Benro Travel Angel Review (C-169M8)

Recently I bought a travel angel tripod made my Benro. It is very similar to the Traveller tripods by Gitzo partly because it is a clone of the popular Gitzo model.


Here is a image of the Gitzo 1541T and an image of the Benro, as you can see they look very similar. The price difference is pretty big with the Benro (~250USD, ~300AUD and it includes a ball head) one coming in at less than half the price of the Gitzo (~580USD, ~1000AUD no ball head included).

Well lets look at the spec sheets

Gitzo
Load Capacity 17.6 lbs (8kg)
Maximum Height 52.8" (134cm)
Maximum Height w/o Column Extended 44.5" (113cm)
Minimum Height 6.9" (17.5cm) (Gitzo allows the removal of the center column to achieve this)
Folded Length 16.1" (41cm)
Weight 2.1 lbs (970g)

Benro
Load Capacity 17.6 lbs (8kg)
Maximum Height 58.3" (148cm)
Maximum Height w/o Column Extended 48.0" (122cm)
Minimum Height 14" (35cm)
Folded Length 14" (35cm)
Weight 2.2 lbs (997g)

Very similar specs between these 2 rivals with weight, folded length and load capacity being the most important factors that affected most people's buying preferences. The Gitzo can go lower but it is beat by the Benro when it comes to folded lenght and maxiumn height. So what does Gitzo offer that Benro doesn't? Well to start with Gitzo offers 5 year warranty (apparently it use to be lifetime) which is 2 years more than the Benro. Gitzo also has brand recognition that people identify with and well Benro is seen as a knock off brand. But what about the important factor of quality? Do you get what you pay for? Well truth be told Benro is made in China based on technology "copied" (adapted and improved upon) from others. The cost will definately be cheaper than a big brand name like Manfrotto or Gitzo. So in a way you do get what you paid for. For Benro you are paying for just a tripod based on existing technologies, with Gitzo or Manfrotto you are paying for the tripod, extensive marketing, some research and development and some more marketing.

Ok enough about that. So how good is the tripod and ball head(and how do I make this review interesting)? Well to start with the packaging is the similar to the major brand names and it even came with a tripod bag so you can save some money right there. The ball head is reasonable build quality but the tripod itself has excellent build quality. Everything locks into place pefectly with no rotation of the legs when fully extended. And the 8kg load capacity, well I don't have a 8kg load to test and I don't think most people who buy this will ever put 8kgs on. With a Canon 30D and a 28-300mm Canon L it only comes to about 3kg still less than half the supported load capacity it performed perfectly. The ball head had just enough tension that it was pretty easy to move but tight enough that the lens doesn't sag when fully extended. However, there are negative reviews with the ball heads made by Benro. So far no problems but I will be keeping an eye on the ball head since it is the only part of the package that may be weak or prone to breakage.

So hopefully I have convinced you that the Benro is a reasonably good buy. It doesn't come with the brand image of the Gitzo but then it doesn't come with the price either. Gitzo has built a very premium image over the years through innovation and consistent delivery of quality goods (according to some quality has declined). Hopefully Benro can do the same (but cheaper).

UPDATE: A few images of the tripod. Note the ball head is able to keep the camera steady even with the weight off center.



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