I'm a newcomer to the binocular+tripod world.I first got an inexpensive smaller feather-light tripod in the $20-$30 range.It was my introduction to tripods.I quickly realized it was a bit too short to use standing up. You have to hunch.But more problematic, panning my binoculars left/right was jerky.The head platform swivel would initially stick. Then with a bit more pressure, it would lurch into motion.That made it miserable to get a subject centered in view.I've since researched tripods and found the pricey ones cost around $200.A couple of those brands get stellar reviews.I wonder what you get for that price. Better be real good.In the price range of this K&F Concept tripod, ~$65, I think it's great.This tripod has satisfied all that I wanted. Tall enough, sturdy, smooth.And it solves all the problems I experienced with the cheaper tripods I got.In particular, the panning (swivel left/right) is really smooth.There are actually two ways to adjust it.The way I favor is this. There is a thumbscrew to lock the top single-pole extension. If you don't raise that pole, then leaving that thumbscrew loose allows the head platform to be swiveled left/right with extremely smooth unrestricted motion, with very light touch on the pan-handle. Sweet.Alternatively, you can lock the top extension pole with its thumbscrew, then use a different lock knob that's intended for controlling the panning resistance. I like that less, because the loosest setting still has noticeable resistance. It's still very smooth even with this small resistance. No sticking+lurching at all. But just not as free as the pole-lock thumbscrew way I mentioned above. I suppose if you're using heavy video equipment, your preference will be different from mine. That heavy stuff would have momentum that might need this little resistance to control.I'll point out a couple things that were troublesome when I first received this tripod. First, somehow the whole swivel platform assembly wasn't tightened from the factory. It screws on with the same size 1/4" screw that hold cameras. Furthermore, I don't know if it was tacky paint or what, but the actual panning swivel mechanism was bound so it wouldn't move. (just the pole swiveling was free). That was very confusing. When I eventually figured out the head wasn't threaded on tightly, that's when I gave the whole thing a good hard twist and the normal panning swivel mechanism snapped free so it correctly rotates. That was weird. But now it's fine. Finally, there is a strap, attached to a plastic washer. That plastic washer is sandwiched between the tripod top (where the 3 legs meet) and the head platform. I simply removed that so it doesn't impede in the super-smooth super-free motion of the panning method that I mentioned I prefer.------------------------------------I could go on about the good things of this tripod.I'll stop here and just say, I sure wonder what could possibly be better with a $200 tripod.