Great choice of tripod! I purchased the same one almost a year ago and it really is a tank. The only small detail which I noticed is the o-rings in the leg collars can easy be pinched and I noticed it in your video as well. I would like to get the video bowl and use it to level my star tracker so I don't have to mess with setting the tripod dead level. Great review for a fine company.

My TR344L arrives tomorrow. Can't wait to check it out.

Thanks for the review. I bought a PMG TR334 about a year ago and have never regretted it. Not only does it have the other advantages you mentioned (spikes, machined collars, less expensive, etc) it is also weighs a little less than the closest RRS model (TVC 33) and has a shorter folded length. USA made too. I have bought other stuff from PMG too and was not disappointed by their customer service.

Partially because of your videos I was compelled to buy the TR344L & BH1. Keep up the good work!

superb review! Thank you very much!

Pro Media Gear Tripod Thanks for the review. Great tripod! I just wanted to throw in my two-cents for anyone on the fence right now about a heavy-duty tripod. About a year ago I was ready to replace my old tripod and had been wanting a Gitzo for probably almost 15 years, and never could really justify the expense. As I did my online due-diligence just in case something else grabbed me by the neck, I came across Really Right Stuff. I was very impressed with them, so much so that I purchased the BH-55 ballhead right off the bat, before I even had my new sticks. I went back and forth on the Gitzo 5543 and the large RRS tripod, but I think nostalgia and simply not knowing too much about the RRS tripods, pushed me back to the Gitzo. About a week before purchase, I ran across “ONE” consumer video that was a slight review of the Pro Media Gear tripod. I was more impressed with the PMG tripod than I had been with the RRS version. After about a week more of pounding my head I decided to stick with the Gitzo. My primary reason was that I had never even heard of the company, or their tripods- and by way of my ignorance I feared maybe they wouldn't be around in 5 years? Secondarily, there was nobody locally I could go to that sold them so I could put one in my hands. I would like to add that I phoned Pro Media Gear to ask a few questions and the guy I spoke to, I think it was Jimmy, but I might be wrong... he was as nice as he could be, fantastic customer service. With RRS it was easy to find pro’s who were swearing by them, but with PMG I couldn’t find anything but that one video online. So, I thought I was playing it safe, and purchased the Gitzo GT5543LS. Finally, to the point- about 3 months later I was on a photo shoot out in the middle of nowhere and a guy walked up who actually had a Pro Media Gear tripod. I was able to see it in person, feel it, hold it and play around with it… that’s all it took. I can say without hesitation that if I had had a chance to hold one in my hands before I purchased the Gitzo, I would own the PMG, today. I have heard a pro here and a pro photographer there actually say that Really Right Stuff tripods are better than Gitzo, maybe they are? I know to a lot of people that’s a bold statement. Well, I am completely satisfied that PMG is better than both. Sure, I don’t know what it will be like after 10 years of heavy use, but if you hold one in your hands you won’t be too worried. Amazing tripod, and company. Quick side note, I subsequently purchased the Pro Media Gear GT1 Gimbal Sidekick and I can't say enough about the quality and precision of that tool. It's incredible. Thanks again for the review, Rick. Best, Thomas

This vid made my decision to go with the TR344L. Thanks.

I think this is going to be my splurge (such a major purchase!) I am on the fence on their tallest one, or one shorter than that tall one. Also, I'd like to see an optional short center column that could be taken off if not wanted. (a center column that retains stability)

On the 4 July, you bought a forever Gitzo Tripod, Good review. Now it's promedia tripod. So which one has become your forever tripod and how did they compare.

When did these come on the market? Too bad these were not available when I purchased my RRS tripod. I'd given it a hard look. There were only 2 players when it came to these types of tripods - RRS and Gitzo. Gizto lost out because when I was in the market there were quite a few unhappy owners because of broken legs. Also, Job Design came out with their tripod after I purchased my RRS. I like Jobu's products. The PM spike feet setup is a nice touch, but I like Jobu's implementation better. I personally have no use for those threads on the base and would see no use for them in my shooting (wildlife/birds). I've had no issues with worn out twist locks or any other parts on the RRS. The only issue I have with these high priced tripods is they don't come with foam covers on top legs, except Jobu Design. Those foam covers make it more comfy when you throw the tripod and gear (1Dx, 600II, flash kit & gimbal) on your shoulders. I had to use some bike handle bar tape to make carrying my gear a bit more comfy. It's good there are more players in this area, it helps keep the companies from sitting on their hands. Oh yeah, RRS does have the ability to use the optional video bowl, not sure why you say it doesn't. The price difference is significant though and that alone will make one stop and think. FYI: Jobu Design has been using the aluminum twist locks for years on their Algonquin tripods. The PM looks like they took a page out of Jobu Design's book on the aluminum twist locks..

At US$1,080, 71" with 34mm diameter top legs, you may want to take a look at Leofoto next time. I just bought their LN-404C, maximum height 71" (stated, but in actual fact 77" as measured by myself) with 40mm diameter top legs and under US$400. It is a beast of a tripod and feels very solid.

Interested in a tripod to shoot my rifle off of. Appreciate this review even though it's not gear towards shooters. Built in spike is awesome! USA made is a plus. And machined is ideal. Weight seems fair. Seems really rugged for my needs.

How does Gitzo compare?

Hi Rick, thanks for this great videos. Just from curiosity - do you still happy with the PMG tripod? i'm in the market right now and highly considering the pmg34 vs the rrs tvc34. take care!

I was almost sold on PMG as well until I started reading up a bit more. It seems the use a lower angle of 21.8 in comparison to the RRS 26 degrees which noticeably makes it a less stiff tripod. For my needs (as this is not my travel tripod) it was more important it be stable as possible. I ended up going with the Gitzo GT4533LS which significantly stiffer and better at damping.

Will it accept a RRS TA-3 leveling base with 75mm Video Bowl? Great review!

Are you still happy with this tripod it’s on my list to check out? Thanks

are the collars sealed from dirt sand?

check out Innorel RT90C before any of these tripods. almost the same tripod for less than $300. unbelievable quality for the price.

Based on this, and a couple of other reviews, I bought the TR 424L Promedia Gear tripod. WHAT A COLOSSAL MISTAKE! The fit and finish are first-rate, as reported. BUT there are a few things not commented upon that prompted me to send mine back, and order the RRS TVC 44 instead. First, no mention is made of the leg angle being a very narrow 22.5 degrees. It reduces stability and makes the tripod awkward to use compared to my TVC 34L. Check out “The Center Column” tripod evaluation web site for the importance of this unmentioned critical parameter. Second, the beautiful, knurled leg lock collars, in actual use, are COLD in cold weather and slippery when wet - in direct contradiction to the review here. I loved the way they looked and “acted” sitting in my studio - but in the field they were miserable. Next, the smoothness of leg deployment and retraction is sub-optimal compared to the RRS MK II vented legs. Next, the “huge” diameter of the threaded foot pads (as compared to the 3/8 - 16 of others) is a “take down” when considering 3rd party rock claws and other accessories like spikes “long enough” to do some actual good (which the on-board short spikes are not). Again, the quality of construction, fit and finish are first rate, but the actual “user experience” was miserable in my opinion.

I have issue with the primary angle on PMG tripods. Gitzo, RRS, they tend to use 25 (some are even 26) degree primary leg angles; all other variables being equal, a tripod with a 25 degree leg angle will be 15% stiffer than one with a 23 degree leg angle. PMG uses 22.5. Not as bad as Feisol and their 21.5, but still bad.

The RRS is BH- not BL- .. The threaded holes on the feet will fill with packed mud and dirt long before you'd need the gay spikes.. Yeah, all that looks real neat on the shelf but you get out and use it and you find out different. Been using LF and 35mm equipment in the field since 1983 and never needed spikes.

Thank you so much for t he video. I have an oddball and personal question that is not meant to be rude by any means i promise. Do you have sleep apnea or breathing problems when you do not speak? I ask, bc it seems as if you are struggling to catch your breath when you speak.

Nice tripod. It has been said "you have to knock out the champ to be the champ". Promedia Gear falls short with the fact that the rubber pads are not solid and must allow dirt and debris to get into the threaded area, and the aluminum collars vs. rubber collars, really?

Don't bother buying. Having issues with the leg locks after light use and customer service isn't any good. My Gitzo 1 series traveller has gone through a desert and looks like I've used it to whack nails in and still works flawlessly. Really doubt I'm going to have a useable tripod with the PMG in a couple of years.

So the height of tripods is not to match your height, but rather to add versatility in the field.

RRS is overpriced in any of their products. Even the accessories

I am happy to pay more for American made any day . . .

I am very disappointed about RRS. I bought a BH-55 ballhead from them. After the ballhead arrived, the clamp and the quick release plate were full of scratches. I sent a video to them to show them the scratches, their staff saw and admitted the existence of them. They said I could mail the clamp and plate back to them to check. After they received and checked the clamp and plate, they said they couldn't see any scratches and refused to replace new ones for me. They also said if there was any, they were made by the machines and were normal. I wonder why products of other brands like Gitzo and Manfrotto have NO scratches?! They are nearly perfect. I swear to God I will never buy from RRS again. I will buy from brands that have dealers in my country, because I can check the products when buying them. Once I find anything wrong, I can ask for a replacement immediately without any transportation cost.