Unless you're lucky enough to live near a dark-sky location, most astrophotography requires traveling to a dark-sky location by car, plane, train, or hike. A lightweight and reliable travel tripod is essential. If you think this is missing something, let us introduce you to the Benro Rhino travel tripod.
specification
weight: 3.8lb/1.74kg
Maximum loading capacity: 39.7 lbs/18kg
Maximum height: 66.3 inches / 1.69 meters
folded length: 19.3 inches / 490mm
leg: Four
Head: ball head
Accessory mount: 3
feet: rubber or sharp object
Compact and lightweight, it's made from superior quality carbon fiber and can stretch to impressive heights. Not to mention, it can also be converted into a monopod, making it useful for other styles of photography. This tripod has all the bells and whistles, and while it's not the cheapest model on the market, we think it's well worth the investment and will last you years of use.
To really make your travel tripod shine, pair it with the best astrophotography camera and the best astrophotography lens to capture those amazing astronomical shots you've always dreamed of.
Benro Rhino Travel Tripod: Design
- Various size options are available
- carbon fiber construction
- Feels premium quality throughout
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Benro tripods are known for their superior build quality and longevity, and the Rhino tripod series is a prime example of this. Made with carbon fiber construction, the tripod is lightweight (3.8 lbs / 1.74kg) and built to last. It has four leg sections with soft rubber twist locks, which are gentle on the hands and easy to operate, especially when used for astrophotography in the dark. Supplied with soft rubber feet or spiked feet, you can customize your tripod to suit the terrain you're photographing and can be easily changed by loosening the screws. The bag also has a small pocket to store your feet so you don't lose them.
You can easily adjust the angle with the buttons on the top of the legs, and there are also lock buttons to prevent them from slipping. The legs have an attractive gray geometric pattern that gives it a very classy and classy look. It can be set at almost any angle, but will snap into place at a certain point.
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The Rhino comes in four different sizes, varying in height and number of leg sections to accommodate every photographer and shooting style. The 24C we reviewed has a maximum height of 66.3 inches / 1.69 m and a folded length of 19.3 inches / 490 mm, making it TSA carry-on approved. The maximum payload is an impressive 18kg.
Benro Rhino Travel Tripod: Performance
- Easy to set up and take down even in the dark
- Reverse foldable design makes it easy to carry
- very sturdy and stable
During my testing, I was pleased with how smoothly this tripod set up and packed up (especially in the dark). The soft twist lock is easy to use, smooth in the hand, large enough for a comfortable grip, and locks and unlocks the legs with just a half twist. Converting it to a monopod was easy, but you may need the help of your best headlamp to avoid dropping the weight hook when unscrewing it. I was also very impressed with its sturdiness. I took it to a location along the coast where there was quite strong wind (approximately 10 meters per second, which is not suitable for flying a drone), and it did not shake at all even when I set up the tripod, even without a camera attached. did.
The reverse-fold design folds up neatly and fits snugly into TSA-approved carry-on luggage. It folds up small in terms of length, but since it has a reverse folding design, it is a bit bulky when folded. It's also not the lightest travel tripod, but Benro has designed it with versatility in mind, so your preference will depend on what factors you prioritize when traveling. It's also the tallest travel tripod we've found, measuring 66.3 inches/1.69 meters when fully extended.
The mounting plate attaches to the camera with a D-ring, and while it works for shooting in landscape mode, I noticed that the camera often slipped out when switching to portrait mode. D-rings are fine if you have the strength to tighten and remove them as tightly as you need, but if you have weak arms or long fingernails, it can be difficult to tighten them enough.
As for the rest of the head, panning was incredibly smooth and I appreciated being able to adjust the friction depending on how fast I panned the camera. There is a spirit level on the head, but you should check this before installing the camera. Otherwise, the camera will cover you.
Benro Rhino Travel Tripod: Functionality
- Superior safety features prevent your camera from falling
- Soft rubber twists for operating legs and center column
- Can be converted into a monopod for versatile use when traveling
The features of the VX25 head really make this tripod stand out. It's really the details that take this tripod from good to great. There are two safety features to prevent the camera from falling off the tripod when attaching or detaching it. The first is his two metal pins at each end of the underside of the mounting plate. If the camera is oriented up, down, or vertically, these pins prevent the camera from slipping and hitting the ground when loosening the mounting platform to attach or detach the camera. Another safety feature is the quick-release locking knob. When I turn it, it suddenly stops and I have to pull the knob out a little to keep loosening it.
The VX25 head also has a pan lock knob to enable/disable panning across the head, a ball lock knob to set the ball head in place, and a panorama lock knob to set pan friction.
One of the things we especially like about Rhino is its versatility. In addition to functioning as a tripod, it can also be configured as a monopod, making it ideal if you're taking wildlife, sports, or fast-action photos and want to give your arms a break. It's nice to have the option to do both, especially when traveling and don't have the space to carry a tripod and another monopod. There is a spirit level on the mounting platform, and there is also a removable counterweight hook at the bottom of the center column to add weight to the tripod in case of strong winds.
Should I buy Benro Rhino?
In the end, it depends on what factors you prioritize when shooting with a tripod while traveling. If you value versatility and height, the Rhino is the way to go. However, if you carry it around in your bag all day and are concerned about weight, there are probably better lightweight options out there. That being said, Rhino comes in a variety of sizes to suit different needs. It's not the most affordable travel tripod, but it's great quality and will likely last you many years through your various photography adventures.
If the Benro Rhino tripod doesn't fit
If you don't care about height or versatility and want something lighter and more compact that isn't necessarily marketed as a travel tripod, then shell out the extra $30 and go for the Benro Tortoise. It is similar to the Rhino, but it lacks a central column and has a slightly different head. It doesn't fold backwards, but it fits (just) in TSA-approved carry-on luggage.
for something Really Compact and lightweight, it doesn't get much smaller than the JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro kit. Gorillapods are known for having flexible legs that can grab almost anything. If you travel frequently but only use your tripod occasionally, this could be a great option to carry around without being a burden. It's also a great option for content creators and video bloggers on the go.
If you're on a budget, the Benro MeFoto Road Trip Pro might be worth considering. It's about the same height as the Rhino and can be converted into a monopod, but its aluminum construction means it's heavier to transport.
