Tripod and head as checked-in flight luggage

[john_graham5]

I got myself a Manfrotto Mini Pro 190 X PROB tripod and 322 RC 2 head together

with a Manfrotto MBAG 80:

 

Tripod: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-190XPROB-Section-Aluminum-

Tripod/dp/B000N7VPRW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200433061&sr=8-

1

 

Head: http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-322RC2-Horizontal-Action-

Connect/dp/B000184N22/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?

ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200433061&sr=8-2

 

Bag: http://www.amazon.de/Manfrotto-Stativtasche-80-MBAG/dp/B000JLK5T6

/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&s=ce-de&qid=1200394191&sr=8-38

 

 

Will this gear withstand being handled as checked-in luggage on flights?

 

Should I polster the tripod and head inside the bag to protect it better?

 

Any tips would be very welcome.

[michaelging]

I did not look at your exact tripod and head, but I travel all the time with my tripod in my checked bags with out ever having a problem. I do remove the center post with the head attached from the tripod , as mine is a little snug in the suitcase if I do not.

[frank uhlig]

Tripod as checked in luggage or inside checked luggage? that is the question.

 

I vote for "inside checked luggage", not outside like ski poles and prams ... Just make room

in your bag and the tripod will be alright.

[michaelging]

With that being the question, no way would I stick a tripod without being in a case in checked baggage.Besides being damaged,having a loose screw vibrate off, it would be a target to be stolen.

[Ed_Ingold]

It's best to put tripods in checked baggage. I've never had any damage, even with soft-sided luggage (though with an hard frame). There should be nothing to vibrate loose (or else you have a big problem even outside the airplane). It would be a big hassle to have to retrieve my checked bags if the tripod were rejected at the check point.

 

Heads are another matter. I pack the heads in my carry-on luggage. You can buy a legset practically any place if yours are lost, but suitable heads may be hard to come by in an emergency. My bags always get inspected and, outside of Logan, everybody seems to have seen camera gear before.

[awahlster]

A cheap tripod carrying case can be made from something like 4" D Plastic sewer pipe and a couple of caps. Glue one of the caps on and either drill 4 screw holes between the cap and pipe for sheet metal screws and put duct tape over them Or just duct tape it closed. You can wrap the tripod with a little bubble wrap that can stay in the tube. You can also attach a couple strap loops to the tube to attach a shoulder strap.

 

I made one of these for a friend who went on a 6 weeks around the world kind of trip and I think the total cost with buying a new can of glue was less then $20.00 all from the local ACE hardware store a Home Depot or Lowes would be the same.

 

She got home and said the case worked perfect for her I even put a couple attachment point on it so she could attach it to her roll around suit case.

 

I think it only weighed a couple pounds.