Selfie on a Stick

Make fun of them if you want, but sometimes selfie sticks are a necessary evil … except perhaps in crowded places. Sometimes, strangers just can’t get you the angle you want, or, inevitably your arms are too short to include both you and the scenery behind you. And sometimes it’s impossible to find a level surface on which to balance your phone for a photo.

Enter Selfie on a Stick, which claims to be the original selfie stick. Whether it is or not, this is a great product that is easy to use, easy to stow and an all-around fun toy to carry with you on your travels.

Aim for the wired version, which comes in five handle colors (green, black, light blue, pink and purple). It is incredibly easy to set up, with a small plug that snaps into your phone’s headphone port and immediately connects to your phone’s camera, no installation or app necessary. It works with iOS devices, Android and more. It’s compatible with Android 4.3+ and iOS5.1+.

The phone then fits on the end of the stick with a spring-loaded clamp that easily secures the phone; you won’t have to worry about it slipping out and plummeting over a cliff or into water. The clamp can fit just about any smartphone on the market today. The handle rod then extends from 9.25 inches to a quite long 42.5 inches, so you can easily capture a big group and some stunning background scenery.

Weighing in at just 4.07 ounces, the lightweight product travels easily and packs down small to boot.