Well, it's been over a month since the leg-extension twist-locks stripped out on my G 2220.
I spent too long on the phone with Bogen Parts on my first contact (Nov. 10), and finally got them to agree that this was covered under warranty and the parts would be shipped the next day, no charge.
To be reasonable, I waited ten days before concluding the parts weren't coming. I called again, and, after fifteen minutes of explaining the problem several times to several different people, was told that there was no record of my previous contact. This time I was told that the fault was mine (over-tightening) and the parts would be nearly $60 US. Demanding to speak with someone higher-up got me nowhere.
I had to leave town for a remote jobsite for a while, so I was unable to get back on the line until a couple of weeks ago.
This time (Dec. 3), I E-mailed Bogen and Bogen Parts. As of today, no reply. No parts.
This sucks. I bought a tripod with a "lifetime warranty". The folks I spoke to at Bogen parts didn't want to admit the 'pod is covered, and when they finally did, I was told that it was my fault and not covered.
The parts that failed (all the little plastic bits in the twist-locks) are pretty flimsy plastic peices, and I can't belive that I have the only one that's failed.
I've been wrenching on cars, motorcycles, bicycles, computers, etc. for thirty-odd years, and I do not over-tighten anything. Ever. And ironically, the first of the locks to go were the lower leg sections, which I very rarely use as most of my shots are from a low POV.
Whew. Got that off my chest. I doubt any of you all can help, but this is just so frustrating.
I guess the point is that the Gitzo 2220 isn't such a good deal at $200 if you need to throw another $25-60 at it every year or so--I bought this one August last year!
Sorry to hear about your situation. I have tried to tell folks here how worthless the Gitzo Lifetime warrantee is, but no one would listen. Gitzo may have good tripods but thier Lifetime warrantee is a SCAM. It only covers the posts themselves. It covers nothing in the joints or hinges where of course problems may arise.
Don't buy Gitzo because of the warrentee. Buy Gitzo hoping you will never have to the warrantee.
I am looking to upgrade my tripod, but it probably wont be a Gitzo despite the fact they have good tripods. I can't see giving my money to a company that has little/no integrity.
Maybe Gitzo should start selling Oxygen Insurance too. If the world runs out of air, they will give 100% refunds, to all that survive. ;-)
I wish that I didn't have to tell this story. I've recomended this 'pod to far too many folks here here after using it for a while. I sincerely appologize if any of you bought one of these on my say-so.
Unfortunatley, this seems to be the only 'pod that does everything I need. I've tried the Benbos and was unimpressed and, honestly, a bit scared--too easy to send a few kilobucks of gear crashing into the rocks.
Yeah, Alan, wouldn't it be great if this was a rave about Gitzo/Bogen's excellent, hassle-free customer service?
I wish I'd known about Gitzo's warranty before buying one, but I read everything I could find and never saw one mention of the problem. And now I'm beginning to wonder about the Extended Oxygen Warranty I was talked into buying!
It's too bad that, due the use of flimsy plastic bits in the twist-locks, failure seems inevitible, eventually.
Hang onto that fine peice of European craftsmanship, Rico. If it ain't broke, don't replace it!
Thanks for sharing this Tim. I was actually seriously considering this tripod right up until I saw your post.
I've never had a good tripod and thought it was high time I picked one up. The Gitzo 2220 had the features and a lot of positive 'reviews'.
What I find interesting is that the one aspect I didn't like about this tripod was the rotating type leg locks. I know many people really like them, but it seems to me that the lever lock style are simpler to operate and would be less prone to failure. Flip-drop-lock. My trusty $45 Albinar legs have not failed in over 20 years of use! . That's my impression from a mechanics point of view, and yes I've turned wrenches for quite a few years like yourself.
If I can find a set of flip-locks that will fit the tubes on the 2220, I intend to convert to them. Much, much, more reliable, and IMHO, faster and more convenient. "Gitzo Whoosh"--I'd rather have functionality.
And again, I appologize--one of those positive reviews is mine. Time to up-date it.
After reading this topic, and as an owner of two Gitzo tripods, I was concerned about future problems and Bogen Imaging's response. I wrote to Bogen Imaging a few days ago, pointing them to this very topic. I just received a response. I share it here:
Unfortunately, the poster of that topic is unknown to us. His email is not listed for me to confirm or deny any of his comments, nor is the name of the representative he alleges he spoke to given. Gitzo would not be approaching it's 88th anniversary in being a premier brand of tripods, if they did not stand behind their products.
The Gitzo limited lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, and like most any other warranty does have limitations.
wow.........i just revieved my gitzo 2220, sure hope i don't experence the same problem mentioned here. i have only had it a couple of weeks and love it, but it sounds like this could be a love/ hate relationship as time go on. thanks for the heads up on a potential problem
Thank you for following up on this, Mark. I'm not suprised that Bogen denies any contact. I guess it comes down to who you belive, but I do have the E-mail in my Yahoo account. I have yet to receive a reply.
I just E-mailed Mr. Lackey, with a copy of my previous letter. Let's see what happens.
George, let's hope this is a problem that Gitzo has resolved. A little more "meat" on those plastic bits and they'd rarely fail--which may already be the case, as I've yet to hear from anyone else with the same problem.
I'll post an update when I have anything new to report.
I was looking at the 2220, read this thread, and started looking about. There's a giottos 8180 that looks like it has the same articulation in the head (a must-have for what I'll use it for) but given that people in the street have randomly complained at their giottos monopods I wonder if their tripods are of similar quality.
glad i found this post. thanks for taking the time to write this. i was planning to buy these legs in the next couple weeks, but after reading this thread - i guess it's time to research a new set of legs. any suggestions?
I recently got a giotto's 8160 and am very pleased with it so far. Granted, I have only had it for a month, but this model also only cost $145 at B&H. I won't, obviously, speak to its long term durability, but it looks well made and very versatile. it is also rated to hold more weight than the 2220 17.6 vs 13lbs.
Hi all,
I don't understand this, we have a total of seven Gitzo's in the studio and the only failure we have ever had was on a very very old...circa 70's tripod where one of the alloy legs started to tear at the very top when it was fully spread, all the rest including 3 carbon fibre 1x 1220 2x G1227 have never given any cause for concern at all, and one of the guys here does the things up so tight I'd swear we had a gorilla on the payroll.....BTW all of our Gitzo's have a made in France sticker or cast badge on them....so where are these failures made?
Sorry, Dave, the 2220 still seems to be the only thing out there. The court is still out on the Giottos--I'd sure like to handle one, or at least read a really in-depth review. The main problem I see is the fixed-angle legs on the Giottos. The infinitly-adjustable leg angles of the 2220 are a great advantage for getting into strange positions--my norm--or levelling for panos.
Chris, you are right. My bad. I listed the price of all the bits that seemed likely to fail. The threaded inserts are around $20 US. Bu it isn't so much the price, more the principle. Why advertise a Lifetime Warranty if it isn't good for anything that might fail?
Thank you for at least stating that I'm not the only one to experience this failure!
Mark Booth: You must have much better diplomatic skills than I. I sent Mr. Lackey an E-Mail, as stated above, on Jan. 15, including a copy of my previous corespondance. No reply as of today.
Oops. Sorry, hir0, Gero, and David. I didn't see the second page of replies.
hir0 and Gero, I love this tripod. My only problem is the consumer support. The responses I've gotten indicate that very few owners ever have a problem with Gitzo's legs. It's when they do that the difficulties begin.
Gero, please post an in-depth review of your Giotto after you've had time ot run it through it's paces. I'm tempted.
David, I realize that most folks have had nothing but great experiences with the Gitzo line of tripod legs. Unfortunately, this is my experience. I'm not pleased, to say the least.
Honestly, this is a quibble. The parts that failed cost about $20 US to replace. Unfortunately, I'm one of those who stands on his word, and expects the same from others. It's a matter of honor, and now, of face.
When you purchase a product, there is always an implied warranty of fitness for the normal use of that product, irrespective of the printed warrany. In theory, you have an excellent case against the company but for $20.00 they know that you will not proceed any further.
My first Gitzo was imported by Karl Heitz Co. Their loyalty to their customers was wonderful! When Bogen took over Gitzo, I knew it was the beginning of the end. Bogen stinks. Let me clarify that statement.....Bogen STINKS. Immediately after Bogen's involvement, service went to hell. My last Gitzo products came from Hong Kong by way of Ebay. Bogen will get none of my money!!!!!!!!!
My first Gitzo was imported by Karl Heitz Co. Their loyalty to their customers was wonderful! When Bogen took over Gitzo, I knew it was the beginning of the end. Bogen stinks. Let me clarify that statement.....Bogen STINKS. Immediately after Bogen's involvement, service went to hell. My last Gitzo products came from Hong Kong by way of Ebay. Bogen will get none of my money!!!!!!!!!
I have a gitzo 1228 that fails to lock the vertical shaft. Does anyone know how common this is and if it's hard to fix or get them to replace. It came that way from the Fm'r that I bought it from ( Grrr! )
. That's my impression from a mechanics point of view, and yes I've turned wrenches for quite a few years like yourself.