Murray On Travel

Gadget: SteadePod Review, a Stabilizer for Cameras

The SteadePod is a small plastic device a little smaller than a pack of cigarettes.  It screws into your tripod mount, from the bottom of the unit comes a thin flexible steel cable with a plastic tab about 2.5 inches long.  After you have extended the cable,  stepped on the tab at the end of the cable with your foot, and locked the cable feed mechanism, you pull up slightly on the camera and the power of this little device is revealed.

Just a small amount of upward pressure does miracles for camera stability.  I've tried it on a Canon G11 compact and a D200 with excellent results.  I've also connected the SteadePod to the tripod socket on a 70-200mm Nikon 2.8 VR zoom with some success.  When your done you retract the cable into the unit and move to your next shot.

The key feature of the SteadePod is it's size and that it can ride along in your camera bag or vest pocket, when taking a tripod or mono-pod might be impossible.  Not just because you might not want to carry the weight many locations won't allow you to setup a tripod.

Below is a photo taken inside St. Peters Basilica in Rome Italy.  The photo was taken at ISO 400, f2.8, 1/13 of a second with a Canon G11.  I could have increased the ISO sensitivity and stepped up the shutter-speed, but that would have added noise to the photo.  With the SteadePod attached I was able to handhold this shot with no problem.

Below is an area enlargement with some software based image enhancement.  As you can see the image is very good for hand held at 1/13 of a second.

Below is an image taken of me taking the above photo with the SteadePod attached.  Image taken with a Nikon point and shoot with flash.

I like the SteadePod.  More details at the Steadepod.com site and here is a link to a YouTube video.  But another another home-grown option can be considered. In this article you can read about making it yourself using an eye bolt and some rope.

The folks at SteadePod sent me the unit I've been using at no charge.  Below you can buy the SteadePod, or an impressive Canon G11 like mine.  You support this site by using the Amazon.com ad/link below. Thanks, Bruce.

   

Travel Gadget Review: Driving Gloves from Bionic Gloves

Six months ago Bionic Gloves sent me a pair of their driving gloves to review and write about.  Bionic's parent company is famous for making the world famous Louisville Slugger baseball bat and ball gloves.  I never thought I needed driving gloves for my travels but I'm surprised how much I have used them. 

They came in really handy driving in snow and heavy fog in the mountains near Lake Arrowhead California.  During a long trip across the desert to Las Vegas Nevada.  I also used these driving gloves for several other extended drives.

I'm not sure what the effect is, but they feel really good.  Better than just wearing a pair of standard gloves.  As you can see in the photo the palm and fingers are not just flat pieces of leather.  Bionic Gloves calls these "anatomical relief pads" that help reduce hand fatigue and improve comfort.  And I agree that they do help a lot.  These gloves also protect your hands from sun exposure and provide an increased grip on the wheel.

You can find more information on the Bionic Gloves website www.BionicGloves.com .  A good video on the site describes the technology behind these gloves.  They are also known for their golf gloves.

Additional Photos Of The Pacsafe Bag

Two months ago I reviewed the security features built into Pacsafe Bags. Since then I have received several emails with questions. Here are additional photos of the security mesh built into these impressive bags from Pacsafe. You can read my original Pacsafe Bags Review here.

 

Above you can see inside the bag after I sliced open the green fabric that covers the front of the bag. The security mesh wraps up from the bottom covering the front of the bag.

Here I cut away the thin white fabric that covers the security mesh. You can see the wire and the metal connector that binds the loops of wire together increasing its strength.

The back of the bag is made of several layers of fabric. On this specific bag it consists of 4 layers that were easy to cut. Since this side of the bag is designed to be against your body a security mesh isn't needed. Also any items that were in the storage pocket on the backside of the bag would make it tougher to cut.

The sides of this Pacsafe Bag are also reinforced with a metal security mesh. This area has very little exposure but it is also well protected.

Here is a close-up shot of the strap with the fabric covering cut away from the security wire. I was unable to cut this strap with a large heavy knife. I also tried cutting it with a pair of wire cutters from my tool box. I suspect the only thing that would cut this cable would be a pair of heavy duty lineman pliers. And even with those you would have to cut each wire separately.

This same security mesh is used throughout the Pacsafe line of travel bags, backpacks and other items. When traveling I can't imagine another product that would provide a higher level of utility and security.