Slik pro 580 DX [and 700] question

I'm looking to pull the trigger on a Slik pro series tripod but I can't work out the operating heights specified for both. Slik specifies max operating height and then indicates column extension. Is this to be added or deducted from the max op height? Is the height of the heads included in the measurement?
Trying them out beforehand is not an option because of market limitations in Malta.
BTW my eyes stand at 163cm
cheers
Mark

Always assume the worst; if the tripod includes a head, the max. operating height is at the top of the head with center column at full extension. After all, the specs you're looking at are written by the advertising department.

Jon wrote in post #8822962
Always assume the worst; if the tripod includes a head, the max. operating height is at the top of the head with center column at full extension. After all, the specs you're looking at are written by the advertising department.

That's what I assumed at first but there's so many conflicting specs on various websites, I got into doubt as to which to follow. I've tried getting the answer from the retailers themselves but as yet no answers have been received. Even user reviews are conflicting. I was hoping someone who has any of these would shed some light on the correct way to interpret Slik specs
Thanks
Mark

magal ... how'd you make out with your decision? If you have the Slik 700 DX now you've figured out that it will tower above you with the long center post all the way up. I'm almost the same height as you and I have yet to find a use for the full height of the 700 with either a ball or pan head.

I'm curious to know what you chose.

evanger371 wrote in post #9904497
magal ... how'd you make out with your decision? If you have the Slik 700 DX now you've figured out that it will tower above you with the long center post all the way up. I'm almost the same height as you and I have yet to find a use for the full height of the 700 with either a ball or pan head.

I'm curious to know what you chose.

I have the 700dx with a ballhead on top as well. I'm only 5'7" and I find that even with the center column all the way down and the legs all the way extended, my camera viewfinder is slightly above my eyes. I tend to keep the legs shortened just a little bit to make it a good height.

I have SLIK PRO 700DX and I am 6ft 2ins about 173cm without extending the center column, and with my camera mounted.. the setup is right at my eye level.. and that is the way I love because extending the column add more to the unstable of the tripod. I was able to test this Tripod at B&H Store before I made the purchase. Hope this helps.

I have the 700DX with the pan/tilt head...and surprisingly the same height as the previous poster (5'7") But yeah with legs fully extended it's slightly above level with my head. I haven't tried extending the center column yet.

evanger371 wrote in post #9904497
magal ... how'd you make out with your decision? If you have the Slik 700 DX now you've figured out that it will tower above you with the long center post all the way up. I'm almost the same height as you and I have yet to find a use for the full height of the 700 with either a ball or pan head.

I'm curious to know what you chose.

I took the plunge back in October and must say I'm quite pleased with the monster. It's rock steady and the flip locks feel substantial and very quick to operate. I've never had to extend the central column [all the better] as yet as the camera comes up exactly to my eye level [that's with the pan/tilt head it came with]. I concede it's a bit on the heavy side but for my uses that's not a problem.