Manfrotto Befree Live 4-Section Carbon Fiber Video Tripod with Fluid Head, Black/Silver

I shoot a great deal now with my smartphone - they’ve gotten so much better, and since I am not lugging around a camcorder, I wanted a lighter tripod but with a fluid head. I had used cheaper, under $50 tripods, which would cause my tripod to fall over during a wind gust. It has a hook in the center so that you can add a counter weight. More importantly, panning on those types of tripods is very difficult. The built-in fluid head on this works so smoothly - just like my heavy duty Manfrotto. But now I am so glad I don’t have to drag that big boy around. I like the clamps to extend the legs, and the legs flip up to place in the carrying back it comes with or a backpack. My only complaint, is the screw under the quick release, I wish it had a turning toggle so you can tighten the smart phone holder easily. A dime would be perfect but I rarely have a dime on me, though car keys work. But other than that, I use this with the Manfrotto smart phone grip which is the best on the market.

The tripod is lightweight and compact, making it great for portability. However, the top that connects to your camera is already loose and unstable after having it for 8 months. I have to manually hold my camera in place when filming interviews.Theoretically a great product, but after $300 and 8 months, stability shouldn't be an issue.

First off, I got the Befree Live for a helluva deal. I was looking for a tripod like the Manfrotto for under $200 and this got really good reviews and I'm loyal to Manfrotto products. Turns out that I spent only $197 and now it's selling for $240 I prefer the lock twist over the levers which I have on a lighter tripod but they feel too flimsy and could snap off if you aren't careful. The twist locks do take some getting used to for tightening the legs but I really, really like the quality.My only problem was that I wanted to switch the fluid head with a newly purchased Manfrotto ball head. I followed many videos and I just could not get it to come unscrewed. I rotated it counterclockwise at least 30 times and it would not come off. I was ready to send this back.What worked for me was tilting the arm all the way up then rotating it again and it finally came off. Be careful though because the fluid head is heavy and you don't want to drop and break it. A replacement is something like $100 My biggest gripe is the hook placement that has moved to the side instead of being underneath the column. It's awkward and really small, and frankly I have no idea how you can hook anything onto it. I'll have to find a special hook attachment and see if that helps. I tried a carabiner but it was too big.Anyways, for the price I got a great deal. I'm debating whether to spend an extra $33 for warranty protection but being used as a mostly outdoor tripod I'll probably need it.It's a great all in one solution now that I have the Manfrotto fluid head for video, ball head for photos, a phone mount for a quick and easy setup and finally the Manfrotto quick realease plate that I mounted directly to the fluid head plate and can quickly remove my camera, change to the ball head and snap into that. You don't want to mount the fluid head plate to your camera. It's way too big and cumbersome.Are there better options? Probably, but at the price I got this and after doing lots of research, the Manfrotto Befree Live hit all the right points for me. It's a solid tripod, a bit heavier than I thought it would be, and the angling of legs take some practice, but the Befree Live is totally worth it.