My common sense may have deserted me when I was onboard Cebu Pacific flight 5J527 and 5J528, but my friend’s dad didn’t and he bought Cebu Pacific’s mini flexi-tripod. I managed to succesfully pester Anna to meet up so we can compare the two tripods.
All I can say is that I am glad that I bought the original Joby Gorillapod. After seeing, feeling and trying the cheap imitation, I was relieved that I invested on my tripod.
The Original Gorillapod in grey, the Cebu Pacific Mini flexi-tripod in orange
At first glance they really look similar. Same size, same design. The flexi-tripod (a.k.a. Goofypod in some countries. What the heck?), can copy any position the Gorillapod can. It also comes with that clip thing to attach the camera to the tripod. And it comes in colors! (I bought my Gorillapod before they came out with the colored version. Boo!)
Bent over
That’s where the similarity ends, though. When handling the Gorillapod, one of the first things you’ll notice is that it’s pretty hard to position the legs. Not because it’s not flexible, but because it’s (for lack of better word), tight. In contrast, the flexi-tripod is very very loose. Think of it this way: the flexi tripod moves like a graceful dancer, while the Gorillapod is dacing the robot.
With my antique A70 loaded with 4 AA-size battery
This, however, plays a factor on how stable the tripods are. The Gorillapod with its strong joints, as well as its grips makes it a really stable tripod. The rubber grips of the flexi-tripod, on the other hand, is very smooth, which makes it prone to slipping. Don’t get me wrong, you *can* still use the tripod; it’s not totally useless. I was able to put my rather heavy Canon Powershot A70 on it and it managed to stay upright. I doubt that I would use it if I’m to attach the tripod to a chair back or a winebottle.
In the end, I am not regretting my decision to shell out Php1,400 for my Joby Gorillapod. Afterall, I am getting quality for that price. The flexi-tripod can be used as a regular tripod, but you don’t buy a Gorillapod-like tripod just to use it in the conventional way, right?
Anything you can do, I can do as well. Though not necessarily better.
You don’t have to get onboard a Cebu Pacific flight to buy this flexi-tripod. I was at Quiapo last Saturday and saw similar tripods being sold at the photography shops around Hidalgo. The point and shoot version sells for Php 450, while the SLR version costs Php 1,800 at Henry’s Cam (fronting SM Carriedo). Remember, you get what you pay for.
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This is a well-photographed review. I appreciate that you clearly showed side-by-side performance in identical positions.
nice comparison, i bought Cebu Pacific’s flexipod on our way back from bohol (colored gray like your original hehehe) but i haven’t checked its performance yet, i’ll know if its good after the holy week coz im going to test its endurance ;p
will let you know of the result, pero cheaper pala if you buy it sa plane coz it only cost less than 200
Hi Nina! Nice comparison post!
Galing mag sales talk ah hehehe 
Cute ng photos. I would like to try the tripod for the DSLR..still don’t have one yet.
David: Thanks! It’s ironic though, I had two tripods with me and nothing to use when I took photos of them
pusa: Good luck! I’m looking forward to reading your review!
dyanie: Nyahaha, so, bibili ka na ba?
ajay: Still don’t have what? The DSLR or the tripod? Uuuy, naka SLR na siya
Are they tripods !? For me, it looks like some Hollywood movie with creatures from other planets.. :-)
Nice review.
Great review Nins! Admittedly, the el cheapo version is still attractive to me, since it is, el cheapo, pero kung nasa 450 or so na, I’d rather not spend. Do you think it performs the same way as my teeny tiny el cheapo tripod? (I’m crossing my fingers you still remember it.) Or is it flexible enough to add functionality not attained my by tripod?
Oh yeah, the Joby one, they have different versions for point and shoot and DSLRs?
Veerasundar: They’re tripods indeed! You can make it cling to different objects
kaoko: I actually didn’t attempt to attach the camera to the flexi tripod while it’s attached to something. The A70 was pretty heavy and the flexi tripod was already straining under its weight even if it was just upright. But you’re using an Ixus right? You *might* be able to attach it to things, but maybe not attempt any daring positions? The Gorillapod has a bigger version for DLSRs and DSLR with zoom lenses. They’re so much bigger than the Gorillapod for P&S, but not so much bigger that you can’t put it inside a bag.
Ahahahahahaha.
Guess what — I didn’t use it at all during the holidays!
Ah wells. It’s PhP180.
Anna: I dunno why Cebu Pac is selling it for so cheap on their flights. The ones they’re selling at the camera shops wouldn’t THAT much better, right? hmmm..
Good review, but why don’t you test out the generic one on a real photoshoot? Bring it somewhere and tell us how it failed or how you found ways around its shortcomings. Because we’re left pondering whether the generic one is a cheap alternative or simply a waste of money.
Hi Chris! Well, first off, the tripod wasn’t mine, so I had to work with my friend’s schedule
; And after seeing how slippery the grips are and how soft it felt, I don’t feel all that confident proping my camera on it, be it the A70 or the Ixus. Oh, and I was told that the A70 (and similar cameras) are too heavy for the Gorillapod, so it would probably be too heavy for the flexi tripod as well.
Just got the generic Gorillapod a couple of days ago. This is my “quick-fix” article to make it perform.
http://mailboxck.multiply.com/journal/item/47/Taming_the_Beast
The camera in the pictures is a Canon A85 loaded with 4AA Rechargeable batteries. Mind you, it can also support my Canon Powershot S5 after the modification
. Cheers
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