MeFoto GlobeTrotter
£180/$199 The biggest MeFoto is still quite small
The GlobeTrotter is the biggest and most heavy-duty in MeFoto’s ‘Classic’ range of tripods. It’s available in a range of bright colours (or black), and there’s also a carbon option that sheds 400g. The aluminium kit tips the scales at a moderate 2.1kg, yet has the largest overall load rating in the group, at 12kg.
The tripod folds down to just 41cm, making it the secondsmallest in the group. That’s thanks to the combination of five-section legs, which swing upwards for stowage. Despite the thinnest leg sections having a diameter of just 15mm, the tripod remains rigid even at its full height of 165cm, and feels worthy of its hefty load rating.
One of the legs can be removed and used in conjunction with the centre column as a monopod. There are only two lockable leg angles instead of the usual three, but it’s still a worthwhile feature. There’s neither a pivot function nor a secondary short centre column supplied with the tripod. On the plus side, you do get a set of interchangeable metal spikes and rubber pads, along with a high-quality padded soft case.
Features
The head is surrounded by the feet when folded, with a carrying height of just 41cm.
Leg angle locks enable two positions to be used, rather than the more usual three.
Performance
The nicely engineered ball head has independent friction control and a pan-only release. It’s almost identical to the impressive Benro B1 head in looks and performance. Twist-action leg section clamps are quick to release and tighten – which is just as well, because there are 12 of them in total. Overall, the GlobeTrotter is a smart buy for anyone who wants a ‘full-sized’ tripod that packs away really small.
WE SAY
Smart design shoehorns a lot of tripod into a small space for easy carrying.