Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I'd love to see some detail, other than load capacity, which everyone should dismiss as a criterion for evaluating stability. I can't find anything anywhere about these tripods.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Try a Google search

http://www.google.com/search?q=nest+nt-364ct+tripod&oq=nest&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j35i39j0j5.3318j0j4&client=ms-android-att-aio-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

NealB Loc: Lowell Indiana

I have had the NT-404CT for over a year now and say without any reservation that it is one stable tripod. Just remember it is not one of those ultra-light travel tripods.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

That was the first thing I did. Just like when you were heavily promoting the Nest gimbal, I asked for a site that had detail and/or reviews. I got nada in return.

As I said, there is no detail. Given that these are not widely distributed, I can't go anywhere to read about the customer experience of owning one, or see specs other than height and load capacity.

I did find this on a different model though:

"At first this was a great product. As full time wild life photographer, based on the reviews and description, I purchased this product. In the beginning, it was a fine product, in the sense that it worked w/o any complications. You its just a tripod, right? Well the more I used this product, 3-5 day a week, the more I started having problems; mainly with the extension of the segmented legs. The 1/2 turn unlock, 1/2 turn lock compression locks, began to fail. The releasing of the compression lock didn't always release as needed to extend the leg segments. When pulling the legs out, they will stick and then just pull completely out of the above leg segments. This has happened numerous tes and I am not capable to makes the repairs in the field. Also the white plastic internal compression shims crack and split. I have since in the past replaced this product. There is a design flaw that needs correcting. It may work for you w/o problems. I use larger and heavier cameras and lens setups most of the time.the main reason I purchased was its lightweight vs load capabilities. I've had this tripod less than one year and have had it repaired, three times. Good luck if you buy one as they seemed ok for an enthusis, not more advanced usage, as a semi, or full time professional. They are not, in
In My opinion, this product is not built for constant use, where one would be constantly extending and retracting the legs."

Based on that user review, I would avoid Nest as a brand - it doesn't look too good from here. I generally dismiss many reviews as being a confirmation of their purchase - very seldom do I find a truly critical review that evaluates a products strengths and weaknesses, and often has a broader perspective, such as comparing it to other products.

There are better alternatives to the Nest at the same price point. I wouldn't want to spend even $20, let alone several hundred dollars, on something that may fail at the most inopportune moment. I am a fan of lesser-known and less expensive products that offer good value and functionality. Hell, Feisol is hardly a household word, right? But long before I made the decision to purchase one, I read reviews, visited the website, http://www.feisol.com/0823product.html, and got a great understanding of what I was getting myself into. I moved and pre-ordered the CT3472 that had not yet been released, on the strength of it's design similarilty to, and the quality of it's baby brother, the CT3442 which I had handled in person at Adorama. I wish I could do that with Nest, but sadly, distribution continues to be an issue, and without a proper product description, I don't ever see this happening. I get at least 4-6 requests for tripods from students and mentorees every month. I steer them towards Benro, Feisol, Sirui, RRS and Gitzo, depending on their budget. I will also dissuade people from buying one "just to have, just in case." I never recommend anything unless I have a full understanding of al the criteria - current and future, and budget.

f

blackest Loc: Ireland

To be fair the head is different to the legs, I think I would like a Nest Gimble Head, I don't think I would choose their legs though. Seems like the engineering is in the head but the legs could be better engineered but then the price would increase...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I'd just like to see examples of their work so I could judge for myself - the gimbal does look interesting.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I was 5 and just starting to get used to English as my second language.

RRS Loc: Not sure

And from what we all read from you, you did very well!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Thanks!

Honestly, I continue to be a work in progress, but as some on this forum (they know who they are) that I have called out on one matter or another, a Piece of Work.

Leitz Loc: Solms

You could have read the manufacturer's specifications back then and become an expert like anyone else.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Really, at 9 or10 years old, give me a break. I got started with a second hand camera, a 35mm Kodak that cost me $5.00 at a yard sale. I had to work to buy film, cutting grass and shoveling snow. A tripod had three legs and you screwed it into the bottom of your camera and not too deep or you would destroy the body. Ten to fifteen years later when I had more money and smarts too I did have better gear. Shooting weddings for over 25 years using several tripods with a three way pan head with a Hasselblad sitting on top worked very well. There weren't a lot experts then and not too many today either by seeing all the junk tripod that are sold everyday and ill advise given by so many that are trying to be helpful. What do you always hear people say, " wow that tripod can hold 50lbs.", that's not what counts. Today I'm shooting 300mm and 600mm lenses and sometimes with a 1.4 extender attached and with digital a lot has changed as I'm sure you know. Don't we all wish we knew today what we didn't know 50 years ago. When you have $18 grand sitting on your tripod I hope you have read the manufactures specifications and talked to several that really know what they are talking about. I've been the full gamete and now have the knowledge to be able to help some. I've had help along the way too and Gene51 has always been a big help with more then just tripods. I sure don't know everything but I do know a lot about somethings, we can all use a little help now and then. Have a nice day!

Leitz Loc: Solms

My thought is that one ought to select a tripod with the same care as when buying a camera or lens. I was advised early on to get a heavy duty tripod to handle the heaviest gear I was likely to use, that I'd never need another. That sounded as foolish then as now, I followed my head and bought a little Slik for my lighter gear and a Vivitar beast for the heavy stuff. The only printed information at that time was the size, weight and load capacity, which is what I based my decision on. I'm shooting digital now, but still use those same tripods with satisfaction. I did upgrade the heads, however.
If I had Boomer's need and budget, I'd probably look for a used surveyor's tripod and add on to the legs if needed. I did have a nice day, thanks, and wish you a good night!

RRS Loc: Not sure

Thanks, as for a good night, it's election day and about half the country won't have a good night. I to still have several tripods that I use but for the long lenses and BIF it's only the RRS with a gimbal. The heavy duty tripods of today are a lot lighter then the heavy tripods of old, the CF ones anyway. Some of my older pods are so old that you can't change the heads at all. When someone asks for advise on a tripod I always ask what is your longest lens, do you plan on longer, and what do you use it for. When someone posts a question and says that they have a 150mm to 600mm and want to do BIF and wildlife and then says their budget is $100.00 to $200.00 for a tripod, I feel they need to be enlightened. Several ways to look at it, a smaller lessor tripod is better then none but when you do find out you want/need a better pod your going to have to pay again. You are right, overkill can be just as bad. With all the info on the internet today it should be easier then when I started, there was no such thing. I won't know until tomorrow if it was a good or bad night. I'm still waiting to see how England handles their election.
.

NealB Loc: Lowell Indiana

I find it unbelievable that you trash a product on the basis of one unverifiable review. If that is the standard you use then you cannot buy anything since every product has at least one bad review on the internet and we all know if it is on the internet it is true. Since you claim you are constantly learning I suggest that you go and learn about statistical validation. Sufficient information is available for Nest products and equals the information their competition publishes for their own products. No manufacture is going to share any proprietary information with the world so don’t expect to see that. If you look at tripods closely you will notice a significant amount of the components in them is what manufacturing calls Parts Bin Components which are manufactured by Tier 1 suppliers and sold to many OEMs. There are plenty people on this site that have purchased Nest products and are completely satisfied so you should also solicit their views of the product and the distributor. Since I am satisfied with my Nest Gimbal, Tripod, and the distributor I suggest that you fact check with other users to decide if my experience with Nest is just a statistical aberration or is a valid observation.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Without wishing to take any sides here, there do appear to be online reviews of the nest products, or at least forum discussions. I have personally found Gene's comments to be very informative and dependable, and I've certainly managed to get on MT Shooter's sh*t list, but in general MT seems to be a pretty straight guy, and I doubt that he would promote things that would damage his business or reputation knowingly.

Mr. Google seems to come up with some comments and reviews:

http://www.scvphotoideas.com/2014/01/nest-nt-6294ct-carbon-fiber-traveler.html

This has interesting comments from "panoguy" : http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/22-pentax-camera-field-accessories/280149-too-good-true-opinions-users-nest-nt-6294c-tripod.html

Perhaps others that have some objective insight could comment. I would expect MT to be able to point to some reviews, I'm sure he did some research at some point in time.