After a highly successful Kickstarter campaign
back in 2010, the Glif is back and better than ever.
If you haven't heard of the Glif, it's both a stand and tripod mount for (a caseless) iPhone 4 and 4S. It's made from recyclable rubberized plastic and provides an incredibly snug grip for your iPhone. The Glif can hold your iPhone in both portrait and landscape orientations, and features a 1/4-20 thread that allows it to be used on any tripod. When you aren't using the Glif to take photos and videos, it can be used as a stand for watching videos and hands-free FaceTime calls.
The new additions to the Glif are the Serif and the Ligature. The Serif adds stability to your Glif-mounted iPhone, allowing you to be a little more reckless with your photographic endeavors. The Ligature screws into the Glif's tripod mount, which can then be attached to a keychain for easy on-the-go use. Together, they form the Glif+ package.
After a few days with the Glif+ package, it's safe to say that I've never had more fun with a few pieces of rubberized plastic.
The Good
The Glif's portability is a lifesaver. Having it connected to my keys was more convenient than I had expected it to be. Even without a tripod, the Glif works as a great stand on most flat surfaces for group photos and shots where you'd use a self-timer. When used with a tripod (I tested with the
Gorillapod), the Serif removed any fear of my phone slipping out of the Glif. A short shake test proved that my iPhone wasn't going anywhere without me knowing.
As a stand, I found the Glif to be most handy while eating. It's a little strange, I know, but with the world at your fingertips via iPhone, I figured it couldn't hurt to catch up on my saved
Pocket articles while having a bite. Standing the phone, as shown in the bottom-right photo above, leaves your phone at the perfect angle for viewing, as well as use.
The Bad
Although it's the essence of the Glif, the fact that it only works with naked (caseless) iPhones is enough to turn many potential buyers away. Personally, that didn't bother me, as it allowed me to use the Glif with accessories like the
Olloclip, which also works exclusively on caseless iPhones.
Also, due to how well the Glif fits, I had to be very careful not to let my screen protectors get pushed up while mounting my phone in the Glif.
Verdict
For a multi-funtional accessory, the Glif+ is a great choice if you're looking for an affordable, yet portable tripod mount for your iPhone. It's so simple that it just ... works. However, removing your case each use the Glif may not be worth the hassle.
You can order the Glif+ package from Photojojo for $30. Fortunately, if you were one of the first to get the original Glif, you can order the Serif and Ligature from
Studio Neat directly.
What type of tripod mount do you use with your iPhone?
