Anybody ever use Mafroto Neotec tripods?

I saw soembody using a neotec tripod. It has a unique leg mechanism so that there are no locks, or turn nobs. Just pull and they lock. One button at the top and teh legs go down. Sounds like a quick and awesome tripod..... now why are they the only ones make them? If this was such a great system, why is EVERY other tripod have some sort of lock or turn knob?

Not that much quicker then a decent tripod. It also adds weight.

It is a nice design, but as Rene stated, at the expense of weight and a price premium.

Yes, it definitely adds some weight but depending on your shooting style that may or may not be an issue. I actually own one of these tripods and it is the only one I shoot with these days. It is much faster to set up and take down. Plus for me it is much easier to fine tune the position. i.e. raise, lower, or level as needed once the tripod is setup with camera. I have lighter tripods but this is still the one that I taking hiking and backpacking. I just cut weight elsewhere when needed.

I have used a neo-tec tripod for about two years and find it especially helpful when shooting anything that requires very much manipulation of the legs. The one button mechanism to retract (shorten) the leg is actually much more useful than the easy extension feature as it helps a lot in adjusting to the exact position needed in situations where precision is required (such as macros). I also own a good quality conventional tripod but the neo-tec gets all of the field/trail work and the other one stays in the studio. For what it's worth, I also bought a pistol grip ball head for use with the nteo-tec and I am seriously considering switching to a conventional ball head.

Great design and very fast. I have tried one and impressed BUT for the same price I could get a much lighter, flip lock manfrotto carbon fibre tripod and that added more value to me personally. I had the Neotec monopod and that worked really well. Super fast, but too long and heavy to be ideal for travel in the end so I sold it.

I disagree with those who say that it isn't more convenient. The "one" hand to open, and one hand to close makes the Neo-tec much more convenient. Heavier? Yes, but not that much, but the price is well worth that because all you need to do is simply pull out the legs, no twisting of the legs, no opening/closing of locks, etc., just release the legs, push in and you are in business. The Neo-tec allows you to open and close the legs with one hand so you always have a hand to secure the camera.