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One other factor to consider: I have a Gitzo tripod for photo use and a part was lost from the tripod on a trip (the end cap to the center post with the spring-loaded hook to hold a counter-weight). I went to the Gitzo Web site and found a complete schematic and parts list for the tripod (which is a discontinued model). I then called Bogen USA (distributor for Manfrotto which owns Gitzo) and ordered the part. The clerk told me it was backordered from the factory in Italy but would arrive in about 12 weeks. Sure enough, 12 weeks later Big Brown drives up with the part.

This was just a minor part for the tripod, but it was nice to be able to find the parts information and order the part with no hassle with a phone call to someone in the U.S. who speaks English. Can you get repair parts for a Chinese knock-off tripod? Possibly, but I wouldn't count on it. So while a Gitzo costs a lot more than a Feisol or similar copy, you do get some value for the extra money, including parts and service that is probably unavailable with other brands. I resisted spending the money for a Gitzo for years, but when I finally bit the bullet and bought one I was not disappointed. Great quality of construction and a company that stands behind their products.

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Another vote for the Gitzo 5531S. I have my HHII mounted on it and I couldn't be happier! I had an AP wooden tripod when I first received the Half Hitch, and it was crazy stable - but mounting that 5 pound mount on that large/heavy tripod was just out of character for the mount. The Gitzo is a perfect match for the HHIII IMHO - stable and light (just like the Half Hitch). Getting the lighter tripod freed the larger wooden tripod up for a nice GEM.......there is a balance in the universe

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Interesting! Now you guys have me thinking that I should hold off on the heavy (18 lb.) Berlebach UNI 14 and go with the Gitzo 5531. My orginal thinking was get the Berlebach while using a Oberwerk tripod as a grab and go until I could swing the Gitzo or find a used one.

Mike, what scopes do you use on the Gitzo? CESD seemed very content using the Gitzo with his NP 127. With your report of going with the Gitzo over AP wood tripod it really has me thinking.

How stable is the Gitzo when using for high power planetary viewing; vibration and settling times? I would love the Gitzo for the grab and go for the reasons you stated; but thought the Berlebach would be used for the few nights of clear steady skies and trips to a good dark sky site.

I'm really entering the analysis paralysis stage.

Thanks.

Ron

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CESD seemed very content using the Gitzo with his NP 127.

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I use a 3 series Gitzo with my Stowaways, 5 series with the Traveler (it's too much for the 3) and the 130 with an alt-az mount. When I use a GEM with the 4 and 5" scopes I much prefer the AP wood tripod because it's more stable than the 5 Gitzo with that much weight on it.

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Great info, exactly what I was looking for! I was pretty much convinced that I really needed to go the series 5; but I was trying to look at all options, including the Chinese knock offs.

Jim and CESD:
Thanks for sharing your experiences with your scopes on the Gitzo. I feel like the analysis paralysis symptoms are disappering somewhat!

I now know at some point I will get the Gitzo Series 5. I also now realize that I have always been commited to getting the Berlebach; I can use the UNI 14 with my LX90 which the spreader on the tripod drives me crazy; along with super stable use for the refractors.

Now I guess the only question is which should I get first.

Ron

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I use the Gitzo-HH combination with a TV102 and a Pentax 75. I have had no problem pushing the power to the limit with these two scopes. While the AP had essentially no damping time, the Gitzo damps out so quickly that I'd be hard pressed to give a duration.....a second maybe. I don't think I'd want to go much more than a TV127 - but I really don't have any direct experience to back that up.

The thing for me was lugging out this heavy tripod to mount up a nice light weight mount like the HH. Made me think of towing a camp trailer behind a Ferrari - while you might be able to do it, why would you ever want to?

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Thanks for your impressions Mike, especially with the 102. With the positive reports on the excellent damping times with the Gitzo I think I have been swayed to try the Gitzo and see how it does with the AT111 and hold off on the Berlebach.

I like the Ferrari comparison; I am really looking forward to using a quality light weight Grab and Go system; especially with the SV90!

Thanks again to everyone for all the great responses!

Ron

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FWIW, Gitzo is made in Italy at the Manfrotto plant:

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As for political, social and environmental consequences of a purchase, that question is almost impossible to answer these days. Most companies have both good and bad impacts and weighing which is better is almost impossible.

Gitzo used to be made in France, but when Manfrotto bought the company production was moved to Italy. Most Manfrotto products are made in Italy, but I believe that a few of the low end items are made in China. I'm pretty sure Benro, Induro and Feitsol are made in China. Berlebach tripods are made in Germany. I've seen some wood tripods made in U.S.A., but I haven't seen any lighter aluminum or CF ones made here. There are some good made-in-U.S.A. options for both camera mounts (e.g. Kirk, Really Right Stuff) and telescope mounts (e.g. Losmandy (with HEAVY tripods), Discmounts, Universal Astronomics). Is something made in Japan or Germany better than something made in China, from a political perspective.

Just the question of environmental impact in manufacturing and disposal is hard to answer. I don't have a clear answer; my guess is that wood uses the least amount of resources in manufacturing and it is biodegradable and perhaps recyclable upon disposal. But it may involve cutting old growth hardware forests to get good wood. Aluminum uses huge amounts of energy in its manufacture, but it can be manufactured from recycled materials and then recycled upon disposal. Who knows about CF?

Edited by GaryML (06/20/09 12:09 PM)

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FWIW, Gitzo is made in Italy at the Manfrotto plant:

http://tinyurl.com/lreeug

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Gitzo used to be made in France, but when Manfrotto bought the company production was moved to Italy. Most Manfrotto products are made in Italy, but I believe that a few of the low end items are made in China. I'm pretty sure Benro, Induro and Feitsol are made in China.

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Gitzo lists production moving from France to Italy; 2001-2003 with the move completed in 2005.

An interesting urban legend was going around, denied by Gitzo Product Manager David Fisher, that sometime around the beginning of the decade Gitzo was looking to outsource it's legs to China. Gitzo sought out Yilee Precision for a deal. Gitzo taught them everything, practically giving them the factory blueprints. Yilee then set up a dummy corporation called Benro. Gitzo started noticing exact copies of their gear with the Benro label and pulled out.

Benro history shows the company was founded in 1996 in cooperation with a Japanese enterprise. In 2002, Benro developed their own product line. In 2005, Benro planned and built a much larger factory.

Interesting time line for conspiracy theory buffs.

With the absolute silence regarding the call out for Benro users on CN, I reserched more photography forums. Worldwide photo users universally agree on the quality and outstanding value for the money of the newer Benro CF tripods.

I am intrigued with the Benro CF at the price point; users report 95% of Gitzo's quality and stability at about 60% of the Gitzo cost. Although somewhat skeptical of comparisons to the Gitzo I am almost convinced they are a good buy.

The line from the movie Dirty Harry keeps popping into my head. "You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk?"

Since I am looking at the purchase to be a lifelong investment, unless the B&H price comes in considerably lower than the ebay price, I am still leaning toward the Gitzo.

Ron

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I am intrigued with the Benro CF at the price point; users report 95% of Gitzo's quality and stability at about 60% of the Gitzo cost. Although somewhat skeptical of comparisons to the Gitzo I am almost convinced they are a good buy.

The line from the movie Dirty Harry keeps popping into my head. "You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk?"

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So from now on, I avoid the cheap knock-offs and get the quality products, even if it means spending more, and even if it means deferring the purchase until I can afford the more expensive option. Sometimes there are no other options and you're stuck with only cheap junk or a fantastically expensive option to choose from. But if there is a choice, I'm going with the quality option.

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I hear you Gary, but I am finding it difficult to move on the Gitzo; the Benro may be a Chinese knock-off but all the users have given the new Benro's excellent reports on its quality.

I followed-up with B&H today; no price on the Benro C-457M8 and seems like no intention to stock. They referred me to Mamiya? Spoke with someone there and they did not know if that model was available for US distribution. I do not feel comfortable buying overseas on ebay, dealing with import fees and the possiblility of dealing with potential problems without a US distributer.

B&H did have the Benro C-358M8 model with a 40 lb. capacity for $387.50 shipped. Not sure how it would it would handle the AT111 but I am thinking it would serve as a nice grab and go for the SV90. Anyone feel free to tell me I'm wrong! At that price I could almost get the Berlebach and the Benro for the price of the Gitzo.

Still waivering

I more than welcome any other thoughts on this! Gitzo users I guess this is a plea to push me over the edge.

Ron

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I hear you Gary, but I am finding it difficult to move on the Gitzo; the Benro may be a Chinese knock-off but all the users have given the new Benro's excellent reports on its quality.

I followed-up with B&H today; no price on the Benro C-457M8 and seems like no intention to stock. They referred me to Mamiya? Spoke with someone there and they did not know if that model was available for US distribution. I do not feel comfortable buying overseas on ebay, dealing with import fees and the possiblility of dealing with potential problems without a US distributer.

B&H did have the Benro C-358M8 model with a 40 lb. capacity for $387.50 shipped. Not sure how it would it would handle the AT111 but I am thinking it would serve as a nice grab and go for the SV90. Anyone feel free to tell me I'm wrong! At that price I could almost get the Berlebach and the Benro for the price of the Gitzo.

Still waivering

I more than welcome any other thoughts on this! Gitzo users I guess this is a plea to push me over the edge.

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I'm looking for an ultra-light/compact tripod to use with either my 66SD or 80FD scopes for air travel. I was looking at the Benro Travel Angle C-169. Ant other suggestions?

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Thanks Paul, I was looking for it to fold up shorter, like 15" - 16" though.

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A couple of more questions for the Gitzo crowd. What vendor did you purchase your Gitzo from? What experiences have anyone had with B&H or Adorama? Prices for the Gitzo are basically the same, either of the two vendors stand our in customer service?

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A couple of more questions for the Gitzo crowd. What vendor did you purchase your Gitzo from?

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