Review: Vanguard VEO 3GO 204CB G2 carbon fiber travel tripod $170

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4wlZhMT Price as reviewed: $170 Vanguard VEO 3GO 204CB G2 Lightweight Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Ball Head, Smartphone Holder, Bluetooth Remote, and Tripod Bag From the VANGUARD Store This carbon fiber tripod has a max height of 52", but folds down to 13.5 inches and slightly less than 2lbs. It is a standard "reverse folding" style, where the legs fold up next to the upright tube and included ball head for storage, and have three different angles they can be set at, allowing the tripod to transform from an extremely low but wide base, to a tall but narrow base configuration. It is made of carbon fiber tubes, plastic knobs that lock them in place, rubber feet, with some aluminum and stainless steel hardware. There are three screws that appear to be regular steel, holding the legs to the bottom of the upright tube. There is a spring loaded hook on the bottom of the upright tube that allows you to weigh down the tripod with a bag, and if you unscrew this end you can reverse the upright tube and hang a camera below the tripod. The only two features missing from this tripod is the ability to unscrew one leg and use it as a monopod, and detachable turf feet. The ball head works well, has a bubble level, and a locking ARCA style plate with 1/4-20 stud. If you loosen a grub screw hidden below the head, you can unscrew it to reveal a 3/8 stud to attach a different head. The tripod also includes a (plastic) cell phone "pinch" holder, and a bluetooth cell phone remote shutter with a plastic "clip on the leg" mount. They are functional, but look to be of lower quality than the tripod and bag. The carry bag has a good extra 4 inches, so you could either include extra accessories, or a longer head on the tripod and still fit in the bag. It is double layer with a padded inner layer to protect the tripod, and includes a shoulder strap. Overall I'm happy with the tripod and bag, but keep in mind that it is a "travel" tripod, so you are trading off the total max height and stability for light weight and small size.