Really Right Stuff TVC-24L Test Results

The Really Right Stuff TVC-24L is the tallest of RRS’s 2 series.  The TVC-24L is very light for its height, like most RRS tripods.  The TVC-24L performs quite well and is only a little bit less stiff than the TVC-23 when they are both extended to the same height.  For those needing the flexibility of extended height on the go, the TVC-24L should be a top choice.

NameRRS TVC-24L
ClassAll Purpose
Yaw Stiffness736 +/- 1 Nm/rad
Yaw Damping0.21 +/- 0.021 Js/rad
Pitch Stiffness2455 +/- 8 Nm/rad
Pitch Damping0.526 +/- 0.053 Js/rad
Retail Price$985
Weight3.75 lbs (1.702 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating40 lbs
Maximum Height66.1 in (167.9 cm)
Minimum Height3.9 in (9.9 cm)
Center ColumnNo
Base Diameter2.0 in (5.1 cm)
Folded Length22.9 in (58.2 cm)
Folded Circumference12.0 in (30.5 cm)
Folded Volume262.0 cu. in. (4.3 liters)
Leg MaterialCarbon Fiber
Leg Sections4
Primary Leg Angle25.0 deg
Leg LocksTwist
Top Tube Diameter32.7 mm
Second Tube Diameter28.6 mm
Third Tube Diameter24.5 mm
Fourth Tube Diameter20.4 mm
Exchangeable FeetYes
Foot TypeRubber
Bottom HookYes

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.

Bonus Data:

Stiffness vs Height:

Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod:

Good looking data.  The damping is pretty low, which is likely a symptom of the long legs.

Example data for oscillations about the radial axis (pitch) of the tripod:

Really nice looking data for the pitch direction.