Gitzo: Traveler vs Mountaineer

I went to a photo store yesterday and was blown away by the Traveler... but the price is $600 without a head.
I looked into it and saw the mountaineer, it looks very similar...but i can't tell if it has the same folding capabilities.
I checked out gitzo's site, and much like bogen's site, theyll give you specs like 'max height' or 'weight maximum'....but always fails to make it plan what the differences in models are besides those #'s.

Does the mountaineer fold up like the traveler?

there is a model of traveler that comes with a head, but the head looks like i would have to spin my camear on top of it to mount it... right?

I have a bunch of tripods, incl. the Gitzo Traveler 1540T. It is a great little tripod for a small SLR with a reasonably small zoom. It is not meant for any heavy SLRs with grip or any telephoto lenses. Yes, the legs are very expensive, but I never regretted buying this tripod. I hike a lot and this tripod is always with me - there is just no excuse to leave it at home. I did not buy the one with the Gitzo head, instead I bought the BH-25 ball head from RRS (Really Right Stuff).

The mountaineer does not fold as the traveler does, but it will carry more load and be more stable. If this is supposed to be your only tripod, then I would not get the traveler - get the mountaineer - it'll serve you better and is more versatile.

i have the mountaineer and love it
i take it on planes as a carry on , no problem
take it backpacking and don't mind the extra weight

funk1196 wrote in post #6504351
Does the mountaineer fold up like the traveler?

No.

funk1196 wrote in post #6504351
there is a model of traveler that comes with a head, but the head looks like i would have to spin my camear on top of it to mount it... right?

Meaning there is no quick release? Possible...

Traveller tripod with a Markins Q3T is a very nice combination
Gitzo also introduced an "Ocean Traveller" at the last Photokina. Nice if you're in a salt water environment. (And looks great )

I have the GT1541T with a Markins Q3T head and LOVE it! You can check out my review in my sig.