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SHOPPING // REVIEWS
The Bottom Line Up Front:
The MAMBAPOD travel tripod immediately impressed with its robust all-metal construction, surprisingly compact size for its capabilities, and intuitive, smooth operation. The build quality feels premium, exceeding expectations for a Kickstarter product, and its lightweight design makes it ideal for travel photography without compromising stability.
In this video, I unbox and share my initial thoughts on the Mamba Pod, which I received after a five-month wait from a Kickstarter campaign.
The Mamba Pod impresses with its all-metal build, lightweight design, and beautiful purple color. I demonstrate its ease of adjustment and the robust clamping mechanism. Although I haven't tested it in the field yet, it seems like a promising lightweight tripod alternative for my upcoming travels to Japan and South America. Join me as I compare it with my other tripods and share my first impressions!
00:00 Unboxing the MAMBAPOD *ASMR
For first impressions…skip to
12:34 First Impressions
14:28 Setting Up the Mamba Pod
15:36 Travel Plans and Tripod Needs
16:53 Final Thoughts
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Video Excerpt***
This right here is the Mamba Pod.
After waiting about, goodness, five months from a Kickstarter campaign, this thing has finally arrived initial thoughts are quite impressive. It is all metal. It is lightweight. I love this purple color. That it has right here. It is extremely easy to adjust and tighten the engineering on. This was really well done except for you saw in the video I unscrewed this just a little bit too much and then it fell off, but it was, it was pretty easy to get back.
Um. I haven't yet tested this out in the field, of course. Um, so I'm not exactly sure how it'll fare, how quickly it'll be to set up, take down, um, add onto my camera, all the weight and dynamics of that. Yet, however, this thing is sturdy. It is all metallic. I don't see any plastic on this thing at all. And
I love the fact that it has the ability to clamp.
I don't know if you can see, can adjust here. So if you have.
Something. Lemme see if, actually, lemme see if I can actually set it up. So, standby really quick.
Lemme set this up. Boom. Let's will be a first time for everything. So bear with me.
Okay, so this is ready for clamp mode.
Lemme take a second. Okay.
Setting this up.
And there you go.
Uh, so
I don't actually have a tripod yet for traveling. Uh, the last ones that I have, they broke and I was trying to figure out what I want to bring on. My travels going to Japan later on this year, going to South America, um, in November, and I wanted the ability to. Um, obviously have a tripod be able to take long exposures and I didn't want to carry around something extremely bulky.
Um, so again, it was one of those things that I saw this on Kickstarter, uh. I am a sucker for Kickstarter campaigns and this, when I saw this I was like, alright, I need to try this out and see how this actually works. So, initial impression, fantastic. It's extremely well made. Um, heavy duty. I can do selfie mode.
I have the ability to screw on attachments here, which are, is fantastic. I love the color and I love it's ease to be able to
set up like so, and comparing it to the other, uh, small rig that I currently own. Granted this thing has a remote on it, which I love. Still plan on bringing this or at least use the remote, um, for it, which is letting me control this camera right now. And then compared to the other vlogging, uh, Sony, Sony stand that I currently have, you can see that it is a little bit bigger, uh, probably about, hmm.
Five inches or so. No, that's not five inches, probably about two to three inches.
Um, but yeah, no, I, so far initial impressions, I like this a lot. I plan on testing it more in the coming weeks and months, and I'll be sure to come back to you to give you guys my final long-term thoughts on this thing. So, uh, let me know, have you guys also ordered it? What do you guys think? Um, initial thoughts and impressions of this, um, so far are positive.
So, uh, thanks again for watching and I'll see you next time.
The best part of Banff, Alberta, has to be its stunning natural beauty and variety of outdoor activities, set against the iconic backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. There are multiple amazing national parks all located near each other including Banff, Yoho, and Glacier National Park. Here are a few highlights:
Tent Ridge: This is a hike known for its breathtaking views. One of the most challenging hikes, but worth it.
Lake Moraine: This blue water gem is an iconic spot, especially in the fall when the surrounding larch trees turn golden. Whether you’re hiking or just taking in the view, it’s a magical experience.
Scenic Drives: The Icefields Parkway, one of the most beautiful drives in the world, takes you from Banff to Jasper with stops at glaciers, waterfalls, and mountain viewpoints.
Downtown Banff: Quaint shops, cozy cafés, and excellent restaurants give the town of Banff its charm. It’s the perfect place to relax, pick up unique souvenirs, and enjoy some local cuisine.
While Banff is beloved for its beauty and unique outdoor experiences, there are a few downsides visitors sometimes mention:
Crowds and Traffic: Banff is incredibly popular, especially in peak seasons like summer and fall. The town and main attractions can get crowded, which sometimes leads to traffic jams, packed parking lots, and longer waits for services.
High Costs: Banff is one of Canada’s top tourist destinations, which makes it pricey. Hotels, restaurants, and activities can be more expensive here than in other areas, especially for those visiting during peak season.
Limited Parking: Parking can be tricky, especially near popular spots like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. Often, spots fill up early in the day, and visitors may need to use shuttles or wait for a spot to open.
Wildlife Caution: While seeing wildlife is a highlight, it comes with risks. There are regular advisories about keeping a safe distance, and some trails or areas close if there is significant wildlife activity, which can limit some experiences.
Weather Variability: Mountain weather is unpredictable. Even in fall, a sunny morning can turn into a snowy afternoon. Visitors have to be prepared for sudden changes, and some activities may get canceled due to weather.
Limited Nightlife and Urban Amenities: While Banff has some great restaurants and pubs, it’s a small town focused on nature, so nightlife and shopping options are limited compared to larger cities.
Low Difficulty/Low Risk/ High Reward
Here are the five closest towns and cities near Banff, Alberta:
Canmore, AB – 25 km (about a 20-minute drive) southeast of Banff. Known for its own beautiful mountain scenery and vibrant arts scene.
Lake Louise, AB – 57 km (about a 40-minute drive) northwest of Banff. Famous for its stunning turquoise lake and ski resort.
Exshaw, AB – 53 km (about a 35-minute drive) east of Banff. A small hamlet known for outdoor activities and a quieter mountain experience.
Dead Man’s Flats, AB – 39 km (about a 30-minute drive) southeast of Banff. A small community popular for its nearby hiking trails and natural beauty.
Take a car and drive. Can take bus if planning ahead.
Yes but best time to visit is in the summer or fall.
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