Manfrotto GT XPRO VS Befree VS Element | Travel Tripod Comparison

[@alanmillbrowprivate]

I've been trying to choose between the two. This was very helpful. thank you.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

l'm happy my video helped. l ended up choosing the GT- Carbon. l've used it extensively this winter in northern Norway and all l can say is the tripod was simply 'fantastic' (for my needs, of course). I did replace the ballhead for the lighter one of my small "Elements" tripod (which is Arca Swiss compatible). See the rough conditions the tripod was exposed to here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmaqlnWPjt2tZs0

[@chrispaulgoodrich]

Quick question for you: Are you using a leveling plate with this tripod, or don't you need one?

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Personally, l don't need one. Just the tripod and the ball-head. Hope this helps 👍🏻

[@GOTTHARDGREECE]

i had the gt Xpro advanced carbon tripod and lost it yesterday, so i am in search in a new one but i can;t afford that price again. By the way, there where no sound of somewthing inside blinking . Maybe there is something wrong with yours.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Oh my, what a loss... The cheaper ones are mostly great tripods too 😊

[@eprohoda]

stunning pictue~ Always, :))

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! 😊

[@seanmcglincy5137]

Great video. I saw that you also own SmallRig, would you recommend SmallRig or Manfrotto GT XPro? Will be replacing a 20 year old tripod with a lighter tripod for traveling and hiking.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! 😊 I only have a Smallrig ballhead attached to a Neweer monopod (both great products). I only have the best opinion about both Manfrotto Traveller and GT Xpro (carbon versions). I spent the winter in northern Norway (3 full months) making videos and l took the GT Xpro with me (with Traveller's ballhead to reduce the weight and have Arca Swiss compatibility). Both the tripod and the ballhead simply excelled (I was filming in temperatures below - 40°C/F). If you're used to hiking with a heavier tripod, then the GT Xpro may be a wonderful addition (especially if down the line you can add a lighter ballhead to it, based on your needs, of course). But, for hiking, do consider the Traveller Carbon. It is wonderful for the price and it'll do a great job. Just remember it's a bit slower to deploy (legs are smaller so more sections to extend VS GT Xpro). Sorry for long answer. Let me know if you have further questions. Hope this helps!

[@seanmcglincy5137]

@@alwaysforwardyt Did you figure out what was causing the rattling on the XPro? I was getting ready to purchase the carbon fiber version but will most likely purchase the Aluminum version to avoid the noise. I will be hiking with this and have also been looking at the Manfrotto Traveller and SmallRig AP-10.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

@@seanmcglincy5137 About the rattling, someone in the comments said he knew how to fix it. l'm sure if you ask him he'll tell you how (he wrote in a 'russian,' l used google translator). I only used the GT Xpro in winter and l was carrying it in/on a pulk (check out my "Arctic Winter Ski Trip" recent videos) so l had no chance to be bother by the rattling. l have looked at the Smallrig AP-10. Based on my (reduced) experience with Smallrig, l'd say their tripod is likely to be solid. The Manfrotto Traveller Carbon is very solid and it has served me very well in different hikes and weathers. l must say, l paid GBP80 for it a few years ago (pre-inflation, while living in London). Here in the US, the Manfrotto tripod seems to cost $100 more than the Smallrig one you mentioned. That's quite a bit of a difference in price. However, the Traveller Carbon folded size is significantly smaller than the Smallrig, and that may come handy when traveling (or storing the tripod in the backpack). Food for thought! My take is simple: if you want to buy only one tripod in the next many years, then probably the GT Xpro is the one. It truly is an excellent tripod and, paired to a smaller ballhead, it's weight/performance is fantastic. Yet, if you don't mind extending 3 more sections every time you deploy/pack the tripod, and the fact that the legs will be harder to operate with thick gloves (as they're significantly thiner), then the Traveller truly is a fantastic tripod (perhaps better for hiking because of its smaller footprint?). You'll likely not be disappointed with either of them. Good luck with your choice!

[@private_link5756]

Thanks much for this video, very detailed

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! I'm happy you found it useful 😊

[@centonuovimattini]

Please, could you tell me the model of the thermometer? (at 1:33)

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Sure, no problem, here you go: "Salter 517 SSCR Fridge Freezer Thermometer" (a.k.a. "Always Forward Thermometer" 😎😄).

[@centonuovimattini]

@@alwaysforwardyt thanks

[@stevemayne8067]

I am in the process of looking at tripods and found this video very useful ,was interested in the arca swiss issue too. Great video .

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! I'm happy you found my video helpful. I've been using the GT Xpro carbon throughout the winter in very harsh conditions and it's done great. I did replace the ball head for the smaller/lighter one of my Elements tripod. Perfect balance weight/performance (for my needs). Good luck with your choice!

[@stevemayne8067]

Thanks , some good deals on manfroto here in the uk at mo 25% off . I like the truth and accuracy of your video.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! I'm tired of the typical 'BS reviews' where everything is fantastic and the only cons is the price of similar BS... Not in my channel 😎😅💪🏻

[@stevemayne8067]

@@alwaysforwardyt that’s what I like about 👌👍

[@MidasTouchGreen]

Great video, I just bought the GT carbon version

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! Great choice! That's the one l ended up keeping 😎

[@shlomihaggai6505]

great video many thanks I was just thinking about buying the gt and thinking aluminum vs carbon

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! The GT is a 'GreaT' choice 🤓 whether in carbon or aluminum. But boy, it's hard to choose one between the two!

[@sergiopablo6555]

Thank you for the video. You provide more useful information about these tripods than anyone else on KZbin. I bought the Advanced Carbon Twist, but I want to replace it for the GT or the GT XPRO. I'm torn and I don't know what to choose. I truly enjoy the 1.25kg of the Advanced, and I'm not sure jumping to 1.76kg for the XPRO would make me regret the increase in weight. But I also hate the center column locking mechanism, and the GT has the same one as the Advanced... I have never done macro photography, but I have a macro extension tube that came with my second hand X-T3, which would be a perfect match for the XPRO. Price-wise the GT and XPRO are almost the same right now. I really don't know what to do.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! l'm happy my video was useful to you 😊 Personally, l will replace the 496 ball head the GT XPRO comes with and will use the one from my Elements. 496 weighs 400g, Elements weight 250g. This way, the GT XPRO will weigh 1610g. Not a big difference, but better than nothing... l don't know what's your use case scenario but, personally, l believe it's more the numbers playing with our mind than the actual weight that puts us off.. YMMV 😉

[@sergiopablo6555]

@@alwaysforwardyt You make an excellent point. We have all these numbers in our heads that seem to make such a big difference, while they don't. I'm a street photographer that occasionally does landscape. I would like to bring the tripod on city walks and hikes for landscape and macro, but I also have a Mini EVO 2 for those days I don't feel like carrying the big tripod around. Your idea of swapping the heads is brilliant. I have my eye on a Sunwayfoto XB-28 that weighs just 190g. With this ballhead, the GT XPRO would weigh just 1550g, exactly like the GT Advanced. That seems like the winning combination, since my X-T3 kit is not that heavy itself and won't need a heavy-duty ballhead most of the time.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

@@sergiopablo6555 The GT XPRO at 1550g would be a killer! In my case, my Elements ball head is all l need. It really meets my needs (camera, 24mm + Rode mic) even in challenging environments (as you see at the beginning of this video). It may not be enough for a telephoto lens but then, really, in that case you'll have to worry about the weight of other items more than that of the ball head 😅 Another thing to consider is 'where' you carry the tripod. Depending on the bag/backpack you use, the tripod will feel more or less heavy. Do let me know what you end up doing! 😊

[@sergiopablo6555]

@@alwaysforwardyt I will!

[@DJIDAI26]

юлагодарю за бесценную информацию!

[@alwaysforwardyt]

You are welcome! 😊

[@DJIDAI26]

@@alwaysforwardyt кстати мой экземпляр алюминиевого штатива , тоже имел звук погремушки как ваш карбон! Я нашел как это исправить!

[@alwaysforwardyt]

@@DJIDAI26 I guess you can fix it, l never looked into it, TBH. l kept the carbon fiber one and l'm very happy with it. The aluminium would've served me almost just as well (to me, it was simply a 'luxury' thing: carbon fiber does not get SO cold in extreme cold temperatures 😅). Enjoy your aluminium version, it's an excelent tripod! 👌

[@DJIDAI26]

@@alwaysforwardyt карбон для меня имеет ряд недостатков поэтому я предпочитаю алюминий! а в холодное время года я в обом случае использую теплые перчатки! ))) если вам интересно как избавится от звука погремушки то чуть позднее я смогу показать что делать!

[@alwaysforwardyt]

@@DJIDAI26 Leave the comment about getting rid of the rattling sound if you want to. It may help others! Thanks ☺