Hey there, I have a Nest NT6294C, and have been using it as my "hiking and travel tripod" for about 4 months now. My other tripods are a Gitzo GT3541 (bigger, heavier, solid-er-er), a Berlebach Report 2032 (or is it 3022?) which is ash-wood, 6lbs(!), and kinda short (looks great, though), and I recently sold on my Feisol 3401, which did 10 years of great service with almost identical specs to the Nest. In fact, my Feisol cost $250 when new, with center column (costs a bit more these days).
I've also tested a few tripods (yes, that's me!), so I've not just handled, but abused MeFoto, Gitzo, 3 Legged Thing, Sirui, Manfrotto, Benro, Dolica, etc.
Here's the deal with the Nest tripods: they are made by Ningbo Weifeng, one of the biggest Chinese makers of "slap your brand name here" tripods (sold as Dolica, Horusbennu, Redged, and many others) as well as their own Weifeng (lowest end), Fancier (mid-tier), and the recently added Nest (supposed to be highest-end).
Nest tripods are, I've been told by the distributor, built on a different assembly line and designed by a different team than the other Weifeng (and other brand) products. Although, I understand Dolica USA was set to distribute Nest (as Dolica Nest), but then Weifeng wanted a higher-end cachet and changed distribution models. Anyhow, the point is that the Nest brand is new, but not unknown, and the price is low because Weifeng can afford slim margins on one brand.
Next, I've compared this Nest directly to a Dolica "Ultra Premium" and the difference is stark. They have the same MSRP, but the Dolica has rough edges, a kind of wobbly build, and not-so-durable looking parts. The Nest, however, is quite solidly built, no wiggles or wobbles, and really well thought-out engineering and finish. The leg locks, for example, only turn so far in either direction; so unlocking is a quick twist, and re-locking is the same short throw (while most others are quick to unlock, but can turn and turn depending on how far you "unlocked" them).
I posted this photo to another thread about the Acratech GP, so here is the Nest under a very nice head:
To answer a couple of questions:
1) The top platform is small because the legs fold up around it, but the column is rather long and the leg locks hit the platform, and everything is otherwise kinda thick. If it had a larger platform (suitable for a bigger head) then the folded package wouldn't be as compact, and it already is kinda bulky when folded up. Of course, if your head is wide, you're stuck there anyhow. Personally, I'd like to see the column about 2 inches shorter to avoid this packing problem (and perhaps have a larger platform), but then I frequently take it off completely anyhow.
2) Can it hold up 20kg? Yes, but I wouldn't do it all the time. There is no standard for maximum loads, but tripods tend to be less overstated than ball heads (mainly because a simple, metal ball head can hold up more than gigantic tripods anyhow, so how will you "test it?"). Look at the leg diameters for a hint as to how much they can hold up, with the Nest having 29mm top leg tubes, and only 4 sections. Still rather thick! The Nest feels more solid than the 3 Legged Thing I tested, as well as the Feisol 3441 (latest version), and the smaller Sirui. For the price, it is probably the only carbon-fiber tripod built like this, so otherwise go for an aluminum Manfrotto (190XPro) or aluminum Benro, which are heavier (and the aluminum Benros can ring like a bell with vibrations if you aren't careful).
3) Is it too good to be true? Almost. It's a great mid-sized travel style tripod, for an amazing price in the USA. Apparently Nest-Style UK charges $600+ for the same tripod, with a crappy ball head (Nest ball heads suck, sorry to say, but they are being redesigned... stick with Sirui for that). However, the tripod itself has only two leg angles, and doesn't fold into the most compact bundle, and there is no option for leg spikes or shoes, and although the warranty is 3 years, you'd be sending it back to China (or Texas, perhaps... I don't really know since I'm in Canada, so China for me!).
Bottom line: it is a very nice tripod from a company that otherwise makes fairly mediocre tripods for everyone else (I personally wouldn't buy a Fancier, Horusbennu, Dolica, or a few other rebrands). Yes, there's a risk that it will fall apart in a few years, but I had a Manfrotto do that while my Feisol (which some decry as "crap") never did anything but loose its feet a few times! So far, it has been very good for me, and I use it all the time and am not delicate with it. I really appreciate the no-column option and the monopod leg, along with the stability at a low traveling weight (if not size).
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