Teardown of Benro MC-68n6 Monopod

Wanted to continue to present teardowns of equipment that I continue to see good value in. This time up is the Benro MC-68n6 monopod ($83 shipped by Link Delight).

This is not a copy of any of the Gitzo line, although similar to the 2540/2560 6X monopods. No spike feet options, and only 6kg(13.2lbs) of load capacity. The overall length extended is 57.4", collapsed 18". Weight just under one pound. Tube diameters of 8X CF are 28mm, 25mm, 22mm and 18mm (four sections). No case came with this, but the stud wrench and allen wrench for locking lugs are pretty standard. The n6 ALR and weather resistent leg system is the same as my 328n6 and will be shown again in the pictures below. The 1/4-3/8 lug holds the top plate to the top of the monopod and reverses to change thread size.

I got this for my G7, although I would be quite comfortable putting my 20D on this in a pinch.

Stew

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It all looks ok, but how does the quality of manufacture and materials compare. Are they cheap because they're built cheap? If you're going to buy something and take it to bits at least tell if if it feels a bit wobbly or solid as a rock. I'd like to know as I'm considering a benro tripod!

It doesn't look too bad.

How is the Benro brand anyways? I've considered their line before and most of everything I see seems to be a copy of Gitzo.

I see good value in it compared to Gitzo, and I am comfortable putting any of my equipment on it. I think the weather sealing in the legs is a clear copy of the Gitzo leg lock in my opinion, which is a good thing. It is nice and solid and light. I like my Benro tripods, and although one clear failure has been posted here (column head seperated from column on an Induro tripod) I think the brand continues to improve with each generation. These have gotten more pricey of late, but clearly good value in my opinion.

Mr B Snappy wrote in post #3332098
It all looks ok, but how does the quality of manufacture and materials compare. Are they cheap because they're built cheap? If you're going to buy something and take it to bits at least tell if if it feels a bit wobbly or solid as a rock. I'd like to know as I'm considering a benro tripod!

Gitzo commens - Benro C-228 (C-258) carbon fiber tripod

This is an interesting thread where Bogen's Gitzo product manager talks about the differences. One big one is that Gitzo's CF is an extruded piece where the Benro's is a wrapped sheet (from flat piece) of CF similar to how they make fishing rods. This, obviously, would not show in a tear down.

Kind of interesting, I think. One of those differences that are difficult to see on the surface.

J

The reason I asked was because I tried a couple of Manfrotto's in Jessops, I wasn't at all impressed with the 190. With the leg clamps released the legs were very lose and wobbling all over the place. OK clamps done up they were tight but it didn't make me want to spend over £100 on it! The 055 felt much better and the height was good but it wasn't something I'd want to carry around for too long. Benro's A-227 looks interesting, it has the height, weighs less than the 055 but looks to have many of the features. Looks good on paper but is it a peice of junk? Should I risk the 60 quid on ebay and pair it with manfrotto's 488rc2 head? Or just accept what all the threads say and get the 055? Don't tell me the go CF, I quite simply can't justify the expense.

Mr B Snappy wrote in post #3337706
The reason I asked was because I tried a couple of Manfrotto's in Jessops, I wasn't at all impressed with the 190. With the leg clamps released the legs were very lose and wobbling all over the place. OK clamps done up they were tight but it didn't make me want to spend over £100 on it! The 055 felt much better and the height was good but it wasn't something I'd want to carry around for too long. Benro's A-227 looks interesting, it has the height, weighs less than the 055 but looks to have many of the features. Looks good on paper but is it a peice of junk? Should I risk the 60 quid on ebay and pair it with manfrotto's 488rc2 head? Or just accept what all the threads say and get the 055? Don't tell me the go CF, I quite simply can't justify the expense.

I have no experience with the Benro aluminum pods.