RRS TQC-14 Test Results

The TQC-14 is Really Right Stuff’s premier travel tripod, and the only tripod in their line to come native with a center column.  As typical for RRS tripods we expect (and receive) a strong performance.  Of note, this tripod was made from the TFC-14 I tested earlier using a conversion kit.  It is thus the same set of legs with a different apex. 

NameRRS TQC-14
ClassTravel
Stiffness About Vertical Axis624 +/- 1 Nm/rad
Damping About Vertical Axis0.153 +/- 0.015 Js/rad
Stiffness About Radial Axis1841 +/- 3 Nm/rad
Damping About Radial Axis0.398 +/- 0.04 Js/rad
Retail Price$895
Weight2.62 lbs (1.19 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating25 lbs
Maximum Height47.6 in (120.9 cm)
Minimum Height16.2 in (41.1 cm)
Max Height with Center Column58.3 in (148.1 cm)
Center ColumnYes
Base Diameter1.6 in (4.1 cm)
Folded Length17.8 in (45.2 cm)
Folded Circumference10.1 in (25.7 cm)
Folded Volume144.0 cu. in. (2.4 liters)
Leg MaterialCarbon Fiber
Leg Sections4
Primary Leg Angle26 deg
Leg LocksTwist
Top Tube Diameter28.5 mm
Second Tube Diameter24.5 mm
Third Tube Diameter20.5 mm
Fourth Tube Diameter16.4 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.

 

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

Excellent fit, and very strong stiffness performance.

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

As usual, some funkiness in the fourier spectrum, but we are getting the right line.