We told you last year about the Padcaster, the gadget that basically turned your iPad into an all in one production studio. Well now, the same company behind the Padcaster is hoping to fund a second full production run of new and improved Original Padcasters, and also manufacture a Padcaster for the iPad Mini, to give iPad mini owners the opportunity to take advantage of the all-in-one production studio experience.
From the Padcaster Mini Kickstarter site:
Though the original inspiration for the Padcaster was as a piece of videography equipment, its versatile design has inspired our customers to use it in a variety of ways we never even imagined.
We’ve seen our product used as a teleprompter and as a cage for a DSLR. We’ve seen it tricked out with LED lights, and hooked up to watch television in bed, and in the backseat of a car. We’ve even seen it used by Kelly Croy of Wired Educator as a tool to help disabled children in the classroom.
The Padcaster is a versatile iPad case made up of an aluminum frame with a removable urethane insert. The outside of the sturdy frame is lined with 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 threaded holes for attaching lights, an external mic, or other camera gear.
With accessories attached you’ll probably want to use it on a tripod, shoulder mount or some other support, but the frame is wide and heavy enough – though not too heavy – to stand on its own for shooting or viewing. Plus the size and weight of the frame makes handheld shooting more comfortable, giving you a better, steadier grip.
The secure and flexible urethane insert lets you easily pop your iPad into the Padcaster—a snug fit for protection, confidence and steady shooting on-the-go.
The original Padcaster was intended as a piece of videography equipment, but its versatile design inspired customers to use it in a variety of way the designers never imagined. The product has been used as a teleprompter, and as a cage for a DSLR. Its been used to watch television in bed and in the back seat of a car. Its even been used as a tool to help disabled children in the classroom.
Each Padcaster comes with the Lenscaster (a bracket for attaching all your favorite lenses), an instruction sheet, a 72mm-58mm step-down ring, two 1/4-20 screws, two 3/8-16 screws, one custom camera mount screw and one cold shoe adapter.
The urethane insert makes it easy to pop your iPad in and out easily, and comes outfitted with openings through which you can run headphones, mic adapters and even your charger if necessary.
Pledge levels run from $1 (Get on their mailing list and be kept in the loop about the project, all the way up to $2,500 or more (ORIGINAL PADCASTER STAR TREATMENT! You’ll get a fully bundled, new and improved Original Padcaster with light, microphone, lens, monopod and headphones, and Josh will personally fly to your town and give you a FULL-DAY hands-on tutorial! Same odds apply for pizza and T-shirts! (United States Only))
The pledge level that will interest most will be the $99 or more Early Bird Special – Get one of the first 200 Padcaster Minis to roll off the assembly line. They’ll come with a T-Shirt and a signed certificate of authenticity.
If the Padcaster Mini interests you, be sure to visit the Padcaster Mini Kickstarter site and take a look at the project. It might just fit your needs.
Be sure to hurry, there are only 4 days left to go in the project.
Have you seen, or even better yet do you have, a current Kickstarter or Indiegogo project you’d like us to check out? If you do then drop me a line at chris@mactrast.com. Tell me all about the project, and why you think it would make a good subject for a future Kickstarter/Indiegogo Project of the Week. If I agree, I’ll contact you for more information.
