Adding a Tripod to the Flip Waterproof Case
I use my Flip video to film all of my adventures, including my recent adventure race. When I bought the camera, I ordered the waterproof case along with it – knowing that I would need it.
It has been absolutely great, except for one thing. The Flip waterproof case does not have a tripod mount. The camera does, but the case does not.
Today, I finally retrofitted my waterproof case with a tripod mount.
I took a hard plastic lid from a little container in my tool chest and broke it into small pieces. A build of three layers was the perfect depth for the screw mount of the tripod base.
I carved the three pieces into relatively similar sizes, roughed their surfaces with some sand paper and super glued them together. After drilling an appropriate sized hole in the stack, I then glued it onto the bottom of the Flip waterproof case.
And presto! I no longer have to do the balancing act with my Flip when it’s dressed up for wet weather.
To take my Flip’s new found equilibrium to the next level, I bought the Joby Gorillapod Flexible Tripod.
Did you use a tap to get the right threading on the plastic? How well has this held up over time?
Matt – great question! You pointed out the one step that glazed over. I ended up boring the hole just large enough for the tripod screw (threads and all) and permanently set it with superglue. I had tried using a rubber gasket as well as cork, but wanted a more solid mount. With the cheap plastic build that I used for the base, tapping it would have just cracked it up.
My set up held strong through quite a few adventures over land and sea. I actually just lost my Flip Video, in the waterproof case, while on a rafting trip. I think the lanyard broke while tethered to my raft. Now I’m considering my options as I look for another waterproof camcorder. I may go back to the Flip – it served me well.