Trek-Tech TrekPod Go Pro

Comments about Trek-Tech TrekPod Go Pro:

When rambling doubles up as a walking stick

Comments about Trek-Tech TrekPod Go Pro:

INTRODUCTION: Opened the well packaged product to find yet another item sadly MADE IN CHINA albeit designed in America. I was pleasantly surprised to find the pack had the T-POD mini-tripod bundled which was an unexpected bonus. Took sometime to assemble as no instructions were included [...]. IN USE: Not a sturdy as a tripod, signs of wear showing after only a few days, one of the magnetic couplings attached to the camera body broke first day. Have a feeling that it would not as robust as it should be to give years of hard service to a professional photographer but I will only use the monopod on odd occasions so okay for me. First used in anger taking photos inside an art gallery where flash was not recommended. Am very pleased with the results.

Comments about Trek-Tech TrekPod Go Pro:

A great versatile piece of equipment for the mobile photographer. Mono-pod (and very effective adjustable walking cane) with the added advantage of flipout tripod feet to enable 'hands free' photography if needed. Be wary of the magnetic mount. Fine when using a compact camera (would you buy a monopod/tripod for a compact?) but when using the larger of the SLR/DSLR's you must use the locking clip to prevent camera toppling. Take it from me that you WILL use it after damaging your first lense!! All in all a very handy piece of kit with the added benefit of being light and compact enough to travel with

Comments about Trek-Tech TrekPod Go Pro:

I had a problem -- I'm a dedicated tripod user, and the holiday firm advised that tripods are either a source of hassle or local revenue in Marrakech. Additionally I'm a bit stiff with tendonitis so a walking staff seemed a good idea. I spent a week on the internet looking at alternatives and the excellent videos on the Trek-tech website convinced me.

Warehouse Express delivered quickly, and I was able to take the trekpod on a trip to a conference in Stockholm.

The top section join with telescopic twist locks, and the description of how to set up the wrist strap in the same way as Nordic skiers have used for ages with the strap over the wrist then up between the hand and pole is something that other manufacturers could usefully copy. The removable cap on top was comfortable when using the pole as a hiking staff.

The bottom section consists of a tripod made up from 3 120 degree arcs that make a round pole when closed. These are held together with a loop and hoop strap which I found completely satisfactory.

This tripod section connects to the telescopic sections of the pole as a fairly wide flat circle on either section held together by a hand tightened soft compound covered nut attached to the tripod which screws onto a thread round the bottom of the telescopic section. More of this later.

At the conference in Stockholm I was a serious delegate rather than a photographer, so it was a chance to use the light weight magnetic clip with a pocket Nikon, and it functioned well. The support was useful as one did not want to use flash in the hall, mainly as one was too far away for it to do any good anyway, so some steadying for the long exposures in a dim conference hall ...

I stayed over the weekend and joined my friends Geocaching(qv) in the southern parts of the city. This involved scrambling up hillsides, some lovely viewpoints, and a reasonable walk in the woods. I was very happy with the Trek Pod, and packed it for my Moroccan trip.

In Marrakech the staff was useful for helping get through the souk, the quick change from palm rest to magnetic support worked well, and despite my guide's trepidations I had no problems with people seeking a tripod licence. There were lots of locals who wanted a photography fee of course, not just the professionals --- the water sellers and such in the square, but also artisans like the carver of plaster tiles. When you go there make sure to get a pocket full of change, and if you're going up to the Atlas, buy a box of biros to give to the kids...

The Atlas was next, and again the pod was great. It helped me up (and more to the point down) some fairly rugged terrain, and was able to support my Canon 5D with a fairly heavy lens for some early morning shots.

Back in Marrakech one goes for fairly long treks through the old town to visit various points of interest, This was when the Pod failed. I was walking along and it seemed that the bottom was a bit wobbly. I stopped and did up the screw, and went on only to have the same experience about 200 metres further on. On the third happening I didn't tighten as I could feel that would finish the thread on the joint entirely.

Limped home and on my return asked Warehouse express if they would liaise with the manufacturer on my behalf. They very kindly took it back and gave me a credit, having first offered a replacement. --- by that time I had concluded the engineering of the joint was not ideal. Great idea, but not quite robust enough for me.