Thanks Rick..  very helpful information!  Keep us posted as you go..

Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Rick Sussman
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 1:36 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Tripod carry options



In a message dated 3/20/2005 1:03:42 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
 writes:

I have a  Bogen/Manfrotto Tracker Tripod 3175 GN3, and am
wondering if this is close  to what you are dealing with.  Thanks for asking
the  folks!

Bill Moody



Bill,
 Well I think it's something a lot of folks could benefit from too. I
bought
the new(ish) Manfrotto 458B NEOTEC tripod, which works thusly; when it is
in
its most compact position it looks much like most tripods, though it has no
visible knobs or handles on the outside. When you want to extend it, you
pull
on  a leg (I'm not pulling your leg!) and it stays just where you pull it
to.
Then  you do the others, set it on the ground, and adjust the legs for
levelness. This  is done rather simply and elegantly with a silver "button"
at the
base of the  head (top of the tripod). Each leg can be quickly adjusted to
any
height,  including a rapid lowering for smaller folks. It is all very quick
and
simple.

On the down -side, leg wraps won't work because the largest diameter leg is
also the lowest leg, that which comes out first and is closest to the
ground.
With the legs extended, the wrap would have to go on the smallest diameter
leg,  which would then interfere with its closing. There is no hole for a
strap,
 though this isn't really what I was looking for to carry it around in the
field.  Nor is a carry bag. I think the TRI-PAC is the ideal solution, but I
don't know  if it would work given the reverse order of the tripod legs.

So, this is why I asked for suggestions, etc. and there have been very many
good tips/advice so far. Thanks to everyone. I think I need to get one in
hand
 and try it, and the only way is to buy it from ABA and give it a go. They
will  take it back if it doesn't work (I have also e-mailed them about this,
as
they  carry both the new tripod and the Tri-Pack carrier, though I haven't
heard back  yet).

Rick Sussman
Ashton,MD