Note, edits at the end of the review regarding fault.Wanted a more compact tripod to replace a cheap as chips tripod I've had many years use out of, as I wanted to do a bit more landscape photography, this would be much easier to carry. Based on reviews this seemed perfect.It arrived very well packaged, with a nice little pouch cover the head to protect it, the carry bag also has the added option of a shoulder strap and I like that one of the legs has a foam coating around it, helps keep your hands a little warmer when carrying it in the winter. The trip is very compact, lightweight and very sturdy in windy conditions.It states it’s quick release, which to me, means flicking a little lever and it’s released, this you have to screw to tighten around the plate, ok only a few seconds, but when your hands are freezing, screwing and unscrewing something isn’t always easy to do!That was just a minor niggle for me though and one I was happy to live with as I was impressed with the tripod.However, after just a few weeks of use it started to leak a sticky gel from where the head rotates. I would’ve expected this from my cheapo tripod, but not one at this price. I understand it’ll need some kind of gel to keep the rotation so smooth, but had I known it would leak as much as it does I would’ve chosen another tripod, as it gets all over everything. Reading through the reviews there only seems to be one other who's experienced this, so I'm guessing I just have a faulty one.Sadly I’m outside of the return window now so just have to make do until I can afford to replace it.***Edit 04/12 - Seller (dcmall) contacted me within hours of this review being published, and advised the tripod is faulty, they sent a replacement out which was received the next day. Will test the new one and update my review accordingly******Edit 11/12 - Tested the replacement tripod this weekend, and it's been great. When comparing the two, I noticed the head on the first was very loose/wobbly in comparison to the replacement, which makes me believe the first one I received was definitely faulty. I slipped and fell on the replacement this weekend on the ice, no breakages (tripod or me) the head is still solid and leaks no gel.Very happy with the service provided by the seller (thank you) and now very happy with the tripod!***