EEVblog #1359 - My SUPER PORTABLE Vlogging Kit!

Dave shows you his new compact portable video blogging kit that provides a complete vlogging solution in a tiny grab'n'go case!
With 4 different audio solutions, lighting, power & charging solution, and a versatile handle and frame system, along with a tripod in an incredibly compact case.

Bill of Materials:

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[kozmaz]

Absolutely every single item in this video is "absolutely fantastic" :D

[AdamsLab]

Nice setup, everything you'd need without any fluff. FYI - Rode makes a splitter cable (SC11) that will let you feed in both the shotgun and GO audio (split left/right) into the camera. Doing it that will let you get both the lav and the shotgun, solving the issue if talking behind the camera.

[KillerSpud]

Put a couple 1/4-20 studs on the sides of the case to use as a bit more stable tripod.

[JanJeronimus]

It would be nice if you could mount the camera on the outside of the case for stability as a kind of tripod.

[giacomo]

The webcam from the first blog was fine for me

[SeanBZA]

Stick a few small neodynium magnets into the case, inside between the foam and the plastic, and use them to hold the main and a spare hex key for the frame, so that you can keep a spare one there. Add a small polythene bag under the top foam, containing a spare mic lead, USB charge lead, so that if the one you have breaks (they always do) you have an instant spare. As well perfect place for 2 emergency SD cards, formatted for the camera, just for those cases you actually run out of space, but the other cards are "back by the computer" for upload that was not quite gotten to yet. 12V cigarette adaptor for USB charge also small but useful.

Yes that 10Ah battery bank is useful, and if you go camping put in one or two of the plug in USB torch heads, as you never know when you might need some fill light on a "quick" shoot, and they are useful for that, plus not much room extra. I leave one on a spare 18650 power bank as a nice quick to reach emergency torch, and just have to charge it every 6 months or so. If there is still room a small multitool, nothing special, just the smallest cheap one that will do 3 jobs before breaking.

[corporaal]

how is something the best vlogging camera if it overheats after 30minutes

[flymypg]

The SmallRig frame was unknown to me before this, and is a game-changer. My future compact camera selection will certainly take SmallRig availability into account!

For me, my only changes would be to the audio, as I have tons of audio processing experience and can get great results from mid-market mics. Plus, it always seems my external mics take the worst beatings during outdoors use, so having "good enough to use, cheap enough to lose" is a priority.

[eDoc]

Dave' you're missing one thing I would definitely have: a wall plug. That power bank will only last so long, especially if you forget to recharge it.

[siammai]

The Rode VideoMicro has a shotgun type polar pattern, so it does pick up audio from both front and rear (but muted audio from the side)

[TechYourNeeds]

Camera Gear: Sony ZV-1, Rode Wireless Go II, and Rode Lavalier Go, ULANZI MT-08 Extension Pole Tripod, UURig Camera Base Mount Bracket for the battery.

[CraigHollabaugh]

You just kept pulling solutions out that little pelican. I thought your closer would be a sandwich, even better was the tripod. You've managed the proverbial 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb box. Great go video solution, thanks from Colorado.

[iRepairElectronics]

i have packed tone of gear into various pelican cases. i would have gone with a pelican 1400 case. Reason being is it would give you ability to improve side impact protection. your current setup seems a bit tight to me. and also to any readers there is also a case company called "Apache" they are built almost exactly the same as the pelican. and available at any harbor freight store here in the USA.

[richardabrown]

That is a great kit the only other thing I might add is the 2 to 1 audio cable so you can have both shot gun and wireless mic at the same time. I also agree that sound is more important than image on a video

[gbraadnl]

What you might have a look into is a dummy battery to power the camera directly from the USB power bank.

[mp]

Absolutely great review, thumbs up, thanks!!
Could you follow up with how you organize your video and audio files? (not necessarily the editing part, just the use of memory cards, how many, how large, when and where your store their contents, folder and file naming so that you can make sense of it all months later, backups of the storage area etc).
Best!

[MatthewSuffidy]

Q really came through. The like failed after 30min sounds like a significant problem to me. If the mic is analog some times those lose connection because of dirt or something. Helps to be gold plated like yours look, and wipe them off before sticking in.

[codebeat]

I love the wobbling mic holder, brilliant idea.

[UpcycleElectronics]

Such a camera nerd. I'm just skeptical of committing to a dedicated built in lens...not that I care about vlogging or YT. I used to do high end consignments on ebay and had a low lighting based studio photography setup. No camera (I'm aware of) can auto-setup a low lighting exposure out of the box. I wound up mostly using cheap canon factory zoom lenses, but I did use macro extensions a lot. I just can't imagine giving up the versatility of a replacement lens on any high end camera purchase. The only reason I might get a better camera is for getting better flat pics of hardware when retracing a PCB. Warped camera phone images suck especially when trying to flip the back side and realignment.

[pocoapoco]

I don't ever vlog, so I don't really have a feel for what your needs are. But I think a wireless remote control would be useful.