The Padcaster Parrot Teleprompter Kit, Portable Teleprompter for iPhone

Single best piece of equipment for creating your own podcast videos hands down.The price point compared to similar items made the Parrot Teleprompter seem too good to be true. It it doesn't matter how low the price is if the product doesn't work, right? But this one does!I read the reviews and took a chance and ordered it. Two days later I was unboxing it and marveling at quality build and the number of adapters included to fit just about any lens. Note: The 77mm adapter comes attached to the back cover that protects the unit when not in use. It looks like it's one solid piece but it does screw off... just not easily. The 77mm adapter is the one I needed and was I frustrated by not finding one among all of the individually packaged adapters. I even searched online to purchase one separately. I finally noticed there was one image on the website that showed the back cover separated from the ring. I tried separating the ring from the back and it didn't budge at first. It REALLY looks like it's one solid piece. The size and shape make it difficult to get a good grip on the two pieces to provide the torque necessary to unscrew them but perseverance paid off after several attempts.Setup was easy and soon I was ready to experiment. I bought the remote control and I think it is essential to having a good experience with the teleprompter. I will review the remote separately but let me note here that the remote could use more explicit setup instructions too. I actually thought it was defective and ordered a replacement. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime because the replacement was on it's way before I even boxed up the return. I moved to getting my script loaded into the app. That wasn't as easy as it seemed either. Another issue that would disappear with more explicit instructions.Unless you want to type in your script using the tiny keypad on your phone, which seems gruelling and time consuming, you'll want to type it up on your computer and then transfer it to your app via Dropbox or File Explorer. It's super cool that Parrot has automated the process with Dropbox for us. Follow the steps inside the setup menu and in less than a minute you'll establish a direct connection between your Parrot app and a special folder on Dropbox where you can save all of your scripts.All that was easy. The missing bit of information in the instructions is that your script needs to be saved in a *.txt format. Mine was saved as a Word document and it showed up as a million different symbols in the teleprompter. I called Parrot and spoke to Darrell (I believe) and he, very kindly, set me straight.Once I had all that figured out I setup my first experiment. Without the remote it was difficult. Speaking in a normal voice with a normal pace, which is what one would want to do in a video podcast, we naturally speed up and slow down depending on the content. No matter where I set the speed it was either too fast or too slow depending on the flow of the script. The remote really is essential for a polished performance.Having said that, the app works perfectly. The teleprompter is easy to read and incredibly helpful. The phone clamp is a little loose so you have to make sure your phone is seated properly but that is no problem. I imagine it would be impossible to make a universal fit, fit perfectly.Yesterday my replacement remote arrived. At first I thought it was another dud and called Parrot for help. By the way, they are awesome. Friendly, helpful and very professional. It turned out that the power button isn't meant to remain lit and the connect button on the back must be depressed by the tip of something much smaller than a fingertip or fingernail- but not sharp. Darrell suggested the end of a paper clip but I was reluctant to use that. I was afraid the thin plastic cover over the button would puncture. I used a closed ball point pen and that worked. Including this step in the instructions would make this issue a non issue. Making the button easier to use would be even better.Once I had it paired with my phone I reset my experiment. Fantastic! With the remote in hand I could start, stop, pause, speed up and slow down the script as much as needed to generate the perfectly timed script. Knowing I was in complete control of the speed helped me relax and focus on the content which made for a much more natural delivery.I gave the Parrot Teleprompter five stars despite the initial difficulties because the issues are with the instructions NOT the product. I would encourage the company to revise the included instructions and include a few FAQs and tips for the initial setup. Aside from that the five stars are definitely well deserved. I just don't think a better option for the price is available.

I never write reviews, so this should be a testament to how much I vouch for this product.For context, I've purchased 2 other iPad teleprompters on Amazon, and the Parrot is definitely my favorite from everything else I've tried.Main reasons:1) It's compact and light. iPad eleprompters can be huge and heavy, and even the foldable ones are still large. So this tiny little guy can even fit into my travel kit.2) Fewer moving parts. It's just a box with a lid for the front and a lid for the back. It comes with a bunch of step-up rings. None of them were small enough for my Lumix f1/7 45mm lens (with has a lens diameter of 37mm), so I just had to buy a step-up ring on Amazon for a few bucks.3) Works with your phone. Not only was I saving about $50-100 with Parrot's model compared to other teleprompters, I also didn't have to buy an iPad. It works with whatever phone you have!4) The app is even good! Super simple, easy to use UI. I'm so impressed that Parrot has built a good hardware and software system.5) Smaller screen. With the iPad teleprompters, you can often see the on-camera subject's eyes dart left to right as they read, and therefore it becomes quite obvious he or she is reading. With the smaller screen, you can keep your eyes on the lens.6) SAVES ME SO MUCH TIME WITH VIDEO EDITING. Before I used teleprompters, I would just wing it on camera and try to memorize talking points, but then I'd end up with a lot of crappy footage and then I'd spend even more time editing. Now, I can just perfect the content before I even hit record, and I can recording time down to 2 takes, which means I can do my editing super fast.7) I don't have to secure it between my camera and tripod. It fits over the front of your lens. Much faster setup.The only con, as many others are saying, is the build quality. It does feel flimsy and easy to break. It certainly feels overpriced for the build quality, but it is still overall a GREAT deal compared to other teleprompters. And while it is flimsy, it is light and that's a good thing. Overall, considering the vast number of PROS this product has to offer, this CON is not enough for me to not give it 5 stars.Great product! You've made my life so much easier as a video producer!