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Thread: Tripods: Velbon 7000 vs. Velbon CX 686

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    Senior Member jashan17's Avatar
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    Default Tripods: Velbon 7000 vs. Velbon CX 686

    I found a CX 686 for 90$ and a 7000 at b & h for 110$. They both use the fluid head. What is the difference between the two and which one should i go for?
    EDIT: Also what about this Impact one, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ith_3_Way.html
    Last edited by jashan17; 2008 March 29th at 14:56.

  2. #2

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    I believe the head is the same for both the Velbons, but the 7000 has sturdier legs. I have the CX686 and it works great. I wouldn't even bother with the Impact tripod.

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    Valued Member Nacho's Avatar
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    For 20 bucks more go for the 7000. I had both in my hands and the 7000 is significantly more sturdy (but also heavier!) The head is the same in both.

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    Curmudgerator CycleWriter's Avatar
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    OK, so how smooth is the head on the 7000?

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    Senior Member jashan17's Avatar
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    also heard that there isnt much difference fromm hd and normal tapes. I was gonna get a sony 3 pack 63 min tape pack but there is not much quality difference from normal tapes? and will it also be full hd?

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    Valued Member Nacho's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CycleWriter View Post
    OK, so how smooth is the head on the 7000?
    As smooth as the cx686's

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    I am new so I don't have anything to compare but I got the 7000 and I think it is silky smooth with my HV30. There is no stiction at the beginning of movement and it stays where you stop it. I don't see how you could need anything more. I also love the adjustable drag independent of the locking knobs, the built in level, spring loaded quick release base, quick release leg clamps and it is fairly light and compact. I have only done a small amount of shooting with it but my shots look rock solid until my 2 year old comes up and starts banging on the legs.

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    so whats the big advantage of having sturdier legs?

    I don't imagine myself knocking the thing around or adjusting the legs while filiming. As long as the legs don't collapse on me it's fine by me. So whats the disadvantages of getting a set of cheap legs, and a more expensive head?

  9. #9

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    Cheap legs tend to twist and creak, particularly during pans when tension on the head is high. The 686 has that great PH358 head, but the legs are about the absolute lowest acceptable quality you'd want to go. A lot of people buy the PH358 separately (and cheap!) and get heavier, sturdier sticks.

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    I'm a noob also ... based on this forum's recommendations I just purchased and received the Velbon DV-7000. All I can say is WOW. I had a $30 tripod for years that I used with my old JVC camcorder and it was a flimsy POS. I can't believe how rock solid this is. Of course I have no basis of comparison, but I like this DV-7000. That being said, it's heavier than I imagined it would be. I guess thats the trade off for being sturdy. BTW ... do you folks hand tighten on the shoe or use a coin / screwdriver?
    Very surprissingly, it came with no instructions or paperwork.

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    ah okay.. thats weird. atm, i'm using this really old tripod (brand is Focus, never heard of it before) and the legs seem alright. well at least none of that twisting and creaking. the only problem I have w/ it is that it doesn't have a fluid head.

    trying to figure out which budget velbon would work the best for me. the dv-7000 seems too heavy for me to carry around, so it looks like its between the cx-480 and the cx-686 which is a better buy? Theres about a $40 difference between the two. Is the 40 dollars extra worth it for the cx-686?

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    Curmudgerator CycleWriter's Avatar
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    Having read all these raves about Velbon I decided to check one out at my local Fry's. They had only a few, but their Sherpa line was particularly impressive. Since I don't really need another set of tripod legs I noted the fluid head on one and looked it up on B&H.
    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=139285&is=REG

    For the price, this head has the smoothest feel of any I've tried in the range up to $160. Seems like a steal at $37.95. Of course, if you need the whole rig then look at the Sherpas that use this same head. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
    Last edited by CycleWriter; 2008 April 1st at 17:06.

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    trying to figure out which budget velbon would work the best for me. the dv-7000 seems too heavy for me to carry around, so it looks like its between the cx-480 and the cx-686 which is a better buy? Theres about a $40 difference between the two. Is the 40 dollars extra worth it for the cx-686?
    The 480 is about 7 inches shorter and a pound or so lighter. Looks like it also has the same head, so basically it comes down to whether $40 is worth added height and stability to you.

    If I could do it again, I would've got the 7000, but they had none in stock and I needed a tripod asap at the time. Actually, I've got my eyes on the Matthews M25, but that might be overkill for a small camera.

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    Senior Member jashan17's Avatar
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    just ordered the velbon 7000 and 3 sony hd tapes from bhphotocvideo for 175$. How long do they take to ship to canada?

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    b&h ships fast to canada i was impressed. took two days for me.

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    Senior Member jashan17's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by popnfresh View Post
    b&h ships fast to canada i was impressed. took two days for me.
    yeah it says it should ship in two more days on my ups tracking. Thats really fast compared to others.

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    Default Velbon DV-7000

    In the specs for the DV-7000, it mentions a quick release plate. Does that mean it comes with one, or will work with one if I purchase it seperately?

  18. #18
    Forum Mogul Gymnut808's Avatar
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    The DV-7000 comes with a quick release plate.

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    An incredibly handy quick release, I might add.

    Great tripod—I too got one from B&H based on the rave reviews here. Sturdy and smooth—couldn't be happier.

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