I returned the Potato Jet Tribex tripod.
I wanted to love it…
I normally wouldn’t make a post on this, but I thought it could be useful for some buyers. I wanted to love this tripod so badly, but I ended up returning it because the head isn’t good enough.
Pros
Despite not being a real fluid head utilizing friction, it actually functions very smoothly. This can also be said about the legs, which aren’t truly hydraulic systems, but work wonderfully. I originally compared it to the Sachler Flowtech because it’s easier to set up. I think that’s still true, it was really effortless to use and you won’t want to adjust any other sticks. People will complain about the delay with the trigger release. Just get used to it, it’s a new product, it’s not like you don’t have to adapt to a new workflow when you buy a new camera or anything else in this industry. You just have to learn it, the clutch is also not easy to press unless it’s from a certain direction, just something you need to get used to. It’s really not that bad and even if you do have to wait a few seconds after you set the clutch, it’s still better than the competition. It’s a very good weight - not too heavy not too light, though I’m not sure most people will find it enjoyable carrying outdoors or traveling. I mean, compare 6kg to the other 10kg tripods, this is very nice in the cinematography world, just not for photographers. Travel probably no, in that case just use a monopod or light tripod.
To balance my rig, I have to move the camera back this much and use max counterbalance (not very high). Medium rigs will be fine, above 5kg will not be able to balance securely.
Wish it were better, will wait for the second version of it.
Cons
First the bubble level is inconsistent. I would love to stop using camera level and a tripod instead, so this was disappointing. I left my rig on the tripod overnight and the head ended up tilting down, so that was not a good sign. Also the center column is in some ways actually more useful than a bowl, which is to maintain the exact same position while adjusting height. With bowls, you’d have to readjust the legs and inevitable adjust position as well. Unfortunately it’s not very steady and wobbles, which annoying for windy scenarios. The head was very stiff and would be borderline stuck at times, it was at this moment that I decided I hard to return it even though I didn’t want to.
Bubble would get stuck, not reliable.
Ended up tilting over time. Also this lock basically got stuck.
Final thoughts
This is a fantastic idea, and one that I still wish to praise. Unfortunately for my needs of having a steady tripod that doesn’t move and can be secure while swapping cameras, this doesn’t do it for me. The convenience is truly exceptional and if you don’t need all these small things, it’s still a very good tripod, the fastest and most convenient to set up. It’s a bit of a wash, it gives you more convenience through the legs, but you lose convenience with the head, so it’s not really making your life exactly easier it’s just shifting problems around. It’s just not reliable as your one and only tripod, but its price tag makes it hard to accept as a secondary tripod. So if you have the money for a super convenient backup tripod, go for it. Otherwise you may want to consider Sachler or the Sirui SVH15 as a main tripod.
No affiliation with Small Rig, no affiliation with any product or brand as of now. I like their batteries and rigging though.
Recommendations
1 stop away from greatness.