Anyone using RRS (Really Right Stuff) Rock Claws?

I'm having trouble finding any reviews of the rock claws that RRS sells for their tripods. I have had problems with the feet of my tripod slipping, especially on slick rocks and wet, hard-packed snow.

Anyone here using these things? How much do they help, and do they complicate carrying the tripod in a backpack that has a base pocket for the feet (or will it cut through the material of an F-Stop tripod bag?!). Also, would you recommend getting three of them, or would one on the front leg be enough?

I don't use the RRS Rock Claw. There is a video at RRS on line under Featured gear that shows a little info on the rock claw.

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/WebsiteInfo.aspx​?fc=163

I have looked at the rock claw photo on page 16 of the new 2013 RRS catalog and I think I would perfer the Spike instead

At $32each/3 for $93 I will not buy. I don't know now what but it won't be RRS spike or claw.

In 2005 I bought Bogen SS Spikes set of 3 for $26.95 total. I no longer have them so I don't know if they would fit RRS.
My point is $93 is a bit much.

I've been interested in the rock claw feet for some time and I'm thinking about it again as I'll be in a location in the summer with a lot of flat rock. AFAIK there's not been a review that has put these things through their paces, so I'm strongly considering using the short spikes I have to see if they work. I've already used them on rock that's fairly flat but somewhat uneven with tiny fissures. They worked well, although I used a leveling base on my Gitzo systematic so that I didn't have to adjust the legs at all.

I use short Benro spikes that came with my Benro travel tripod but you can buy these spikes in B&H for $13.95 or from HK on eBay for $5.79 if you want to try them out. You can see from the attached pic that they have a small radius at the end and aren't sharpened like the rock claws.

Benro, Gitzo & RRS spikes are interchangeable. They all use a 3/8"-16 thread on the shank of the spike so the RRS claw feet would fit my Benro traveler and my Gitzo systematic if I bought them. I'm hoping my short spikes work this summer as I don't really want to pay the price RRS is charging for their rock claws which are so far unproven.

I've never carried my tripod in a backpack with pocket or a tripod bag with the spikes on, they would just rip holes in it and the claw feet would certainly be worse.

I am using them on my Gitzo 2542L tripod. it works like charm on ice. It helps a loooooot.

If you google "abraham lake", you'll see that's the condition where I needed these rock claw. It just works.

Thanks for the replies! I'm really in a quandary over this one. It's good to hear that they help on ice. They're just so darned expensive!

I havent looked, but arent there any other manufacturers out there that make anything similar? Have you checked RRS, Markins, or just ebay?

ben_r_ wrote in post #15689144
I havent looked, but arent there any other manufacturers out there that make anything similar? Have you checked RRS, Markins, or just ebay?

I bet you could find them on the RRS site.

^ I do too!

i made my own spikes for a gitzo for the cost of 3 3/8 bolts and nuts . took about 30 min. with a grinder. works good as store bought.

klr.b wrote in post #15689324
I bet you could find them on the RRS site.

Looked at it recently? It's so loaded with (small-f) flash, bells and whistles that it doesn't want to let you drill down past the opening slide show. Seriously, photos are pretty, but as a shopping experience, it sucks. You'd do better to phone them to mail you a catalog and order from that!

jdfinch wrote in post #15689772
i made my own spikes for a gitzo for the cost of 3 3/8 bolts and nuts . took about 30 min. with a grinder. works good as store bought.

Spikes, yeah, but the Rock Claws aren't single spikes - they're a bit more elaborate:

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