A good selfie stick is a good asset to selfie lovers. This is the reason why selfie sticks have become popular. They offer more freedom with angles, composition, and groupies. But before buying selfie stick you have to know some things. Do you know how a selfie stick works? The earliest version of the selfie sticks appeared in the 1920s. They were made at home with long pole sticks, cables, and boards. The concept continued in the modern-day which led to the design of selfie sticks we have today.
Selfies are becoming a great addict to people and wherever people go, they are taking selfies for sure. Sometimes, taking selfies became dangerous for people. It is due to the people’s carelessness of taking selfies and losing lives. The best example is taking selfies at dangerous hilltops or other dangerous places, etc.
Though there are some risks, it depends on people taking selfies even without any risks too. With the popularity of selfies, smartphone companies began to compete with each other for providing high-definition front cameras. It didn’t stop here but they even manufactured selfie sticks to support the people for taking selfies.
The retractable rods are also compatible with today’s technology. Yet they are not a complicated piece of equipment. As the name suggests they are a stick with a handle to hold phones. Here you can know all the details about selfie sticks before buying selfie stick. If you are new to the selfie sticks and looking for some ways to buy them, this article will help you. Thus, here are the features that you need to consider for buying a selfie stick.
Selfie Stick Categories
Here are the three main types of selfie sticks such as
- Wired Selfie Stick
- Wireless Selfie Stick
- Bluetooth Selfie Stick
1. Wired Selfie Stick
This type of selfie stick is connected using a wire with smartphones. Using a port, the wire is connected to the smartphones. Soon after finding the distance, you can take a picture with just a press of the button on the stick handle.
2. Bluetooth Selfie Stick
Here the device is connected using the Bluetooth option. This type of selfie stick is further divided into two types based on the capture button.
- The selfie stick connects via Bluetooth. Here the capture button is present on the handle itself.
- This selfie stick connects via Bluetooth and the capture button is present on the remote control.
3. Wireless Selfie Stick
Here the selfie stick will hold only the smartphone but there is no connection to it in any way with the stick. Once you place the smartphone on the stick, you need to set the right distance. Also, the user needs to set some time on the camera. Then, wait for the smartphone to take the photograph or you can move your hand for camera sensing purposes.
There is a fourth type of stick present but not listed separately. It is like a selfie stick and you need to place the smartphone on the top of the stick. But the bottom of the stick will be on the floor.
Features of Selfie Sticks
Before buying a selfie stick, you need to check some features and specifications. Here are those features that you need to consider while buying it.
1. Battery
There are two types of batteries. The first one comes with regular batteries and you need to change the batteries after they are becoming empty. In the second category, there is a rechargeable battery which you need to just charge after using the selfie stick. But in the case of wireless selfie sticks, there will be no batteries.
2. Zooming Buttons
There will be zoom-in and zoom-out buttons present in the selfie stick that you need to check. This feature is mostly available in Bluetooth selfie sticks.
3. Leather Strap With Handle
Most users look for a leather strap that is present next to the handle or fabric. This is useful for users to wrap around the wrist while carrying it.
4. Mount Compatibility
All the selfie sticks come with a mount that you can adjust its width for holding the smartphones securely in a horizontal position. The most common type is the rubberized clamp or bracket which will squeeze around the device firmly. Thus, while buying the selfie stick, you need to read the product listing whether the clamp is compatible or not.
5. Folded Length and Total Reach
Selfie sticks need to be portable and easy to carry wherever you go. Thus, it should come with a compact design to carry it around easily. Most selfie sticks may fold up to 8 inches in length. But few models will collapse to a smaller length for easy carrying. Thus, you need to check this feature before buying the selfie stick.
6. Build Quality
You need to check the durability of the selfie stick before buying it. It is important to handle your selfie stick with care but in some situations, you can’t do anything. Thus, to last for many years of usage, check its build quality and durability.
7. Camera Control & Connectivity
Most people don’t know about the different types of selfie sticks available on the market. They just think that it is just a metal rod used to hold phones for taking snaps. But it is more than that having a remote control option too. The Bluetooth option serves as the best and most high-tech version. But, this option requires much power and you need to charge it using the micro-USB port located in the handle base. You can consider this version for buying.
You can also consider the selfie sticks with a cable but the record sound option is not available here. But in a 3.5 mm jack, you can customize it to fix this problem.
How to buy a selfie stick?
We have mentioned 8 things that you need to see while buying selfie stick.
1. The length of the stick
Some selfie sticks can extend up to 10 feet long but the length of the stick does not make it better. You can choose sticks that are 3 to 4 feet. If the sticks are longer then it can be hard for you to hold them as it is heavy and large. It is also not portable to travel. Plus when you extend the stick the added weight can strain the extension of the stick. When handled carelessly the stick can break.
2. The extension mechanism of the selfie stick
You can do some research on the extension mechanisms before buying selfie stick. If there is stiffness in the arm if you retract or extend it then the extension mechanism is good. Some may require little pressure to extend it. But others can come with full length if you point it down. They can come with a lock to keep it in place. If you are using a selfie stick you can opt for the one with a stiffer mechanism.
3. Type of Material
The main body of the selfie stick is made with aluminum alloy or stainless steel. The material you require can make a big difference because the selfie stick can function well. The aluminum alloys are the metal mixtures and here aluminum is the main material. The material is well known for its lightweight properties. It is easy to carry too as it has higher oxidation and corrosion resistance. On the other hand, stainless steel is not resistant to harmful elements. But it is strong and hard to break.
4. Handle
The selfie sticks have handles so there is no need to hold the metal parts of the body. Besides the size, shape, materially affects the ease of use too. You can avoid the plastic handles because they can become slippery. You can stick to the selfie sticks that have rubber or foam handles too. Find the grooves and dents in the handle too. Further, it offers a firmer grip.
5. Clamp
The high-quality clamp is better as it protects your phone against the mount of the selfie stick. For beginners, you have to ensure that it supports the size of the phone or the tablet. There are clamps created to hold cameras too. You can look for a clamp that fastens with a screw. In this way, you will be able to control the grip. You can find some clamps with spring mechanisms that can retract on their own after you extend them. It is a risky option as bumping the device against something can result in the movement of the spring. It can loosen the grip.
6. Mode of connection
Many selfie sticks available today are wireless and have Bluetooth connectivity. You can power the stick, search for its signal, and pair it with the phone or tablet. It is a downside to the Bluetooth selfie sticks but you need to change them constantly for charging it. There are older models and some new ones too which are wired and connected through auxiliary cable. They are powered with the device so there is no requirement to charge them.
7. Taking a photo
There are selfie sticks that do not have any connectivity options. They are available for fewer costs than the others. This means you have to use the timer on the phone camera when taking a selfie. It can be annoying. But it is the best way if you are not a frequent user of the selfie stick. You can save a lot of money too.
But for people with a mode connection, there is a button located on the handle. It triggers the shutter on the device. Besides some Bluetooth sticks have remotes. It reduces the blur that comes with pushing the stick. But the disadvantage is that you cannot have free hands.
8. Ease of use
The important aspect of the selfie stick is that it serves you better. You can scout for reviews before making the purchase. You can also draw some conclusions on the other’s experiences with the product. Check if it is durable or not. Also, know if it is easy to pack.
Tips to Make A Smart Purchase of Selfie Stick
Here are the tips to consider on how to buy a selfie stick.
- The first thing is to select the specifications and the type that you look for in a selfie stick.
- Go for the sturdy selfie stick and have a look at the toughness of the holder to change its angles.
- While going for a wired selfie stick, you need to check the compatibility of the wire with your phone or camera port.
- Check for additional features such as a waterproof, rubberized clamp, mirror, etc.
- Go for the selfie stick that is made up of aluminum, as it will not get rust soon.
Where can you buy selfie sticks?
You can do a quick search on the online stores to buy the selfie stick with the specification you want. There are many different types available for you. Some have adjustable mechanisms while others have added on rigs. This enables you to take high-quality selfies. There are also selfie sticks particularly available for professionals. These contain some high-end features.
If you like to take selfies then learn about the options offered in the online stores. The vendors like Amazon and eBay are offering great deals on Selfie sticks. Some of the brands of selfie sticks available are Syosin Selfie Stick Tripod, Andoer 54-inch selfie stick, MPOW Selfie Stick Tripod, GoPro Black 3-Way Arm, Insta360 Invisible Selfie Stick, Manfrotto VR Selfie Stick, and more.
Conclusion
You may get all the data relevant to make a smart purchase of the selfie stick. But never forget to analyze the features of the selfie stick while purchasing it. Additionally, you can read the reviews and ratings of the selfie sticks by users for getting a clear idea. It is better that you purchase the selfie stick online, as you will get many options to choose from.
