X-Shot - Stainless Shield Shaft for Cameras Review

Everyone has run into this moment sometime or another: You are standing in front of a beautiful landscape, statue, or landmark with your significant other. In the mayhem of people stampeding by, you look at each other and mind-talk, "Who should we ask to take our picture?" After a couple of minutes fumbling with the camera and scrutinizing over which poor stranger to inconvenience and possibly steal/drop/smudge your Cybershot, you finally grow the nerves to ask. They nod, look for the shutter button, and snap a a pic that may very well be the only pic you may get of that moment. Sometimes it's off-centered, unfocused, or over/under-zoomed. But you'd hate to ask another person so you settle for what you got and continue with your travels. Well here's the simple answer to this predicament: XSHOT.

What is XSHOT?

XShot is a 3' extendable baton that allows YOU to hold the camera at whatever vantage point you want on any digital camera. For $19.99, you now have the freedom to take whatever picture you want, as often as you want, during those moments when you need to ensure a great shot (i.e. in front of the Trevi Fountain with pickpocketers and tourists swarming left and right). Simply attach the XShot to the bottom of the camera where the tripod attachment usually sits, set the timer, and off you go. It is unbelievably easy to use, and by far the smartest investment for my travels in 2007. In fact, I had purchased this on Amazon.com using my VIEWPOINTS AMAZON GIFT COUPON so I paid essentially nothing! Sweet deal. Not only will you be impressed with the results, but be prepared to get smiles, looks, and whispers as well from those around you. I took the XShot to Maui and I could not count how may times onlookers would whisper, "That is so neat! Ask her where she got it!" I wish I had the XShot last year when my boyfriend and I were in Italy as I can recall a half dozen places where it would have come in handy. This contraption is simple in design but has one fatal flaw preventing me from honoring it with a 5-star review: its difficulty taking vertical pictures. Horizontal pics are a cinch, verticals require a little bit of balance and steady hands.

I have attached to this review a couple of pictures that were taken using the XShot so that you can determine for yourself how well it performs. I can say without a doubt that the XShot is coming with me on all my future travels. No more worrying about putting your $400 camera in the wrong hands. You are now the photographer and the subject.