Palms-on with the brand new Platypod eXtreme: Digital Pictures Evaluation

The Platypod Excessive, with hinged legs gripping a log and a Platyball Ergo head (not included) connected on high.

Platypod (noun)/ plæt̬.ɪ.pɑːd / A compact digicam assist system for heavy hundreds; helpful when a tripod is simply too large or cumbersome. The identify Platypod is derived from the Greek πλατυποδια (platy-podia),, that means ‘flat ft’.

eXtreme (adjective) /ɪkˈstriːm/ Larger than the standard diploma or quantity. Capitalizing the ‘x’ signifies much more extremity.

Platypods are the brainchild of Larry Tiefenbrunn, a medical physician and avid photographer who sought a light-weight, stable and handy machine to maintain his heavy digicam gear secure with out taking over an excessive amount of room in a bag. The concept of a easy metallic plate with adjustable ft turned the unique PlatyPod Professional, which was adopted a number of years later by the Platypod Max for even bigger gear and the Platypod Extremely for smaller areas and cameras. Most not too long ago, this family-run firm has launched the Platyball inverted ball head, with one mannequin incorporating the world’s first digital stage in a mechanical ball head.

The Excessive within the extra conventional Platypod kind, with leg spikes firmly screwed into three of the obtainable holes to create a mini tripod. (Be aware that one leg continues to be stowed in reserve.)

Key specs

Easy and versatile design

The Platypod Excessive is basically a 5mm thick, aircraft-grade aluminum plate, with a fused titanium 3/8″ bolt within the middle to just accept a tripod head and 4, spring-loaded metallic hinges for the multi-angle ‘legs’. As with all different Platypods, these legs are 57mm (2.25″) threaded stainless-steel spikes with rubber ft on their reverse ends to be used on quite a lot of surfaces. The hinges differentiate the Excessive from the equally sized Platypod Max, permitting for very fast deployment of the legs at preset angles, together with straightforward packing of the entire meeting as a comparatively flat package deal contained in the included neoprene sleeve.

The aluminum plate has cut-outs to just accept straps and carabiners, eight 1/4” threaded holes for widespread photograph equipment (together with the 4 1/4” threaded spikes and the crossnut male-to-male adapter), in addition to 4 countersunk, unthreaded holes for screwing the Platypod on to an object. It additionally has a 3/8” threaded gap close to the middle to mount it on to a tripod or video slider and useful screen-printed graphics subsequent to every cut-out or gap to point the supposed use.

The sturdy 3/8″ threaded titanium bolt within the middle accepts nearly all tripod heads, from large gimbals to easy posts. Included within the package deal is a dual-ended, male-to-male 1/4′” threaded cross-nut adapter, which might convert any of the 1/4″ threaded holes on the plate right into a stud for mounting equipment or small attachments. As well as, Platypod Professional LLC affords risers for bigger or wider heads, in addition to gentle stand adapters, purpose-made straps, goosenecks and cellphone clamps.

The pull-out hinges can place the legs perpendicular to the plate, or 30° ahead or backward from the vertical, in addition to practically horizontal for stowage or to maintain the underside flat.

Hinged legs with spiked ft

Whereas the Platypod Excessive is sort of secure on flat surfaces with the hinged legs of their horizontal, stowed place, it offers fast assist for a lot of different surfaces when the metallic hinges are pulled out and repositioned with the legs under the plate. The preset angles permit the legs to make a secure trapezoid with the plate or match the angle of an incline. With every threaded metal leg capable of be adjusted individually, the plate could be fine-tuned to be nearer to stage, even when the underlying floor will not be. Including a tripod head on high permits for much more management when leveling digicam gear.

The 4 spiked ft have a everlasting rubber pad on their reverse finish to be used on surfaces that may be scratched by the sharp finish, in addition to a knurled tightening nut to lock down the place of every foot in its threaded gap. These ft can stay threaded into the rotating leg hinges or eliminated and screwed into the threaded holes all around the plate (or any mixture of the 2).

The spring-loaded, pull-out hinges have preset angles that time every leg 30° ahead or again from perpendicular, straight up and down, or nearly horizontal for storage. There’s a slight indent for the sharp finish of the spike when within the saved place to maintain it from grabbing on something whereas not in use, and small rubber security caps are included to forestall unintentional harm from the spikes.

The assorted threaded holes on the Platypod Excessive can settle for its legs or any accent that makes use of the 1/4″-16 commonplace threading.

First impressions

Whereas the Platypod household of helps is uncommon, their use is much like another mini tripod, besides that Platypods can maintain a lot heavier gear. The important thing distinction with the Excessive is that setup and adjustment are a lot sooner when used as greater than only a flat plate with digicam gear connected. The general measurement and weight are much like a small pill pc (or phablet), and the included neoprene sleeve and carabiner make it straightforward to hold or stow in a bag.

As with all mini tripod, a Platypod comes into its personal when used for low-angle photographs and supporting gear in tight areas, however the Excessive could be screwed into partitions, strapped to poles or bushes, and even arrange on angled surfaces with the legs tilted to accommodate. The slim design and light-weight imply it may be saved in a journey or climbing bag with out including a lot bulk. Moreover, the Platypod Excessive skirts round any restrictions on conventional tripods in lots of public or non-public areas, primarily as a result of there’s nearly no method it may be referred to as a “tripod” with 4 legs and a flat plate, and it’s far much less more likely to impede others within the space.

A heavy digicam and lens could be difficult to steadiness on some surfaces, however the Platypod Excessive plate by no means bends or flexes beneath affordable hundreds. The scallops in the back and front put among the floor space ahead for assist the place a lens can be, however for much longer lenses and complex setups would require extra balancing or counterweights added.

The one lingering query is how nicely the hinges will maintain up by tough or continued use. Platypod Professional LLC states that the springs inside are stainless-steel, so there’s little likelihood for corrosion, however the nature of an adjustable shifting half means there’s some wiggle that can not be tightened away till weight is placed on the legs. After all, the stainless-steel legs could be screwed into any of the eight threaded holes on the plate and firmly tightened down with their lock nuts, much like the earlier Platypod fashions.

A historical past of profitable crowdfunding

Due diligence is all the time really helpful earlier than backing any crowdfunding venture, as outcomes aren’t assured. Nonetheless, the Platypod Excessive is the fourth product from producer Platypod Professional to be launched by a Kickstarter marketing campaign, following the introduction of the Max and Extremely Platypods in 2017, and the Platyball heads, introduced in 2019. Earlier campaigns have been efficiently funded with most merchandise delivered inside the anticipated timelines. The Platyball head was delayed as a result of worldwide pandemic shutdown however has additionally been efficiently delivered to backers in an improved kind and can be reviewed right here within the close to future.

The Platypod Excessive is obtainable to Kickstarter backers who pledge at the least $119, with increased costs for earlier supply and backerkit extras. The workforce estimates that delivery to early chook backers will begin in Could 2022 and that the eventual retail value can be $149. You could find out extra by heading over to the Kickstarter marketing campaign.

Disclaimer: Bear in mind to do your analysis with any crowdfunding venture. DPReview does its greatest to share solely the initiatives that look respectable and are available from dependable creators, however as with every crowdfunded marketing campaign, there’s all the time the danger of the services or products by no means coming to fruition.