TMP100 Teleprompter Unboxing and Review

Introduction

Creating your best content involves doing your best writing. And a good article is the basis of any good video. Besides transforming that into a script, this requires a reliable teleprompter letting you communicate your thoughts with clarity and ease. While I finally got such a product, I also went through plenty of suffering with a cheap alternative. Using my experience (in this video), I’ll unbox and review Glide Gear’s TMP 100 teleprompter. I’ll also share some thoughts to help you make the right choice. 

Disclaimer

Before that, let me mention that: (1) The unit I am reviewing is bought with my (own) money. Glide Gear didn’t send me anything, nor do they know I’m doing this review. (2) Although I filmed and saved the unboxing BROLL when I got the teleprompter, this video was put together after 3 months of usage. So I am speaking from the perspective of using the TMP 100 teleprompter for all my channels. Besides that, subscribe to this one for more content, check my other works, and like the video if you enjoy it. 

The Teleprompter To Avoid

If I had to point out my biggest creator mistake, then neglecting teleprompters’ importance would undoubtedly be the one. The second in that order would be going with a cheap option. Particularly those plastic ones you attach to your camera lens. Marketed toward ‘creators,’ such products have two (major) flaws, defeating their purpose. 

Not For Creators

Creators (small ones especially) do everything by themselves. They are a one-man band, relying on autofocus. Using an iPhone 6s with such a teleprompter turned out to be too heavy for my lenses, making them unable to focus. It also was unhealthy for the whole system as it tried to focus, but the weight kept it stuck. Depending on the lens, I could hear its efforts and the load restricting its movements. Extremely annoying, this inconvenience required further adjustments when setting the shot using a shotgun mic. Having a condenser or dynamic mic made the autofocus almost impossible, as my lens focused exclusively on the mic.

No Autofocus

That was even when controlling the camera through the Canon app. If the camera focused, that usually resulted in the text being at some odd degree due to the teleprompter turning along with the lens. Filming yourself requires zooming out and getting your tripod closer. Every time I did that, I captured parts of the teleprompter in the upper angles of the shot. 

Different Sensors

Keep in mind I film on APS-C. Meaning using full-frame is virtually impossible with this device, as recognized by the YouTuber Ryan Michaels. The same applies to filming yourself with your phone, as it cannot be attached to the teleprompter. It took nearly two months for the support of this company to reply, saying they couldn’t do anything about the mentioned issues. Actually, I am surprised I (finally) sold it. 

Overall, the whole concept of these teleprompters is ‘deeply flawed.’ Especially when also considering most creators use wide-angle lenses and some film with their phones. So I don’t recommend them to anyone, especially my younger self. 

Unboxing TMP 100

I immediately notice the unit is light when I get it out of the box. Everything is nicely packed. And the teleprompter comes with a good case holding its components. It’s all-metal construction, with a few plastic parts holding the glass. The case comes with different handles depending on your preferences. Inside the case, there’s protecting foam. This is very different from DJI gimbal cases, which I prefer. As far as I know, this TMP 100 teleprompter has two versions. The classic is for iPads, whereas mine also works with smartphones. 

First Impressions

I was surprised at how sturdy and reliable the TMP 100 felt when I opened the bag. Everything seems nice, premium, and easy to use. The glass is excellent and clear, and the cover is ‘big.’ You can adjust it to ensure it will not get into the shot. There’s plenty of space to place your camera based on the lens and adaptors you use. You can also record with your phone with a proper clamp. The unit can be folded, which makes it an excellent option to carry around. Its bottom has plenty of mounting holes, letting you attach the teleprompter to any tripod. 

Ease of Use

Saving me numerous takes due to autofocus and other issues, using the TMP 100 teleprompter is a breeze. It sits stable on my carbon fiber Manfrotto video tripod and its fluid head. I use the smaller ‘plate’ from my Ronin S to connect my camera to it, but you do that directly to the body. Once your camera is attached, you lace the hood to prevent light from coming in. Unlike other companies, GlideGear considered the actual content creation process, saving people like me tons of hassle. I never had an autofocus issue controlling my camera with the App. And since I got the unit, I started enjoying filming ARoll, which was the most tedious part of my workflow.

Should You Get It

Based on research, the TMP 100 is the best budget teleprompter for content creation. Based on personal experience, it is a product of enormous value as it eases my workflow tremendously. It’s very well thought out and built, and it will last for years to come. I am highly delighted with it, as it made me want to include myself in every video instead of doing voiceovers and BROLL. I recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their ARoll and overall production—especially my younger self.