Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsNice feature list, but not nearly as solid as my 20 year old cheap tripod!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2017
I really want to like this tripod. I bought it to replace a Calumet tripod I bought many years ago that was probably less than $75, including the head. For the $325 I spent for this tripod and the Manfrotto MHXPRO-BHQ2 XPRO Ball Head I purchased with it, I expected much more. And in many ways it *is* better than my old Calumet (store brand tripod - who knows who actually made it) that I have with a pan/tilt head. For example, the rubber grips on the legs are nicer than the foam ones on my other tripod. The 90 degree feature on the center column is nice. The flip-closures on the the legs are also a bit nicer than my Calumet. My bubble levels on my Calumet tripod have long since dried out and don't work, and of course the Manfrotto's do work. The rubberized ring on the top of the column on the Manfrotto is nice in that it doesn't bang down on the base of the tripod when you loosen the set knob. I also mildly prefer the mechanism on the Manfrotto to set the angle of the legs. But not by much - the Calumet's mechanism is even more sturdy, and easy to use too.
Now keep in mind during this next part that these are both 4-section aluminum tripods, the same height within an inch, and the Manfrotto weighs 4lbs 8oz (without the head) and the Calumet actually weighs less at 4lbs 3oz. So you would expect the Manfrotto to be as stong if not stronger than my old tripod. But it isn't.There is a major problem with the Manfrotto. It isn't NEARLY as solid and stable as my 20 year old Calumet! I can take both tripods and set them up side by side in my office and lock everything tight. I then grab the center column on the Manfrotto and push down (not even very hard) and the legs FLEX and the feet slip out sideways (further out) on all 3 legs. I do the same thing (and push down much harder) on my Calumet and NOTHING MOVES. Solid as a rock. All of the snazzy features in the world don't make up for a tripod that isn't solid. I suspect this has something to do with the angle of the legs (both are set to the highest angle, but my old tripod looks a bit more upright - I haven't measured the angle yet) and the rubber feet. It looks as if the shape and maybe the grip of the Manfrotto feet cause it to slip on the hardwood floor. My old Calumet doesn't move at all.
I suppose if I had nothing else to compare it with like I suspect most of the reviewers here that called this tripod "solid", I would probably be happy with it. But when your 20 year old tripod that weighs 5 oz LESS and was also considerably cheaper, but is noticeably sturdier than the new Manfrotto, it's hard not to be disappointed.
I was also disappointed that for this price point, the Manfrotto didn't come with spikes in the feet, or a case. The similar Vanguard model (which also has the pivoting column) comes with both the spikes and a case for more than $100 less. I'm guessing it isn't made as well though.
I haven't decided whether I am sending it back or not.
