Kenro Karoo Ultimate Travel Tripod

£160/$225 Much more versatile than you’d think

When you’re thinking ‘versatility’, a barren plateau in South Africa probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. Nevertheless, this is the region from which the Karoo takes its name. ‘Ultimate Travel Tripod Kit’, which completes the title, is nearer the mark. As such, it has the now-favoured design of swingup legs for a reduced folded height of just 48cm, yet achieves a towering maximum operating height of 190cm, literally standing head and shoulders above most ‘travel’ tripods. This is mostly thanks to a novel extending centre column design.

The four-section legs have identical diameters to those of the Benro tripods, and one leg can be detached for use as a monopod. An important additional trick, matched only by the Manfrotto tripods on test, is that the centre column has a 90-degree pivot facility, ideal for ultra-wideangle, macro and very low-level shooting. If you prefer to use a short centre column for groundlevel shooting, one is provided as well. Instead of removable feet, retractable metal spikes are fitted within screw-action rubber pads.

Features

Despite being relatively compact, the BB2 ball head has a hefty 8kg load rating.

The centre column enables both height extension and a 90-degree pivot facility.

Performance

Minimal turning is required to release and lock the main leg section clamps, and operation of the multi-angle leg facility is quick and easy. Rigidity is very good at all heights, when using the centre column in either vertical or horizontal modes. The aluminium kit (KENTR401) is stand-out value and the carbon version (KENTR401C) is also well-priced at £218/$306, but is only 10 per cent lighter.

WE SAY

For innovative design and all-round usefulness, this tripod is hard to beat, at any price.