recently moved back to America from Japan and had to leave a lot of stuff behind, Including a Manfrotto tripod so I needed a new tripod to sell some things to help me get back on my feet. I looked at geekoto and some other brands and they're all pretty much like this one except they either had plastic where I didn't want plastic or it wasn't clear where the plastic on the tripod is. Using the Manfrotto for years, I at least know where I like there to be metal and this K&F unit has a cast aluminum mount and ball and it's all very smooth.Likes:Ball head: is solid and smooth. I would have preferred a toggle over a screw for the quick release plate.Legs: well they're legs, the aluminum feels solid. The also have stabby things at the bottom if you remove the rubber feet. Some one mentioned the locks for the leg extension were unfinished and sharp. Mine are comfortable to use.Column: Not too much to say. It does it's job. All the locks have comfortable rubber grips. Someone mentioned the column will collapse if pushed down on. That's true of mine too but I have to make an effort. It's not something that's happened during normal use.Portability: was not a selling point for me but it's nice to have the optionMonopod: also not a selling point but another nice to have the option. I've never used one before but now that I have the option I might.Bag: not a selling point, but it's a nice one if the zippers stand up to use, aka not YKK zippers.Dislikes:Legs: the spring-loaded locks for the top leg extensions seem weak. On lock solidly clicks into place, the other two are kinda, meh. This might not bother you but it makes a difference to me when setting the tripod up in the dark. The audible clicks tell me where the legs are set.Conclusion: Ball head is solid. With the exception of the leg locks not clicking solidly/audibly, into place, the unit is well built, uses high quality parts and is enough for what I want it to do and looks like it's versatile enough that I might try some stuff that I wouldn't try otherwise.