I used an amazon basics tripod for years. Years and years, event after event, state after state and while it was in fact basic, it was sufficient. So after it came apart (again, this is a trunk living, flight after flight, hotel after hotel type of life for that tripod.) I'd decided especially since it was for my wedding, and I would be using it as a steady tripod set up in the corner, that it was time to upgrade. Now, I've been on a dozen or so professional shoots, so I've seen $500 tripods that were lighter, and could hold a 50lb setup and so on. But none that made me think, that is worth that amount because it's worth that much more than a basic tripod. This tripod is worth it. It's just north of $100 given the time you buy it. It's light and takes up a tiny amount of space and sets up in seconds. Thus far, the one time I've used it, it's been amazing and I'm looking forward to the traveling and shoots I'll use it for.If you need bullet points on why to get this over another.1. Weight.2. How compact it gets.3. Use, I don't need to do any panning and tilting shots, but, I can.4. Set up is simple, fast.Con would be,If you needed a taller one, this isn't it. When you buy a tripod don't get all the things you think you'll use. Get what you will use. Will you use a monopod? No. Will you need to get circular swivel shots, probably not. But, will you set this in the back of a crowd and anyone taller than 5'8" will block your shot. If so, this isn't for you, get something that's 71" or more if possible. But if you won't be shooting over a crowd, here ya go. This is the one.