Moza Slypod Review: Better or Worse Than A Slider?

The MozaSlypod is essentially a monopod that is able to extend its length by using a programmable motor at the bottom. This expands the typical functions of a monopod to include motion-controlled timelapse, sliding or dolly shots as well as a basic height adjustment for when you are using it as a monopod.

The Slypod weighs in at 750g, heavier than a typical monopod and comes with a comfortable wooden hand grip extension, a tripod head, as well as some small tripod feet and a 3/8 inch mount. The unit also comes with its own custom pan head that attaches to the end of the monopod. There is also a ¾-inch attachment for other configurations. It has a max extension range of 28cm (11″) and can carry a max weight of 18kg (40 pounds) vertically and a payload of 10kg (22 pounds) horizontally.

The movement of the Slypod can be controlled directly from the Slypod grip or by using the app. The app allows for keyframes and positions to be programmed and played back to create the camera motion. The app also controls the timelapse function, allowing you to program the duration of the output, the speed of the movement and also the shutter speed that is set on your camera.

The key benefit of the Slypod is its portability as well as the versatility in getting different shots an ordinary slider might struggle with. Bringing it around is a lot easier than a slider as it retracts and becomes more compact compared to a normal slider which cannot do so.

The extension and retraction of the Slypod means you’ll never see tracks or any part of the slider in your shot. It allows for tighter, more complex shots like moving past close objects or shooting from above. However, it is limited to an extension range of 28cm (11″).

The Slypod firstly only requires one tripod, and by one tripod I mean a really sturdy tripod. Because the Slypod extends outwards with a heavy camera at the furthest part, the CG of the entire rig shifts dramatically and only a strong sturdy tripod would be able to balance this.

The noise of the motors are extremely noticeable and I would not advise using this for interviews or any filming that includes audio recordings. It’s a shame that Moza couldn’t make a more silent motor like the ones on the Rhino sliders. This was a major disappointment and one key reason I wouldn’t buy this.

Another issue I find myself facing is constant wiggle in the axis of the Slypod. The camera, being front-heavy, would almost always cause the Slypod to twist right as the motors kicked in. This was really frustrating especially after spending all that time framing your shot only to have the Slypod shift when it starts moving.

The first batch of Moza Slypods also came with a shaking issue when used vertically; the camera pans and shakes from side to side. However, Moza has fixed this in their 2nd batch of releases.

Overall, I felt the Slypod was over-hyped when it was first shown at NAB 2019. Since then everyone has been anticipating the release of it, only to be disappointed by its shortcomings.

The key to a good motion-controlled slider is a silent motor, smooth dolly movements and a reliable and stable rig. All of which the Slypod has failed at.

Several other tech YouTubers have expressed their thoughts on the Slypod and although we all agree that the idea is innovative, the execution just wasn’t done right. It will be a while before we see a well-rounded version of a motorised monopod. For now, there are plenty of compact motorised sliders coming in at a cheaper price you could look into buying.

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Written by Shawn Koh (Tech360.tv Community Creator)