Review on 📸 OctoPad XL Universal Wide Foot Base Stand and Table Mini Tripod: Versatile 1/4" Thread Mount for DSLR, Mirrorless, 360 Camera, Cell Phone, Tablet, Smartphone, LED Light, Flash Unit, Selfie Stick by Todd Mamat

I had some doubts that this device could carry a full-size single-lens digital SLR camera, but after taking it out of the box and feeling the weight, I was pleasantly surprised. The OctoPad XL is large and heavy enough to provide a stable platform for my 80D with an 18-135 kit lens (a lighter lens). lots of glass up front can cause a rollover. However, with the included lens, it's reliable and much faster and more convenient for quick photos than using multiple tripod legs. The only drawback and the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is the included ball mount. It's a useful, workable mount, but its design requires you to insert it into the camera's mounting socket and then tighten the knurled locknut. but I found that even after this I could still rotate the camera back and forth as it turned on the threads of the mounting screws. Therefore, the installation can be a bit difficult. Also, you have to rotate either the entire OctoPad or the entire camera during installation. I found it easiest to remove the mount from the base and screw the mount onto the camera. Since the base is round and mostly symmetrical, it's easier to then screw it onto the bottom of the ball joint. If you plan to use it frequently, it may be worth using a quick-release ball head to speed up installation and eliminate problems with unwanted camera rotation on the mounting screw. The underside of the liner is a "sticky" rubber material that has excellent anti-slip properties. I just laid the pad (without the camera) on a flat piece of cardboard and was able to tilt it more than 52 degrees from horizontal before it started to slip. (I did this angle measurement using a smartphone app.) No one in their right mind would attempt to mount the camera on such a steeply sloping surface, but after this experiment I'm confident that the camera is properly balanced against slippage not from gently sloping surfaces such as a car hood or roof.