Vanguard VEO: Innovative New Tripods & Monopods For 2015

Vanguard has been designing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative tripods since 1986 and now the company is aiming to serve the rapidly expanding travel tripod sector, with the VEO line, designed to meet the needs of photographers requiring a combination of solid stability, fast, intuitive operation, and portability. They’re among the first full-featured travel tripods that provide reliable, sturdy support for today’s advanced cameras and extended-range lenses, along with the quick setup demanded by professionals and serious enthusiasts.

The signature feature of Vanguard VEO tripods is a unique Quick-Flip center column that rotates 180° on its axis to move the column and head from storage position in between the legs to its raised shooting position. This system allows faster setup and takedown than some other compact travel tripods that require all three legs to be rotated 180°, and enhances stability, as well. In addition, VEO tripods and monopods feature upgraded high-strength all-metal flip locks that can be tightened with an included Allen wrench, robust three-angle leg position adjustments at 20, 45, and 80° for greater versatility, and all VEO tripods come with an additional Low Angle Adapter that can be installed easily for grounder operation and enhanced macro shooting options. In short, the VEO lineup combines the most desirable qualities of both travel-sized and full-sized tripods and monopods, and that includes impressive load capacities. Whether they’re equipped with a ball head or pan head, VEO tripods are compact, with 14.9 to 15.4" folded lengths, and are less than 4.33" in diameter. All are easy to pack and carry in their included tripod cases.  

VEO is a complete product family that includes tripods, monopods and bags. Example: the VEO 37 shoulder bag that has a stealth compartment that accommodates any VEO tripod so photographers to carry their camera gear discreetly.

Other Key Vanguard VEO Tripod Features

Vanguard VEO AB-series tripods include a TBH-45 or TBH-50 ball head. Both feature anodized smooth-movement balls; a large, ergonomic main locking knob; a QS-60S Arca-type compatible quick-release plate; panoramic photography indicators; and a maximum load capacity ranging from 8.8 to 17 lb. The VEO AP range includes a compact, smooth-operating two-way Pan Head (235AP) that is very compact, thanks to its unique foldable handle; features a bubble level; a QS-60S Arca-type compatible quick-release plate; and has a load capacity of 7.7 lb, making it ideal for video and birding applications. All VEO tripods include a soft rubber handgrip that provides control and comfort in any weather; an anti-shock rubber ring on the center column to help absorb any potential ground vibration; and they are fitted with rubber feet that convert into spiked feet, except for model 204AB that is fitted with anti-slip rubber feet.

Vanguard VEO Monopods

The Vanguard VEO Collection of monopods is primarily targeted at adventure and outdoor photographers, but can also be used in urban environments and by sports shooters. All models feature the same flip locks as the VEO tripod range, come in four- and five-section aluminum-alloy and carbon fiber options and can also be leaned on to serve as walking sticks.

All VEO monopods include a hand strap for added security and increased load-carrying capacity, a carabiner clip, and a soft rubber all-weather handgrip for added comfort and confidence. In addition, the VEO 264TR Monopod has a three-leg locking base and a ball joint feature that facilitates smooth pans and tilts and enhances video-shooting options.

Vanguard VEO Tripods and Monopods at a Glance

Vanguard VEO 265CB Carbon Fiber Tripod with TBH-50 Ball Head

This robust carbon fiber tripod has 5-section flip-lock legs, extends to 53.1", provides a minimum shooting height of 7.25", and folds to 15.4". It has a load capacity of 17.6 lb, weighs only 3.3 lb, and has rubber and spiked feet. Its heavy-duty ball head has a large locking knob, markings for 360° panning, and an Arca-type-compatible quick-release plate. Other features: bull’s-eye bubble level, Quick-Flip center column, carrying case included.

Vanguard VEO 265AB Aluminum Tripod with TB-50 Ball Head

This aluminum version of the VEO 265 above has similar specs, with 5-section flip-lock legs, a slightly taller maximum height of 57.1", and a minimum height of 7.25". It folds to an ultra-compact 15.4", has a load capacity of 17.6 lb, is slightly heavier than the carbon fiber version, at 3.7 lb, and provides rubber and spiked feet. Its heavy-duty ball head has a large locking knob, markings for 360° panning, and an Arca-type-compatible quick-release plate. Other features: Quick-Flip center column, carrying case included.

Vanguard VEO 235AP Aluminum Tripod with PH-25 2-Way Pan/Tilt Head

This sturdy lightweight travel tripod is ideal for shooting video and panning sports action, as well as still applications. It has 5-section flip-lock legs, extends to a maximum height of 56.7", provides a minimum shooting height of 6.4", has a folded length of 14.9", and weighs 3.3 lb. Its load-carrying capacity of 7.7 lb will accommodate most DSLR outfits, and it has rubber feet with retractable metal spikes. The pan/tilt head has separate locking knobs for 360° panning and front-to-back tilting, a pan bar for smooth video panning, and a quick-release plate. Other features: Quick-Flip center column, carrying case included.

Vanguard VEO AM-264TR Aluminum Monopod with 3-Leg Base

This 4-section flip-lock monopod extends to a maximum height of 64.1", folds to 22.25", has a load capacity of 13.2 lb, and weighs 2 lb. It has a rubber foot with a retractable spike and its 3-leg base provides added stability and has a ball joint to facilitate smooth pans and tilts when shooting video. A rubber cover hides the top mounting screw, so you can use it as a walking stick.

Vanguard VEO CM-264 Carbon Fiber Monopod

This sturdy, ultra-light 4-section flip-lock monopod weighs just 1 pound, extends to 63", and can support up to 13.2 lb. It folds to 21.25", has a rubber foot, a soft rubber handle, and can be used as a walking stick.

Vanguard CEO AM-264 Aluminum Monopod

Basically an economical aluminum version of the VEO CM-264 listed above, it has the same basic specs but it’s slightly heavier, at 1.2 lb.

Vanguard VEO AM-324 Aluminum Monopod

A robust 4-section flip-lock monopod with an impressive maximum height of 66.7" and a load capacity of 22 lb, it weighs 1.7lb, has a retractable spiked foot, wrist strap, carabiner, rubber handgrip, and a protective thread cover that lets you use it as a walking stick.

Vanguard VEO AM-295 Aluminum Monopod

This sturdy, 5-section flip-lock monopod extends to 63", has an impressive load capacity of 17.6 lb, folds to 20.25", and weighs 1.4 lb. It has a rubber foot for stability on slippery surfaces and a comfortable soft rubber handle.