About
SwitchPod — The minimal, versatile, handheld tripod.
$415,748
4,148
Switch between handheld and tripod modes (and back again) in seconds.
Filming yourself is not easy. You’re often on the go with tons of people looking at you like you’re crazy while you hold a camera in your face. You’re used to the weird looks and eye rolls, but don't you wish your handheld tripod wasn’t so clunky?
We’ve designed something better. Meet SwitchPod.
SwitchPod is lightweight, compact, and nearly indestructible. It will save you time between shots so you can focus more on shooting and less on messing with your gear.
"From vlog mode to tripod mode IN SECONDS." - Peter McKinnon
"I'm never using my Gorillapod ever again." - Levi Allen VanderKwaak
"This is such a sturdy tripod... It's the only way to vlog. Seriously, it is THE tripod for vloggers." - Dave Altizer of Kinotika
SwitchPod works with any camera. No more fussing with tripod mounting plates, our embedded 1/4-20" standard tripod screw and tightening knob will help you attach any camera in seconds.
Opens and closes quickly. Move easily from shot to shot and waste no time setting up. Magnets help to keep the legs collapsed together while in vlogging mode, but are gentle enough that, with the flick of your wrist, you can easily switch to tripod mode.
Easy to hold. Finger grooves allow you to grip the SwitchPod at your comfort level anywhere along the neck. If your camera is heavy, choke up. If it’s light, slide down.
Non-slip feet. Discreet, recessed feet allow you to set your camera down quietly on a surface without it sliding away.
Quickly attach or remove your camera. The tightening knob allows you to switch cameras swiftly while ensuring that any camera is safely attached.
Take it anywhere. The thin and lightweight design allows you to easily slip it into any camera bag, pocket, or fanny pack (if you’re THAT cool).
Strong enough to hold heavy rigs and won’t sag. Despite its lightweight design, the SwitchPod is incredibly strong and made of an aluminum alloy (not plastic). It will support a heavy camera, lens, microphone, and more without breaking or slowly collapsing.
Add your own quick release plates or ball heads. Have a bunch of tripods with the same quick release adapters? Modify the SwitchPod by adding your own quick release plate. Need a ball head? You can add that too.
Accessorize. Use the two ¼-20" threads on the legs to add a mic, a monitor, an LED light, or your Hello Kitty keychain.
Ready to Roll. Turn your SwitchPod into a full video rig! (Note: We tried attaching a fax machine as well, but cable management was too much of a pain.)
- Weight: 11.1 oz / 315 grams
- Material: Aluminum (Alloy)
- Length in Collapsed Handle Mode: 11" long
- Size of Handle: 1.5" deep by 0.75" wide
- Size in Tripod Mode: 9.75" tall by 9.75" wide
- Color: Black
- Two ¼-20 threads for accessories
- Circle pad to protect base of camera
- Patent Pending
“You can have in any color as long as it is black." - Henry Ford
No, but really. Just black. Keepin’ it discreet, keepin’ it classic. We’re making just one size and one color for this first batch.
While attending a conference in late 2017 we noticed how many YouTubers and vloggers were walking around, using an item not meant for vlogging. We’d watch over and over again as people struggled to transition between holding their camera out in front of them and setting it down on a flat surface. What they were using was cumbersome, time consuming, and honestly, kinda hard to watch.
We thought to ourselves, “There’s got to be an easier way”.
But there wasn’t. So over the next 14 months we invented SwitchPod.
Since the initial idea, we’ve spent just over a year creating and testing prototypes, getting feedback from people who vlog all the time at events like VidCon and VidSummit, and fine tuning every feature meticulously into the final matte black, metallic prototype.
What started as crude sketches turned into CAD drawings. Then 3D printed models we could actually hold and eventually into working tripods.
We’ve tried different lightweight materials, hand grip sizes, mechanisms for keeping the legs in place, knobs for attaching your camera, and more.
Every detail and feature has evolved over the last year into the product we originally dreamed of creating.
We have completed our final design changes, selected our suppliers, have worked with the same manufacturers on our 4 final prototypes, and have our supply chain in place.
Once this campaign is funded we will place the order for the molds to be created and the manufacturing will begin.
In order to make them perfect and not rush through the process, we’re estimating 4 to 5 months until final delivery, which should be August or September 2019.
Pat and Caleb are both entrepreneurs and have been running online businesses for over 15 years combined.
Pat Flynn is best known for his blog and podcast Smart Passive Income, where he conducts income experiments and shares the results.
Caleb Wojcik runs a video production company and teaches creators how to make better videos through his YouTube channel and online courses.
They’ve worked together for over 5 years, during which they’ve launched online courses, digital products, books, and filmed a ton of YouTube videos. They both live in San Diego.
If you know someone specific or have an audience that would be interested in hearing about SwitchPod, we would love your help sharing this campaign with them. Thank you in advance!
For press inquiries about SwitchPod or this Kickstarter campaign please email pr@switchpod.co. Or download our media kit including photos, GIFs, videos, branding, and more below.
There are a bunch of people we’d love to thank that helped us turn our idea for SwitchPod into a reality.
First off, the team over at Prouduct. Thiefaine Magre, Richie Norton, Jase Bennett, and Cole Chamberlain. For their support, advice, expertise, and hard work from day one. Thank you.
Second, to all the people that saw early prototypes in person and gave us valuable feedback and recommendations. Levi VanderKwaak, Greg Farnum, Caleb Pike, Armando Ferreira, Casey Neistat, Peter McKinnon, Thomas Frank, Charli Prangley, Roberto Blake, Kitty Peters, Jason Vong, Dave Altizer, Connor McCaskill, Robert Campbell,Ben Sullins and anyone else we forgot to mention!
Third, our own team. Jen Wojcik, thank you for all the hard work on photos and other parts of this launch. And Tim Krupa, thank you all your help with editing and for always being a sounding board for good (and bad) ideas.
Make the switch.
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Risks and challenges
We are each successful business owners and are dedicated to bringing this to our backers as quickly as possible. All that being said. Sometimes things happen that are out of our control. And while we have alllll our fingers and toes crossed that the manufacturing and shipping process goes as smoothly as possible, if things do go wonky, we promise to keep you in the loop.
Supply Chain Risks: We’re working with an amazing engineering and manufacturing team that has brought many products to market, but things can happen, even with experts involved. Sometimes machines break. Sometimes the factory loses power. Sometimes the timeline isn’t totally in our hands and things can take longer than we’d hoped.
Shipping Risks: Weather is a thing guys. It can affect timelines. So can port closures and other uncontrollable factors. We’re willing to blow up a raft with a foot pump (not our mouths, we’re not savages) and paddle out to get boxes, but no promises that’ll speed up the process.
Acts of God: We’re based in San Diego. We’re prone to wildfires and earthquakes. Fingers crossed that if the San Andreas fault busts open and we don’t make it, the SwitchPods do. (Or The Rock saves them all.)
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Funding period
- (60 days)