For traveling, this tripod cannot be beat. I already had the aluminum model which I specifically bought for placing into a carry-on bag. I refuse to pay for checked bags, so I squeeze everything into carry-on's. The aluminum one - which is topped with the Manfrotto MHXPRO-BHQ2 XPRO Ball Head - has worked flawlessly while holding a Canon 5D III (and now IV) usually with a 24mm L or 24mm - 105mm L lens and remote. It takes a beating - I still can't find a scratch, ding, or otherwise anywhere on the legs. I bought the carbon fiber model for a sole purpose. While photographing the aurora's in Alaska last year, it was -25 degrees and I, unfortunately, had to remove my gloves to effectively operate the remote and adjust the settings. I was at one particular place doing this for about an hour. When I went to move the tripod, I grabbed the leg of the tripod - without gloves - and every single bit of that negative 25 degrees went straight into my hand. Was in excruciating pain for over 30 minutes. I figure the carbon fiber won't absorb the cold, thererfore, not transmitting it to my hands if I were to ever make that mistake again. I will find out this winter. As a bonus, the additional ~1/2 lb. less weight will allow that much more I can pack in my carry-on.One thing I do suggest about this tripod - replace the head that is supplied with it unless you plan on shooting with a much smaller camera than I. Even with a small fixed 50mm lens affixed, the tripod head could not hold the 5D sufficiently. The head I noted earlier is on all three of my tripods (two BeFree's and another full size Manfrotto carbon fiber) and they are perfect. They easily hold the 5D's with the Canon 100mm - 400mm L lens and even the Sigma 150mm - 600mm lens without worry. They are TOUGH. Only downside is that you cannot walk away from your set-up when you have that much weight on this tripod. It is not designed for it. I have never had a problem but that is A LOT of weight for this size tripod. Make sure you stand sentry to your gear if you have this much weight on it.Not perfect, but rates a 4.75.I bought this as a hiking tripod for landscape and wildlife scenes in the mountains. Mostly it is used to support a mid-sized DSLR (Canon 60D) with no real heavy glass.The tripod fills the bill very well for compact size, light weight, and ease of setup. Given the light weight it feels stronger and more stable than I expected, certainly strong enough for the load that I expect to attach.So on the basis of operational and functional needs, I'd give it a rating of 5.Two issues are my reason to de rate it to 4.75.....Issue 1) Attention to detail/total quality.... The flashy graphics are admittedly only cosmetic, but mine were flaked/peeled in several spots right out of the box. Diminishes the perceived quality of the product.Issue 2) The tripod is marketed to travelers and hikers. The carrying strap on the included carrying bag cannot be extended long enough for my preferred "cross-body" (strap over opposite shoulder). Worse yet, you can't attach a longer replacement strap because it is sewn in place without the usual snap-hook attachment method typical of camera bag equipment in general. Manfrotto should use innovation on the entire product, but the carry bag seemed just thrown together to get the product out the door.This is a great travel tripod. It fits nicely in my Jansport backpack. It is super light weight. It is incredible easy and fast to adjust the ball head. The legs extend and lock down easy and stay locked down. The ball head plate (once you learn how to use it) locks in fast and stays locked in. This tripod is almost perfect except for the fact that you cannot do panoramic. It is missing a second knob that would let you spin the camera in place and create your panoramic. Which is a shame. Because if you are traveling you are most likely doing panoramic landscapes. But for the price and everything else this tripod gives you I would recommend it. I will definitely be swapping out the ball head down the line for one that can take panoramic's.Just got this today, and I am seriously impressed. Right from the time I picked up the parcel and found it weighed next to nothing, through to getting it out of the box, and finding it even smaller than I expected, (easily fit in a carry on bag) but what really surprised me with brass knobs on, was how stable it is with those skinny legs. The last set are nigh on pencil thin, but there is surprisingly little flex.I wish I'd paid more attention before unfolding it, because I have not been able to get all three legs to fold completely flat against the centre column. I love that the QR plate has been cut away, and the updated RC4 QR mechanism. Having said that, I strongly suspect that the safety switch was cheaper to make than the old brass device. I wish the feet had more grip on shiny surfaces, as they spread a tiny bit if you push down hard, but they will be fine on pavement or dirt. It also looks pretty damn cool. Much better than I expected, and a solid five stars.Excellent light weight tripod. The included head is not very useful- you should unscrew it from the tripod in a counter-clockwise direction and then carefully place it in the trash can. Its lousy. Its not even worth trying to resell since its only worth about $10 used. The tripod is good for use with a spotting scope. It packs up compact and is light enough to carry in your pack yet not so light that its flimsy and unstable. If you plan to use a spotting scope you will need to get a good head to attach, the included ball mount head is just too floppy and not what you need for spotting. Its a pretty decent set of legs for the money. You can spend more for heavier duty legs or spend less for legs that arent this stable. I think this is a solid set of legs if you plan to carry legs, head, and spotter around in a hunting pack all day.On receiving the mega Amazon box you'd be forgiven for thinking its an empty box. The whole Manfrotto box inside is light. On taking out the tripod and padded bag you realise how light the tripod is. The tripod is delivered in its folded up state and is remarkably tiny and very very light. It's very easy to unfold and once extended its pretty high. Not as high as my main Manfrotto xpro 4 but still ideal.I bought this mainly for travel and did use prior to this a q666 Chinese carbon fibre tripod. That still remains a good tripod but I seriously prefer the Manfrotto. The Manfrotto be free is well made and looks ideal for taking away on a flight with some lightweight lenses. I tried it with my 100-400mm Canon monster with a 6d body and it coped well.The ball head is sturdy and in fact the heaviest part. It does come off despite some reviewers claiming it does not. I have also the compact pan and tilt head and it fits perfectly. It will not fit in the bag unless you use the ball head though. All in all the tripod is stylish and light. Its very well engineered and really is pretty tough. Its really suited for flight travel or carrying up hills to cut down your load. Very happy and the delivery time was amazing considering I live in Northern Ireland. I chose three to five day option buying it on Friday. It arrived on Monday. Brilliant.What can I say about this tripod but I love it. Simply love it.It is also my first travel tripod and by the looks of things that is likely to remain for quite a while since it fulfils all my needs in that department. Light yet sufficiently sturdy with a 4kg ( 8.8 lb ) payload, it will happily support a a full frame DSLR with a 70-200 lens if needed although most of my shots using it are at the wide to mid range in focal length. The supplied ballhead gives me a lot of confidence since the locks are precise as is the operation of the QR plate. I was initially in a quandry as to which travel tripod to acquire since I preferred clip locks on the legs and a lever lock on the QR plate and many come with twist locks and ARCA Swiss-style plates. I prefer clip locks and levers because once they are engaged, you just know they are secure and the Manfrotto Befree delivered on both criteria.Care has to be taken when folding away the tripod with the QR plate attached as the legs come into very close contact with the plate. That apart, this tripod is a joy to use and dare I say it, carry. Thanks additionally to Amazon I'm delighted to have finally settled on the right choice.This tripod is great, well made, stable, quick and easy to set up. I have removed the ball head to fit a gimble and that was an easy process. This is a lightweight piece of kit but is very stable, I use a Nikon D500 with a Nikon 200 - 500 lens and I have no problem getting a stable work platform. It folds up pretty small which makes it great for strapping to my camera bag...Speed of Delivery was amazingly fast at next business day. The item was 2nd hand but classed "Good as new". Can confirm that it looks to be in new condition and also came in the original boxing. Can recommend company based on this experience.The tripod itself was a massive good surprise at how light and compact it is and will travel with me on holiday next week. I was worried around the height but this is not an issue and i am 6 ft tall. Stability seems good though i could see it shaking in a high wind (Placing your camera bag on it definitely makes it more sturdy).Works well with a EM-1 +Grip, 300mm Lense and a camera bag on it to weigh it down (If you need to in extreme weather).A camera with a "BIG" (Full Frame Sports Telephoto) lense may make it unbalanced on the small head but can't really comment as not using this setup.probably the best "travel" tripod around, for the money. Exceptionally light, but sturdy. I wouldn't use it with a mega prime zoom, but that's not what it's designed for. I travel a lot and photograph anything and everything, so unless I'm planning on doing a lot of landscapes (I would use my 190C) this is perfect for the occasional shot. Strong enough for my 5D mkiv and the 70-200 f 2.8 zoom within reason . I bought mistakingly the cheaper Befree aluminium version, but I bought the one with the fixed head. Now I use Arca Swiss plates, and it has the Manfrotto head . The head that is supplied is ok for smaller combinations body/lens, but I swap for a larger head capable of supporting my 5D etc. You are more lilkely to get movement from the head with a heavy combination than from the legs. You can always hang a weighted bag if required. My 1 gripe with Manfrotto , why don't they supply a hook for that purpose