphoto.jpghorizontallyu.jpg
 
BernsteinAC said:
Hi all, this is Aaron, from the team producing the ArchMount. Thanks for all your interest! I am attaching a couple of pictures to clarify the construction and use of the ArchMount with the iPad.

Regarding shooting in portrait:
Keylight essentially has it correct -- with a couple of differences. The first photo shows the bracket. On the bottom, it has a flat base that extends along the entire flat region of the base of the ArchMount, for stability. The portion that sticks up from the bracket base fits into a cutout in the ArchMount, and has a through-hole for the tripod screw. So the tripod screws directly into the threads of the ArchMount. The system is extremely stable, as the ArchMount is secured at two points (also at the back).

This stability, while precluding the iPad from rotating into the portrait mode along its back-mount, also means that you can adjust your tripod to shoot portrait, just as you would your SLR -- by adjusting the tripod head itself. This is actually very stable.

Regarding shooting using a horizontally-mounted ArchMount (for document scanning, say):
To mount the iPad horizontally, you do not need a 90-degree bracket. The back of the ArchMount will directly connect to the 1/4-20 screw of your tripod.

Again, thanks for your interest! I will try to make myself available for any future inquiries!

Best regards,

Aaron
Click to expand...

Hi, Aaron

Thanks for that. I'd like to make a suggestion.

I have only one tripod and it was expensive - four figures. It rubs the wrong way to have to buy a junk tripod specifically for the Archmount when I have several light stands and mic stands that are perfectly suitable for that purpose. I'd much prefer a bracket that would allow me to use one of those stands rather than a tripod.

That might not be part of your development plans at the moment but if your project manages to reach critical mass, you might just want to canvass views on this site and others as to how popular, or otherwise, that might prove.
 
Inveresk, thanks for your suggestion!

We chose a 1/4-20 screw mount to conform with tripods. However, it is such a standard mounting option, that you can get an adapter to 1/4-20 for just about anything.

Here is a short link for an adapter for a microphone stand. It is metal, and $10. http://bhpho.to/JzMbO6

microphone adapter.jpg

Perhaps we should have offered such solutions and individual tiers in our Kickstarter -- we are offering a new tier now that includes a tripod.

Please keep up the suggestions, this is all great feedback for our effort!

As a quick reference, here is a shortlink to our Kickstarter: http://kck.st/WC5izH. There are only 5 days left.

Best regards,
Aaron
 
BernsteinAC said:
Hi all, this is Aaron, from the team producing the ArchMount. Thanks for all your interest! I am attaching a couple of pictures to clarify the construction and use of the ArchMount with the iPad.

Regarding shooting in portrait:
Keylight essentially has it correct -- with a couple of differences. The first photo shows the bracket. On the bottom, it has a flat base that extends along the entire flat region of the base of the ArchMount, for stability. The portion that sticks up from the bracket base fits into a cutout in the ArchMount, and has a through-hole for the tripod screw. So the tripod screws directly into the threads of the ArchMount. The system is extremely stable, as the ArchMount is secured at two points (also at the back).
Click to expand...

Ah yes.... seems much more stable that way!

So.... in the youtube video Brandon found (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=-YwhzU1zx04) it looks like this fits on the Asus TF300/700 but will need a slightly longer cord. I see that you've done a double up pack for those who want both red and black, but I'm wondering (assuming it gets funded - fingers crossed!) would you consider doing some kind of simple accessory pack for various colors/sizes on the cords?
 
Keylight,

For the purpose of our Kickstarter campaign, we will work with those buying the ArchMount intended for another device. That is, we can assemble the ArchMount with bungee lengths that will work with different devices. However, we will not be able to guarantee a fit in the sense of not blocking buttons, ports, camera or microphone inputs until we try the ArchMount with particular unhindered devices (the ones in the video were shackled by anti-theft devices). It is nice that the bungee hooks can be shifted sideways along the edge of the device to keep features unhindered, but the ArchMount plastic arch itself is less flexible, potentially blocking power ports, etc.

We indeed want to generalize to other devices the features that make the ArchMount so useful for the iPad. It is reasonable to follow your suggestion, Keylight, and supply multiple bungee packs for a single ArchMount. We will look into it!

Modifications such as the hook profiles to, say, attach to thicker devices, is a step in the development of the ArchMount that will require more time.

We may set up an online survey to determine which device to design for next.

Best regards,
Aaron

[This post is in response to interest in our $22, 3.5 oz, ArchMount iPad tripod mount, currently funding on Kickstarter. Shortlink: http://kck.st/WC5izH]
 
Thanks for posting here, Aaron. I think I probably speak for most of us that have Android tablets, that having charging ports not line up correctly is to be expected and just comes with the territory, so no issues there. I wouldn't ever expect to need to charge it at the same time, any way. Hitting buttons would be an issue if it make the screen go off or the volume bar stay up on the screen, but just looking at the pictures, I think I'm probably in the clear on that.
 
Brandon, thanks for the feedback! It is clear to us now that we must make a compatibility table, with details such as which ports are blocked (or not!) and make appropriate bungee lengths available sooner rather than later.

Testing the ArchMount on multiple devices in rapid fashion is just a wee bit hard for us to do, as showrooms have items shackled to their shelves. We'll keep you up to date.

For those who haven't found it, here is a preliminary compatibility test on our youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/serialkickers. The second video is the same as the one found on Kickstarter (http://kck.st/WC5izH).

Best regards,
Aaron




[This post is in response to interest in our $22, 3.5 oz, ArchMount iPad tripod mount, currently funding on Kickstarter. Shortlink: http://kck.st/WC5izH]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top