[Bojamijams]

What I'm looking for, is something that will let me hold a mobile phone solidly (like a tripod) but that I can attach to my shoulder/thigh so that it can record things 'hands free'.
 
Similar to the Joby GorillaMobile (in that it is flexible and can be adjusted to any position) (http://joby.com/gorillamobile/iphone4/) but obviously not a tripod at the bottom but a two sided, padded slider pads that can be adjusted to clamp onto the shoulder, or around the thigh if the person is sitting.  The adjustabilitity (ala GorillaMobile) would allow one to put the camera right in front of the head/face to record point of view movies as well.
 
Included is a badly drawn Paint mockup to further illustrate idea (the side shot only shows the clamp).  Think of the clamps that are on most adjustable smartphone car holders, just bigger and padded so they can stay on your shoulder for a few hours.
 

 
 
So does anyone know if such a product exists?  Or do you perhaps know someone that would be interested in making a few of them (we could setup a group buy here?)
 
 

 

[sari0n]

I would look for something that would allow you to attach your phone to your head.  That would be a lot more practical and easy to find.

 

[Bojamijams]

Hmm, not a bad idea.  I worry about comfort if its just a strap around the forehead (pressure would cause headache after a while I bet).
 
Can you recommend something? Optrix has a case for the iphone that could do this but it plugs the 30pin connector and I need that free.

 

[sari0n]

You may be able to mod a headlamp or some accessories for the gopro cameras.  Maybe you can stick a holster on it, one that the iphone sort of clips into with the back sticking out like this:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ZdJG81ZFL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Then you can just start the video and clip the iphone into the holster.  The optrix probably only needs the connector so that it can charge your iphone while recording, or maybe they have some special app for it.

 

[obobskivich]

What about getting a decent holster and some sort of shoulder strap (purse, backback, climbing lights, whatever)? 
 
What's the ultimate goal of this project? (There may be another way to get to your destination via another route).
 

 

[Bojamijams]

The idea is to be able to record various events which take a long time (concerts, performances, plays, etc) without holding up my arms the whole time.

 

[obobskivich]

In a lot of cases that violates copyright regulations, at least in the US, and many venues will not allow you to enter with videography equipment (thought they usually aren't cognizant that most phones double as cameras). I'd also be concerned about the focus and quality issues associated with using a phone, more the mic than the optics, simply that you'll run into clipping and other artefacts. Pity, I thought we were doing something fun and original too. Anyways, clipping the thing to a shoulder strap or similar will be the most innocuous looking (because some people carry their phone like that to begin with), and I'm sure it'll let you make your bootlegs with relative ease. 
Quote:

The idea is to be able to record various events which take a long time (concerts, performances, plays, etc) without holding up my arms the whole time.

 

 

[Bojamijams]

This isn't for recording movies, rather concerts/plays that ones kids might be in.
 
As for the mic and clipping, I'm getting an stereo mic (http://tascam.com/product/im2/) which is why I Need the 30pin connector not blocked by any cases

 

[obobskivich]

Tripod or monopod (a real one, not the iPhone one) would be my best suggestion here - having the thing on your shoulder won't be as stable as we'd like to believe (remember that our brains do a lot of compensation for motion). Basically set the thing up once and forget about it. 
 
Regarding that microphone, I've used the TASCAM and Olympus field recorders based on that scheme; they work alright at a distance, but not "perfect" - perhaps comparable or a bit worse than what a proper camera will get you. I can understand not wanting to lug around a mountain of equipment though (some of those Olympus field recorders on their own are just silly big). I'd sit near the front if possible. They're great up-close (I have more experience with the Olympus recorders, and I've never taken a bad sample with them). 
 
Quote:

This isn't for recording movies, rather concerts/plays that ones kids might be in.
 
As for the mic and clipping, I'm getting an stereo mic (http://tascam.com/product/im2/) which is why I Need the 30pin connector not blocked by any cases

 

 

[El_Doug]

If you were to wear this, whether DIY or as a product, you will look like a complete tool

 

[Bojamijams]

If I only cared what other people thought...
 
Quote:

If you were to wear this, whether DIY or as a product, you will look like a complete tool

 

 

[Il Mostro]

Seems to me that if you cannibalized an old camera and used the tripod mount portion in fabricating a home brewed "case" or attachment for your phone, all sorts of options would be available to you.

 

[devouringone3]

I did try to make my own augmented reality goggles, inspired by what this guy has done:
 

 
http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2009-10/cardboard-smartphone-sweet-diy-augmented-reality-googles
 
But I'm failing at finding a way to mount the box to my head in a comfortable way... that doesn't require the use of a bicycle helm as fixation principle...
 
So just today I found that:
 

 
Shoulder mounted, what a great idea.
 
But it's not even a product yet, this is just a proof of concept or something (Mar 4, 2013 http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smartphone-clips)