Quote Originally Posted by conropl View Post
I should have known better to. I am always telling design engineers that work for me not to believe all the spec's in catalogs or what sales people tell you.
This sounds like my job, except I am always explaining to clients that the design engineer bought in to a salesman's bill of goods or believed spec's that weren't realistic. Usually most engineer's will see through the spec bs, and then some are sold on the "I can deliver in 6 weeks" promise. The delivery time is almost never met.

I to bought a Vangard tripod a few years ago. For the money it performed well. It had the quick lock type leg locks, similar to Gitzo's. They performed well but took several turns to tighten. What failed on mine was the lock that holds the tripod legs at the right angles. It lasted as a tripod for just short of two years. It is a great light stand now. It was a bit over $200, you really get what you pay for.