New Benro Aerometal Travel Angel II Series Tripods

In the process of preparing an upcoming traveler tripod review, my research for comparable models revealed the new Aerometal Travel Angel II series from Benro.
The quite marketing oriented "Aerometal" stands for Aerospace industry type metal denoting light weight and strength.

In this Aerometal series, Benro® has adopted the long used by Sirui® and Triopo® metal formation technique of forging in place of casting for their tripods' center leg hub (spider).

As I have debated in the past, forging with consequent CNC machined finishing is a more time consuming and thus more expensive method but the benefits are reflected in substantially improved strength, rigidity and vibration resistance on the final product.

Top photo illustrates the newly adopted forged center leg hub of the Aerometal travel angel II C2282T tripod, while the bottom photo pictures the older Magnesium alloy cast center leg hub of the travel angel II C2682T tripod.
The differences are obvious, starting from the shape of the spider, going to the top leg joints (which are also CNC machined), to the new leg angle lock latches and finally the more glossy finish.
The new "Aerometal" model seems hard coat anodized where the older magnesium was anodized and then powder coat painted. Powder coating is more appropriate for cast products in order to cover any surface pores resulting from casting.

Aerometal travel angel II tripods come with Aluminium and Carbon Fiber leg tubes in kits with older Benro B series and latest Benro V series ball heads.
The following table shows a comparison between the new Aerometal C2282TV2 and the older Magnesium C2682TV2 travel angel II tripods. Dimensions and weights include the new V2 balll head.

C2282TV2	4	Φ28.6	Φ18.4	1645	1380	259	470	1.84	18	1705
C2682TV2	4	Φ28.6	Φ18.4	1655	1390	274	470	1.85	18	1720

C2282TV2

4

Φ28.6

Φ18.4

1645

1380

259

470

1.84

18

1705

C2682TV2

4

Φ28.6

Φ18.4

1655

1390

274

470

1.85

18

1720

Both tripods are the 8X Carbon Fiber versions. Leg diameters remain the same, however the overall height of the new Aerometal is reduced by 10mm, the lowest shooting position by 15 mm (which signifies either a small change in the widest leg angle, or a shorter center column stem) and the weight by 10 gr.

Otherwise both tripods share the latest Benro improvements of:

• New Tube twist Locking System with dust resistance technology, promising an increase in locking force by 30% and in stability by 10%.
• New leg rubber pads (feet) made of a more durable material, larger in diameter and textured for increased friction and better tripod stability

And include a lot of accessories like a padded Carrying Case, a Wooden Handle which transforms the detachable leg into a trekking pole, a Wrist Strap for monopod and pole use, a Short Center Column for low level shooting and monopod extension use and Steel Spikes.

For more information click the Related Links below.
I hope you found the information useful, thank you for viewing.

Price & Availability:
Prices of the Aerometal series are expected to be the same or slightly higher than the current Magnesium series, according to Benro policy. Availability is not yet announced from any distributor.
Availability Update:
Benro Travel Angel II Aerometal tripods are available from eBay.


Related Links:

Aerometal travel angel II series V kit at Benro.com

Magnesium Alloy travel angel II series at Benro.com

Benro Model Number and Tripod Naming System


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