So since I'm a media man myself, I thought it would be handy to have an in-car tripod, for my camcorder especially, but they don't sell them, so I thought I'd make one myself. When you think about it, the top lid of the dash makes a perfect stand for the tripod I'm wanting to install.

but I have a little question, how do I remove the top lid piece of the dashboard?

 

serach for trail guide install and you will see how to get that top piece off. hope that helps.

hmmm i'm having a hard time finding it now.I'll let you know if i find something.

 

The windshield side pulls straight up, you have to put something down the crack and gently pry it up. Once its up pull it towards you to unhook the front. That electronic gizmo inside is your compass. Some things mounted above it screw up the readings.

 

The Stickypod works well, and reasonable cost compared to pro dash mounts.

Jeff

 

Although I didn't buy it for use in vehicles specifically a Bogen Super Clamp works great, and it doesn't tie you down to just one mounting position. You can clamp it to a variety of places. I use it a lot when I travel when taking a tripod is impractical. I've clamped it to everything from bumpers, to street signs, fence posts, tree branches you name it.

You need a tripod head to attach to the clamp, but it will work with any threaded head. I use a Bogen Ball head with mine.

Here are some pics

First just the clamp:



Clamp with my new Ball Head:



Clamp with a 3 way pan head:



It does not require a flat surface to mount to. In the picture you will see a wedge on the top part of the clamp. That pops out to allow it to clamp to something that is not flat. This is very strong and will hold my gigantic digital SLR (Canon EOS 1D MkII) with most of my lenses in pretty much any position. Combined weights around 6-10 lbs. The only one I haven't tried with it is the big 300mm f/2.8. That would be somewhere around 14-15 lbs I suspect with the camera. Most likely it would work fine as long as it was mounted like these pictures, on a flat surface. I don't think I would want to risk that much weight mounted sideways to say a fence post.

 

crap... I forgot about the compass

that looks great, though I'm wonder if it's possible to mount that on the dash. the director one looks great though a bit pricey

that certainly looks great but how can I clamp that in the car?

 

You probably would not be able to mount the super clamp to the dash. There is nothing really for it to grab on to. But, the soundbar, rollbar, above the windshield, door pillars, they are all options.

Over the weekend I'll take some photos of it mounted to various places around my JK and post them here so you can get an idea.

 

I have this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t the $69.95 one for strength (6 lb holding) and the ball head. Though I have not tried to mount a camera in the Jeep, you can wrap it around lots of things. I would think that it would hold a camera attached to the "sport bar" just fine.

 

I don't know much about camears, but if there's a way to invert/flip the camera (otherwise camera would be above windshield) this might be a possible solution for the super clamp.
Pic was in a current thread about CB mounting solutions ($4.00).

 

Not to get too off topic but check out the girl in the stickypod link on the right hand side of the page She looks like she really is ready to take your order It's funny how they market stuff..

Back to the topic..