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Archive 2009 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Roland Jenkins
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p.1 #1 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Hi All

I just splashed out on a Gitzo GM2561T monopod. It really is a beauty... Only trouble is the "Safelock" Top Plate/Ring. No matter how "tight" I screw my Heads (manfrottto 484/486/234) onto it, they come undone with the slightest force! Hardly what I'd call "safe"!!

Note, this model doesn't sport a grubscrew, like the larger monopods.

I have got round the problem by removing the Safelock Ring... using a makeshift washer (out of an old credit card) & screwing the Head directly onto the top of the monopod. With the slight compression in the hard plastic the Head(s) now stay on tight.

At this sort of cost, I shouldn't have to mess about making my own washers etc.

Has anyone else experienced any problems with their Safelocks on other Gitzos

Nov 16, 2009 at 12:56 PM

sjms
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p.1 #2 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

all that and all you needed to do is threadlock it with blue loctite. still removable but requires a bit more effort

Nov 16, 2009 at 02:28 PM

Roland Jenkins
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p.1 #3 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

sjms wrote:
all that and all you needed to do is threadlock it with blue loctite. still removable but requires a bit more effort

Yeah .. I guess I could've loctited it, but that's not the point .... Such a top-quality product shouldn't really need a third-party application.

Nov 16, 2009 at 05:31 PM

reggie747
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p.1 #4 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Yeah .. I guess I could've loctited it, but that's not the point .... Such a top-quality product shouldn't really need a third-party application.

I agree wholeheartedly !! If thats the case, Gitzo should supply Loctite and instructions

Nov 17, 2009 at 05:16 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #5 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

No problems with mine, without loctite.

Nov 17, 2009 at 06:42 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #6 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

It works very good on my monopod and also on my 3 tripods that have it

Nov 17, 2009 at 06:47 PM

jhom
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p.1 #7 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

No problems with my monopod or tripods with safelock. You might consider a strap wrench to tighten the ballhead base onto the Gitzo platform.

Nov 17, 2009 at 07:14 PM

bf5hpjg
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p.1 #8 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Roland Jenkins wrote:
sjms wrote:
all that and all you needed to do is threadlock it with blue loctite. still removable but requires a bit more effort

Yeah .. I guess I could've loctited it, but that's not the point .... Such a top-quality product shouldn't really need a third-party application.

This gentleman is 100% correct! If you have to do a 2nd/3rd party fix to make it work as "advertised". That is false advertising IMHO!!!
DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME GITZO!!!! It is NOT rocket science!!
And if everything bought was done right the first time, as noted by other posters,then this gentleman could have saved us all some server space and him his frustrations!!!!!! But then the economy would continue to crumble because more companies establsihed to "fix" the problem, would be w/out work!
Angelo

Edited on Nov 17, 2009 at 10:31 PM · View previous versions

Nov 17, 2009 at 10:25 PM

dcains
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p.1 #9 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Smiert Spionam wrote:
No problems with mine, without loctite.

me, too.

Nov 17, 2009 at 10:30 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #10 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

bf5hpjg wrote:
Roland Jenkins wrote:
sjms wrote:
all that and all you needed to do is threadlock it with blue loctite. still removable but requires a bit more effort

Yeah .. I guess I could've loctited it, but that's not the point .... Such a top-quality product shouldn't really need a third-party application.

This gentleman is 100% correct! If you have to do a 2nd/3rd party fix to make it work as "advertised". That is false advertising IMHO!!!
DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME GITZO!!!! It is NOT rocket science!!
And if everything bought was done right the first time, as noted by other posters,then this gentleman could have saved us all some server space!!! But then the economy would continue to crumble because more companies establihed to "fix" the problem, would be w/out work!
Angelo

But all the other people in this thread don't have to use loctite

And their safelocks works good. I have 4 tripods and monopods that works good without loctite myself

Nov 17, 2009 at 10:33 PM

sjms
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p.1 #11 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

i have to say that i suggested the blue loctite because i have already had to use it on my GT2540ex. using the tripod ctr post in any extreme angle off of the standard vertical and locking the heads panning base can cause it to loosen with a 150 macro or larger.

Nov 17, 2009 at 10:37 PM

Roland Jenkins
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p.1 #12 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

jhom wrote:
No problems with my monopod or tripods with safelock. You might consider a strap wrench to tighten the ballhead base onto the Gitzo platform.

I could strap-wrench ... but as it's a monopod I would also need a strap (or some sort of vice grip), on the 'Pod to counteract the turning force. Certainly torque applied by hand alone doesn't seem to hold it.

If the SL Ring does require extraordinary force to lock it, then there should be a hexagon or a couple of spanner-flats around the top of the 'Pod.

I must say the lack of any instructions/advice, included in the box is also uncharacteristic of such a top quality product.
__________________________________

Strange that it seems I'm the only user experiencing similar problems. I find that quite amazing. Are you guys using the exact same model? As I say, some of the larger Monopods do have a mini grub-screw... unlike the GM2561T
Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? ....

.... Or maybe I'm just too weak!

I should eat more spinach perhaps

Nov 17, 2009 at 11:24 PM

n0b0
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p.1 #13 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Make shift washer, locktite, etc. etc. If it's new, why didn't you just return it and get a new one?

Nov 18, 2009 at 12:01 AM

jhom
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p.1 #14 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

I have a GM5540. It doesn't have a set screw. I use an RRS screw clamp attached to the Gitzo platform. I usually have a heavy 400 f2.8L IS sitting in the clamp. I frequently move up and down the sidelines with the 400 and 1D slung over my shoulder. I have yet to have any movement of my gear. The SureLock works well for my setup. If I remember correctly, the Manfrotto heads that you are using are small and may not provide a wide enough base to platform contact for the SureLock to work well -- a thought.

Jim

Nov 18, 2009 at 12:04 AM

MSC
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p.1 #15 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Something does not sound right. You should just play with the original setup some more, check the manual (usually just a folded piece of paper). I have a number of Gitzo products and none ever needed any fiddling like you have. Or maybe it is just broken...but they don't come with jerry-rigging required.

Nov 18, 2009 at 03:55 AM

Roland Jenkins
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p.1 #16 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

n0b0 wrote:
Make shift washer, locktite, etc. etc. If it's new, why didn't you just return it and get a new one?

Nobo... Because it's a damn good monopod! The SL is not that bad a problem in the whole scheme of things... The fact that the Gitzo product IS so fantastically well made is what makes this problem stand out. As I say ... I've got round the problem with a perfectly practical plastic washer. No ... at the end of the day... the G-Locks ... the portability .... even the 3/8" thread ... are good enough reasons to want to stick with this brand.

MSC wrote:
Something does not sound right. You should just play with the original setup some more, check the manual (usually just a folded piece of paper). I have a number of Gitzo products and none ever needed any fiddling like you have....

MSC ... I think you may be right .... I need to have another look I think. The overwhelming response seems to put me in a definite minotity

Nov 18, 2009 at 08:32 AM

PatrickDixon10
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p.1 #17 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Lars Johnsson wrote:
bf5hpjg wrote:
Roland Jenkins wrote:
sjms wrote:
all that and all you needed to do is threadlock it with blue loctite. still removable but requires a bit more effort

Yeah .. I guess I could've loctited it, but that's not the point .... Such a top-quality product shouldn't really need a third-party application.

This gentleman is 100% correct! If you have to do a 2nd/3rd party fix to make it work as "advertised". That is false advertising IMHO!!!
DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME GITZO!!!! It is NOT rocket science!!And if everything bought was done right the first time, as noted by other posters,then this gentleman could have saved us all some server space!!! But then the economy would continue to crumble because more companies establihed to "fix" the problem, would be w/out work!
Angelo

But all the other people in this thread don't have to use loctite

And their safelocks works good. I have 4 tripods and monopods that works good without loctite myself

That is his (bf5hpjg) point!

Nov 18, 2009 at 01:55 PM

MSC
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p.1 #18 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

PatrickDixon10 wrote:
Lars Johnsson wrote:
bf5hpjg wrote:
Roland Jenkins wrote:
sjms wrote:
all that and all you needed to do is threadlock it with blue loctite. still removable but requires a bit more effort

Yeah .. I guess I could've loctited it, but that's not the point .... Such a top-quality product shouldn't really need a third-party application.

This gentleman is 100% correct! If you have to do a 2nd/3rd party fix to make it work as "advertised". That is false advertising IMHO!!!
DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME GITZO!!!! It is NOT rocket science!!And if everything bought was done right the first time, as noted by other posters,then this gentleman could have saved us all some server space!!! But then the economy would continue to crumble because more companies establihed to "fix" the problem, would be w/out work!
Angelo

But all the other people in this thread don't have to use loctite

And their safelocks works good. I have 4 tripods and monopods that works good without loctite myself

That is his (bf5hpjg) point!

bf5 is hysterical over a fabricated non-issue...this is not normal for Gitzo products...you are not getting my and nearly everyone else's point. Gitzo does not make them this way and something is wrong with the OPs, certainly not all Gitzos. Let's not freak out here...and the OP agrees with this. If it still does not work, I assume he will send it back because it is broken...I would.

Nov 18, 2009 at 03:38 PM

n0b0
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p.1 #19 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

Roland Jenkins wrote:
n0b0 wrote:
Make shift washer, locktite, etc. etc. If it's new, why didn't you just return it and get a new one?

Nobo... Because it's a damn good monopod! The SL is not that bad a problem in the whole scheme of things... The fact that the Gitzo product IS so fantastically well made is what makes this problem stand out. As I say ... I've got round the problem with a perfectly practical plastic washer. No ... at the end of the day... the G-Locks ... the portability .... even the 3/8" thread ... are good enough reasons to want to stick with this brand.

I meant return your copy of the Gitzo and exchange it with another copy of the same Gitzo monopod.

Nov 18, 2009 at 03:46 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #20 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

PatrickDixon10 wrote:
Lars Johnsson wrote:
bf5hpjg wrote:
Roland Jenkins wrote:
sjms wrote:
all that and all you needed to do is threadlock it with blue loctite. still removable but requires a bit more effort

Yeah .. I guess I could've loctited it, but that's not the point .... Such a top-quality product shouldn't really need a third-party application.

This gentleman is 100% correct! If you have to do a 2nd/3rd party fix to make it work as "advertised". That is false advertising IMHO!!!
DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME GITZO!!!! It is NOT rocket science!!And if everything bought was done right the first time, as noted by other posters,then this gentleman could have saved us all some server space!!! But then the economy would continue to crumble because more companies establihed to "fix" the problem, would be w/out work!
Angelo

But all the other people in this thread don't have to use loctite

And their safelocks works good. I have 4 tripods and monopods that works good without loctite myself

That is his (bf5hpjg) point!

No it's not.
You don't have to loctite a Gitzo safelock. It works good from the start without doing that. (if you know how to use it of course)

Nov 18, 2009 at 05:17 PM

sjms
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p.1 #21 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

i disagree. safelock is more show then go.

Nov 18, 2009 at 06:00 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #22 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

sjms wrote:
i disagree. safelock is more show then go.

I don't even know what you disagree about. Are you saying that it's not safe to use the Safelock without loctite or

Nov 18, 2009 at 06:22 PM

sjms
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p.1 #23 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

let me explain it to you. safelock is not as effective as advertised. its looks good on paper but it is not a reliable locking surface. i can do as well with a bare aluminum surface as i have for the past 20+ years.

Nov 18, 2009 at 06:42 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #24 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

I have not been writing about if the safelock is as effective as advertised

Or if a bare aluminum surface is better or worse

The question was if you can use the safelock without loctite and still be safe

Nov 18, 2009 at 07:43 PM

cbrandt
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p.1 #25 · Gitzo Safelock ... not so safe??

For sure I'd of sent it back before jury riggin' it .. but, there are other sites selling safety plates for GITZO rigs also.

NSN SAFETY PLATE FOR GITZO TRIPODS

http://www.naturescapes.net/store/product.php?productid=453&cat=0&page=1&featured

Nov 18, 2009 at 08:14 PM


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