XShot Mini-Monopod Self Portraits

Lightweight and Compact Digital Camera Accessory for Travelers

Jul 2, 2008

The XShot is a clever device designed so travelers can take photos of themselves and include the backgrounds in the shot. It also offers much more than this gimmicky use.

During a trip to France, Michael Daoud, the co-founder of XShot, tried taking pictures of himself and his wife while sightseeing. Michael tried holding the camera and extending his arm as far as possible to take a picture of he and his wife but the result was disappointing, when they were trying to capture the background in the picture. Michael found because the camera was only at arm’s length and close to their faces, only a small part of the scene was in the picture.

Michael thought if his arm was a little longer he could take much better pictures. As a result he came up with the idea of having a telescopic arm holding the camera so he could take a full picture of the subjects and the background. Michael enlisted the help of his friend John Stump, an inventor and mechanical engineer, and XShot was born.

"Getting a photo on the go with family or friends has involved someone awkwardly stretching their arm usually resulting in a bad picture. Or when travelling, you hope that a stranger would agree to take your picture—often with very mixed results,” said Michael Daoud.

Inverted Monopod

What they came up with is a compact monopod with the handgrip at the end away from the camera. This gave a large enough grip so photographers could hold a normal compact digital point and shoot camera steady on the extended leg, and take a photo using the camera’s timed shutter release. The leg of a normal monopod narrows towards the foot making them unsuitable for holding.

The XShot is made from durable and lightweight stainless steel and the shaft extends to 37inches in length. Fully closed, the XShot is only 9 inches long for tucking into a pocket, purse, or daypack. XShot has a quick spin universal 1/4 inch camera screw for fast and easy mounting, fitting all compact cameras. The angle adjuster knob allows 180 degrees of head rotation for easy shot framing.

More than Self Portraits

While the main aim of the inventors was for self-portraits, the XShot is also a compact monopod. The handle can double as the foot when used as a conventional monopod to help prevent camera shake on long exposures. Do not throw your tripod out but when traveling light the XShot provides the extra support for those once in a lifetime shots.

With zoom lenses for compact point and shoot digital cameras increasing in focal length the possibility for camera shake also increases. The XShot is handy support to help reduce blurry long-range shots. The XShot’s size and weight make it a perfect match for travelers using point and shoot digital cameras.

It is too short to use in the normal standing position, however a handy log, rock, a low wall, or chair helps bridge the height difference. Of course, if you sit down then it could be the perfect height. It may only be suitable for compact digital cameras in the self-portrait mode but when used as a monopod it could be effective used with a compact DSLR wide-angle lens fitted. The lightweight and compact nature of the XShot makes it worth considering when you really do not want to lug a heavy tripod through the bush or around the world.

This is one of those simple devices where your imagination is the limit on its potential uses. At only $US29, it has a lightweight price as well.

The copyright of the article XShot Mini-Monopod Self Portraits in Travel Photography is owned by Philip Northeast. Permission to republish XShot Mini-Monopod Self Portraits in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.