Quote Originally Posted by eldarhau View Post
Itīs true that the legs are screwed in, but on the two I have, you need tools to get them off. A very solid spike tip, which is nice to have available on ice and rocks, is tightly screwed in. For normal use, a high quality rubber cap is fitted over it, with a snap-in-to-place design. That rubber cap can be turned, but with limited friction on the spike. I saw the same comment you make Rick, in an earlier review I read, but I will be very surprised if anyone get this problem with the current design.
Perhaps the newer versions fixed it. For me it is just something to watch. It wouldn't deter me from buying a fine Gitzo tripod.

The reason I thought I should point this out to Brant, is the lowest review on B&H for the 1542T is a complaint about loosing a foot. Especially with this tripod, the idea of owning this tripod is that it is so light you would carry it several miles in to the mountains to a remote area. Check your gear and be prepared, I am meticulous that way as anyone doing a long hike in to the wilderness should be. I would rather Brant know the possibility exists that it could happen, rather than recommend the Gitzo then he loose the foot on a 20 mile hike in to the wilderness.

I will eventually buy a backpack tripod, the 1542T is what I would buy if I ordered today. The foot thing is a non for me.