RRS teased new inverted tripod

[AndrewMT34]

New tripods are called the Benchmark series. Looks like they are direct to consumer and made in house.

I pre-ordered the inverted model with the anvil-30 head. Looking forward to trying it out.

RRS Benchmark

Discover the new Benchmark apex design from Really Right Stuff — engineered for seamless compatibility with all RRS ball heads and featuring redesigned legs for a more rigid, precise, and secure fit across the entire tripod lineup.

reallyrightstuff.com

 

[Marty]

Got one ordered up as well (https://reallyrightstuff.com/benchmark-inverted-anvil-30-arc-bundle/).

I'll be looking to 3d print some caps so I can take that three section inverted, remove a section (and weight) and use as a two section inverted for hunting paired with my MA-30L or get one of the Wiser Precision BT-20 Ridge Warden heads when they come off back order.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Got one ordered up as well (https://reallyrightstuff.com/benchmark-inverted-anvil-30-arc-bundle/).

I'll be looking to 3d print some caps so I can take that three section inverted, remove a section (and weight) and use as a two section inverted for hunting paired with my MA-30L or get one of the Wiser Precision BT-20 Ridge Warden heads when they come off back order.

I just picked up an tfct14l without center column and wonder if this would be a better option.
Wonder what the weight and stowed height will be after your mods.
That’s the route I would want to go as well.

 

[4th_point]

 

[4th_point]

FYI - Looks like they have a problem with their website in terms of displaying the specs, see below.

 

[awcopeland]

Call me a commie, but on paper what I’m seeing is that this new inverted tripod is a pound heavier, one more leg section (probably weaker), and more than double the cost of the HK (not including any head prices).

What is a guy like me NOT seeing from the paper side of things?

I would assume RRS has better build quality but is it a 234% improvement? (795/339 MSRP prices).

I’m all for buying good gear, but seriously, this doesn’t compute to me. Talk to me like I’m a 10 year old and educate me.

 

[willfrye027]

Call me a commie, but on paper what I’m seeing is that this new inverted tripod is a pound heavier, one more leg section (probably weaker), and more than double the cost of the HK (not including any head prices).

What is a guy like me NOT seeing from the paper side of things?

I would assume RRS has better build quality but is it a 234% improvement? (795/339 MSRP prices).

I’m all for buying good gear, but seriously, this doesn’t compute to me. Talk to me like I’m a 10 year old and educate me.

It’s kind of like a savage vs a sako rifle..

I’ve used my buddies tricer HK and it’s definitely a nice tripod, the build quality is not the same as my RRS ascend. Does it help me find or kill more stuff? Probably not.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Call me a commie, but on paper what I’m seeing is that this new inverted tripod is a pound heavier, one more leg section (probably weaker), and more than double the cost of the HK (not including any head prices).

What is a guy like me NOT seeing from the paper side of things?

I would assume RRS has better build quality but is it a 234% improvement? (795/339 MSRP prices).

I’m all for buying good gear, but seriously, this doesn’t compute to me. Talk to me like I’m a 10 year old and educate me.

Chinese manufactured out of lesser quality carbon vs American made from the preeminent manufacturer of tripods.

One's a marketing brand that outsources production.
The other are actually the designers, engineers and manufacturers.

 

[Wiscgunner]

I love my Tricer, even with its limitations. However, I only bought it because RRS refused to make a competitor. Now they are going down this road MAYBE they will make a competitor in the next few years. I will most likely buy one when they do.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Chinese manufactured out of lesser quality carbon vs American made from the preeminent manufacturer of tripods.

One's a marketing brand that outsources production.
The other are actually the designers, engineers and manufacturers.

You should do a comparison vs your ascend.
Curious what you take is.

I wish Rrs would make some series 1 leg caps to take the slimmest legs out of the ascend.
I don’t really need the height.

 

[Lawnboi]

You should do a comparison vs your ascend.
Curious what you take is.

I wish Rrs would make some series 1 leg caps to take the slimmest legs out of the ascend.
I don’t really need the height.

That’s why I got the 13cx. It’s very stiff for a 1 series tripod.

Though I wish they would make the same tripod inverted.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

You should do a comparison vs your ascend.
Curious what you take is.

I wish Rrs would make some series 1 leg caps to take the slimmest legs out of the ascend.
I don’t really need the height.

Plan to. Marty has one coming and we’ll do a comparison out shooting. He’s going to print some caps to remove the lower led sections.

That’s why I got the 13cx. It’s very stiff for a 1 series tripod.

Though I wish they would make the same tripod inverted.

Yeah this is what I want as well.

 

[4th_point]

Follow up to the video I posted:

Kudos to Phil Velayo in mentioning the upper tube flex when used for standing position. Keeps expectations realistic.

Sounds like the standard Benchmark might be better for standing too, if you ever needed to go that tall.

I didn't know that they are making these tubes in house. They outsourced the carbon portion previously, so it's a new process for them and it'll be interesting to see how QC/QA does with completely different material and operations.

 

[WildBoose]

Enlighten me, because I'm ignorant on these matters. What is the significance of being inverted?

 

[Marty]

Follow up to the video I posted:

Kudos to Phil Velayo in mentioning the upper tube flex when used for standing position. Keeps expectations realistic.

Sounds like the standard Benchmark might be better for standing too, if you ever needed to go that tall.

I didn't know that they are making these tubes in house. They outsourced the carbon portion previously, so it's a new process for them and it'll be interesting to see how QC/QA does with completely different material and operations.

Having been at the facility in March, I can attest to their carbon fiber pultrusion QA/QC program both during the process and prior to being sent to assembly. As a simple example, they had piles of aesthetically rejected tubes.

So good to see an American company taking full control of their manufacturing (and QA/QC) process.

 

[4th_point]

Having been at the facility in March, I can attest to their carbon fiber pultrusion QA/QC program both during the process and prior to being sent to assembly.

That's great to hear, thanks. Do you have a background in quality processes or inspection?

 

[omicron1792]

Enlighten me, because I'm ignorant on these matters. What is the significance of being inverted?

Most tripod extend from the bottom of the leg. You either have to bend down or pick up the tripod to reach the bottom to adjust legs. Especially an issue if already set up and need to adjust.

Inverted adjusts at the top of the leg. Much closer to your hands and much easier for making adjustments on the fly.

It’s a much better mousetrap.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Most tripod extend from the bottom of the leg. You either have to bend down or pick up the tripod to reach the bottom to adjust legs. Especially an issue if already set up and need to adjust.

Inverted adjusts at the top of the leg. Much closer to your hands and much easier for making adjustments on the fly.

It’s a much better mousetrap.

With the trade off that the uppermost section is also the smallest diameter and thus the least stiff.

 

[Marty]

That's great to hear, thanks. Do you have a background in quality processes or inspection?

Yes.