Cheap fix: Adding a tripod mount to a Logitech conference cam
It's a maxim of manufacturing that every additional part, every additional assembly adds to the cost of a product. But when it comes to conference cameras costing hundreds of dollars, would one additional screw mount really blow the budget?
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For some reason, many webcams and even higher-end conference cameras like the Logitech BCC950 Conference Cam can't be attached to a tripod. The general expectation, I suppose, is that conferencing cameras are meant to be placed on a conference table. But tripods are a common way of mounting a camera and it's just odd that the $249 BCC950 doesn't come with the little screw mount on the bottom of its body.
The lack of a mount doesn't seem to have harmed Logitech's sales all that much. Jason Perlow reviewed the BCC950 four years ago. Logitech provided us with two units: one at Jason's location and one for me, so we could test them out. The camera is still for sale. Given how quickly Logitech normally changes up its product offerings, the BCC950 must be doing something right.
Back then, I mentioned I was disappointed the device didn't have a tripod mount. That meant it wouldn't find a good home in my Broadband Studio. As a result, the device sat on my shelf for lo, these many years.
But it's a heck of a camera. As I worked on revamping the studio, I once again took a look at the BCC950. Not only is it a nice camera, but it has remote pan, tilt, and zoom. That's a useful set of features. At first, I thought I might 3D print some sort of complex, spider-like mount to attach to the bottom of the thing.
But that seemed like a lot of work. Before I set out to create an entirely new 3D design, I figured I'd do the logical thing: search Amazon for "sticky tripod mount." Wouldn't you know it? There is such a thing. The one I bought is called a "Scotty 348 Stick-On Accessory Mount" and it costs about seven bucks. Spending seven dollars was a lot easier than spending three or four days coming up with a working 3D printed mounting design.
So I bought it and attached it to the camera. You can see the process of making it all work in the video below.
If you have anything in your office you want to attach to a tripod, go ahead and consider using a stick-on solution. I had a working camera sitting in my closet for years because I didn't think about looking for an alternative solution until I started building my own brackets and mounts with the 3D printer. But 3D printing isn't the only way to solve a problem. Sometimes, a few careful Amazon searches can turn up a really helpful, easy, cheap answer.
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