Growing at the Speed of Failure
4-Year-Old Makes Amazing iPhone Tripod Mount
I waited until the iPhone 4G came out since I wanted to replace my digital camera, Flip HD video camera & digital voice recorder. I’m glad I waited.
About 3 months ago I searched online for a decent tripod mount for my iPhone – since it takes such amazing video. I wanted to get one that would work in different situations and even without a tripod. I finally decided to make my own. I use it almost every day now and it works awesome! Why is it so great?
- It is pocket size
- You cannot pull the vacuum seal off a clean glass surface – it locks into place. You would have to try very hard to remove it!
- It doesn’t require a special iPhone case, glue, sawing, drilling or working with metal
- It works for both the front and rear facing iPhone & iPod Touch cameras
- Simple 5 second assembly
- Clamps on to other objects when you do not have a tripod
- doors
- microphone stands
- cabinet doors
- guitars hanging on the wall
- chair backs
- shelves and more
So what does it look like? Here are some photos…
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount on a Professional Tripod - Back View
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - on Professional Tripod - Top View
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - with iPhone 4G Attached to mini tabletop tripod (not included)
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - Assorted Colors
How it can be used…
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - Used for LIVE Ustream Video Show (on tabletop tripod - not included)
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - LIVE Ustream Interview
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - Capturing Video (on tabletop tripod - not included)
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - Holds Your Talking Points Just Below Lens (on tabletop tripod - not included)
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - Hold iPhone While Editing Video (on tabletop tripod - not included)
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount - Holds for Audio Recording & Interviews (on tabletop tripod - not included)
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount Works for Both Front or Rear Cameras (on tabletop tripod - not included)
I bought a bluetooth Keyboard for my iPhone so I can replace my netbook. I will be using the setup above to hold my iPhone at the perfect angle while I type on an external keyboard.
What if I don’t have a tripod?
Mini tripods can be purchased online for as little as $1. They are great for shooing from a shelf or tabletop. Larger tripods start in the low $20 range and go up to hundreds of dollars. Since the 4G models are lightweight, you can use any tripod. But if you don’t want to get a tripod, it can attach to other things.
What else does it mount to?
Pretty much any vertical surface 1 1/4″ thick or less.
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mounts Clamps to Cabinet Doors
AJ's Cool 4G Tripod Mount Clamps to Hanging Guitar
Video of AJ Assembling the AJ’s Cool 4G Tripod Mount.
Click image to play QuickTime Video shot on iPhone
Video of AJ Shopping for Supplies.
AJ Shopping for Supplies
Why AJ?
Over the last several months AJ has shown an interest in understanding money and how it works. He has sold me his Lego creations and loves playing store. After purchasing a dozen Lego space ships and cars from AJ over the last few months, I decided to take it up one notch and teach him something about…
- Creating something that generates money not based on dollars per hour
- Counting
- Savings
- Responsibility – filling orders
- Working with adults
- Creative thinking
- Being on camera
- Demonstrating concepts
- Explaining his thoughts & ideas more clearly
- Giving Back – 10% goes to World Vision
He got so excited when I talked with him about this idea. Providing him with an outlet seemed like an adventure we’d both enjoy.
I grew up on a dairy farm and started picking sweet corn and selling it on the highway with I was 7 years old (read the story here). I absolutely loved it.
Now you could order the parts and put them together yourself, and you would save yourself about $1 – except for the time it would take to drive to the hardware store and build it yourself. It’s easy – a 4-year-old can put it together!
What is it?
- A mini clamp with suction cup
- 1/4″-20 Screw (20 threads per inch) standard tripod screw
- Threaded Rod Nut
That’s it! No drilling, no soldering, no glue.
The materials to make these tripod mounts and the packaging were all paid for by AJ. He does not get paid an allowance, but for house work and money from birthdays, etc. Like the sweet corn model, this is a way for AJ to get a taste of having his own little business with NO MONETARY RISK. What he doesn’t sell and is unopened can be returned to the retailer.
So, with that said I want to also give anyone that visits this page a little iPhone 4G & iPod Touch 4G shooting guide. I made it a a .pdf so people can download it onto their iPhone or iPod Touch and keep it there as a handy reference.
Free iPhone 4G iPod Touch 4G Tripod Mount Instructions & Tips 2.0 [pdf]
Here is what it contains:
- How to Assemble the iPhone & iPod Tripod Mount
- Before Shooting Checklist. Don’t get caught shooting a great video only to have it cut off by an incoming Facebook comment push notification. Pretty much every other function on the iPhone supersedes the camera function. Learn how to save yourself a lot of headaches
- For a complete 17-page iPhone video production guide (FREE) visit iPhoneVideoProducer.com
Free Complete 17-Page iPhone Video Production Guide
Here is an opportunity to not only get a great quality product for yourself, but can also give one or more to friends. You can also know that you are supporting a child’s first business venture and that ALL of the proceeds will go towards savings or his next business venture.
AJ has chosen to give 10% of all profits to World Vision.
If you want to get a SmartPhone tripod mount for yourself, order below.
Mount works only with Non-porous surfaces
ONE OR MORE ITEMS PER SHIPPING ADDRESS OR NOTE DIFFERENT ADDRESSES TO SEND PRODUCTS TO.
PayPal charge will be from my wife Fiona Peters
We only have 12 in stock and ready to ship (anywhere in the US) ASAP – otherwise there will be a 4 WEEK WAIT FOR BACK ORDERS.
Only $7.97 + $2.00 shipping and handling sent first class US Mail.
Remember; AJ has chosen to give 10% of all profits to World Vision
Guarantee: If product is defective or you don’t like it, send it back! Customer pays for return shipping.
Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any damaged equipment due to misuse or failure of mount. Always check that the base is secure before each use. I use it several times a week for my video production and this has never happened to me.
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Facebook comments:
very use full information. thank you.