Dolica Proline 60" Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head Bundle ZX600B103 $80 Costco

I was looking for a carbon fiber tripod for my shootings (upgrading from a generic, 5+ years, point & shoot, squeeky tripod, but still get the job done well). I think I might jump to this one, but the tax is refraining me....decisions....decisions....

I think this has been 20 off since the black friday sale when it was 25 off...

junk.

Quote from bobma : junk.

Care to elaborate, please?

Quote from cm0011 : Care to elaborate, please?

look at the reviews, start from the lowest ratings first

Quote from bobma : junk.

If you can afford the REAL carbon fiber tripods (Gitzo - $300+), then yes, you'll find these junk. But they're good enough for the rest of us on a budget. Sometimes they have sample variation, but given that its Costco should be easy to just get a replacement.

Quote from bobma : look at the reviews, start from the lowest ratings first

48/56 reviews rate it 4* or 5*
I bought this last time. Far from junk.

Quote from izx : If you can afford the REAL carbon fiber tripods (Gitzo - $300+), then yes, you'll find these junk. But they're good enough for the rest of us on a budget. Sometimes they have sample variation, but given that its Costco should be easy to just get a replacement.

true, you can use it first, then decide, I like the idea of a heavy tripod though, more stable.

I don't see a handle or lever to move around your camcorder/camera. Is this still a good one to use? I would use it mostly for recording youth soccer games.

TIA

I had a $30 tripod before this one. And its a definitely an improvement over that (materials just feel better). As far as stability is concerned, for most users this will not be a problem. Also at 3lbs its quite light (remember you have to lug it around to your shoot location!).

I also don't find many things to pick with in terms of usability (the knobs feel right and don't need to be turned forever to open/close).

Cons:
1) The tripod ballhead is great, but i would prefer a longer handle to smooth out the motion. (i think the longer handle is called a gun type handle).
2) Ball head panning ability is jerky at one spot in entire 360* (so you have to find that spot and move from there.
3) When you collapse the three legs to as low as it can go, the center stick becomes very tall and does not allow lower camera placements (that stick becomes your lower limit).
4) You can invert the center stick so that your camera is upside down and really get low to the ground (but upside down!) shots!. But this just makes your brain hurt to set it up nicely and get some useful shots. I would have much preferred if the center stick came out fully and you could mount the camera on the tripod itself.

For $80, I would recommend it. But if you can afford nicer tripods there are better ones out there for a lot higher price.