For musicians navigating the ever-changing and fast-paced industry in this digital age, having the right toolkit to create content is essential. In order to maintain an active online presence for my guitar tuition business, I decided to invest in the MagStand Magnetic Phone Tripod to shoot videos on my iPhone which are then edited into short reels on Instagram and Facebook. (www.instagram.com/bryanguitaruk)
What Is The MagStand Magnetic Phone Tripod?
The MagStand Magnetic Phone Tripod is a functional and versatile tool designed with all types of content creators in mind. Whether you are an amateur just starting out, or a full-time professional, or anywhere in between (like myself!), this tripod stand will help support you in your journey of capturing photos or videos conveniently.
This product comes in either black or white. Personally I chose the white colour because from my experience of shooting guitar videos, often guitar leads as well as the cables connecting amps or audio interfaces are in black, so when in a studio room surrounded by black tangling objects, the white tripod contrasts and stands out.
This product was gifted to me by KraftGeek in exchange for this review. All comments are my personal opinion. If you purchase through affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Unboxing and Initial Thoughts
The product arrived in a compact box with clear instructions on it, with a hard cardboard box on top for extra protection. Aside from the stand itself there were also a user manual, a magnet ring, the bluetooth remote control device, and its USB to USB-C charging cable.
Similar to the Capsule Music Stand I reviewed last year, the construction of this tripod stand is excellent. The metal feels sturdy, solid, and durable which are important factors to consider when making a future-proof investment. It is easy to hold one-handed and compact enough to carry around or store conveniently.
The MagStand Magnetic Phone Tripod
The tripod can be unfolded with one hand by holding the top magnetic phone mount section and pressing the other end against the floor. It features an automatic pop-up mechanism so the three legs will deploy outwards. Please do not press the base with your hands to open the stand as the legs could spring out and cause injury. Also keep clear of the area by holding the stand further away from you, especially your feet.
To adjust the height, hold the base section near the legs with one hand and pull the top phone mount with another hand. This lengthens or shortens the extension rod.
When packing down and folding the tripod, either hold both ends and push to shorten the extension rod, or simply push the top against the floor. The tripod legs collapse back into position and there should be clicking sounds that lock them in place. Ensure that the phone mount is flat and not rotated at an angle when unfolding or folding the tripod.
Top Features of the KraftGeek MagStand Tripod
The magnetic phone mount features a strong magnetic force (up to 3 kg or 6.6 lb) which ensures that phones do not drop at all. Furthermore, the phone mount is highly adjustable with a 210° rotation allowance so content can be captured from different angles and perspectives.
It is worth noting that if you don't use an iPhone and don't have the MagSafe feature, there is a magnet ring provided which you can stick to the back of your phone, making this tripod compatible with all types of smartphones.
The bluetooth remote device helps you control the shutter function when you are away from your phone which is very useful when shooting by yourself (I call these DIY shoots when there is no one else operating the camera). This saves you having to reach or move back and forth every time you want to press record or stop recording. Although this technology is not new, the remote device is very ergonomic as it can be stored on the tripod itself. It also has a green light to signal that it's on, and a red light for low battery.
The tripod stand itself can withstand reasonable impact and is hard to be knocked over, and the structure of the product is safe, secure, and sturdy. The minimalistic design is worth a mention where every feature has been thought of with the user in mind. When using outdoors, it is important that the tripod is sleek and compact for convenience when travelling. It helps to be able to store it elsewhere when using indoors to save space in your music room or studio environment. The white design almost 'camouflages' into the white walls, adding to the minimalist style of my home studio.
If I had to be picky and look for improvements, I would say having a bag specifically designed for this product would encourage more outdoor users to buy this. The Capsule Music Stand came with a bag, although that was designed specifically for musicians working in the city who may be travelling on public transport and do not have the extra space that a car offers.
When unfolding and setting up, there is a 'click' or 'pop' sound when the legs spring out. Reducing this noise will prevent the surprise factor for other people nearby who are not familiar with this equipment. However, the speed of setting up the tripod far exceeds any other traditional tripods with locking mechanisms, so most users will be happy with that.
The final element would be the risk factor of trapping your hand when handling the set up or pack down. There are clear instructions on the user manual and on the packaging, and once again the instant pop-out mechanism saves time. I would argue that traditional tripods also carry the same risks of trapping your fingers in one of the locks, in one of the legs, or in the phone mount latch as opposed to a magnetic one. See a generic tripod below.
KraftGeek MagStand Tripod Accessories
There are numerous additional add-ons which come at a small extra cost, but these are well worth it in my opinion if you need them. Firstly you can order a 3-pack of Magnetic Ring Sticker if your devices do not support MagSafe or other magnetic functions. You may find that you need two or more camera angles, and therefore need two or more tripods and devices.
Secondly, the HaloGlow Magnetic Phone Light is useful for filming in darker environments, or simply adding some extra lighting support to make the videos or photos look better. This is especially important if you do not have access to natural lighting (not having windows or shooting late at night). Using your phone torch might be a quick solution, but it will most definitely drain your battery and damage your battery light in the long term. There are three colour temperatures (cool, warm, natural) and three brightness levels to choose from.
Lastly, adding the PowerShutter Power Bank Stand can help prolong your video shoots. The 5000 mAh battery will keep your phone charged up wirelessly through the magnetic function so you don't need to wait between videos to charge your phone elsewhere.
Final Thoughts
Pros:
- Good quality build that is sturdy and secure
- Fast set up by automatic unfolding mechanism
- Minimalistic and sleek design with ergonomic functions
- Optional add-on accessories
- Great value and offering in the market of modern tripods
Cons:
- Takes a few times to learn how to set up quickly and safely
- Does not come with a travelling bag for outdoor users
- A short but significant sound when initiating the automatic mechanism
Summary
Overall the KraftGeek MagStand Magnetic Phone Tripod is a very well designed and valuable product because of its innovative and functional design. Musicians who want to build an online presence can gain an advantage in navigating the digital space by creating content. However, it is rather expensive hiring a videographer every time even for short snippets or quick updates that one can shoot by themselves. Therefore it is becoming increasing common for 'DIY' self-made content, and this product is an essential in the toolkit which will enhance the workflow by shortening the set up time, reducing friction by having bluetooth shutter control, and most importantly improve the content output.
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