There are times when the human arm just isn’t quite long enough to get the perfect shot. It can also be a little frustrating to only see the world from a small viewpoint from the front of a bike or a board. That is why so many people that take part in extreme sports and sports photography like to use sticks. A strong, telescoping stick with a secure mount can provide the ideal viewpoint and give a wider shot. Understandably, there are many brands out there trying to offer the best GoPro stick possible.
I have tested out a few of these stick during my own adventures out on the water. My friends and I have also put them through their paces on land based expeditions to test their endurance, features and their convenience. There are a couple of official GoPro sticks in this guide to give you an idea of what the brand thinks that we want. There are pros and cons to their offerings, which is why I have also tried a number of more affordable options from other brands. These are my findings. Hopefully, they help you with your next purchase so you can get the best stick possible.
Why are we starting with this stick in this guide to the best GoPro sticks?
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The 3-way approach to this stick is what sets this product apart from others in this guide. There aren’t any others that have such a range for different applications. I was also pleased with the comfort of the stick and how secure it is in the hand. The grip on the pole is just right and I like the quality of the wrist strap. Others I know have tried it with the lanyard and had similar reactions.
Moving onto the negatives associated with this camera stick, this model is a lot more expensive than some of the others in this guide (but not all). This is something that we should expect from this brand, but further issues put this worth into question. For example, there is the issue of it breaking on contact – and not with much force at that. The plastic in the pole feels cheaper than you might expect from this brand. I couldn’t help but look at a this and think “couldn’t they have also…” such as couldn’t they have made it stronger, or added some controls or done something else to warrant the high price tag?
When you play around with this stick and test out the different poses, there is a lot to like. The first impressions suggest that GoPro really know what they are doing. But, those concerns about breakages do linger in the back of your mind. It is fine for those set on getting the “real” thing, but there are alternatives.
What is it about this Vicdozia model that makes it a worthy competitor to GoPro?
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Notice that I said aluminium here not plastic – take note there GoPro because it shows that you can use a much tougher material for your sticks and not have to charge the earth for it. I also liked the small size and lightweight of this stick. When it is condensed down, it is tiny and fits neatly into most bags. When in use, it then extends to 19’’ for a better field of vision. This is even the case underwater. It might be an off-brand GoPro stick, but it is compatible with many Hero models, including the 2018 one. Other brands in this guide haven’t quite caught up that much yet.
Now, I feel bad putting the length as a con in here because the brand clearly point out that this is their short model. 19’’ is shorter than the average and some buyers don’t read this part of the specification. The lack of features is different. I would love to see a stick of this quality with a control button to help me use the camera – perhaps I am being a little greedy at this price point though. In fact, there is only one model in this guide that allows for any kind of remote use.
The bottom line here is that I, and many others, couldn’t believe the quality of the stick for the low cost. It makes us wonder why people buy the flimsier GoPro models when affordable options like this exist. If you like the sound of all the features but want more length, look at their longer version instead.
Why is this tiny little “Shorty” even worthy of consideration?
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There are more potential benefits to this system than I originally gave it credit for. The first benefit that I can see here is the portability. The small size and folding tripod mean that it is easy to carry this around. I could throw it into a small bag as I headed to the beach. I can see other packing it into their suitcase for their holidays with few worries.
The length is an issue. You might get a little more distance for a good selfie, but little else. Again, there is a problem with the build and durability of the product. Those tripod legs need to pack into that body much more tightly, else they rattle around. I swear I could hear them during some of my recordings. If you get to rough with this, it might not hold up. It is also worth noting that this lack of quality is disappointing or the price paid. This isn’t as expensive as the longer 3-way stick above, but it still costs more than that durable Vicdozia model.
A recommendation for this little stick is only really possible if you have no major aims aside from some good selfies in the pool. This portable system has great potential for holidays and small-scale video. It is less impressive from an action camera point of view.
What was it about this model that was such a revelation?
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Let’s start with all the positives that make this GoPro stick so great. I was amazed to find that this was actually a great little tool while out surfing. This stick has an octagon grip and is built to float. There is another model in this guide below that does something similar. I would have to say that out of the two, this one was more comfortable to hold and a bigger pleasure to shoot with. Even so, there is still a strong wrist strap for extra security if you find that this design is a little alien. Also, if you want, you can also use this at depths of up to 16ft.
That doesn’t mean that there aren’t issues with this stick. Fortunately, the most obvious is one that should be clear before you buy. This is not a telescoping pole. The lack of adjustments might be a problem for a lot of people that want to use this while snorkelling or playing with shots. It does limit your angles a little bit. There is also the fact that this one isn’t compatible with some of the more modern Hero models, unlike other sticks in this guide. It is always worth checking the specification before you buy to make sure that the camera you own will fit.
It shocks me to say this, but I really can recommend this cheap little stick to those that are on a budget. It is useless for getting any distance, but the build and the floatation mean that it scores plenty of points in my books.
Why is this pole such a popular choice with GoPro users?
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The clip is perhaps the most important feature with this pole because this is the only model in this guide to offer this sort of accessory. Still, there are other pros too. Another feature of note with this product is the extension on the pole. This one can go quite far – from 15 to 50 inches. This means that it is great for closer selfies as well as more wide-angle shots. When we say that we like the price of this model, it is because myself and my friends all thought that this one truly offered value for money. There are products that have a low price tag, but don’t offer many features. Then there are those with high price tags that lack the quality expected.
This is clearly a mid-price model with a specification and build to match. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t issues with this stick. This stick should be compatible with most GoPro models and some other cameras. It is to a point, but it isn’t the most secure fit on all cameras. This could be a problem if you want to take it out to more dangerous locations or when trying for action shots. There are also some people that say that there is a more limited angle to that mounting head.
This model is definitely recommendable – that is as long as you are careful with it and pay attention to the mount. You don’t want the camera coming loose in the water or on a bike track. In the right setting, this stick can help you get a great variety of shots.
Does this GoPro stick hold up against some of the other models in this guide?
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The addition of a bag should be all that exciting, but this another of those little rarities in the accessories that we come to love. We felt this with the clip for the remote, and we got the same rush with the bag. Perhaps we need to find more interesting product sometimes. Still, it can be the little touch like this that show that a brand cares about their product and their audience. That is why we also like the clips. It is pretty easy to adjust with those quick release clips – it is certainly better than some of the annoying screws that you get with cheaper options.
There are some comments from other users about the screws on the mount coming loose with repeated use. This can be a big problem when working in water and at high speed. I recommend checking all connections and fixtures on this stick before setting off. The same is true for those on the lanyard. I have it on good authority that it is, otherwise, a fairly tough system. Again, the quality of the materials and grips help here. There are some people that have wiped out on boards and into snow and there has been no damage at all.
This product does suffer from some of the same issues as other sticks here. But, there are some nice features that help it to stand out. It is definitely worth considering if the official GoPro stick isn’t for you.
Why should GoPro users consider this stick on their next adventure?
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Let’s start with those basic about the abilities in the water. Again, this is a product that can float if needed and the bright colour means that it is pretty visible if it does get away from you. The waterproofing and seals were fine for me, with no leaks. Most reviews that I have seen online tend to agree with me. In this regard, it is a little sturdier and more reliable than the Amazon Basics option that I talked about above, but not by much. The grip has a nice texture and there is a decent strap. Another standout feature here over other stick in this guide is the quality of the mount. The thumbscrew at the side doesn’t look pretty, but it gets the job done.
As for the downsides to this product, it shares some of the same adjustment issues as cheaper models. There is no telescoping element to the pole and it isn’t as easy to set the angle on the camera. Another issue with the pole is the size. This is a thick stick that may be a little too chunky and hard to handle for those used to something a little thinner.
The price really is the deal breaker here. This stick can offer a lot more than some products in the same price range. There is also the fact that those watersports elements really do work well. But, there are also downsides that mean that some users may not feel it is worth that much money.