Vista Explorer 60" Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag

by Davis & Sanford

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000V7AF8E
• Item model number: B000V7AF8E
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank

  #2 in

  Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods > Complete Tripod Units

• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 28, 2005

Product Description

Product Description

The Explorer Tripod is perfect for digital, video and still cameras up to 4 pounds. Featuring quick release leg locks and 3 way pan head, this tripod is a breeze to set up. Utilizing a geared center post, this extends from 22" to 60" giving great range. Extra leg support offers better stability. Tripod bag included.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Value - Excellent spare, starter or secondary tripod for great price, December 3, 2008

By	javajunki "javajunki" - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vista Explorer 60" Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag (Electronics)

This low cost tripod came up as a promotional offer when purchasing a camera so I really wasn't expecting much since the price was so low. I figured the tripod bag would cost nearly that much so decided to give it a try. While by no means is this a professional model, it is an excellent value for an affordable starter tripod or spare.

Features:
Relatively lightweight - certainly not in the lightest class but sturdy and still manages to remain light enough to not tire for standard use.

Ability to rotate in all directions.

Quick connect/disconnect feature.

Able to hold decent sized DSLR not just super light weight point and shoot models.

Decent little canvas bag.

Quick hang hook.

Good spread - fairly steady.

Ability to set-up on non level surface.

All in all, this is a terrific starter tripod or spare you can toss around, leave in the car etc for a very affordable price. Not sure about durability since I've only had a short period of time but like I mentioned before, at the current sales price a tripod bag will cost you nearly the same amount. This should have a little life in it and can double for other uses later. Better than expected at this price!

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great, cheap tripod, December 20, 2008

By	Marcus "Marcus" (Boise, ID) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vista Explorer 60" Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag (Electronics)

i also got this tripod with my camera on a promotional offer and didnt expect much but i was surprised in how versatile and sturdy it is!

you can point it in any direction and orient the camera how you like. big plus for me because i like to point my camera at the sky.

the locking mechanisms allow you to control how tight or loose you want to be able to move your camera very well. at the appropriate tightness, you can move the camera very smoothly and it will stay in place when you let go, but make sure its not too loose. all the tightning nuts can all be adjusted by hand too, including the piece that connects to the camera(ive seen some tripods that require a screwdriver).

this tripod is sturdy, and can be set up very quickly. and it packs up nicely. i can attach it to my rebel camera bag with no problems.

Im very happy with this tripod.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Reasonable Starter Tripod, October 15, 2009

By	Laura Bergman (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vista Explorer 60" Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag (Electronics)

This is my first tripod purchase and my biggest priority was portability because I know that if my tripod weighed too much, I just wouldn't bother carrying it. I shoot with a Nikon D80 and a 18-200 VR lens so stability was also important. I'm in the midst of a 365 project (1 self portrait every day for a year) so the freedom of a tripod has greatly expanded my photo possibilities. I was concerned that my camera body and lens are heavy enough that I wouldn't be able to use it in a portrait orientation without tipping over. Honestly, cranked up high, its a bit rocky but doable, at least on a flat surface in my house. I'm not sure I'd trust it on a rocky slope. I sort of wish I'd gone with a ball-mount tripod rather than the 3 way adjuster but most ball mounts were beyond my desired price range. The adjustments achieve all the same motions of a ball, it just takes a little more effort to perfect it. So far so good though. I have yet to encounter a shot I couldn't get.

PROS:
-very lightweight and portable
-bag is a great bonus even though its minimal
-possible to use in portrait orientation with a Nikon D80 and zoom lens (just be careful!)

CONS:
-less stable than I was hoping for
-3 way adjuster takes some getting used to

Overall, I am fairly satisfied with the tripod. It's a nice starting point. However, down the road I'm sure I'll desire a more substantial pro-style one.