the RRS TVC essentially renders the 2 gitzo models redundant. per the spec it has the load capacity of the 55xx series within a less then 10% range and the weight of a 35xx model within roughly the same margin. anyone who actually uses RRS gear will know they tend to be conservative about their products
the apex (aka: spider) assy is quite a bit better thought out. a solid machined ring instead of a split one. relies considerably less on the platform/stage for its final strength and stability. very close in design to the newer feisol apexes with an additional twist. inside the apex ring is a floating lightweight steel ring that when the 3 allen screws are tightened on the apex, per the instructions, it clamps approx 320 deg around the stage (aka: platform) groove. this makes for a real good solid lock on with (0) play. even with just 1 allen screw in its locked well for baseline security. the allen screws protrude out if not done correctly giving the user a visual indication that they might want to revist the security of the stage on the tripod.
to me thats some big improvements. now due to this design RRS puts no disclaimer against throwing your tripod and nice long lens over your should if you choose.
the leg apex interface- it is solid and it is semi automatic. you have a choice of either the pull out the stop method or pull the trigger method. either way you want its a smooth as it can be and spring loaded
pull it back until it locks open bring the leg up all the way it unlocks and drops and ratchets into the stops on the way down. or lock it open move into a known position and thumb tap it down and the spring does the rest to set it.
Weakness: the center hook needs to be a bit longer in depth to accept a full size carabiner or even the newer mini biners but that in mind having it longer would intefere with it at full low position. oh well.
the RRS TVC essentially renders the 2 gitzo models redundant. per the spec it has the load capacity of the 55xx series within a less then 10% range and the weight of a 35xx model within roughly the same margin. anyone who actually uses RRS gear will know they tend to be conservative about their products
the apex (aka: spider) assy is quite a bit better thought out. a solid machined ring instead of a split one. relies considerably less on the platform/stage for its final strength and stability. very close in design to the newer feisol apexes with an additional twist. inside the apex ring is a floating lightweight steel ring that when the 3 allen screws are tightened on the apex, per the instructions, it clamps approx 320 deg around the stage (aka: platform) groove. this makes for a real good solid lock on with (0) play. even with just 1 allen screw in its locked well for baseline security. the allen screws protrude out if not done correctly giving the user a visual indication that they might want to revist the security of the stage on the tripod.
to me thats some big improvements. now due to this design RRS puts no disclaimer against throwing your tripod and nice long lens over your should if you choose.
the leg apex interface- it is solid and it is semi automatic. you have a choice of either the pull out the stop method or pull the trigger method. either way you want its a smooth as it can be and spring loaded
pull it back until it locks open bring the leg up all the way it unlocks and drops and ratchets into the stops on the way down. or lock it open move into a known position and thumb tap it down and the spring does the rest to set it.
Weakness: the center hook needs to be a bit longer in depth to accept a full size carabiner or even the newer mini biners but that in mind having it longer would intefere with it at full low position. oh well.
the RRS TVC essentially renders the 2 gitzo models redundant. per the spec it has the load capacity of the 55xx series within a less then 10% range and the weight of a 35xx model within roughly the same margin. anyone who actually uses RRS gear will know they tend to be conservative about their products
the apex (aka: spider) assy is quite a bit better thought out. a solid machined ring instead of a split one. relies considerably less on the platform/stage for its final strength and stability. very close in design to the newer feisol apexes with an additional twist. inside the apex ring is a floating lightweight steel ring that when the 3 allen screws are tightened on the apex, per the instructions, it clamps approx 320 deg around the stage (aka: platform) groove. this makes for a real good solid lock on with (0) play. even with just 1 allen screw in its locked well for baseline security. the allen screws protrude out if not done correctly giving the user a visual indication that they might want to revist the security of the stage on the tripod.
to me thats some big improvements. now due to this design RRS puts no disclaimer against throwing your tripod and nice long lens over your should if you choose.
the leg apex interface- it is solid and it is semi automatic. you have a choice of either the pull out the stop method or pull the trigger method. either way you want its a smooth as it can be and spring loaded
pull it back until it locks open bring the leg up all the way it unlocks and drops and ratchets into the stops on the way down. or lock it open move into a known position and thumb tap it down and the spring does the rest to set it.
the RRS TVC essentially renders the 2 gitzo models redundant. per the spec it has the load capacity of the 55xx series within a less then 10% range and the weight of a 35xx model within roughly the same margin. anyone who actually uses RRS gear will know they tend to be conservative about their products
the apex (aka: spider) assy is quite a bit better thought out. a solid machined ring instead of a split one. relies considerably less on the platform/stage for its final strength and stability. very close in design to the newer feisol apexes with an additional twist. inside the apex ring is a floating lightweight steel ring that when the 3 allen screws are tightened on the apex, per the instructions, it clamps approx 320 deg around the stage (aka: platform) groove. this makes for a real good solid lock on with (0) play. even with just 1 allen screw in its locked well for baseline security. the allen screws protrude out if not done correctly giving the user a visual indication that they might want to revist the security of the stage on the tripod.
to me thats some big improvements. now due to this design RRS puts no disclaimer against throwing your tripod and nice long lens over your should if you choose.
the leg apex interface- it is solid and it is semi automatic. you have a choice of either the pull out the stop method or pull the trigger method. either way you want its a smooth as it can be and spring loaded
pull it back until it locks openbring the leg up all the way it unlocks and drops and ratchets into the stops on the way down. or lock it open move into a known position and thumb tap it down and the spring does the rest to set it.
the RRS TVC essentially renders the 2 gitzo models redundant. per the spec it has the load capacity of the 55xx series within a less then 10% range and the weight of a 35xx model within roughly the same margin. anyone who actually uses RRS gear will know they tend to be conservative about their products
the apex (aka: spider) assy is quite a bit better thought out. a solid machined ring instead of a split one. relies considerably less on the platform/stage for its final strength and stability. very close in design to the newer feisol apexes with an additional twist. inside the apex ring is a floating lightweight steel ring that when the 3 allen screws are tightened on the apex, per the instructions, it clamps approx 320 deg around the stage (aka: platform) groove. this makes for a real good solid lock on with (0) play. even with just 1 allen screw in its locked well for baseline security. the allen screws protrude out if not done correctly giving the user a visual indication that they might want to revist the security of the stage on the tripod.
to me thats some big improvements. now due to this design RRS puts no disclaimer against throwing your tripod and nice long lens over your should if you choose.
the leg apex interface- it is solid and it is semi automatic. you have a choice of either the pull out the stop method or pull the trigger method. either way you want its a smmooth as it can be and spring loaded
the RRS TVC essentially renders the 2 gitzo models redundant. per the spec it has the load capacity of the 55xx series within a less then 10% range and the weight of a 35xx model within roughly the same margin. anyone who actually uses RRS gear will know they tend to be conservative about their products
the apex (aka: spider) assy is quite a bit better thought out. a solid machined ring instead of a split one. relies considerably less on the platform/stage for its final strength and stability. very close in design to the newer feisol apexes with an additional twist. inside the apex ring is a floating lightweight steel ring that when the 3 allen screws are tightened on the apex, per the instructions, it clamps approx 320 deg around the stage (aka: platform) groove. this makes for a real good solid lock on with (0) play. even with just 1 allen screw in its locked well for baseline security. the allen screws protrude out if not done correctly giving the user a visual indication that they might want to revist the security of the stage on the tripod.
to me thats some big improvements. now due to this design RRS puts no disclaimer against throwing your tripod and nice long lens over your should if you choose.
