The Perfect 1st Tripod - SmallRig AP-02 FreeRover Tripod Review

I'm a sucker for a good tripod, and the SmallRig FreeRover AP-02 Travel Tripod has surprised me with its features, build quality, and price. So, this is my unscientific, real-world review of this well-made, keenly-priced marvel.
NOTE: SmallRig sent me this unit for free but is only seeing the video when you see it. They've had no input into it, nor did I even promise I'd do a video about it.
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Hi, I'm Peter - a landscape photographer, car-lover, and life enthusiast. If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to see more videos. Feel free to leave a comment or question below. Subscribe & see more: youtube.com/@PETERFRIT...
Thanks for watching!
The gear used to make this video
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SmallRig AP-02 Travel Tripod: geni.us/smallr...
Canon EOS R6 MKII: geni.us/Canon-...
Canon EOS R5: geni.us/canon-...
Canon RF 24-70: geni.us/Canon-...
Peak Design Travel Tripod: geni.us/PD-tri...
RODE NTG2 Microphone: geni.us/Rode-N...
Zoom F3 Recorder: geni.us/zoom-f...
Music
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www.epidemicso... (not an affiliate)
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My gear: www.peterfritz...
My website: peterfritzphot...
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[@ianburce6838]

I just bought one because of this review, the tripod indeed is very well engineered..... Thanks Peter.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Thanks, Ian. 👍

[@isotechimages.9130]

Love SmallRig quality.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Ditto. 👍

[@mikevaneck.]

Great review, thank you Peter.Just bought one. Very happy :)

[@peterfritzphoto]

Great to hear, Mike!

[@ScottymanPhoto]

Excellent review, Peter! Some great B-roll too. I would NOT say that this review was "unprofessional or "unscientific." In fact, you had me wondering why I bought a Gitzo travel tripod. You may have a niche for doing reviews. I've thought about it, and I appreciate those that do. They certainly provide a valuable service. But it's a lot of work. Take care, buddy!

[@peterfritzphoto]

Thanks, old boy. Indeed, it’s harder than I wish it was. I can see why Gerald and Hugh use teleprompters!

[@georgedavall9449]

PETER FRITZ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bangin review mate!

[@angelocajipe7617]

Great straightforward review 👍

[@peterfritzphoto]

Thanks, Angelo.

[@Skene_O]

Good, honest review Pete. I have been looking for a tripod upgrade so this is now on my radar.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Much appreciated. 👍

[@stowgood]

Does look good like especially the screw threads for mounting magic arms too that's very cool. I already own the peak design.

[@MyCentsTX]

I just made a vido on this as well. I love it. Im ordering a 2nd one

[@pauldarville3843]

Thanks!!!

[@the_black_douglas9041]

This looks really good! And I liked your review! Peak design are having a lend with their prices 😂 For the price of a carbon fibre Peak travel, you can get an Aussie made Miller Air with carbon legs and an actual fluid head.

[@peterfritzphoto]

And here’s me having to look up Miller (after shooting for 40 years!). Thanks, mate.

[@PhoneNHe]

Hi Peter, thank you for the insight. At the moment I feel like everyone having a blast about the ulanzi coman F38. Whats your opinion about portability and performance, besides its in carbon?

[@peterfritzphoto]

I love the F38. It’s beautifully made, strong, and compact. Easily as good as the Peak Design. The only thing I don’t like is the stupid F38 head, which is slightly smaller than Arca Swiss. They Zero Y version addresses this, so if you do buy one, I’d get that model.

[@SuperSuperka]

Love the spikes with their cups. But what about center column - how firm is its fixing?

[@peterfritzphoto]

It’s very firm. It’s a bloody good tripod.

[@HesDeadJim]

Given this is < half the price of the ulanzi zero y, are there any benefits/reasons to pay for the carbon fibre? They weigh prsctically the same too! My only concern is having non-removeable spikes and carrying these on

[@peterfritzphoto]

The main benefits of Carbon (aside from weight), are rigidity and temperature (they don't get icy cold like aluminium does). The spikes aren't an issue because they're under the rubber feet. There's no reason to remove them.

[@maircraft4079]

Good review. I recently considered this t-pod but @ 20" collapsed is was just way to long for the backpack I wanted to use it with. I Ended up with the Aoka 163 CL. Super tiny and light. Very minimal but strong enough. Maybe do a review on that. I wont be using my 200-600 on it but using it as a monopod in a pinch I could pull it off.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Very petite, indeed. I agree, the SmallRig is on the long side, but it's very narrow in diameter, which helps.

[@muleyg]

Is there a carbon fiber version of this tripod?

[@peterfritzphoto]

Not yet, I’m afraid. That said, I was still impressed with this unit - especially for its low asking price.

[@muleyg]

👍

[@AnonymousGameWarden]

Can you put a fluid head on it?

[@peterfritzphoto]

Yes, you can. From SmallRig: "The top 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 screw supports various fluid heads for shooting and video production."

[@mavzgucor7003]

I read somewhere in the smallrig website that the head is not replaceable but reading it here from an actual user makes me ambivalent between this and the peak design which surely can accomodate a better head. I‘m a newbie but I plan all my buys 😅😅😅

[@peterfritzphoto]

@@mavzgucor7003 If you’re a newbie, I wouldn’t be worried about changing the head - just use it as it comes.

[@AnonymousGameWarden]

@@mavzgucor7003 same. I'm just wondering if I can put their best head onto this travel tripod

[@mavzgucor7003]

@@AnonymousGameWarden i mean i‘m a newbie but i buy things that i know i can still use if ever this hobby turns into passion. That‘s why i want to know if we can upgrade that ball head into a fluid head in the future

[@AndyBRoberts1]

As a dope I'll ask a question that you may already have alluded to. Will the head on this tripod take the Peak Design capture clip? I'm looking for a tripod for hiking with but use the Peak Design capture system so looking for a compact lightweight tripod that delivers value for money The Peak Design tripod looks fantastic and will fit my pack but the cost is a bit steep.

[@peterfritzphoto]

Not a dopey question at all. I’m happy to report that yes, the PD capture clip fits in this tripod’s head. I have one attached to my R6 MKII. 👍

[@stowgood]

How much taller is it than the peak design? That's my concern.

[@MyCentsTX]

I made a video on it as well. It includes the heights

[@peterfritzphoto]

Google is your friend.

[@bianx817]

@@MyCentsTXdo you have the link to the video