Vanguard VEO 3+ 263AB Review • Best Ever Tripod "Sweet Spot"

[@skyt54]

I happened on this tripod and it looked like it would work for me. So I looked it up on KZbin and found your video. With your excellent video my search is over so I will order one.

[@vitaeman]

Great review, sold me.

[@haakon_b]

I was looking for a new tripod for weeks, now I ordered this one. Your review helped with the decision, well done!

[@PanEuropeanSTRider]

I bought Vanguard's previous tripod model in October (Alta Pro 2). Last week, three months after purchase, I emailed their customer support asking about how to fix an issue I had with one of the legs. They wrote back asking for proof of purchase, which I provided. Today they told me it's better to replace than to attempt a repair, so are sending me a VEO 3 for free. Now that's what I call good customer service; no arguing or trying to blame me for the problem, just making sure their customers are happy.

[@vapinggranny2474]

I just ordered one of these and was afraid you were about to have a negative story lol, good to hear they’re good

[@PanEuropeanSTRider]

@@vapinggranny2474 I'm still happy with it a year later. Although today I was out on the bike (one with an engine, not pedals) so had to use my smaller, flimsier one because the Vanguard won't fit in the panniers. The Vanguard is always the one I take if I'm on foot or in the car.

[@SuperJupiter33]

wonderful review Steve... amazing looking tripod at this price point.

[@StevePikePhoto]

Hey thanks very much 👍 Yeah it's great value for money, and really been engineered well. A few people have picked up the carbon version & sing it's praises too. All the best, Steve

[@SuperJupiter33]

@@StevePikePhoto Hi Steve... ordered the new tripod going to be delightful addition ,curious now about a L-bracket & 12-100 mm f.4 "trifecta ". by the way awesome images on pixels...i have been playing around there for several years looking to up my game this season.

[@StevePikePhoto]

@@SuperJupiter33 that's excellent, I'm sure you'll be very pleased with it 👌 When ever I change a body, the first thing I buy is an L-bracket. For me an absolute must (apart from protecting the camera & adding a little bit more to hold onto, I flip orientation often in the search for compositions (get one!) 👍 ...worth a mention, I never pay a premium for an L-bracket. It's easy to spend 3 figures on one but I just don't think they offer any added value, so I always buy a known brand ally Arca Swiss compatible & they cost me somewhere between £20 and £50. As they wear out I can replace them with a clear conscience too 👍 Ahhh sounds like your an Olympus man? The Zuiko 12-100 f/4 I see scoring very highly in reviews. Fantastic piece of glass by all accounts and sat on your new tripod 👌 Very nice indeed.. Pixels I find a bind sadly... I've a background in tech so I get a little frustrated with the clumsy administration and casual support service. I want better for my clients & whilst it's absolutely fine for offering a print on demand service.. I'll be choosing a print house later this year and place each order myself individually. Thanks again for the kind comment, all the very best, Steve

[@rosey2578]

Brilliant review Steve, I’m into wildlife photography and I’m between this and the travel version, weight vs stability and features ! Wish there was a vlog as good as yours on the travel one !

[@bradycann9679]

Loved this review! I'm expecting mine to be delivered by Saturday. Cheers!

[@StevePikePhoto]

Hi, thanks for the feedback my friend, very much appreciated 👍 I honestly think you're in for a real treat 👌😎 Love to hear what you think when it arrives.. 😊

[@SuperJupiter33]

Hi Brady what are your thoughts on the new tripod.

[@FairyFinding]

Lovely and extensive review. Thank you!

[@StevePikePhoto]

Sincerely appreciated, thanks for taking the time to comment. All the best, Steve

[@tbenzo300]

Thank you! Very much appreciated.

[@StevePikePhoto]

Most welcome, thanks for comment 🙏

[@tbenzo300]

@@StevePikePhoto So, I bought one from Adorama this past Friday and had a question for you. Everything is great and the attention to detail is there with everything as you mentioned, and the features with the center column are exceptional, but one thing is keeping me from loving it. The twist locks for the legs. The amount needed to loosen the lock to drop the leg is more than a natural full extension twist of the wrist. You need to come back and twist another 1/4 turn to drop the leg. And the smaller lock of the two needs even more twist so you can't just grab both and go. They didn't compensate for the smaller diameter in it's motion. Each one needs its own attention. Big turn off because that's what you're interacting with the most beside the head. Is yours the same way? I know I may be too hard on the tripod in this price range but I wonder how the Manfrotto GT XPRO locks are as that one is the closest competitor with respect to price and features. Thanks!

[@StevePikePhoto]

@@tbenzo300 Hello, I'm pleased to hear you like the tripod in general, sorry you're not keen on the twist locks. As I think I mentioned / demonstrated in the video, I wanted to say it the twist-locks were a quarter turn, but it was over that.. less than a half rotation of the leg, but a little over a quarter rotation. I've had a closer look at mine before replying this morning and can confirm that if I reach for the twist-lock then gently extend my wrist to reach around the lock, it is a single motion to unlock and extend both upper and lower legs. I think you are right about the lower leg too! I hadn't even noticed until you mentioned it, but there may be a marginal additional rotation required in the lower... that being said, I use my tripod regularly and I've just become used to it. I have noted that with use (like all tripods), it has become easier to lock and unlock, so that 'new feeling' may be partially to blame. I hope this helps and I hope you come to love it as much as I do.. please keep me posted how you get on. All the very best, Steve

[@vanguardphotouk_1986]

Thanks for your review Steve, it's very much appreciated and we've added a link to your review on our product page.

[@StevePikePhoto]

My absolute pleasure, I really appreciate the hard work that must have gone into designing the VEO 3+, thank you & for the link too 👍 All the best, Steve

[@momaaytah6269]

Hands down one of the best reviews of any gear I have come across. I was on the fence about the carbon version of this model and the Manfrotto 190. Steve did a fantastic job going in to the practical details. Take note @VanguardPhotoUK

[@StevePikePhoto]

@@momaaytah6269 hey Mo I really appreciate the kind comment, thank you very much 🙏

[@glennvanderbusse4137]

Great video and thanks for posting. I have had my old Tripod since the 90's and have just decided to get another one so I am glad that I came upon your review. Will it take a camera and lens weighing 2.5kg and being 3 years on hows Sweat Spot getting on is it still worthy of the name. Cheers Glenn v from NZ

[@KieranSuddabyPhotography]

Great review mate, thanks. Very informative. A decent tripod is on my buy list for 2021, and this ones going on the short list. A fair price it seems. Thanks again.

[@StevePikePhoto]

Many thanks Kieran 👌 Appreciate the feedback. It really is a cracking piece of kit. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with it, especially at this price point. All the best 👍

[@WayneIrish]

Just purchased this today. Should be here tuesday.

[@julianheritage6436]

Good review Steve, really showed off the features. Looks a great tripod some great features that look better than what I have on my £500+ carbon fibre Manfrotto 055XPRO4 and pro ball head. Plus I had to pay extra for spikes and it didn’t come with a bag

[@StevePikePhoto]

Thanks Julian 👍🏻 Yeah I really think they've created something special with the VEO 3+ range. I didn't mention it in the video but I even snaffled up a Black Friday deal where Vanguard kindly included a free travel tripod worth £100 too! The VEO GO 204AB and I even love that.. perfect for a quick wander round the woods or to leave in the car. Service was brilliant too, so I just had to share it 👌🏻

[@bowwave59]

How is it for vibrations? I want a heavy enough tripod to stay put and not move .

[@StevePikePhoto]

Hi Paul, I often think there's a trade off between weight and sturdiness. This tripod for me, is as much as I'd want to carry and as a result it's as sturdy as any other field tripod I've ever used. The rubber feet are substantial & of good quality (not the flimsy little end caps some tripods carry), and if you want spikes Vanguard include them in the box! Not a £40 extra like some manufacturers. I have not had a single incident shooting woodland landscape where this tripod hasn't held its position. The new levers lock off really well and for any ball-head adjustment you don't have to keep checking it's tightened off.. it just is! :) The legs don't require excessive twisting to be fully secure and the angle adjustable hinged joints are really solidly manufactured too. It's a well planted click into place with each leg at each of the three set angles. The MACC multi-angle centre column too has a tightening clamp that can be adjusted to suit each users personal feel. There is a point where a heavy camera setup may de-stabilise the tripod but no sane photographer would go there I don't think ;) - I don't know of another tripod, at this price point to beat it 👍🏻

[@bowwave59]

@@StevePikePhoto bought one. Very nice so far 👌

[@StevePikePhoto]

@@bowwave59 that's great Paul, thanks for letting me know 👍 Hope it serves you well. All the best, Steve

[@Forthejoyofphotography]

Thanks for such an in-depth review. I purchased the Carbon Fibre version off the back of your review. Do you know how the rubber feet come off? I want to put the spikes on that came with the Tripod but no matter how hard I twist the rubber feet of pull. They will not budge at all. I must admit I am very puzzled here and wonder why so hard to remove.

[@StevePikePhoto]

Hi Brian, I'm really pleased it helped, thanks for letting me know. It encourages me to do more reviews. Yes! I can confirm the rubber feet are made with the same high quality attention to detail as the rest of the tripod. I've just extended the lower leg on mine & with dry hands, just hold the leg and twist the rubber foot as though it was threaded (it isn't, but to get it going, I find it helps). A damp cloth may help but literally twist it off. Under there you will find a threaded hole for the spikes provided 👍🏻 First time off they take a little more effort, but, after you remove and replace them a few times you'll notice there is an audible click as the rubber foot is pushed back into place. A really positive thing in my mind, the number of rubber tripod feet I've lost over the years 🙄 If 'clickable' rubber feet was mentioned in the literature, I'd have bought one just for that alone 😉 Don't hesitate to message anytime Brian, hope your keeping well 🙏🏻

[@Forthejoyofphotography]

@@StevePikePhoto Many thanks for such a swift and helpful reply. Put a pair of gloves on with a grippy surface and with a lot of effort finally budged. Must be because new. All 3 off now. I have sprayed a little bit of 3 in 1 Silicone spray which I use for maintenance to offer a little bit of lubrication and they went back on with that satisfying 'click' feel. Phew!

[@StevePikePhoto]

@@Forthejoyofphotography my pleasure Brian 👍🏻 pleased your sorted. I'm yet to use my spikes but soon as lockdown lifts I plan a trip to the Peak District and they'll come in handy then for sure. All the best, Steve

[@vanguardphotouk_1986]

Sorry Brian, they are on tight, but that was a design decision to reduce the risk of the rubber feet falling off on the go. Glad you managed to get them off :-)

[@yogesharora7304]

confused between this one and Alta pro 2+

[@carjensen]

10 clips to get your first 30 seconds. I am out.

[@momaaytah6269]

Thanks Steve, super review.

[@StevePikePhoto]

sincerely appreciated my friend, thank you for taking the time to comment 🙏