Octa : Tablet Mounting System – Packs Small, Plays Big

Since the incorporation of the iPad and others into your workflow, the biggest issue has been the best mounting system to use. It could be a tethered screen, or camranger, or shooting notes or lighting sketches you need to have in front of you
Whether you need to access the tablet on a light stand, table, or another grippable surface, the choices were few.
There is the Manfrotto clamp, magic arm (about $145.) and coupled with the Wallee iPad case (about $40.), gives you a solid and immovable mounting kit. But if you want to change the direction or move angle of the arm, it takes a strong arm to unlock the rig. Expensive full kit, and tablet specific. Has to be a naked tablet (no case).
Another choice is the iKlip who, with their experience in the music world, created a sweet ball joint, clamp system, that has an adjustable spring loaded tablet holder. Meant as a tool for musicians to us the iPad for lyrics, or recording, it’s perfect for the shooters needs. Right price, needed to stay close to the stand. Will fit a tablet with case. About $40.

Then came Octa, and the TabletTail: Lynx

Not a one-off product, but a system with a menu of attachments to suit your needs.

The design is based on a lot of ratcheting, to get the sizing you need.
To start with is the tablet holder. Spring loaded, it pops open with a button, and adjusts easily to whatever size tablet or E-Reader you use. It will hold an iphone 6, but not tight. Perhaps the iPhone 6 plus will work better but it’s designed for tablets.

The Bridge is a flexible, yet stiff connector, about 5″ long including rotating caps on each end. The clamp is also an adjustable ratcheting system, that will grip to most surfaces, and release with a button tab. There is a locking system to ensure that the clamp and holder aren’t going anywhere, yet can rotate. The 3 parts combine to give a huge amount of versatility.

It is able to rotate, change angles, and stay secure. The Bridge is a little shorter than I wanted, but there is a slew of options you can get, once you are in the system. It’s a little longer than the iKlip.
The screen stayed where I put it by just by moving the tablet, without having to unlock anything.
One of the other great things about this system was that it packs small, and plays big.
What do I mean by that? The parts can be unlocked, folded down and fit in a gear bag easily.
Brilliant design actually.

There is a small note about the ratcheting clamp: Octa reminds you not to over tighten, as this is made of high impact plastic, not metal. The rubber grips ensure no marring of a surface, but I was mindful of the warning.

The Lynx sells for about $99., and can be purchased direct from Octa or Amazon, with this link

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