JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Review: If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution to start creating travel content then then this Kit is a great place to start.

{Tech} for Travel
JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Review for TikTok. {Tech} for Travel. https://techfortravel.co.uk
<em>JOBY Mobile Vlogging Kit Image Tech for Travel<em>

JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Review – $199/£179/€199

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Smartphones are incredibly powerful and handy devices, and over the years, they have replaced those point ‘n’ shoot cameras and camcorders we took with us to capture our holidays and travels.

Then, as social websites grew, it became more common to share this content with friends and family. So now it’s easier to take and show off.

Most travellers will be content with using only their smartphone and maybe an app or two to tweak before sharing. Still, some will want a more professional finish, and this is where the JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Kit comes into play and why I was keen to review it.

Is it worth the effort and space to carry and set up before recording an event, or is it better suited to content creators?

JOBY Mobile Kit Features

I’ve long been a fan of JOBY products and was a customer way before I reviewed them. I liked the Vlogging Kit because it proves as a cost-effective way of getting all of the essential JOBY items needed to get started.

JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Review. {tech} for Travel. https://techfortravel.co.uk
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and has all of the cables & connectors needed to get going consists of:

Individually the main items retail collectively at $204.94/£195.85 before adding the cables, connectors and travel pouch to keep them all in.

GorillaPod® Mobile Rig JOBY

At the heart of the kit is the GorillaPod® tripod rig, one of the most versatile tripods on the market with its patented ball and socket design. It can bend, twist and grip most surfaces, parallel or vertical, and stays in place thanks to the rubber feet and raised edges on the ball joints.

On first use, I found the tripod stiff to adjust while adjusting it to the position I needed it in. But after some help, they slightly loosened and were easier to manoeuvre. I’ve continued to use the GorillaPod Vlogging Kit beyond the review period, and these joints haven’t reduced any further, so I’m confident it’s just stiffness in the new product phase only.

Each of the three feet is finished in the same rubber coating and has plenty of surface area to provide a sturdy frame for any peripherals attached. At the top of the tripod is a 1/4″ screw connection.

The second half of the rig contains the smartphone mount and two “arms”, both with a 1/4″ connection on the end. With the Vlogging kit, you’ll get a cold shoe and GoPro mounts, both of which can be attached over the 1/4″ connectors.

The GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Kit lets you rig up your phone and give your content real impact. Specifically created for owners of the latest iPhone or Android phones, you’ll have everything you need in one box.

JOBY
// Media JOBY YouTube Channel.

Beamo Mini LED Light for JOBY GorillaPod

The Beamo Mini LED is by far one of the best all-around mobile lights I’ve used and reviewed at this price point. It’s made from an Aluminium shell with a rigid plastic back panel that forms a waterproof case up to 30m.

As a part of the JOBY Mobile Vlogging Kit, the Beamo comes with a diffuser and a 40cm USB-A to USB-C charging cable. To ensure the waterproofing on the light, the USB-C port on the light is first filled with a removable rubber plug and sealed with a red plastic clip.

Inside is a single LED capable of reaching 1,000 lumens when at full power. On the left side are two buttons to control the brightness, which I found trickier to use with larger fingers.

There’s a single softening diffuser included in the kit, and whilst it does make a notable difference, the fit onto the Beamo light isn’t great. I found it easy to knock off when I adjusted the JOBY Mobile rig arm with the light on. A minor annoyance, admittedly, but one that means it could be easy to lose when you’re filming outside and moving around.

The good news is that the power performance was relatively consistent with JOBY’s benchmark, which states around 100 minutes of power at 50%. What I found more impressive was the standby time. I left almost two weeks between using the Beamo whilst reviewing the JOBY Mobile Vlogging Kit, and it still had over 70% power remaining.

Around the exterior of the Mini LED is another cold shoe mount and a 1/4″ thread socket. This means using one to connect to the rig, and the other is free to support another peripheral.

JOBY Mobile Vlogging Kit review and Beamo Mini LED light. {Tech} for Travel. https://techfortravel.co.uk
<em>Beamo Mini LED Diffuser Image Tech for Travel<em>

Under the backplate is a magnet that I found suitable strong enough to hold its weight and let me use the Beamo Mini LED off the rig.

Wavo Mobile Microphone

If video quality is poor, that’s bad, but if the audio is inaudible, it’s worse, and this is why JOBY has included the Wavo Microphone into the Vlogging Kit. This “shotgun” style microphone is made from aluminium and comes with TRS & TRRS to work with smartphones and DSLR cameras.

The red plastic support is not the most robust piece of plastic and may break if excessively packed/unpacked for use which could be an issue as this is the only way to mount the Wavo mic to the JOBY Vlogging rig. On its base is a cold shoe mount with a 1/4″ socket.

Alternatively, the mic can be unclipped and held while you’re using it. You’ll need to extend the TRS/TRRS cable, though.

I tested the Wavo outside on a breezy day, using the windjammer, which is also included, and there was a notable improvement to my video audio. This might not be the first accessory most would consider for a smartphone, but if you’re generating content for your brand, blog or social channel, you’ll need it.

Wavo Mobile microphone with windshield for better audio on smartphone videos. {Tech} for Travel. https://techfortravel.co.uk
<em>Wavo Mobile Mic Windjammer Image Tech for Travel<em>

myJOBY App

The free to download JOBY app isn’t part of the Mobile Vlogging Kit, but I gave it a test during the review and whilst it’s by no means the most powerful or feature-rich app for video capturing, it did have some upsides.

As I mentioned earlier, the Beamo Mini LED is difficult to control with big fingers; the app can sync the light to your smartphone via Bluetooth. The set-up was very quick and easy. I wish some Bluetooth earbuds would connect that fast!

If you choose to use the myJOBY app, it can record video, both standard and slow-mo, and capture images but offers little to no control over the settings. When you’re using one or more JOBY lights, you can create scenes with them by configuring each light brightness, strobe and flash setting, then bundling them into a group for a more accessible selection.

A Great Gen Z Gift

I can see the benefit of travelling with the JOBY Mobile Vlogging kit, but do accept it might not be ideal for all who don’t want the hassle of a short set-up. There is one group it is perfect for, though. Gen Z.

This age group of kids and teens only knows digital and are more adept at sharing social content than any generation before them. If you have or know any, then there is a good chance they are used to capturing and recording content already, either for a school project or in trying to become the next Tik Tok star.

No matter the purpose, and with the holiday season just around the corner, the JOBY Mobile Vlogging Kit and a simple secondhand smartphone would make a perfect gift!

Best mobile rig for TikTok videos. {Tech} for Travel. https://techfortravel.co.uk
<em>GorillaPod works almost anywhere Image Tech for Travel<em>
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JOBY GorillaPod® Mobile Vlogging Kit Specifications

GorillaPod® Mobile Vlogging Kit
Dimensions33 x 12 x 8cm
Weight540g
Colour OptionsBlack
MaterialsAluminium
Zinc Aluminium
ABS Plastic
Polyurethane
Hytrel®
TPE & TPU
Smartphone supportMin Width – 61mm
Max Width – 100mm
Wavo Mobile MicWeight / 7g
Dimension / 8.1 x 2.2 x 2.2cm
Output / 3.5mm
Colour / Black+Red
Sensitivity / -31
Signal to Noise Ratio / 76m
Beamo Mini LEDWeight / 110g
Dimension / 3.9 x 5.1 x 5.1cm
Battery / up to 100 mins
Charge / USB-C
Colour / Grey
Lux@1m / 470
LEDs / 1
Waterproof / Yes to 30m
Lumens / 1000
App myJOBY Android | Apple
In the BoxGorillapod Mobile Rig
Beamo Mini Light
Wavo Mobile Microphone
TRS Cable (DSLR camera)
TRRS Cable (smartphone)
Lightning Adapter
Cold Shoe Mount
GoPro Mount
USB-A to USB-C Cable
Travel Pouch

Where to Buy?

The JOBY Vlogging kit is available direct from JOBY at 9/£179.

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Features
8
Design
8
Ease of Use
7
Price
5
Travel-Worthy
4
VIATom Payne
SOURCE{Tech} for Travel
Tom Payne
Tom, Editor. An online publication providing news & reviews on apps, gadgets and luggage for the connected traveller.
review-joby-gorillapod-mobile-vlogging-reviewI'm a big fan of JOBY and the Mobile Vlogging kit is just another reason why I like the products so much. However, I don't think this is going to be for everyone. The ease of use with smartphones today has made many of us lazy to any additional effort, which is what some travellers may see the kit as. But if you are committed to improving your travel videos or are a content creator, which is who the kit is bundled for anyway, then it is a must-have travel accessory. Each piece is strong and robust enough to stand the test of time and will not fall apart on you. While the myJOBY app could do with more work, anyone making good use of the Vlogging kit will likely be using other apps to capture content, this all in one package will only enhance the finished product.

2 COMMENTS

  1. That a great selection of GorillaPod items for vlogging. I’ve read about GorillaPod before, great how you described each piece of this kit., It really covers all the basics of everything you’d need for vlogging

    • Thanks for the feedback, Paul. It’s a great selection making it the perfect starter kit for vlogging or making TikToks.

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