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Rating: 
Summary: a beginner say
Review: i had a 347GB which i think is quite similar the construction with the 343 except few structures. i am not giving the comments on the practicality in terms of photography because i am still new in it, i would like to commend on the construction of the trilpod. the near-all metal contruction is good in sense that it can stand the test of in case there is any failure, but it is unlikely because it is so strong.
Rating: 
Summary: The best I could find in the lightweight tripod category.
Review: I own a heavier Velbon as well - a Camarge. I wanted something smaller and lighter, which could fit into my daypack on walking trips. I read an inconclusive article about lightweight tripods in "Outdoor Photography", and decided to do my own research.Of the quality brand lightweight tripods available (Slik, Velbon, Gitzo, Manfrotto), this one is one of the lightest (at around 860g including the head). Yet it's carrying capacity is one of the best (at around 3.6kg). Of the other brands, the only ones that came close were double the weight and 4-5 times the price. With a folded length of only 444mm (4 sections), it fits into my daypack - with the head mounted - no worries. The Maxi tripod is marketed for use for Digital cameras. The legs are even inscribed as such. Velbon is missing a large market segment with this strategy. I have no problems mounting a Nikon FM3A film-SLR with a medium-sized zoom lens. At the same time, the maximum operating height is good (I am tall). The legs can get wobbly if you mount a heavy telephoto, or on a very windy day - particularly if you extend the center column. Pull down on the center column for stability, or stabilise the tripod against your body. Otherwise shorten the legs. The ball head is easy and comfortable to use. The legs are equally easy and quick to setup or adjust. The rubber feet have built-in spikes (can be hidden). You may want to buy a small quick-release adapter as well. I find that I now use the Velbon Maxi more than my Velbon Camarge. It is a good compromise for most conditions.
Rating:
Summary: A lightweight star
Review: I purchased the Maxi 343E after reading Herb Keppler's article about it in Popular Photography. I really needed a tripod that I could travel with; my Bogen might be sturdy enough to mount a small car on top, but it comes with a price... WEIGHT!! PLUSES: It travels EXTREMELY well, and fits nicely in just about any piece of luggage, breaking down to about 18" and weighing barely a pound. The ball head is easy to use, and even with a Nikon D100 SLR and a telephoto, the head keeps the camera locked in place. (Very little sag.) ALTHOUGH, for a REALLY long telephoto that weighs more, I suspect that this ball head wouldn't be up to the task. The flap-locks are great. I like them much better than the screw-type locks seen on some tripods. Setup and breakdown is very fast. PROBLEMS: It's a light tripod. There's something to be said for MASS. In anything more than a little breeze, there just isn't enough mass to keep things from shaking. The ball head works well, but you cannot smoothly pan from side to side as you can with a more expensive head. BOTTOM LINE: Certainly worth the price I paid... and considering the fact that the price has dropped $20.00 since I purchased it a few months ago, it's now a veritable bargain.
Rating: 
Summary: broke after 2 weeks
Review: I purchased this tripod based on editorial reviews such as: http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/VEL/VEL.HTM, right before embarking on a 10 week x-country roadtrip.
2 weeks into the trip, the clamp that allows extension in one of the legs broke, making it impossible to extend and lock the leg.
It turns out the the inside pieces are cheap plastic!
Please note that I was a bit rough with it (undoing the clamps and flipping upside down to let the legs collapse), but given that this was designed for outdoor, 'roughing it' expeditions, it should really not have broken so easily.
I will say that the size and weight are fantastic.
The inner components should definately be stronger!!!
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