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3 Legged Factor has lengthy been on my radar as a British firm that designs high-end but cost-effective tripods and different helps. It has a ‘suppose completely different’ vibe, not solely within the revolutionary options and capabilities that typify its designs, but in addition in that the merchandise are usually named after rock stars, skate boarders and different legends of assorted pursuits. Against this, the Window Mount Clamp is just named after its objective in life. I’d perhaps have referred to as it Van, after Van Morrison (and his hit tune, Cleansing Home windows) or simply as a result of it really works equally nicely in vans in addition to automobiles.
Both approach, it’s obtainable as a pure and easy window mount clamp, or as an entire package with an AirHed Trinity. The identify Trinity doesn’t suggest some form of godlike standing, merely that it may be used for 3 various things – pictures, video and recognizing scopes. Let’s take a more in-depth look.
3 Legged Factor Window Mount Clamp: Specs
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Clamp top |
6cm / 2.4in |
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Clamp width |
0.2 – 2.2cm / 0.08 – 0.9in |
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Clamp weight |
228g / 8oz |
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Clamp + head top |
13.8cm / 5.4in |
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Clamp + head weight |
600g / 21.2oz |
3 Legged Factor Window Mount Clamp: Value
There are two choices up for grabs. The Window Mount Clamp by itself prices $50 / £40, whereas the entire AirHed Trinity Window Mount Clamp Equipment prices $130 / £110 (Aussie pricing wasn’t obtainable on the time of writing). The latter is comparatively dear however provides higher worth total, until you’ve already obtained an appropriate compact pan and tilt head. You may’t connect a digicam on to the clamp, because it has a 3/8in mounting screw which is considerably bigger than the 1/4in socket featured within the overwhelming majority of cameras. Each the clamp and the pinnacle can be found in metallic moss inexperienced or in ‘darkness’ (matte black).
3 Legged Factor Window Mount Clamp: Design & Dealing with
Any help is barely as stable as its footing so let’s begin with the mount itself (you’ll have so as to add your individual automobile). It’s undoubtedly a sturdy merchandise, constituted of aerospace-grade magnesium alloy. The clamp is precision-machined and laborious anodized, making it an all-round robust cookie. No person desires a cracked window, so the surfaces that come into contact with the glass have protecting rubber padding. I particularly like that the padding on the high is basically deep and mushy, which helps to offer loads of flex to accommodate the truth that automobile home windows usually don’t have a flat and stage high edge.
The connection screw on the highest of the mount is a normal 3/8in diameter. Effectively, that’s commonplace for attaching most tripod heads however not for attaching a digicam, which is able to sometimes have a smaller 1/4in thread. As I’ve talked about, you’ll really want so as to add a head, and the three Legged Factor head that varieties a part of the entire package is just about an ideal match in each approach, proper all the way down to your selection of inexperienced or black colour schemes.
The design of the mounting clamp makes it quite simple to make use of. There’s mainly a single knob on the facet labelled ‘lock’ and ‘rock’, with accompanying directional arrows, in case you’re not acquainted with ‘Lefty Loosey and Righty Tighty’. All you need to do is loosen it sufficient in order that it matches excessive of your window, then tighten it up once more to lock the mount in place.
Let’s transfer on to the companion AirHed Trinity. It’s a compact pan and tilt head that’s ideally suited to the mount, within the diameter of its mounting base, the thread of its attachment socket and its vary of options. The identical goes for its dimension and weight.
There’s a separate management knob on either side of the pinnacle. One is for detaching, attaching and securing the panning deal with, the opposite is for the lean mechanism. The lean facility locks off firmly when wanted but in addition has a very nice fluid really feel to it if you’re monitoring the motion.
For panning, there’s a separate lock/launch knob, which sits on the base of the pinnacle, simply above a calibrated scale that’s marked in 30-degree numbered steps and 5-degree sub-intervals.
In case you’d slightly save house and don’t really feel the necessity for a panning deal with, you may simply take away it. All it is advisable do is slacken the locking clamp after which take away the protection screw from the top of the arm. Splines within the locking mechanism allow you to pick out your most well-liked angle for the arm on the vertical airplane, and there’s additionally a good bit of vary backward and forward.
Up on high, the digicam platform has an Arca Swiss kind quick-release plate that has a locking knob to 1 facet. The plate itself has safety pins back and front, to keep away from it unintentionally slipping out when the locking knob is loosened.
The locking screw for attaching your digicam or recognizing scope to the quick-release plate doesn’t have a D-ring that you may maintain between your finger and thumb, however the package does include a multi-function software that offers the choice of tightening or loosening the screw with an Allen key or flat blade.
3 Legged Factor Window Mount Clamp: Efficiency
Relying on what you’re capturing a scenic view or monitoring birds in flight or different wildlife along with your digicam or a spotter, you’ll want the mount and its connected head to remain completely nonetheless, or to allow a free vary of motion. With the easy tightening or loosening of a few knobs, this package does each. It stays stable and agency when locked off, and permits super-smooth and fluid motion for pan and tilt. There’s additionally a pleasant counter-sprung really feel to its tilting motion.
The design remit is completely executed for utilizing the clamp and head with cameras, recognizing scopes, motion / 360-degree cameras, and even telephones by way of an appropriate telephone mount (the three Legged Factor Phil springs to thoughts for the final of those). In case you obtain the working directions, you’ll see that 3 Legged Factor explains at some size that the Window Mount Clamp is designed for use on the window of a static car, and that any use undertaken in a shifting car is completed at your individual threat, and gained’t be lined by the 5-year guarantee. Even so, the corporate’s personal promo video for the mount consists of footage of it getting used whereas driving round. I’d say simply be sure you watch the place you’re going.
3 Legged Factor Window Mount Clamp: Verdict
I really feel that the three Legged Factor Window Mount Clamp is a neatly designed and superbly constructed little bit of package, however that it’s solely half the story. The mount is just begging to be paired with the AirHed Trinity compact pan and tilt head, as they’re actually made to be collectively. I’d undoubtedly go for the entire package that contains each gadgets, and makes capturing or scoping out of your automobile a completely fulfilling expertise.
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Options ★★★★★ |
I wouldn’t give a 5-star score for options to the mount by itself, however the full package is a worthy winner. |
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Design ★★★★★ |
Considerate design, premium supplies and an impeccable end make this a humdinger of a window clamp package. |
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Efficiency ★★★★★ |
Strong and nonetheless if you want it, however with the choice of {smooth}, fluid motion, efficiency is top-notch. |
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Worth ★★★★☆ |
The whole package is fairly dear however nicely definitely worth the cash, making it superb worth. |