The Pedco UltraPod II Tripod is a light and robust tripod explicitly designed for photographers on the move. It’s sturdy and does what it’s meant to perform, and offers an array of possibilities. It doesn’t matter if you’re a visitor who doesn’t want to carry a bulky tripod outdoors, or a backpacker looking to lighten their load or a photographer who is fond of using off-camera flashes, Ultrapod II is a handy small gadget.
Search this keyword associated with this gadget, and your timeline will be flooded with positive reviews about it. But isn’t it worth it? Can the technical aspects be counted on when you are in the middle of your adventure in the field? Here is a genuine review about Pedco UltraPod II covering all aspects.
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Pedco UltraPod II Review – Simple but Effective!
Pedco UltraPod II is hands down one of the best travel partners for avid backpackers and travelers who are photography enthusiasts.
This tripod is designed to work with significantly larger cameras and camcorders that weigh up to 6lbs. It features sturdy legs that fold out and have non-slip feet made of vinyl to ensure that the tripod stays in its place firmly while taking photos.
It folds down to 7 inches, weighs just 119g, and is a highly compact and lightweight device. It’s sturdy, with a small number of moving parts that can break or lose, and is lightweight and compact enough not to be noticeable but still carry around with you. Do not let its folded size deceive you. It’s more than sturdy enough to keep the weight of a DSLR steady.
Feel free to tuck it away in every camera bag without extra weight and bulk. And to ensure the user experience even further, it comes with a sturdy Velcro strap that can be used to secure your camera to railings, tree limbs, or fences, as well as various other objects similar to.
Most importantly, it is reasonably priced. You do not have to spend a fortune to buy just one accessory. It is priced so low that it shouldn’t burden your wallet even to purchase several of them.
Here is the breakdown of all the pertinent features of Pedco UltraPod II.
The Salient Features of Pedco UltraPod II:
Design
The tripod’s height when it is in collapsed form is only 7.1” (17.8 centimeters). It can be extended to a peak at six feet (15.2 millimeters) and weighs 0.26 lbs (119 grams), with the capability of supporting a maximum weight of 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms). The Pedco Ultrapod II is a light camera tripod that folds up and can be easily tucked away in the water bottle compartment in any bag.
It is fitted with the standard screw (1/4 1/8″) to mount, which means it works with most camcorders and cameras available. The body and legs are constructed of a black nylon resin, which appears quite durable.
The whole package is extremely robust, especially considering its lightness. The fabulous scratch-resistant build makes sure that you do not find any scratches even after a long time of usage. Overall, the Pedco UltraPod II is a simple yet highly efficient design. Its versatility, coupled with its lightweight and compact size, makes it an easy piece to transport. It’s not a replacement for a traditional tripod, but as it’s intended to be, it’s an outstanding design.
Legs
In contrast to the GorillaPod, the L-shaped legs can’t be bent. Instead, they can be folded out as the standard tripod or bundled together to form one stack. This nylon resin has a smooth finish, is pretty sturdy, and comes in handy in almost all shooting circumstances. The rubber tips at the feet’ ends effectively prevent the tripod from sliding across the entire surface, ensuring it stays right in place and providing the camera with maximum stability. These rubber-coated feet can withstand uneven terrain without issue.
A feature that pleased me as a photographer is that Pedco UltraPod II legs are larger and heavier than the other leg of tripods in the same category. This allows the use of longer lenses, i.e., professional photography – telephoto lenses. The legs fold down and can be slung over fences, trees, or other solid objects to ensure stability. The sturdy legs are fixed to the base and have protection, the grip feet. Its single knob adjustment, as well as ball socket, can be adjusted to nearly any angle.
The Ball Head
Pedco UltraPod II ball head is categorized as “Mini,” but it is much more giant than it appears for usability and performance. If the camera is mounted onto the screw, it’s easy to adjust the ball’s settings to achieve the angles you would like to utilize, as well as it provides lots of options. This is useful for the flush-mounted cameras (either onto the screw mounting or a camera that has the flash inside the hot shoe).
The mini ball head has a 360° panning motion, a +/- 90° tilt adjustment, and a +/- 20° angular adjustment. A 1/4″-20 threaded screw attaches it with the camera’s tripod mount.
Velcro Straps
Pedco UltraPod II comes bundled with “Hook and Fastener” Velcro straps. Velcro lets a tripod be attached to anything that has the size of about 1 or 2 soda bottles. These not only make carrying around easy but also can be used to secure your camera to railings, tree limbs, or fences, as well as various other objects similar to it.
Performance
Since UltraPod II folds up like a knife and features the shape of an L, it can be used as a handheld stabilizer. Attach a camera onto the back, and then set the legs on your wrists. This is especially useful when you’re out and about or shooting video and having trouble with low light.
Another feature that adds significantly to the versatility of the UltraPod is the remote trigger. The trigger can be used for anything from stunning macros (because the UltraPod can be much closer on the ground than other tripods) to long-exposure photos without the risk of camera shake.
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One other noteworthy feature is that you can also use it for holding the lights besides your cameras. The UltraPod II screw-mount is compatible with all flashes. It is possible to attach an external flash with it anywhere you want securely. Pedco UltraPod II can be used to place your flash at a 45-degree angle with the camera, to create backlights, or even three or two-speed lights to create an illuminating scene.
Naturally, you won’t be able to get photos that are much higher than the ground in the absence of anything to connect to. This means that you’ll need to be creative in the lack of trees or posts surrounding you. But, it’s not something to worry about; shooting from that far down offers a different perspective that will be the best part of the enjoyment of the shoot with this tripod.
Usability
UltraPod II is hailed as very user-friendly. But if you are already using some other tripod for a while, you need to get used to certain things.
For instance, there’s just one knob that controls how the camera is placed on its legs, as well as the tilt and yaw angle of the ball-and-socket head. It gets particularly difficult for beginners and amateurs when the entire device is connected to one thing. It can be a little tricky attaching the tripod and camera to an object when it’s already connected. Attaching the Velcro is a process that requires two hands, and you need to keep all the items in place simultaneously.
It’s probably not too much for smartphones, flashes, or point-and-shoot cameras; however, it is also evident that the placement of the Velcro on the strap has created an even more limited attachment option.
The tripod’s feet held up well, even on wet rock surfaces. There will be no issue while moving it around with the cameras. On the ground, it is highly robust, even with a bit of wind. When you attach the Velcro, it will be even sturdier.
Portability and Grip
Because of its size, Pedco UltraPod II can be used as a top gadget to go wherever you want to go. Lightweight and strength make it highly adaptable. It comes with rubber feet on the bottom that keep it in place to be used on all surfaces. So long as you have something you can strap it to, you’ll be able to keep the camera stabilized.
Pedco UltraPod II Specifications:
- Maximum Safe Load: 6 lbs
- Pan Adjustment: 360 degrees
- Tilt Adjustment: +/- 90 degrees
- Angular Adjustment: +/- 20 degrees
- Dimensions (folded): 7″ x 2″ x 2″, 17.8cm x 5.1cm x 5.1cm
- Weight: 4.2 oz., 119g
- camera Mounting Screw: 1/4″-20 Male
- Vertical Tilt: +90° to -90°
- Panning Range: 360°
- Leg Sections: 1
Pros:
- Ball head locks well
- It fits any camera with a tripod socket
- Fully adjustable and versatile
- Unique ball and socket camera mount assembly positions camera at any angle
- Molded from black nylon resin with aluminum threaded components
- Compact and lightweight
- Fold-out legs with non-slip vinyl feet
- Indispensable for hiking and general travel
Cons:
- No durability of the strap
- Flimsy
- Not build for bigger lenses
Conclusion
Are you finding a perfect photography partner for your adventures? Pedco UltraPod II is the answer for you.
It is also lightweight, sturdy, and light on the pocket with a very clever design. No matter which camera you are using, if it is within the maximum weight limit of this tripod, Pedco UltraPod II will ensure that you always get crystal clear footage. Well-worth the money <– Affiliate Link 🙂
