More Than Just a Vlogging Tool: We Review the PGYTECH Mantispod Pro Tripod

by Nicco Valenzuela October 28, 2023 0 Comments

Having a reliable portable tripod is always great for those just-in-case moments. With hundreds of options on the market, let’s take a look at why this particular tabletop tripod just might be one of the most convenient options around.

Tabletop tripods are one of those accessories that you don’t really always need, but can make a world of difference when they’re available when the need arises. With the growing popularity of individual video content creators and vloggers, portable tripods have gotten more popular since they fit perfectly in the casual run-and-gun workflow of many creators. However, these tools are definitely not limited to that particular use, and this uniquely made one from PGYTECH certainly has a lot more to offer for both photographers and vloggers.

The MantisPod Pro

The PGYTECH MantisPod Pro is a foldable mini tripod made out of magnesium and aluminum. In its folded form, it serves as a vlogging handle with a length of around 250 mm, depending on the actual position of the ball head and the angle of the mounting base. When used as a tripod, it has a maximum height of 230 mm from the tip of the legs up to the quick release mounting clamp and can further be lowered to 140 mm when the legs are spread wide open. When this angle is maximized for handheld vlogging, it has a full extended length of 350 mm as a vlogging grip.

The MantisPod Pro weighs 334 grams, comparably heavier to the simpler variant that is just 262 grams because of the difference in the head assembly. However, this 334-gram tabletop tripod can carry up to 2.5 kilograms of camera gear with enough friction provided by the ball-jointed head. The combination of the magnesium- and aluminum-based materials seem to be a good choice in order to be able to support such a payload. Even with portable tripods, it is important to find the right balance between being light and being sturdy and using lighter (or less dense) material might also mean being able to carry less weight or being more susceptible to being affected by forces such as the wind.

The central joint of the tripod has a 30 mm unlock button that allows the main mounting platform to tilt forward and back for more flexibility with angles. On the opposite side is a cold shoe mount that can be used for microphones, triggers, remotes, or small lights. On the proximal end of the main leg of the tripod is a small black button that unlocks the central joint in order to widen the spread of the legs of the tripod. When in the default configuration, the main leg of the tripod has roughly around a 45-degree angle from the vertical axis, once the button is unlocked, it can widen to either 135 degrees or 180 degrees, with corresponding audible clicks when securely locked.

The aluminum ball head comes with a unique curved lever that follows the contour of the column of the head itself. This is instead of the typical friction knob that usually comes with most tripods that usually give tripod heads more bulk. Above this lever is a rotating platform with angle markings on which the main quick release clamp rotates on when the panning knob on top is released. The quick release mounting clamp is arca-swiss type compatible and is easily unlocked with a simple release button with a secondary friction switch on the side that secures the mounting of the plate.

On the side of the mounting platform where the ball head is connected is a silver button that releases the head when loosened through the friction knob on its base. Once released, the head can be moved to the alternative port found on the outer surface of the main leg that is covered by a silicone flap. Moving the head on this part then allows the user to extend the distance between the camera and the handle for a relatively wider perspective when doing handheld vlogging.

Finally, on the inner surface of the main leg is a removable smartphone clamp with a standard thread that can be used on the supplied mounting plate, and right below it is the retractable 40 mm x 20 mm hard plastic mantis arm which allows the tripod to hang from railing and ledges up to 90 mm thick.

Functions

The most basic function of the Mantispod would of course be as a vlogging handle or shooting grip. In this configuration, the presence of the ball head gives added flexibility with shooting angles so that the user can keep it at a comfortable height in combination with the chosen angle on the head. This function can then be extended by moving the head on to the alternative port and straightening the angle of the legs to allow for more distance between the user and the camera for a wider perspective (still depending on the actual lens being used).

Another function would be as a simple portable tripod that can be placed on any relatively flat surface for shooting without actually holding the camera or alternatively just using the tripod for either stills or videos not necessarily facing the user. For added stability or a relatively lower shooting angle, the legs can be spread further apart to achieve a lowered mode. This lowered mode can also be a good option for shooting extremely skewed low POV shots because the lowered center of gravity can provide better stability to the camera even when shooting with significant tilt.

Lastly, this tripod offers what the brand calls “Mantis mode,” wherein the accessory appendage within the main leg acts as a way to latch onto railings and thin surfaces in order to position the camera on more surfaces, especially when flat surfaces where the tripod can stand are not available. This Mantis mode offers more ways to keep the camera steady for stills or videos, as long as the mounted camera is within the prescribed payload and the surface on which the camera will hang from is stable enough for it to hang.

Application

I personally purchased the MantisPod Pro as an additional option for shooting talking head videos outdoors, especially when I’m travelling. I’m really not comfortable with holding the camera while moving around, but it is good to know that I have that option whenever needed. For the most part, I wanted to use the Mantispod for a flexible setup, either for taking self-portraits when I travel or shooting talking head videos from more comfortable angles if and when I’m able to find an appropriately high ledge or rail that I can hang it from.

However, what came as a pleasant surprise was the fact that since the MantisPod’s maximum load can actually carry a full-frame camera with a standard sized lens, this tabletop tripod became a very handy alternative to my tripod when I found myself shooting in places that don’t allow using full sized tripod. In my recent trip to Hanoi, I explored some of the nicest elevated views from rooftop bars and restaurants and unfortunately most of them would stop you from setting up a tripod. Luckly, they allowed me to hang the Mantispod on the glass ledge, and switching the head’s position between the two ports allowed me to comfortably shoot long exposures for the blue hour to capture the cityscapes that I was searching for.

Overall, this is perhaps the most feature-packed mini tripod available in the market, and this unique design allows the user to be more creative in shooting from unusual places. Such a portable tool would be easy to bring around even in combination with a full sized tripod, but the considerable weight capacity definitely allows it to function pretty much like how a tripod would.