How much sturdier is a carbon fiber Manfrotto 055 then the regular?

I'm eying the Manfrotto 055 series tripod because of it's height as I'm 6' 9,5" (207cm). So far I've been thinking about the regular one.
However in a completely inexplicable way my budget allows for 2-3 times the expenditure on stuff after the bills are paid each month. That makes the side of me which makes all the right and rational decisions want a carbon fiber one, so I'm looking for reasons to buy one.

Stability wise how stable is it I've heard carbon fiber is very inflexible (good).
How stable is it with the center pole up and down?

I can see a few advantages.

* Weight
* Stability
* Non metal = gloves not needed to handle it in the winter (we get that a lot)
* Handles more loads
* Less sensitive to water
* No paint to get scraped off
* Looks - It might be vanity but i don't care the weaved fibers look gorgeous
and last
* Bragging rights!

The current tripod i have is metal and that is really annoying when it's not summer, i feel it hinders me in taking the tripod because it's cold and cumbersome.

Those of you wh0 have had both aluminum 055 and carbon fiber ones when did you feel the carbon fiber one really shone?

I think you have already self justified your CF purchase.

Most AL tripods come with leg insulation so cold weather handling is no longer an issue.

lannes wrote in post #10736051
Most AL tripods come with leg insulation so cold weather handling is no longer an issue.

That's news to me. I know that insulation is offered as an optional accessory but from what I know, most tripods don't come with it. My 055 certainly didn't.

Get the CF, don't even think more about it. Then show us some pictures.

rvdw98 wrote in post #10736509
That's news to me. I know that insulation is offered as an optional accessory but from what I know, most tripods don't come with it. My 055 certainly didn't.

That's why I said "most" not "all"

lannes wrote in post #10736984
That's why I said "most" not "all"

I didn't imply that you said "all". I said that to my knowledge, most alu tripods don't come with padding. But I don't mind you proving me wrong.

rvdw98 wrote in post #10737101
I didn't imply that you said "all". I said that to my knowledge, most alu tripods don't come with padding. But I don't mind you proving me wrong.

I know the following brands have AL tripods with a form of foam padding on legs, in their ranges.

Vanguard, Benro, Slik, Giottos, Velbon, Novoflex, Gitzo, Induro even Manfrotto (called leg warmers)

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Tripod_Legs.htm​l#features

lannes wrote in post #10737261
I know the following brands have AL tripods with a form of foam padding on legs, in their ranges.

Vanguard, Benro, Slik, Giottos, Velbon, Novoflex, Gitzo, Induro even Manfrotto (called leg warmers)

It appears that I was wrong then. Things must have changed since I bought my 055 for which I had to get the leg warmers separately (which admittedly, was quite a while ago).

'stability' is not the sole reason for wanting CF, nor is weight. Factor in vibration dampening from sources like wind-induced vibration or even your handling.

Oh!
Them i meant "Vibration dampening" , I want the camera to become completley still as soon as possible after i press a button on it or such.

This is the tripod I've had my eye on for a while ... I'm 6'5"

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Giant_Systemat​ic_6X.html

jetcode wrote in post #10741025
This is the tripod I've had my eye on for a while ... I'm 6'5"

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Giant_Systemat​ic_6X.html

Sadly that has too many leg sections for my taste.
I want something super study, within limits; and a 055cxpro3 +498RC2 is my top contender.

Currently I'm saving for a 7D and a new tripod was to be bought after that.
My current tripod irritates me more and more frequently to the point that i feel it's a bother to bring even though i know i will miss shots.
Since the equation (Bad photo > No photo) i might go get a tripod later this month and put a 7D after that. I know that winter is coming and there is no way I'll lug my current tripod around as it's all aluminum and folds out and in in a way that will hurt you fingers especially in the cold.