The role of photos in our everyday lives has evolved with technology. What was once a cumbersome activity that involved carrying a bulky camera around especially for taking pictures, followed by weeks of waiting for the photos to be developed into a fragile piece of paper that could be lost or damaged, is now as simple and immediate as taking your phone out and pointing it at something. This has introduced an air of disposability to those pictures, of course, but it has also changed how we think about photos. These days, any given moment could be a priceless memory to be captured. Sure, it may not be, but it’s not like you’re wasting film by trying. Selfie sticks have proven invaluable for capturing these moments, whether it is an impromptu shot of yourself in front of some amazing scenery or a group photo when there are no free hands to snap the pic for you. Thanks to the popularity of the selfie stick, there are many to choose from, but we’re here to look at one specific product; the Autmtek 4 in 1 Bluetooth Selfie Stick with Tripod.
Why Do I Need a Selfie Stick?
The most obvious reason you would want a selfie stick is for the reason in the name—to take selfies. Selfie sticks allow you to get more natural-looking shots of yourself and your friends from a reasonable distance, and without your arm awkwardly blocking out part of the picture. Beyond their initial purpose in life, selfie sticks are also useful for snapping pics in other situations, such as getting a shot of a large crowd that you happen to be part of, acting as a phone-holder in a pinch, and even serving any purpose that might call for a long, thin stick. Okay, practically speaking, you’re only going to be using a selfie stick for taking pictures. But it can help with more than just regular selfie snaps.
Features
Atumtek’s offering into the selfie stick market aims to be more than just a selfie stick. Thanks to the integration of tripod legs into the base of the handle, this selfie stick doubles up as a tripod, meaning you can get those super-wide shots from a distance as well as the more intimate shots you would typically go for with a selfie stick. iSAWcompany - Pixabay The stick itself is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, making it both light and strong. As far as compatibility goes, it is suitable for devices up to 3.42" wide, and features a standard 1/4" attachment for devices that have a screw port fitting, such as GoPros, and Insta360. The holder can be rotated through a full 270°, allowing you to take selfie pictures in landscape, portrait, or anything in between. The holder also rotates through 180° horizontally, allowing you to get the perfect angle for your shot. The controls for your Atumtek 4 in 1 Bluetooth Selfie Stick are, as the name suggests, Bluetooth, allowing you to easily snap pictures without having to worry about setting timers. But beyond that, the controls are removable, and function as much as thirty feet away! The battery life on the controller is also impressive, boasting a gargantuan 15,000 pictures-worth of juice on a full charge. The controller is compatible with iOS devices from iOS 7.0 onwards and Android devices from Android 5.0 onwards, so the selfie-stick will work with most phones on the market today. Atumtek The design of the stick itself is very sleek, utilising satin black with anodised blue highlights to create a subtle yet stylish look. The removable controller and built-in tripod legs fit seamlessly into the handle so that you would never know they were there. Of course, the Atumtek 4 in 1 is not perfect. If you have a larger phone, you may struggle to get it into the holder, and some iPhone 11 users have reported having to take their phone of the case to get it in.
Should You Buy the AtumTek 4 in 1 Bluetooth Selfie Stick?
This selfie stick would never replace professional photography equipment, of course, but given how compact it is, we can’t honestly say it wouldn’t be worth having just for the convenience factor of having selfie stick tripods and Bluetooth control all packed in there. For non-professional photographers, if you are considering a selfie stick, there is very little to argue against this one. Granted, if you have a larger phone, or you need something that has electronic rotation, you may need to look elsewhere. But for everyone else, this is a great option.
If You’re Looking for a Selfie Stick, This Is a Great One!
For the modest price of £26.99, the AlumTek 4 in 1 Bluetooth Selfie Stick is an excellent option for anyone with a small-to-medium sized phone or a device with a 1/4" screw port. It is lightweight, durable, and stylish. And, of course, it doubles up as a tripod, saving you the hassle of buying that piece of kit as well. Whether you actually need this product (or any similar product) is a question only you can answer, but if you come to the conclusion that you do need a selfie stick, you could do a lot worse than this one. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2020 John Bullock
