I love my new (very old) Vivitar tripods. Love the first one so much I bought a second one online a week later. My Model 1321s are in excellent condition now but could use replacement of the small nylon inserts that act as friction points for tightening the various articulations. If I could find more of the 1321s I would buy them as light stands and experiment with other ball heads, as well as saving parts. Here is an article I did on my 1321. I bought two of them both for well under $100. I am 6'3" and my D850 can extend taller than me on the tripod which works well with the tilt screen.

Thanks for posting the article. It tells me that older products are not necessarily a bad thing. Just like people! LOL


https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-516855-1.html

Tripods are used to support a camera and lens steady for still photography. In selecting a tripod, you look at stability, portability and versatility. I find that a 500 lb. block of concrete with a 1/2" steel rod embedded and a camera support welded to it, will keep a camera stead in all conditions other than an earthquake or a nuclear blast. However, portability and versatility are almost zero.

In all seriousness, all tripods are a compromise that require the photographer to determine which factors are important. High cost carbon fiber tripods will yield better results under most conditions. However, cheaper tripods will give good performance under less exacting conditions. What you shoot, where you shoot, when you shoot and how you shoot should determine what tripod you need.