This camera accessory was selected to complement a tabletop photographic workspace. Specifically, to be used as a light holder that attaches an LED floodlight weighing 1lb 6 oz to a tabletop with a depth of 1.5 inches. The claw clamp has rubberized antiskid pads that gripped the painted table edge well without scratching the painted surface of the table. Except for the antiskid pads, the whole unit is metal, which speaks to its durability with repeated use as opposed to plastic parts. The “magic arm” feature is that with the tightening of the central “T” handle, three pivot points are simultaneously locked in place, allowing quick and flexible placement of attachments in a spherical space within 10 inches of the arm. I suggest you take the time to explore using the lock nut that mates to the clamp. I was using a DJI pocket 3 battery unit attached with the 1/4 inch post on the arm, and the whole arm kept rolling to the left when 35 degrees off vertical, even though the central clamp was tight. The arm was working perfectly; it was just that the lock nut was not secured well enough, and it was loosening with the torque of the now-weighted arm and not because of the ball joint.
Add-on uses: Holding a laser pointer cage for night photography, holding a phone clamp for blogging, and it could hold a shotgun microphone.
Opinion: This unit provides flexibility for the placement of photography accessories for your work. It appears to be well constructed. While not shown, the thumbscrew on the bottom of the cold shoe is removable, which means that you can use it elsewhere in a pinch, as it will allow you to mate two ¼ inch posts together. This arm would be a useful addition to anyone's photo gear.