Kite Ardea is made in China and offers a simple and nicely designed stand with sensible functions, without a lot of "fluff".
There is both a built-in compass and a spirit level for level control. Both sit on the slender spindle, where the locks for the three different leg angles are also located. These don't have automatic return like more advanced tripods from the competition, but do the job well. There is also a loop for attaching the carabiner to the included carrying strap - the other end is attached in the form of a lasso loop around either a leg or the center pillar. Two of the legs have so-called "leg warmers" in the form of neoprene rubber at the top towards the spindle and down to half the length of the tube section. The feet consist of rubber feet with a cast-in threaded pin that is threaded into the pipe end. Should you lose a foot, it can therefore be requisitioned as a spare part. The leg locks are of the ring type and lock effectively with less than one turn of rotation. The center column is only 225mm long and features an extendable, spring-loaded hook at the end - great if you want to weigh down the tripod or just have a relief for a backpack or camera. The plinth at the top of the center pillar is equipped with a total of three screws to lock the head in place. For those of you who are 175-185 cm, the stand is almost perfect with mounted head and tube, without having to reach for the center pillar. If you are shorter, you do not need to use the full length of your legs. Supplied with carrying strap and in a padded bag that also holds the mounted head, good for those who travel a lot and want to be able to take the tripod as hand luggage. The strap can be used for both the bag and the stand. Also included are tools for adjustment and a set of nail feet as an alternative to the rubber feet.
Product information
Material: Carbon fiber/aluminum
Upper pipe diameter: 29 mm
Weight: 1485 grams
Shortest (folded) length: 64 cm
Height excluding center pillar: 141 cm
Maximum height including center pillar: 164 cm
Minimum working height: 32.5 cm
Max load: 12 kg
Warranty: 1 year