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OMG - the best Travel Tripod comparison on the web. So detailed and yet so relatable for any photographer. Additionally - you added your own perceptions, which I agree with totally. So happy to see this video. Ordered the Heipi - it just looks like the best all-around travel Tripod right now. I have a Manfrotto, which I love but is just too big and bulky, so I hardly use it. I want something I will use, and the Heipi looks like something I will travel with and use. Adding a secondary tripod is a great innovation, and I look forward to seeing how I make that work. Thank you so much for all your efforts, and I hope many more people see this video.
Thank you. I am glad you like it. I don't make a living from reviewing stuff. That's why I am willing to spend time on it and say whatever I should say :-)
ha! if only Heipi shipped their kickstarter and indiegogo campaigns. we don't know their quality either. so, it's a non-option until they have units out.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
@@zzhao463 Stop spamming the comment area by posting multiple times. It will only get yourself embarrassed. I said it before but I will say it again. I DON'T have collaboration with any of the brands. Most importantly I didn't make money for the referrals. I didn't even include a referral link in the video description. I make money from selling my app Planit Pro, not from reviewing products. Equipment review is just my hobby. All I want is to provide honest reviews for my app users and fans. Hope you can watch the video and judge yourself if I am fair in the comparison.
This is the best product review I've ever seen, period. It should be a benchmark for every reviewer out there. After watching this, I don't need to continue reading and watching any more useless ads pretending to be reviews to decide which tripod I want. You made it crystal clear. Thank you.
Congratulation! It is the best review of tripods I have ever see. I really like that you actually put them under test rather than looking at their specks.
Thanks. Since making this video, I started to use the Heipi tripod exclusively whenever I travel. It worked great so far. At the same time, I also sent my field test feedback (mostly small issues) to them and it looks like they are rolling out an improved version soon.
Great comparison. I was really fed up with all the youtubers recommending Ulanzi, while the build quality leaves a lot of room for improvement. Thank you for that honest opinion.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
I picked up the Heipi tripod in the kickstarter and just got it last night. I had deliberately avoided reviews because I was already committed and I wanted to draw my own conclusions without being biased by someone else's opinion. So I spent a couple hours last night with both the Heipi and PD tripods side by side. Comparing them and fiddling with them. Then this morning I looked at a couple reviews and comparisons that included the Heipi and the PD tripods. Turns out my conclusions and personal feelings on the two pretty closely match what you and others have come to. I haven't taken the Heipi out to use anywhere yet, maybe I'll be able to this weekend, but I am reasonably sure I'm going to be selling my PD tripod soon. Thanks for this excellent review.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
@@justin-kelseyI haven't touched the PD tripod since. They both have pluses and minuses but the fact I can use the Heipi tripod as both a tabletop and a full size is a huge difference. The only reason I still have the PD tripod at this point is because I haven't had a chance to sell it yet. I also like the head that comes with the Heipi better too.
@@emtboy9 appreciate the fast response on that! For the $399 price I'm sold on the Heipi, but the Ulanzi Zero Y is also on sale for $300 right now including the F38 ball head and extra center column upgrade, so currently weighing those two!
Incredibly thorough analysis. I’ve actually just sold two of my smaller travel tripods in order to get one of these options. I’d planned to get the Ulanzi due to all the positive TH-cam reviews. But i’ll now look into the Heipei model. Thanks!
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Thank you so much! I am debating between PD, Heipi, and Ulanzi for a travel tripod for nature and astrophotography. I really appreciate the comparison and technical nature of the comparison. This has been so helpful in comparing those 3.
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This TH-camr surely knows what he's talking about. Great comparison. I have the exact same problems he mentions w.r.t. Ulanzi Coman. Will have to switch to Heipi mostly because Peak Design is beyond what I'm willing to pay for a travel tripod.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
Thank you for an excellent comparison. I've been looking at 3 of these models and you sealed the deal :). Appreciate the time and effort you put into this and it really helped ALOT.
Thanks for making this very detailed comparison! I was leaning towards the Ulanzi from the many positive reviews but ended up purchasing the Heipi based on your comparison and some other criticisms of the Ulanzi that I had to search pretty hard to find. I suspect there was a lot of paid promotion for the Ulanzi with the number of videos that directly compared it to the PD tripod and found the Ulanzi vastly superior despite being half the price. Even though weight and size were priorities as a secondary travel tripod, the Heipi ball head looks much more convenient to use while being removable, and your test proved that the tri-center column actually does provide more stability and isn't just a gimmick. Thanks for your hard work.
Well you really raised the bar on level of detail for tripod reviews!! (In fact you raised the bar, hung a tennis ball on it and did a damping test 🙂) Really well done video and very useful. Thank you!!!
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A very helpful review of travel tripods. Well thought out measurements together with hands-on experience. And really entertaining at the same time, too! Many thanks for this! I immediately subscribed to the channel.
Thank you. I am glad you like it. As you probably noticed, this channel is mainly for my app Planit Pro. I did this tripod review simply because I love this Heipi tripod. I guess it is the passion that works :-)
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
A very well thought out & un-biased review. Well done fella. I've been so, on & off the fence over the Heipi, Ulanzi & Marsace. The latter looks a great little tripod at its price point. However I think the Heipi is winning me over. The fact that the ballhead can be removed, thus making it more compact for travel, the stability & the second tripod feature are killer features. I did read a review when it was being first tested. Reviewer said the finish can rub off easily. Maybe the production models have sorted this small problem now.
Thank you for your thorough comparison and review of these five travel tripods. Your demonstrated tests, weighted scoring, and suggestions are very thoughtful and considered. It is a real standout among many videos which offer opinions but few detailed comparisons. I wish I had seen it before ordering the Peak Design aluminum tripod and additional panning ball head. I would have selected the Heipi instead, which has those features plus more overall features and flexibility.
So many photography TH-cam channels with tons of subs, and none of them have offered as deep a review/comparison for travel tripods. Well done. I appreciate the objective approach to the review. I've liked and subscribed purely out of appreciation for this video, and I look forward to checking out your other videos. My singular criticism would be there was no mention of the leg angles; as I'm sure you know the primary leg angle is one of the single most important factors in how stable a tripod will be in use. Many manufacturers focus on maximum height statistics by simply narrowing their primary leg angles, which inherently lead to lower stability.
Thank you. I had all leg angles measured and listed in my spreadsheet. They just don't make any significant difference in this comparison as they are all very close to each other. I will surely mention it next time.
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Excellent video. Very comprehensive. In the end purchased the RRS Ascend 14L without ball head. Despite interesting new designs that PD and Heipi represent. I have had nothing but excellent experience with RRS over 15 years. I own the TVC 34L and TFC 24L. Felt it the right thing to add 14L to the lineup as a travel tripod. Heads and leveling bases are all by Acratech.
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When you brought up David (TheCenterColumn), I knew your review was in a league above all other TH-cam tripod reviews I have seen. Your test approach sacrifices some technical rigour for widespread repeatability, and I appreciate that! My feedback/question below will be lengthy, but I hope you will enjoy the banter. I will mostly ignore Marsace because I do not have first-hand experience and English info on their series is still limited. 1. Overall feeling: I have already backed Heipi before watching this video. Aesthetic-wise, I actually love PD and Ulanzi more. Still, Heipi was developed by wildlife photographers, which I shoot even more than landscape, and is clearly more stable and feature-rich than its competitors. Hopefully, someone can test it with a wildlife gimbal head soon. I applaud that you did not knock the PD tripod down its peg. It lacks some features, being the first of its kind in the market, but I still rate it highly for its creativity - an aspect we both share. Looking forward to its Mark 2 version whenever that arrives. 2. Stability: how did you do the damping test for the RRS, since you have the 14L version? At any given height, without some extra considerations, the 14L will be more stable than the regular one because you do not need to fully extend the legs or use as much of the center column. 3. QR Locking Platform: why exactly does PD’s QR locking platform get a lower score? I find it much faster than either Ulanzi or RRS. 4. Panning: what is your recommendation to improve Heipi’s panning? A panning platform or a levelling base? I am partial to the latter since it can be used with other tripod heads. 5. Head replacement: This is one feature where I find the 3-grade scale is limiting. PD is undoubtedly the 2nd best one, just behind the traditional method (that Heipi uses): the head adapter is tiny, hence very portable - you only have to remove a small section of the proprietary ball head to replace it. Ulanzi is probably the *worst*: they force you to replace an entire center column to use a different head: extra carry space, and no way to get low on the ground without reversing the column. Furthermore, Dan Carr found out that their head replacement column uses a ¼” 20 stud instead of the standard 3/8 16” stud - almost no commercial tripod head, not even Ulanzi’s own tripod head, uses that stud! You are forced to buy a separate converted/reducer bushing before placing a tripod head on that “adapter.” 6. Leg disassembly: This is a big minus for landscape/wildlife users on Heipi. I am still looking for tripod sleeves/covers that work well on Heipi for those sandy and seascape environments. Let me know if you have any suggestions on that. 7. Hook: Shouldn’t Heipi be a 0.5? Yes, its hook is identical to others, but the 3-pillar column will get in the way of using it when not extended, requiring an extra accessory like a carabiner. 8. Dual tripod: should PD at least gets a 0.5? While it does not have the unique 2-in-1 feature Heipi has, the ultralight conversion kit does allow it to become an extremely compact and stable tabletop tripod. 9. Clarifications: I am not exactly sure what you meant by a “center column stopper”? Is it something that blocks the center column from being pulled out entirely by accident? And can you elaborate on how you rated the accessory holes? 10. Other categories: I wish you had mentioned Arca cross-compatibility. Heipi almost got this problem until mounting pressure from backers forced them to accommodate other Arca-Swiss plates (such as PD’s). Heipi also got a favourable matchup in the feature breakdown because it has 2 exclusive categories for itself. I find the unique ability to mount a carrying strap directly on PD with the anchor links extremely helpful, especially when I use a 3rd-party head that does not fit into the provided tripod bag. RRS has accessory padding that can be added to their knobs for cold-weather operation or for people with large hands.
I am glad that you asked all these detailed questions. 1. Aesthetic-wise, Heipi >= PD >> all other tripods. Once you have Heipi in hand, you can judge it again. This is of course a personal opinion. I didn't make it part of the rating system. 2. I raised 14L's each leg out according to the 14 version except the first section. In other word, I tried my best so that it will as close as the 14. So yes, it will have some advantage in term of stability as the legs and CC are not fully extended. 3. The speed of QR platform is not the most important factor in my review. That's why the slowest twist lock got the same score as the speedy Heipi lock. The problem with the PD is the long travel distance of the locking tab. The tab will be below the camera when locked. And it is very difficult to push to open if it was locked too tight, especially in winter. In comparison, the Heipi has two tabs on both sides of the ring, making it much easier to unlock. The travel distance of Heipi is also very small comparing to PD's. 4. I suggested them making a new ball head that supports panning on the top. They actually had a leveling base for their 3D/2D ball head. You can find it on Amazon. It is very thin but the diameter is too large for this ball head. They might release a new leveling base that is smaller to match with this ball head. 5. My criteria for head replacement is that if you need to buy an extra piece to replace the head, I will give it 0.5 point. That's why PD, Ulanzi, RRS, Marsace all got 0.5 point. 6. This is the biggest downside of the Heipi. They are aware of it and are working on some improvement in the future. 7. You just raise the CC to use the hook. If you don't want use the CC, it is very easy to remove and put the ball head directly on the main tripod. I personally didn't find it is a problem. 8. It is still one tripod with the PD conversion kit , not dual tripods. 9. Yes. Both upward, and downward when mounting the CC reversely. Several people mentioned this as comments on the Heipi kickstarter page. You can take a look. I personally didn't find it is a big deal, but I included it anyway just to be fair. 2+ accessary holes = 1 point. 1 accessary hole = 0.5 point. No = 0 point. 10. You can actually mount the link to the Heipi using the accessary hole. I had such as a 1/4 inch screw with a loop on the other end. But I prefer to carry the Heipi tripod in the bag that comes with the tripod. I dropped the PD tripod once on the concrete and the head was broken. They replaced the head for free but after that, I started to carry the PD in the bag. That's why I will do the same for the Heipi. For the features, I just need a way to standardize the test. I came up with 20 features with a weighted average. Of course, you can think of more features and give different weights for each feature. So my goal of this video is not just to compare those five tripods, but to come up with a rating system that can be applied to all other tripods. Of course it is an evolving effort. When I have time in the future, I may write an app or a website to do it where I will allow you to customize the features.
@@PlanItPhoto Thank you! Feel like I'm learning so much. 3. Really appreciate the mention on PD's issue for winter - it's winter for half the year where I live and I have shot in -30 temp. 4. Can you link the current levelling base they are selling? I could not find it on my end. The smallest base I could find from other brands (e.g., Leofoto) has a base diameter of around 60mm, which could work well.
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One of the best review I saw. It's more like a nice idea for video courses of tripod evaluation for gear developers or staff, responsible for purchase of eqipment in companies. Great job! I know it was not an easy task.👍 Blue subtitles is a matter of taste. Still big thanks! :)
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
I was not interested in buying any travel tripod and I just really enjoyed following your scoring system. I wish more people that do reviews would do more of that and less opinions. Great job... and btw I am a big fan of Planit Pro.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
I have had the Heipi for a couple of months and it's brilliant. I use it for long exposures and panoramas and I never have 2nd thoughts about taking it on every trip.
Great technical review of these tripods. I think the Heipi does need to take away 0.5 points for the hook though - the unfortunate problem with their innovative column design is that if you don't raise the column up all the way, they actually end up blocking access to the weight hook.
You can raise the center column to use the hook. I actually bring a camping rope to pull the hook to the ground to secrue the tripod. After setting up the hook, then you can lower the center column.
@@PlanItPhoto Yes, the center column needs to be raised to use the hook or as you mentioned, to use a rope to extend it down. I just feel like it's the unfortunate shortcoming of the design (less ergonomic). It's just something I've found to be a shortcoming whilst looking into getting yet another travel tripod (my Sirui T024X from years ago is actually still serving me fine for my mirrorless setup; just "hand itchy" 手痒) and was seriously considering the Heipi over the PD or Coman.
@@BigBenAdv I would the say the benefit of tri-pillar center column overweight other shortcomings it may have, by a lot. It is the first time I don't hesitate raising the center column and use it, not to mention it is a small tripod if pulling out.
They only have pre-sale at the moment. 1. heipivision.com/products/heipi-3-in-1-travel-tripod with discount code Z4HGKWJPASJZ at $339 2. www.indiegogo.com/projects/heipi-the-most-compact-3-in-1-travel-tripod#/ at $339
I don't make those videos for commission so that I can review them independently and fairly. I made money from selling my app Planit Pro. Those review videos are just my spare time hobby.
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The tripod itself has no difference. Just locking platform is different. As a matter of fact, I don't even recommend its proprietary F38 locking system. PD plates cannot be used. The twist safety knob is very difficult to operate. You can't use it with one hand which we often want.
I beg to differ about the RRS Ascent. First, comparing the wrong model to the other tripods is just bad form. I don't know how the shorter version would really have performed and neither do you. If you are a designer, as you say you are, you should know better. All that aside. You seem not to have noticed the build quality of the RRS or how the design and close tolerances make it function. The legs open/close with brass bushings set it the CNC machined head. Did you notice how the adjustors for the angle of the legs have inset magnetic detents that make them work as smoothly as they do? Did you notice how the adjustment levers for post height, ball head, and clamp are also CNC machined and work easily and solidly? Comparing build quality of the RRS to my PD (which I just sold because of its flimsiness under modest weight) is like comparing Swarovski crystal to Walmart Christmas tree ornaments. They don't belong in the same review. You criticized the RRS for not being able to keep the camera from flopping around using partial tension on the ball. This concerned me last night when I watched your video. When I received my RRS from UPS today I was ready t send it back. If your criticism had been true I would have sent it back today. It works perfectly. This is an important feature and a glaring mistake in your video. Oh well. You know what they say about the internet. Anyone can post anything.
I pretty much disassembled all those tripods before making this video so I knew all the details about those tripods. I still hold my opinion that I do not recommend RRS ascend 14 because its ballhead and center column design. This is after the fact that I am an over 10 year RRS user who had over $5000 value of their products.
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Thank you for this exhaustive comparison. While I think the Heipi looks like a good tripod, it has several shortcomings making it less appealing as a travel tripod: the company is relatively new and could disappear, this tripod weighs almost a pound more than the PD or the Ulanzi, the head is very heavy making it top heavy, a source of possible imbalance in the wind, it cost a 100$ more than the Ulanzi. I feel that for travelling light, the Ulanzi is the best value for the price as for me weight is a very important factor.
Where do you get the idea of 8.82 oz? It is HEIPI 1330 gram v.s PD 1303 gram. Only 27 gram difference which is not even an oz. There are tons of times we need two tripods.
You also mentioned the head heavy. That's not true either. The head is a sold 50mm diameter ball head so it can hold a lot but it is hollow only weight 272 gram. In comparison, RRS BH40 with a 40mm diameter ball is 445 gram. HEPI W28 is a travel tripod so it has ligth-weight and compact as the first priority, yet stable enough (not comparable to much larger tripods of course). Are you looking at the data at a wrong location? I think I mentioned them all in the video.
This is the best comparison I have ever seen. Amazing. Thank you.
Wow, thank you!
Just subcscribed, awesome content! Thank you.
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OMG - the best Travel Tripod comparison on the web.
So detailed and yet so relatable for any photographer.
Additionally - you added your own perceptions, which I agree with totally.
So happy to see this video.
Ordered the Heipi - it just looks like the best all-around travel Tripod right now. I have a Manfrotto, which I love but is just too big and bulky, so I hardly use it.
I want something I will use, and the Heipi looks like something I will travel with and use.
Adding a secondary tripod is a great innovation, and I look forward to seeing how I make that work.
Thank you so much for all your efforts, and I hope many more people see this video.
Thank you. I am glad you like it. I don't make a living from reviewing stuff. That's why I am willing to spend time on it and say whatever I should say :-)
ha! if only Heipi shipped their kickstarter and indiegogo campaigns. we don't know their quality either. so, it's a non-option until they have units out.
@@TH-camrkt many ks users already received it
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@@zzhao463 Stop spamming the comment area by posting multiple times. It will only get yourself embarrassed. I said it before but I will say it again. I DON'T have collaboration with any of the brands. Most importantly I didn't make money for the referrals. I didn't even include a referral link in the video description. I make money from selling my app Planit Pro, not from reviewing products. Equipment review is just my hobby. All I want is to provide honest reviews for my app users and fans. Hope you can watch the video and judge yourself if I am fair in the comparison.
This is the best product review I've ever seen, period. It should be a benchmark for every reviewer out there. After watching this, I don't need to continue reading and watching any more useless ads pretending to be reviews to decide which tripod I want. You made it crystal clear. Thank you.
Congratulation! It is the best review of tripods I have ever see. I really like that you actually put them under test rather than looking at their specks.
Thanks. Since making this video, I started to use the Heipi tripod exclusively whenever I travel. It worked great so far. At the same time, I also sent my field test feedback (mostly small issues) to them and it looks like they are rolling out an improved version soon.
Great comparison. I was really fed up with all the youtubers recommending Ulanzi, while the build quality leaves a lot of room for improvement. Thank you for that honest opinion.
Arikato, I really needed your comparison video. I ordered my Heipi immediately 👌🏾
Most detailed and honest review. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
I picked up the Heipi tripod in the kickstarter and just got it last night. I had deliberately avoided reviews because I was already committed and I wanted to draw my own conclusions without being biased by someone else's opinion.
So I spent a couple hours last night with both the Heipi and PD tripods side by side. Comparing them and fiddling with them. Then this morning I looked at a couple reviews and comparisons that included the Heipi and the PD tripods.
Turns out my conclusions and personal feelings on the two pretty closely match what you and others have come to. I haven't taken the Heipi out to use anywhere yet, maybe I'll be able to this weekend, but I am reasonably sure I'm going to be selling my PD tripod soon.
Thanks for this excellent review.
You are welcome. What you did is correct. BTW, I received my copy yesterday as well. I will do an open box video today.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
How do you like the two compared to each other having it for 9 months now?
@@justin-kelseyI haven't touched the PD tripod since. They both have pluses and minuses but the fact I can use the Heipi tripod as both a tabletop and a full size is a huge difference. The only reason I still have the PD tripod at this point is because I haven't had a chance to sell it yet. I also like the head that comes with the Heipi better too.
@@emtboy9 appreciate the fast response on that! For the $399 price I'm sold on the Heipi, but the Ulanzi Zero Y is also on sale for $300 right now including the F38 ball head and extra center column upgrade, so currently weighing those two!
Incredibly thorough analysis. I’ve actually just sold two of my smaller travel tripods in order to get one of these options. I’d planned to get the Ulanzi due to all the positive TH-cam reviews. But i’ll now look into the Heipei model. Thanks!
I felt like that Ulanzi sponsored those positive reviews. They do have some excellent products but not zero y
@@PlanItPhoto yeah, i suspected that too. ;-)
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This is the most insanely thorough test/review of anything I’ve ever seen on YT. Not just tripods…anything…ever, lol. Nice work, sir!
Glad you liked it!
Thank you so much! I am debating between PD, Heipi, and Ulanzi for a travel tripod for nature and astrophotography. I really appreciate the comparison and technical nature of the comparison. This has been so helpful in comparing those 3.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
This TH-camr surely knows what he's talking about. Great comparison. I have the exact same problems he mentions w.r.t. Ulanzi Coman. Will have to switch to Heipi mostly because Peak Design is beyond what I'm willing to pay for a travel tripod.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
Thank you for an excellent comparison. I've been looking at 3 of these models and you sealed the deal :). Appreciate the time and effort you put into this and it really helped ALOT.
Glad I could help!
Most honest and scientific review of tripods.. well done 👍🏻 and i took the Heipi instead of the pd .. thanks a-lot .. all the best
Glad it was helpful!
This is the best comparison video, on all of these tripods, Really appreciate the details and effort you put in to making this video.
This is the best comparison!!! Been back & forth with what tripod to get for travel.. hands down 👐👏
Thanks for making this very detailed comparison! I was leaning towards the Ulanzi from the many positive reviews but ended up purchasing the Heipi based on your comparison and some other criticisms of the Ulanzi that I had to search pretty hard to find. I suspect there was a lot of paid promotion for the Ulanzi with the number of videos that directly compared it to the PD tripod and found the Ulanzi vastly superior despite being half the price.
Even though weight and size were priorities as a secondary travel tripod, the Heipi ball head looks much more convenient to use while being removable, and your test proved that the tri-center column actually does provide more stability and isn't just a gimmick. Thanks for your hard work.
I'm impressed by how thorough and well thought out this video was!
Really good comparison video, thank you for taking the time to make it
This is a really lovely comparison analysis.
Well you really raised the bar on level of detail for tripod reviews!! (In fact you raised the bar, hung a tennis ball on it and did a damping test 🙂) Really well done video and very useful. Thank you!!!
lol, just try to find a way that everyone can do the test
Excellent comparison! Thank you for your effort and time.
I am glad you like it. Thanks!
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
The vibration test is outstanding.
A very helpful review of travel tripods. Well thought out measurements together with hands-on experience. And really entertaining at the same time, too! Many thanks for this! I immediately subscribed to the channel.
Thank you. I am glad you like it. As you probably noticed, this channel is mainly for my app Planit Pro. I did this tripod review simply because I love this Heipi tripod. I guess it is the passion that works :-)
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
A very well thought out & un-biased review. Well done fella. I've been so, on & off the fence over the Heipi, Ulanzi & Marsace. The latter looks a great little tripod at its price point. However I think the Heipi is winning me over. The fact that the ballhead can be removed, thus making it more compact for travel, the stability & the second tripod feature are killer features. I did read a review when it was being first tested. Reviewer said the finish can rub off easily. Maybe the production models have sorted this small problem now.
This is the real tripod comparison. thank you.
Glad you liked it!
ah, an actual objective test. Lovely thing you set up here
Thank you for your thorough comparison and review of these five travel tripods. Your demonstrated tests, weighted scoring, and suggestions are very thoughtful and considered. It is a real standout among many videos which offer opinions but few detailed comparisons. I wish I had seen it before ordering the Peak Design aluminum tripod and additional panning ball head. I would have selected the Heipi instead, which has those features plus more overall features and flexibility.
So many photography TH-cam channels with tons of subs, and none of them have offered as deep a review/comparison for travel tripods. Well done. I appreciate the objective approach to the review. I've liked and subscribed purely out of appreciation for this video, and I look forward to checking out your other videos. My singular criticism would be there was no mention of the leg angles; as I'm sure you know the primary leg angle is one of the single most important factors in how stable a tripod will be in use. Many manufacturers focus on maximum height statistics by simply narrowing their primary leg angles, which inherently lead to lower stability.
Thank you. I had all leg angles measured and listed in my spreadsheet. They just don't make any significant difference in this comparison as they are all very close to each other. I will surely mention it next time.
BTW, since you mentioned it, ulanzi is 21 degree which is the worst among all five. 😏
Literally the best review with objective measures as well as some opinions. Thanks!
Thank you very much. I appreciate that you like it.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
Thank you for adding all the text for ratings.
Excellent video. Very comprehensive. In the end purchased the RRS Ascend 14L without ball head. Despite interesting new designs that PD and Heipi represent. I have had nothing but excellent experience with RRS over 15 years. I own the TVC 34L and TFC 24L. Felt it the right thing to add 14L to the lineup as a travel tripod. Heads and leveling bases are all by Acratech.
Good choice.
Brilliant review. Very comprehensive and thoughtful. I think you've helped me make my mind up. Thank you.
Thank you. Glad it was helpful!
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
When you brought up David (TheCenterColumn), I knew your review was in a league above all other TH-cam tripod reviews I have seen. Your test approach sacrifices some technical rigour for widespread repeatability, and I appreciate that! My feedback/question below will be lengthy, but I hope you will enjoy the banter. I will mostly ignore Marsace because I do not have first-hand experience and English info on their series is still limited.
1. Overall feeling: I have already backed Heipi before watching this video. Aesthetic-wise, I actually love PD and Ulanzi more. Still, Heipi was developed by wildlife photographers, which I shoot even more than landscape, and is clearly more stable and feature-rich than its competitors. Hopefully, someone can test it with a wildlife gimbal head soon. I applaud that you did not knock the PD tripod down its peg. It lacks some features, being the first of its kind in the market, but I still rate it highly for its creativity - an aspect we both share. Looking forward to its Mark 2 version whenever that arrives.
2. Stability: how did you do the damping test for the RRS, since you have the 14L version? At any given height, without some extra considerations, the 14L will be more stable than the regular one because you do not need to fully extend the legs or use as much of the center column.
3. QR Locking Platform: why exactly does PD’s QR locking platform get a lower score? I find it much faster than either Ulanzi or RRS.
4. Panning: what is your recommendation to improve Heipi’s panning? A panning platform or a levelling base? I am partial to the latter since it can be used with other tripod heads.
5. Head replacement: This is one feature where I find the 3-grade scale is limiting. PD is undoubtedly the 2nd best one, just behind the traditional method (that Heipi uses): the head adapter is tiny, hence very portable - you only have to remove a small section of the proprietary ball head to replace it. Ulanzi is probably the *worst*: they force you to replace an entire center column to use a different head: extra carry space, and no way to get low on the ground without reversing the column. Furthermore, Dan Carr found out that their head replacement column uses a ¼” 20 stud instead of the standard 3/8 16” stud - almost no commercial tripod head, not even Ulanzi’s own tripod head, uses that stud! You are forced to buy a separate converted/reducer bushing before placing a tripod head on that “adapter.”
6. Leg disassembly: This is a big minus for landscape/wildlife users on Heipi. I am still looking for tripod sleeves/covers that work well on Heipi for those sandy and seascape environments. Let me know if you have any suggestions on that.
7. Hook: Shouldn’t Heipi be a 0.5? Yes, its hook is identical to others, but the 3-pillar column will get in the way of using it when not extended, requiring an extra accessory like a carabiner.
8. Dual tripod: should PD at least gets a 0.5? While it does not have the unique 2-in-1 feature Heipi has, the ultralight conversion kit does allow it to become an extremely compact and stable tabletop tripod.
9. Clarifications: I am not exactly sure what you meant by a “center column stopper”? Is it something that blocks the center column from being pulled out entirely by accident? And can you elaborate on how you rated the accessory holes?
10. Other categories: I wish you had mentioned Arca cross-compatibility. Heipi almost got this problem until mounting pressure from backers forced them to accommodate other Arca-Swiss plates (such as PD’s). Heipi also got a favourable matchup in the feature breakdown because it has 2 exclusive categories for itself. I find the unique ability to mount a carrying strap directly on PD with the anchor links extremely helpful, especially when I use a 3rd-party head that does not fit into the provided tripod bag. RRS has accessory padding that can be added to their knobs for cold-weather operation or for people with large hands.
I am glad that you asked all these detailed questions.
1. Aesthetic-wise, Heipi >= PD >> all other tripods. Once you have Heipi in hand, you can judge it again. This is of course a personal opinion. I didn't make it part of the rating system.
2. I raised 14L's each leg out according to the 14 version except the first section. In other word, I tried my best so that it will as close as the 14. So yes, it will have some advantage in term of stability as the legs and CC are not fully extended.
3. The speed of QR platform is not the most important factor in my review. That's why the slowest twist lock got the same score as the speedy Heipi lock. The problem with the PD is the long travel distance of the locking tab. The tab will be below the camera when locked. And it is very difficult to push to open if it was locked too tight, especially in winter. In comparison, the Heipi has two tabs on both sides of the ring, making it much easier to unlock. The travel distance of Heipi is also very small comparing to PD's.
4. I suggested them making a new ball head that supports panning on the top. They actually had a leveling base for their 3D/2D ball head. You can find it on Amazon. It is very thin but the diameter is too large for this ball head. They might release a new leveling base that is smaller to match with this ball head.
5. My criteria for head replacement is that if you need to buy an extra piece to replace the head, I will give it 0.5 point. That's why PD, Ulanzi, RRS, Marsace all got 0.5 point.
6. This is the biggest downside of the Heipi. They are aware of it and are working on some improvement in the future.
7. You just raise the CC to use the hook. If you don't want use the CC, it is very easy to remove and put the ball head directly on the main tripod. I personally didn't find it is a problem.
8. It is still one tripod with the PD conversion kit , not dual tripods.
9. Yes. Both upward, and downward when mounting the CC reversely. Several people mentioned this as comments on the Heipi kickstarter page. You can take a look. I personally didn't find it is a big deal, but I included it anyway just to be fair.
2+ accessary holes = 1 point. 1 accessary hole = 0.5 point. No = 0 point.
10. You can actually mount the link to the Heipi using the accessary hole. I had such as a 1/4 inch screw with a loop on the other end. But I prefer to carry the Heipi tripod in the bag that comes with the tripod. I dropped the PD tripod once on the concrete and the head was broken. They replaced the head for free but after that, I started to carry the PD in the bag. That's why I will do the same for the Heipi.
For the features, I just need a way to standardize the test. I came up with 20 features with a weighted average. Of course, you can think of more features and give different weights for each feature. So my goal of this video is not just to compare those five tripods, but to come up with a rating system that can be applied to all other tripods. Of course it is an evolving effort. When I have time in the future, I may write an app or a website to do it where I will allow you to customize the features.
@@PlanItPhoto Thank you! Feel like I'm learning so much.
3. Really appreciate the mention on PD's issue for winter - it's winter for half the year where I live and I have shot in -30 temp.
4. Can you link the current levelling base they are selling? I could not find it on my end. The smallest base I could find from other brands (e.g., Leofoto) has a base diameter of around 60mm, which could work well.
You are right. I only found it on Taobao. m.tb.cn/h.UObFXDd?tk=WvxKdgP7ZFF CZ3457
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
One of the best review I saw. It's more like a nice idea for video courses of tripod evaluation for gear developers or staff, responsible for purchase of eqipment in companies. Great job! I know it was not an easy task.👍
Blue subtitles is a matter of taste. Still big thanks! :)
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
Just what I was looking for. Awesome video!
Thanks. Glad it helps.
I was not interested in buying any travel tripod and I just really enjoyed following your scoring system. I wish more people that do reviews would do more of that and less opinions. Great job... and btw I am a big fan of Planit Pro.
Glad you mentioned the scoring system. I also think that's the main takeaway from this comparison.
Very nice comparison, and innovative tests! Thank you for the review!
Thank you, Neal.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
The best review i have ever seen! Keep it up! Thank you!
Thanks, I will try my best
You deserve a lot of attention. Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you so much for your honest and helpful review I've ever seen.
Glad it was helpful!
good job, yesterday I just saw your chinese video, I didn't expect there was an English version.
Hope you enjoyed it! I compared more tripods in the Chinese version 😏
Fantastic. Very thorough. So helpful. Thank you.
Fantastic and comprehensive test, must have taken some time. The Helpi is looking pretty good for the price.
Thank you. Yes, people started to receive the Heipi tripod and many people post very positive comments on kickstarter.com.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
All reviews on this internet should be like this Period.
Thank you, Soumya.
Very well done and useful review, thanks. I can tell it's not driven by marketing.
Awesome review! Subscribed 😊
Thanks for the sub!
Thank you for an excellent review , I can see a Heipi tripod in my future
Thanks. It is ineed an excellent tripod.
I have had the Heipi for a couple of months and it's brilliant. I use it for long exposures and panoramas and I never have 2nd thoughts about taking it on every trip.
Me too. Always reach for it when leaving for a trip
Absolutely fantastic video. Thank you!
Glad you like it!
Really well done review. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
this is some insane content.
Thanks. Tried my best
Excellent comparison, thank you!!
Thanks for watching!
Such a great review!
Thank you, Andrew.
Thank you for the hard work!
Great technical review of these tripods. I think the Heipi does need to take away 0.5 points for the hook though - the unfortunate problem with their innovative column design is that if you don't raise the column up all the way, they actually end up blocking access to the weight hook.
You can raise the center column to use the hook. I actually bring a camping rope to pull the hook to the ground to secrue the tripod. After setting up the hook, then you can lower the center column.
@@PlanItPhoto Yes, the center column needs to be raised to use the hook or as you mentioned, to use a rope to extend it down.
I just feel like it's the unfortunate shortcoming of the design (less ergonomic).
It's just something I've found to be a shortcoming whilst looking into getting yet another travel tripod (my Sirui T024X from years ago is actually still serving me fine for my mirrorless setup; just "hand itchy" 手痒) and was seriously considering the Heipi over the PD or Coman.
@@BigBenAdv I would the say the benefit of tri-pillar center column overweight other shortcomings it may have, by a lot. It is the first time I don't hesitate raising the center column and use it, not to mention it is a small tripod if pulling out.
fantastic review, thank you!
Thanks for the video, very educational! Where can I buy a Heipi tripod? Has the company launched the sale? Thanks you!
They only have pre-sale at the moment.
1. heipivision.com/products/heipi-3-in-1-travel-tripod with discount code Z4HGKWJPASJZ at $339
2. www.indiegogo.com/projects/heipi-the-most-compact-3-in-1-travel-tripod#/ at $339
do you know if the concerns you had about the Ulanzi have been addressed in the latest update, the F38 gen2?
I am not sure.
Superb video. Thank you.
Why don't you have affiliate links? I would gladly buy from them and support you! This has been the most helpful tripod comparison i've seen
I don't make those videos for commission so that I can review them independently and fairly. I made money from selling my app Planit Pro. Those review videos are just my spare time hobby.
@@PlanItPhoto Well thank you!
Amazing comparison i appreciate the effort you put a true comparison no sponsor ❤
Thank you so much 🙂
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
Thank you so much!
Good work, thanks.
Fantastic video, thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing video
Very good information. Thanks. toronto canada.
You're greatly appreciated!
My pleasure!
excellent job.
Well done!!
What about the Ulanzi F38 tripod? The newer version of the zero y
The tripod itself has no difference. Just locking platform is different. As a matter of fact, I don't even recommend its proprietary F38 locking system. PD plates cannot be used. The twist safety knob is very difficult to operate. You can't use it with one hand which we often want.
I beg to differ about the RRS Ascent. First, comparing the wrong model to the other tripods is just bad form. I don't know how the shorter version would really have performed and neither do you. If you are a designer, as you say you are, you should know better.
All that aside. You seem not to have noticed the build quality of the RRS or how the design and close tolerances make it function. The legs open/close with brass bushings set it the CNC machined head. Did you notice how the adjustors for the angle of the legs have inset magnetic detents that make them work as smoothly as they do? Did you notice how the adjustment levers for post height, ball head, and clamp are also CNC machined and work easily and solidly? Comparing build quality of the RRS to my PD (which I just sold because of its flimsiness under modest weight) is like comparing Swarovski crystal to Walmart Christmas tree ornaments. They don't belong in the same review.
You criticized the RRS for not being able to keep the camera from flopping around using partial tension on the ball. This concerned me last night when I watched your video. When I received my RRS from UPS today I was ready t send it back. If your criticism had been true I would have sent it back today. It works perfectly. This is an important feature and a glaring mistake in your video.
Oh well. You know what they say about the internet. Anyone can post anything.
I pretty much disassembled all those tripods before making this video so I knew all the details about those tripods. I still hold my opinion that I do not recommend RRS ascend 14 because its ballhead and center column design. This is after the fact that I am an over 10 year RRS user who had over $5000 value of their products.
I don’t have any flip lock issues on the Ulanzi F38 maybe they resolved them on the newer model
Possible. They indeed saw my review.
You got that plug for that coupon for the ulanzi? Lol let me get it
I don't have. I purchased my own to test but it sits there doing nothing since then 😏
does the heipi fit the swiss arca plate?
It will most likely fit
I wil still go for the Ulanzi.
Not a problem. It is your choice.
It is UNACCEPTABLE to put up a "review" without revealing the fact that you have collaboration with the brand, otherwise, it's a great video and maybe a great tripod.
I don't get paid for this video
You made a video for an 85’ inches TV
I never put a TV there since I moved in 😏
Honestly, if we don’t talk about money, just go for rrs for any tripods.
Well, my conclusion in this video is different from what you said.
Why do youtubers love the ulanzi so much... Everyone is saying that ulanzi is much better than peak design, but i dont agree
I certainly agree with you
there no benro?
No, Benro doesn't have a travel tripod at that time that I would like to include.
💥🙏
Thank you for this exhaustive comparison. While I think the Heipi looks like a good tripod, it has several shortcomings making it less appealing as a travel tripod: the company is relatively new and could disappear, this tripod weighs almost a pound more than the PD or the Ulanzi, the head is very heavy making it top heavy, a source of possible imbalance in the wind, it cost a 100$ more than the Ulanzi. I feel that for travelling light, the Ulanzi is the best value for the price as for me weight is a very important factor.
It is only a couple of oz. more than pd, not a lb. It has two tripods basically. This company will have more new products coming this year
Not only 2 ounces but 8.82 ounces more heavy. Who needs two tripods?
Where do you get the idea of 8.82 oz? It is HEIPI 1330 gram v.s PD 1303 gram. Only 27 gram difference which is not even an oz. There are tons of times we need two tripods.
You also mentioned the head heavy. That's not true either. The head is a sold 50mm diameter ball head so it can hold a lot but it is hollow only weight 272 gram. In comparison, RRS BH40 with a 40mm diameter ball is 445 gram. HEPI W28 is a travel tripod so it has ligth-weight and compact as the first priority, yet stable enough (not comparable to much larger tripods of course). Are you looking at the data at a wrong location? I think I mentioned them all in the video.
One more thing ;) A trick for the price. Buy it directly from China which will be around $280.
Very thorough and informative. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!