Gitzo Tripod Failure (Reader Report)
Byron W writes on how his Gitzo tripod failed, in reference to Tripod Foot Falls Off In The Field:
Just wanted to report I had exactly the same thing happen to me on my 3541LS. Pulled the tripod up on the beach and one of the feet was missing. Dug around in the sand, couldn't find it. Tried the other feet at home, and they pulled right out of the CF tube! Now I use my tripod at the beach, so I assumed this was a non starter with Gitzo, warranty wise. Just ordered the last leg section, and, on the recommendations of Matthew at RRS, glued in the others with Hysol E-60HP Epoxy. Of course, your 3540XLS has the same last section.
This tripod was 1 year old. My other Gitzo blew off a cliff at the coast while I was inattentive, but I never had these kind of problems.
I didn't get the replacement leg for nearly three months. Someone took down my VISA number incorrectly, then lost my order. I watch the new leg section like a hawk and check it. What a drag. My bucks go to Really Right Stuff next round.
DIGLLOYD: Most of my five Gitzos have been fine. It’s hard to assess individual defects or defects in a particular model or quality changes over time in general, but I advise avoiding windy cliffs. At present, I use the Really Right Stuff TVC-24L and TVC-34L most of the time.
