PadPivot from RocketFish

PadPivot is one of those devices you may not know that you need until you try it out. This lightweight and portable device holds your favorite tablet, phone, or eReader for hands-free viewing on a table or (less hands-free) perching on your thigh. It has a sticky pad that will stick to your device and to some cases. If you’re using a case that won’t stick, there’s a notch that holds your device upright. It also comes with a leg strap to keep it stable while sitting on your thigh.

padpivot

I was a bit skeptical with this one, so it was nice to see that the sticky pad held my iPad firmly in place while browsing. You don’t want to hold it upside down with your device attached, but when used as directed, I had no problems at all with it sticking. The pad has a protector for when it’s not in use, but if it gets dirty, you can rinse it off gently and air dry it.

The PadPivot has a ball-bearing pivot which allows you to adjust the angle to one that works for you. I had some trouble adjusting the tightness of the bearing, but that’s partly because I tried to do it after the device was on the stand. It got tight enough to keep the device from flopping over, but not so tight that you couldn’t adjust it.

Here is my breakdown:

Pros:

  • Small and lightweight – it will easily fit in a small purse and may fit comfortable in a pants pocket.
  • Can work with a variety of devices.
  • Great for small spaces like on an airplane tray table.
  • Sticky pad can be rinsed off for reuse.

Cons:

  • The leg strap isn’t terribly useful for holding the device steady, especially with heavier devices.
  • It feels a bit pricey for what it is.
  • The directions are occasionally vague.

If you have an tablet case that props your tablet up to a variety of angles, this may not be that useful, especially if you need to remove your device from a case to use it. If, on the other hand you have a bulky case, a screen cover without a backing (such as the Apple iPad covers), or a smaller device with no case at all, this is a nice little stand to bring with you. I particularly like it for watching a movie on a plane or train where space is at a premium.

The Rocketfish PadPivot is available at Best Buy for $39.99.

Disclosure: I have received the reviewed product from Best Buy for free. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own. Image courtesy of Best Buy.

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