KRAFTGEEK JUST TAP TRIPOD: COMPACT, CLEVER MAGSAFE TRIPOD MEETS SELFIE STICK

Tripods can be a real pain if you want to take photos or videos with your iPhone when you're out and about, as standard models tend to be heavy and bulky.

- BY EUGEN WEGMANN

Not so with the Kraftgeek Just Tap Tripod tested here. It's a lightweight, compact MagSafe tripod that doubles as a selfie stick when the legs are folded.

Kraftgeek specializes in tripods and stands of all kinds. In addition to making various smartphone stands, the company also offers music stands, easels and other stands.

The Just Tap consists of ten interlocking aluminum segments, creating a telescopic pole. This is inserted into a round plastic body, which in turn consists of three segments and folds out into three tripod feet at the touch of a button on the underside.

When fully extended, the telescopic pole bends noticeably.

This in itself is a pretty cool mechanism that enables an incredibly compact design: The entire pole has a diameter of just 1.5 inches (3.8cm) once inserted, apart from the flat MagSafe holder with a diameter of 2.4 inches (6cm) at the top and the remote control, which minimally protrudes from one of the three feet. This corresponds roughly to the diameter of a relay baton in athletics.

The thickness of batons means it can be gripped comfortably and securely with one hand, and this is also an advantage for the Kraftgeek Just Tap, as it also sits comfortably in the hand when folded up as a selfie stick. The only drawback: The tripod weighs 16 ounces (455g), while a baton weighs only 1.8 ounces (50g), and this is noticeable, especially when an iPhone is hanging at the other end and the extended telescopic pole increases the leverage on the arm.