Trekpods

Anyone used these? I'm considering one as my ONLY tripod, for the gear listed below. Sensible or insane?

What about value for money compared with competitors, notably Gitzo?

No way....

I would not even consider using the Trekpod as my only tripod/monopod.

I use a Manfrotto 681 (same as the 681B but aluminum in color where the B model is black). This is a lightweight and very sturdy three section monopod on which I can place the heaviest load (right now my heaviest load is a Canon 40D with a Manfrotto 393 Gimbal head mounting a 400mm f/5.6L lens. This load weighs over 6.7 ponds. I would have absolutely no hesitation in placing a heavier camera/lens on this 681/393 combination. I have used this pod as a cane/crutch after falling on a slippery Alaskan slope and it held up just fine.

IMO the 681 or 681B is the best bang for the buck in monopods defeating even the Gitzo pods. The only shortcoming is that since it is a 3-section monopod, it doesn' colapse as short as a 4-section pod would. However, because it is 3-section it is sturdier and lighter than any 4-section pod.

If I am using a lighter rig I will mount the camera/lens on a Kirk MPA-1 Arca compatible swivel head. I have no problems using the 70-200mm f/4L IS or the 300mm f/4L IS lenses on the MPA-1.

I would never leave the Trekpod standing alone with a camera attached (even a P&S) that is an accident waiting to happen. I will make my decision whether I want to carry a monopod or a tripod before I go boonie tromping. I have developed a reasonably sturdy, Arca compatible tripod and head for my boonie tromping tripod needs.

I have a modified SLIK 330 Pro tripod (standard center column replaced by the optional shorter column) which reduces the leg set weight to exactly two pounds. I have mounted a small Adorama Flashpoint F-1 Ball Head on this leg set which brings the total weight to only 2 pounds 11 ounces. The setup is sturdy enough to hold a 40D and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with no problems. That camera lens combination weighs about 3.3 pounds and is well within the manufacturers 8 pound weight limit for the F-1 head. The total cost for this rig was around $140 and I could have reduced it by $10 by simply cutting off the center column to make it shorter rather than buying the optional shorter center column.

The only slight drawback to my 330/F1 combination is that I have to stoop or use my right angle finder because this rig is rather short. However, that is the price I pay for a 2 pound 11 ounce tripod which is reasonably sturdy. It also would, because of its short height, not be great for following fast moving subjects such as birds in flight.

A great advantage to my rig is that the F-1 head is Arca compatible and I can use all of my Arca compatible plates including the really wonderful Really Right Stuff L-Plate. This plate keeps the camera directly over the tripod head in both horizontal and vertical positions. It is a great way to mount a non-tripod ring equipped camera/lens to a tripod head. The camera is not leaning over to the side in the vertical position and is a LOT more stable.

See this info for the RRS L-Plate:

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/QR/05.html

For the equipment you list - and don't take this the wrong way - but that is somewhere between foolish and ridiculous. There is no way that these things will provide anywhere near reasonable support as a tripod. They are probably worse than useless because sooner or later the whole thing is going to tip over with your gear on top.

J.

I'm considering picking up one of these for a fairly strenuous hike I may take this weekend and would love to hear others opinions of them if anyone has used them. It's kind of obvious that they are not the sturdiest devices and that you probably want to keep a hand or foot on them at all times (they are less than 2 pounds) however, every ounce saved is going to help me do a 5000' plus elevation gain hike (over 2000' in less than a mile).

do you have a link for all those tripods mentioned?