The TR343L is a full height systematic tripod from ProMediaGear similar in size and build to what other manufacturers call 3 series. The build quality is exceptional and the performance is extremely good. This tripod has a weakness though. The leg angle is on the low side at 21.8 degrees. If they had chosen a more typical leg angle, the TR343L would likely match or exceed anything else on the market.
Note that the weight reported below is roughly 100 grams higher than what ProMediaGear reports as the weight. The included spikes, bubble level and bottom hook are all technically removable and weight roughly 100 grams. This is where the discrepancy lies.
| Name | ProMediaGear TR343L |
| Class | Systematic |
| Yaw Stiffness | 1163 +/- 3 Nm/rad |
| Yaw Damping | 0.301 +/- 0.03 Js/rad |
| Pitch Stiffness | 3822 +/- 17 Nm/rad |
| Pitch Damping | 0.953 +/- 0.095 Js/rad |
| Retail Price | $850 |
| Weight | 4.12 lbs (1.869 kgs) |
| Manufacturer weight rating | 60 lbs |
| Maximum Height | 59.3 in (150.6 cm) |
| Minimum Height | 4.2 in (10.7 cm) |
| Center Column | No |
| Base Diameter | 2.7 in (6.9 cm) |
| Folded Length | 25.3 in (64.3 cm) |
| Folded Circumference | 14 in (35.6 cm) |
| Folded Volume | 395.0 cu. in. (6.5 liters) |
| Leg Material | Carbon Fiber |
| Leg Sections | 3 |
| Primary Leg Angle | 21.8 deg |
| Leg Locks | Twist |
| Top Tube Diameter | 34.3 mm |
| Second Tube Diameter | 30.2 mm |
| Third Tube Diameter | 26.3 mm |
| Exchangeable Feet | Yes |
| Foot Type | Rubber |
| Bottom Hook | Yes |
The stiffness and damping data are the averages of 10 trials for each measurement. The reported error is the standard error, except in the case of the damping data. I have set the error in the damping at 10% as the standard error metric does not appropriately capture the error in fitting to the data. All of the reported specifications are measured, with the exception of the weight rating. The tripod is measured at full height, with the center column down.
Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod:
Very clean data. No questions about the resonance line.
Example data for oscillations about the radial axis of the tripod:
That’s some pretty noisy looking data, but not ambiguous.