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Message: <blockquote data-quote="RJM" data-source="post: 1713252" data-attributes="member: 66340">Needed a compact but robust tripod kit to take on a flight to Hokkaido for birding tour so I picked up this BENRO Travel Angel today. Being used to the Induro C-314, I was not sure this little guy could handle my Kowa 883 digisco kit even though it is "rated" for 12kg. So with 9m/sec (20mph) winds today in Tokyo I figured it would be a good day for stress test and I am happy to report it seems to have passed with flying colors. :t: I had planned to use my Gitzo G2180 head but the B-1's capability suprised me. I used it with a Velbon "arca swiss" long slide plate for balance and after tweaking the drag I was getting very fine and smooth movements with no backlash. Once I got used to extra freedom of movement a ball head has over a pan/tilt fluid head I thought it was quite easy to find and track soaring raptors and ducks paddling. Also suprisingly easy to deploy the legs as I can loosen all 5 twist-locks in one handgrip. Quicker than flip locks. Leaving the last segment retracted seemed to provide the best dampening.  Best of all, the Travel Angel shaves a full kilogram in weight and is at least 30cm shorter in folded height compared to the Induro. I can now fit everything INSIDE a small day pack! The tripod and B1 together weigh only 1735g and only 37cm long when folded. Without extending the center column and 4 segments extended, the tripod is 110cm to the top of the head. Extending the last segment gets it to 137cm. Highly recommended. Rick</blockquote>

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