Gitzo GK1555T-82TQD traveler kit series 1

Its really well made, lightweight and sturdy. Id be hard press to find a flaw, except --- the quick release plate screw is hard to use. The screw notch is too small for the nail or coin, and the buckle is stuck at flush with the plate. Cant get it the buckle out unless I have a screwdriver...

4 stars for: - lack of level on a tripod base. - leg paddings keeps unscrewing by themselves and almost lost them few times, no matter how tight i keep screwing them on. - Tripod is excellent and compact otherwise.

The tripod appears well made and is very sturdy, the locking head being secure and tight. The length is good but at over 2 pounds it is really quite heavy for mountain hiking. I have had a Gitzo GT0531 for years (now discontinued) which is much lighter and better for hiking. I believed I should have just stayed with it but I wanted something shorter. I did not realize the weight difference could likely turn me into an athlete.

So disappointed. Bought this to take on my travels and some of the legs simply detach completely when expanding them. have to eyeball them to try to keep them the same length. Lost a piece of a leg during my travels as I didnt realize it simply fell off on my way home. I paid to much money for this. Maybe I was unlucky and got a defective one. I need this thing to be replaced.

I do love the head and how light it is but unfortunately some of the legs totally detached from the rest of the tripod while expanding them and on my last use, I lost part of one of the lower legs, it simply fell off from the rest of the tripod and I did not realized it until I got home. NOt happy as this was an extremely expensive tripod for my budget.