Sticky Pod Mini Setup and Review

-- This is an old post I wrote last December. Since then I've used my Stickypod many times and I love it. --

Some years ago I wanted to shoot video while riding the motorcycle. There were guys doing it on YouTube using self-made mounts but at the time I wasn't able to make one and I couldn't find a secure, ready-made, affordable mount, so I moved on to other things.

But recently I bought a new Fujifilm Finepix S4500 point-and-shoot camera that does video too so I wanted to try it again but this time in the car. I tried it first with my camera setting on a bean bag on the dash but there was some video shake and it wasn't secure - I was afraid the camera was going to roll whenever I made a turn.

So I did a google search which took me to the Sticky Pod website and the Mini was in my price range (inexpensive) so I ordered it and a few days later I'm on the road taking video.

But after seeing the first couple test videos, I saw I had to solve the problem of shaky camera (really bouncing camera).

The Fujifilm S4500 weighs 15.8 oz and with the 4 rechargeable NiMH batteries and memory card add maybe another 4.5 ounces, so all together, well over a pound. When I drove over anything but an absolutely flat surface, the rubber suction cups allowed the weighty camera to bounce.

So for some smooth video I realized I had to tie down the Sticky Pod Mini. And this is what I finally came up with.

I started with a length of paracord and tied a bowline knot to make a loop at the top to hold one side of the platform. At the other end, I wrapped the paracord around the car hand-hold and just made a knot. The video was greatly improved, virtually no shake, so I added a second piece of paracord to hold down the other side.

But I needed a way to slightly tighten or loosen the paracord lines while keeping them both taut. I googled some more and found the Nite Ize Figure 9 Small line tensioner.

I bought these from a nearby REI store. Check out this video when I first tried these out on my way home from the store.

The Nite Ize tensioners aren't really necessary though. You can use an Adjustable Grip Hitch Knot or something similar to keep your lines taut.

But I do use the Nite Ize Figure 9 tensioners because of the cold nights.

Now the Sticky Pod suction cups are strong. And boy, do they securely hold onto the window while I'm driving! You can go to the Sticky Pod website and YouTube channel and see for yourself. I completely trust those suction cups to hold the glass... except through a cold night parked in front of the house.

It's December here in Michigan and when I've gone to the car in the morning, the Sticky Pod Mini has come loose from the window and is on the front seat. So the Nite Ize Figure 9 tensioners let me quickly and easily remove the lines then reattach them. If I used an adjustable hitch, I would have to untie and retie both knots. So the Figure 9 tensioners make it easier.

I also use the Sticky Pod on the front window and luckily there's a hand-hold right there to use as a tie down. But if there's no way to tie the Mini down, you could try a bean bag underneath on the dash to stop the camera bounce.

One problem I've found with shooting out the front window is the sun glare that causes a reflection of that front vent and speaker on the video. But I've got a solid black t-shirt I lay down on the dash to solve that.

One nice benefit of the Sticky Pod Mini is that your camera does not attach directly to the platform. So I don't have to take everything apart if I need to take some quick still shots.

The Mini comes with this black plastic piece (see below) that screws into the camera's tripod mount. And it's not so thick that I have to remove it to put the camera in my small camera bag. (...though the way my Fujifilm S4500 is constructed, I have to loosen it to remove the memory card and batteries. Not a big deal though.)

See the beveled end on the right (above) - when slid into the platform, that angle helps hold the mount down.

And those two circles on the left (below) are magnets.

When you slide the mount into the platform, the magnets hold to the metal pieces in the platform.

So I highly recommend the Sticky Pod Mini as an inexpensive solution to driving and shooting video. It arrived quickly and came nicely packaged with clear instructions.

If you came to this page first to check out the Sticky Pod Mini, please take a look around at the many videos I've shot using this setup. If you've come by way of the videos, well, now you've seen how I've been able to create that smooth video, even on the damaged, pot-holed, streets of Detroit. Search on the Labels for "stickypod."

Driving Crestwood Estates Trailer Park

I had a day off work so, among other things. I took a drive through Crestwood Estates Trailer Park. It seems like a nice place.

A little drive after work

I put together this video back in mid-February. And now that the posts of my trip south are done, here it is...

I got off work, found myself at the old Tel-12 Mall (Telegraph and 12 Mile) and took the back way out to (sort of) 11 Mile and along I-696, down Lahser, over to Berg along the other side of I-696, across 10 Mile, 9 Mile, 8 Mile into Detroit, 7 Mile, back to Lahser, down to 6 Mile then past Telegraph to Five Points... and all in less than 4 minutes!

Driving Louisiana I-55 South near the Manchac Exit

It's the morning of Day 5 of my trip from Detroit going south and finally it will be a sunny day. With a week or so off work I decided to go south and leave the overcast skies of Michigan for some sun.

---

I left Hammond, Louisiana early. The night before I had driven south down I-55 to scout some photo locations. First was from the Manchac Swamp Bridge near the Manchac exit and the only exit off this 22 mile bridge.

Here are three screen captures. And the video is below.

The view out the window as I drive I-55 South in Louisiana near the Manchac exit. Music is from KLRZ 100.3 FM, the Rajun' Cajun. And you can listen online. The best time is from 6 am to 10 am Central time, Monday through Friday for the Hot Sauce Express show.

Looking back, I probably should have gotten off at the Manchac exit and driven along Old US 51 that parallels the bridge. And that's the problem with driving through. You only have one chance to capture a location.

Anyway, on to New Orleans.

Driving the Brent Spence Bridge

This is from Day 1 of my trip going south. I've driven over this bridge, back and forth, about a dozen times in the 1970's and about half a dozen since. I wanted to get through Cincinnati and into Kentucky but knew before I left Detroit that morning that I would spend some time filming this bridge. Here's a montage of clips as I drive over the Brent Spence Bridge on January 14th.

Wikipedia: The Brent Spence Bridge is a double decker cantilever truss bridge that carries Interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River between Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. The top deck carries southbound traffic while the bottom deck carries northbound traffic.

Driving Commonwealth Street, Detroit, MI 48208

Commonwealth Street is in the Woodbridge Historical District of Detroit, MI 48208. The houses on Commonwealth are three-story Victorian, some are single-family homes, some are duplexes, while a few have been converted to apartments. On some of the corners and side streets, you'll see some two and three-story apartment buildings.

The drive starts at Commonwealth and Grand River and goes 11 blocks to Merrick where I turn around and cruise back to Grand River, so you get to see both sides of the street.

If you'd like to see another drive-by on the next street to the west, see Driving Avery Street.

Driving Avery Street, Detroit, MI 48208

Avery Street is in the Woodbridge Historical District of Detroit, MI 48208. The houses on Avery are three-story Victorian - most are single-family homes and a few duplexes.


The drive starts at Avery and Grand River and goes 10 blocks to Merrick where I turn around and cruise back to Grand River, so you get to see both sides of the street.

If you'd like to see some photos, go to Houses on Avery Street.

Driving North Rosedale Park, Detroit, MI 48223

North Rosedale Park is in Detroit, MI 48223 in the NW section of where Grand River (M-5), the Southfield Freeway (M-39) and Fenkell (5 Mile) meet.  This neighborhood is mostly middle and upper-middle-class homes owned by white collar professionals. I grew up directly east on the other side of Southfield Freeway in a lower-middle-class neighborhood.

North Rosedale Park is featured on the Experience Detroit website as part of their Historic Neighborhoods Driving Tour.

From their site:

"North Rosedale Park is our favorite of the three enclaves that make up the Grandmont / Rosedale Park community on Detroit's west side.  This neighborhood consists of close to 1700 well-built English and French Tudors, American colonials, and arts and crafts bungalows.  The neighborhood park is the only privately owned neighborhood recreation "facility" in the City of Detroit and holds a number of year-round activities including art shows, concerts, and other events.  Residents include well-known sports figures, artists, musicians, and professionals."

So... Sit back and take a leisurely drive with me through North Rosedale Park. We'll be cruising at a speed of about 10 mph.

Driving some streets in 48154 Livonia, MI

I'm driving east on 5 Mile between Levan and Farmington Rd. and I turn south and drive a few streets in 48154 Livonia, MI then come back up to 5 Mile and continue to head east.

I've found a good solution to camera shake and my Sticky Pod Mini. I tie down both sides to the inside of the passenger door using paracord and a couple Nite Ize Figure 9 Smalls I just bought at REI.

Driving near Five Points in Detroit

This is the view looking out the passenger window of my car as I drive down a couple streets from Grand River to 6 Mile, west of Telegraph. I've got my Fujifilm S4500 on a Sticky Pod Mini and was able to reduce most of the camera bounce by tying off the Sticky Pod to the passenger door handle. This small neighborhood on the extreme northwest side of Detroit is still nice but south of 6 Mile, not so nice.

Music by Flying Tom.