Velbon CX-690 Deluxe Heavy-Duty Photographic/Video Tripod

Rating:
Summary: Lightweight, but weak link is connection to equip
Review: This is not my primary tripod. It is being used for binoculars while I'm out at the telescope and is probably light enough to carry in a backpack. Seems strudy enough, but it has shortcomings right at the most important link. The quick release shoe is a small plastic piece held into the tripod by a plastic cam. The 1/4"x20 screw that holds binocs (with binoc adapter) or camera or a small telescope is tightened by a tiny plastic knob from underneath the quick release shoe before the shoe is locked onto the tripod head using the cam. This tiny knob is too small to be tightened securely using fingers and you must use a coin, not a screw driver, to tighten it securely. It still comes loose. The lightest most compact, sturdiest tripod is no good if your equipment can't be attached securely and part way through a session swings loose and swivels to one side requireing releasing the shoe and retighteneing the screw. ...

Rating:
Summary: Lightweight, but weak link is connection to equip
Review: This is not my primary tripod. It is being used for binoculars while I'm out at the telescope and is probably light enough to carry in a backpack. Seems strudy enough, but it has shortcomings right at the most important link. The quick release shoe is a small plastic piece held into the tripod by a plastic cam. The 1/4"x20 screw that holds binocs (with binoc adapter) or camera or a small telescope is tightened by a tiny plastic knob from underneath the quick release shoe before the shoe is locked onto the tripod head using the cam. This tiny knob is too small to be tightened securely using fingers and you must use a coin, not a screw driver, to tighten it securely. It still comes loose. The lightest most compact, sturdiest tripod is no good if your equipment can't be attached securely and part way through a session swings loose and swivels to one side requireing releasing the shoe and retighteneing the screw. ...