Benro Go Plus Travel Aluminum Tripod – 4-Section Flip-Lock Travel Tripod with Monopod Conversion, 30 lb Load Capacity, 65.2″ Max Height for DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras (FGP28A)

Too big to travel or hike with, unless you check it. But it's an unbelievable stable, solid, well crafted tripod. I did too much research with this one, mainly looking at all Benros. The perascoping neck locks secure with zero give.

Verified Purchase in the UK This tripod was bought directly from Carmarthen Cameras but supplied via Amazon in the UK. The tripod was bought for a very specific non-travel purpose as described below but this review also assesses the tripod in terms of the manufacturer’s intended purpose as a travel tripod. The very particular use that this was bought for was as a supplementary tripod to others and to be used as specifically and exclusively as a desktop tripod for shooting wildlife through an open study window using heavy professional camera equipment just short of 6kg. Absolute stability with heavy equipment was essential and was tested on a red squirrel in dark conditions in the rain. ISO 400; shutter 1/640; focal length 490mm; tiff image size 166MB derived from raw. This image size, given these measurements, would be a serious test of the tripod and it totally delivered with clean individual fur and whisker detail on larger than life squirrel images. Thus the tripod is able to cope with low positioning and with heavy equipment. It is technically able to cope with 14k but that is a figure that would be hard to imagine and was not tested. As this is intended for travel purposes it also seems an unlikely load. The flexibility of use on offer is second only to Benbo tripods and the manufacturing is of a very high level in all respects giving competitive stability at all extensions and angles tested. The weight is not excessive given the offered stability and load bearing that inevitably requires robust manufacture. The tripod is equipped with alternative spikes for feet (with supplied tool) and a robust carry bag very suitable for demanding travel requirements. Working instructions are included and will be helpful for newcomers to the design. The tripod is not supplied with a tripod head. Bearing in mind its design intention of providing stability for heavy equipment, it seems essential to pair this tripod with a head of similar robust construction. In this case it was paired with the substantial and secure Manfrotto XPRO ball and socket head. Choice of tripod head will inevitably have an impact on overall weight. This is a notably well-made and robust tripod capable of providing stability with heavy equipment. For this, weight is not excessive.

Bought this aluminum Benro SystemGo Plus Travel tripod (FGP28A) for travel. It was marked "Used, Like New" for $150 ($50 less than brand new tripod) from an Amazon 3rd party seller named VIDEO CAMERA CENTER. As advertised, this FGP28A arrived in a "Like New" condition, as if it had never been touched--new packaging with tags attached, etc. Came in a pouch inside of a well-made, padded case with pockets, which included spikes for the feet and a shoulder strap. I own a Gitzo 5543XL, an Induro 404XL, a Sirui P-424SR, and now this FGP28A. In the past, I owned an Oben AC-1441 and a Manfrotto 290XTA3. So, I have experience with tripod equipment of different brands, different price point, and different levels of craftsmanship. The FGP28A is well crafted, light, solid, and versatile. It has a versatile center column and an easy link port. It cost 1/10 of what I paid for the Gitzo and 1/4 of what I paid for the Induro; but as with those more expensive tripods, the FGP28A matches its price point. It is worth $150-$200. On the other hand, the Manfrotto290XTA3 cost about $120-$150, but it is not worth that much money. I use the rock-solid, everlasting Gitzo for video with a slider and for architectural and studio photography with a 405 geared head. I use the Induro for everything else except travel for which I will use the FGP28A. I anticipate the FGP28A will last many years because it will only be used for travel and whenever I need a small, light gearset. I recommend this tripod for travel and light, occasional use. Update: Tripod has held up very well. My go to travel tripod for backpacking/hiking. Use this tripod in lakes, mud, any terrain. Comes with spikes for added security. Also own two Gitzo tripods which I use in studio (paid too much to tear those up in the field). This is a good, reliable tripod for taking into the field and doing the hard work of photographiong while hiking etc.

I had purchased this tripod for travel. I currently also have the Really Right Stuff TVC 33, but it's too big to take with me when I travel. This tripod has one major flaw. Even with the center column not extended, the base plate (attached to the center column and where one would attach the ballhead) shakes. You can literally hold the center column and move it from side to side (even after you tighten all the levers). Customer service is non existent as I have emailed them twice and they haven't got back to me. Don't waste your money on this tripod and if you do decide to get it, please ensure you test it to ascertain that it is steady.

Like many photographers I have accumulated a number of tripods over the years. I've long been a fan of the "M" brand and "S" brand tripods. This is my first venture into boom style tripods. Frankly a tad expensive but in the end I believe a good value. The overall construction and finish is good. My only negative comment is the way tripods tilt/swivel headlocks down for the tilting feature of the boom. To me the stops that fit together when the lock knob is tightened, could be finer spaced. The monopod feature looks to be a great feature. I purposefully chose this tripod for the convenience and novelty of the boom feature and a monopod. As a monopod the boom attached to the removable leg is light very light weight without a head, at 6'++, I cannot use a view finder of my SLR and DSLR cameras when fully extended. In the end, I think this unit is a great value. A similar tripod plus a mono pod would have cost more.

Wish it was lighter.. but it’s not the end of the world

Questo cavalletto Benro è davvero sorprendente; la qualità costruttiva è alta e mantiene un ottimo compromesso fra resistenza e leggerezza/trasportabilità; lo si denota fin nei piccoli dettagli, come i perni di chiusura "fluidi" alla girata e non semplicemente meccanici. Fra i pro c'è da menzionare la sua versatilità: buona altezza totale, colonna centrale estraibile e posizionabile "sottosopra" o trasversalmente ( con quasi totale libertà di scelta ), può essere posizionato anche raso-terra in più modi ed addirittura una fra le gambe può essere svitata e diventare un monopiede. Comodi i rampini dati in dotazione che possono essere sostituiti alle basi gommate delle estremità delle gambe, che consentono di arpionare a terra il treppiede su suoli terrosi e simili. Insomma, si rivela un eccellente tuttofare...ovviamente con qualche contro: data la sua leggerezza, il cavalletto potrebbe oscillare in alcune circostanze ( specie se totalmente esteso; è tuttavia fornito in kit un gancio per ancorare una zavorra ) e non sarebbe stato male se l'asta centrale fosse stata più lunga; riguardo le gambe, le posizioni di bloccaggio sono unicamente tre - ad incastro e ben salde, ma non avrebbe guastato un po' più di libertà anche in questo caso. Infine c'è la borsa in dotazione per il trasporto: ottima aggiunta e ben fatta, ma accoglie esclusivamente il cavalletto che, per quanto davvero compatto, se monta una testa, trova difficilmente alloggio all'interno di essa. Per concludere: trovo il prodotto assolutamente valido e lo sto preferendo a colleghi più "blasonati" in mio possesso per trasportabilità, versatilità ed affidabilità...credo anche che se trovato in offerta, è davvero una occasione imperdibile. Consigliato!

Es una pasada. Pesa menos de lo que esperaba. Contentísimo con la compra

Excellent trépied qui me convient parfaitement, de très bonne qualité, très stable et costaud. La colonne centrale qui peut se placer à l'horizontal est vraiment pratique. Attention que centrale n'est pas un petit trépied, il reste lourd et assez encombrant par rapport à des trépied dit "voyage", mais c'est exactement ce qu'il me fallait.

The tripod is excellent. Well constructed and holds DSLR and heavy zoom well. Pleased with versatility and ease of adjusting.

I can’t really give this product a full review yet simply because it’s a Christmas present so I’ve not used it yet . However I’ve checked it over and it certainly looks a quality product well constructed and certainly looks sturdy enough checked the operation it’s easy to use and set up