I just bought a Manfrotto PIXI Mini tripod. I got it because the Innovapod I have keeps falling apart; I thought it was going to be good. It was, but the legs and the balls of the design are prone to falling apart or coming off. I really like that tripod because I can angle my phone pretty much any way I want. However, I cannot really deal with its unreliability anymore. I decided to get the Manfrotto because it has overall great reviews and seemed a lot sturdier than my current tripod.
I've been thinking about minimalizing my vlogging setup ever since I went to Houston to visit my brother. I used to use the Innovapod along with this all-metal ball head. The ball head was **very** heavy. That compromised the Innovapod's rigidity. I understand that I didn't need to use the ball head, but it was for the aesthetic and functionality. Currently I'm using an external lavalier mic with multiple windscreens to block the wind and a smartphone mount. I'm no longer using the ball head; only the Manfrotto. It's working very well so far. I like the angle I can get with it because of the tripod's ability to rotate at the top and its light weight. I don't mind holding it as much as I did the other setup. I know I won't be able to wrap this tripod around any branches or rails, but I never did that in the first place. So far, I think this tripod is fitting my needs, and I couldn't be happier about it.