ProMediaGear TR344L Pro-Stix carbon fiber tripod review

The ProMediaGear TR344L is a high-end, lightweight and thoroughly dependable tripod ideal for long-term landscape photography

ProMediaGear TR344L
(Image: © Jamie Carter)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The ProMediaGear TR344L tripod isn’t for beginners or occasional tripod users, but landscape and outdoor photographers who need something dependable, solid and made to last will love its smooth set-up and ultra-lightweight design.

Pros

  • +

    Super-lightweight carbon fibre

  • +

    180cm/70.7” max height

  • +

    Stable and solid

  • +

    'Secret’ spikes

  • +

    Built-in spirit level

Cons

  • -

    Very expensive

  • -

    Spikes a bit short

  • -

    No center column

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The ProMediaGear TR344L tripod is easily one of the best tripods around right now, but do you really need to spend a whopping $1,079.95 (about £849/AU$1,499) on supporting your camera? Perhaps you don’t, but landscape and nightscape photographers after an ultra-durable, ultra-lightweight and yet highly capable best travel tripod will adore the TR344L. 

Made by ProMediaGear, the TR344L is the top-of-the-range tripod in a range that also includes the small TR343, TR343L and TR344. This tripod has no center column, but with its huge maximum height, will you actually need one? Here’s how we got on with using the TR344L in the field.

Specifications

Material: Carbon fibre
Extended height: 180cm/70.7”
Folded height: 60cm/23.8”
Weight: 1.95kg/4.3lbs
Feet: Pads and spikes
Leg sections: 4
Max load: 27kg/60lbs

Key features

There is no center column, but the TR344L is high enough without it. You can also swap out the flat plate for a ProMediaGear 75mm Bowl Head Adapter for video use. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

You can unscrew the rubber feet to reveal spikes, though the thread is quite stiff. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

Let’s begin by breaking down the TR344L’s name, which is an amalgamation of tripod, 34 (for its 34mm diameter legs), four (for its four-section legs) and long (because it’s 30cm/11.8” longer than the TR344). It's enormous when fully extended, reaching a mighty 180cm/70.7”. It supports 27kg/60lbs. 

There are some easy to see features, and some that only reveal themselves on close inspection. In the first category there’s a built-in (and removable) spirit/bubble level (for getting the TR344L level on uneven ground), twist locks on the three four-section legs (which are nicely grooved and large, so easy to operate with gloved hands) and a 3/8-16 mounting stud for attaching a ball-head. You can upgrade the latter by replacing the existing plate with a ProMediaGear 75mm Bowl Head Adapter. 

In the second group of hidden features are thumb-shaped stops (for putting the TR344L into all kinds of contorted positions) on the leg collars and 1/4-20 mounting holes on the tripod head for attaching ‘magic arms’ for LED lights, accessories and so forth. 

There’s one more secret feature. Although each hollow leg has a rubber moulded foot that’s pretty substantial, you can unscrew it to reveal a stainless steel spike inside that can be swapped-out. 

In the box is a hex key for tightening and loosening the various components – including those foot spikes – and a soft drawstring bag that wisely uses the same fabric as a lens cloth. 

Of course, there is one feature you usually find on a tripod that is missing here, and that’s a centre column. However, since the TR344L can reach 180cm/70.7” you’re unlikely to miss it. 

Performance and usability

(Image credit: Jamie Carter)

The four-section legs give the TR344L a folded length of 60cm. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)

It’s pretty obvious from the price that despite its enormous reach the TR344L weighs almost nothing. Its leg segments are obviously made from carbon fibre – 10 layers of the stuff, in fact – with aluminium collars and stainless steel components together creating a product that weighs only 1.95kg/4.3lbs. Being able to pick up something so huge in one hand is a marvellous feeling when you’re out on a shoot (and particularly when you’re moving location or packing up to go home), but that’s not all you’re paying for. 

The TR344L is also super quick and super-smooth to set-up. The twist locks go from rock-steady to loose in seconds and it’s even possible to work them all in one go using just one hand. The end result is that you can have the tripod fully extended or packed away in seconds. It’s the ultimate in grab-and-go. Sure, those twist-locks do get really cold – they’re aluminium, after all – but they work well with gloves. 

There’s a nice hook underneath the TR344L that’s useful for hanging a camera bag if you want to add some stability. You can tighten the legs at the collar using a hex key, which you’ll find in the box in the shape of a keyring-style multi-tool. 

However, the TR344L isn’t perfect. Those reversible spikes, though a genius idea, are very stiff. It’s quite time-consuming to unscrew them from the inside of the rubber feet then attach them to the outside, and the stiff thread made it impossible to get them looking as good as they did out of the box. 

Verdict

(Image credit: Jamie Carter)

The ProMediaGear TR344L is a really expensive and very impressive tripod that’s been made to suit the needs of dedicated landscape photographers. Sure, it’s way over most budgets and it’s over-specified for what it is for most photographers, but if you’re going to be spending the next decade outdoors in all kinds of weather and you don’t want to spend your time cursing an awkward or heavy tripod then the durable and quick to set-up and pack-up TR344L is worth the investment. 

Jamie Carter
Astrophotography expert

Jamie has been writing about photography, astronomy, astro-tourism and astrophotography for over 15 years, producing content for Forbes, Space.com, Live Science, Techradar, T3, BBC Wildlife, Science Focus, Sky & Telescope, BBC Sky At Night, South China Morning Post, The Guardian, The Telegraph and Travel+Leisure.

As the editor for When Is The Next Eclipse, he has a wealth of experience, expertise and enthusiasm for astrophotography, from capturing the moon and meteor showers to solar and lunar eclipses.

He also brings a great deal of knowledge on action cameras, 360 cameras, AI cameras, camera backpacks, telescopes, gimbals, tripods and all manner of photography equipment. 

Read more
best tripod: man using tripod in sunny field
The best tripod for photographers: give your camera a rock-steady support
Photographer with camera on tripod photographing urban skyline at sunrise. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The best carbon fiber tripods: get solid support for your camera while easing the load for the journey
The best travel tripod: from full-size sticks to bag-sized mini-tripods
Vanguard Alta Pro 3VL 304CT tripod legs
Vanguard Alta Pro 3VL 304CT review: sturdy carbon legs and a leveling base, bring your own head
Ulanzi VideoGo Travel Video Tripod
The best video tripods: supports with fluid heads for shooting movies smoothly
SmallRig x Potato Jet
SmallRig x Potato Jet TRIBEX Hydraulic Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit review: twist, flip or none of the above?
Latest in Tripods
Tripod head attachment
Everyone thinks tripod quick-release plates save photographers time. I don't agree
Benro NBBH by Novoflex
Benro and Novoflex unveil new collaborative tripod ball head at The Photography & Video Show
Benro Cyanbird Carbon Tripod with FS30 head
Benro launches new ultra-light travel tripod kit, plus a pair of clever tripod heads
Vanguard LVL-42 levelling base adaptor
Vanguard launches new adapters that'll turn any tripod into a leveling tripod
Vanguard Alta Pro 3VL 304CT tripod legs
Vanguard Alta Pro 3VL 304CT review: sturdy carbon legs and a leveling base, bring your own head
Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fibre Travel Tripod, man looking through viewfinder
11 tripod mistakes you could be making – from wrestling with cheap tripods to not using good ones correctly
Latest in Reviews
A photo of the Poco F7 Ultra in yellow
Poco F7 Ultra review: a surprise gaming and camera powerhouse
Insta360 Link 2C webcam
Insta360 Link 2C review – a tiny AI-webcam with massive ambitions
Geekom A6 mini PC
Geekom A6 mini desktop PC review
Fujifilm GFX 100RF camera on a red table in bright sunlight
Fujifilm GFX100RF review: medium format marvel
James Artaius using a Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM on a Canon EOS R5
Hands-on Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM review: Canon's widest professional prime for the RF mount
Canon RF 14-30mm f/4-6.3 STM PZ lens mounted to a Canon EOS R50 V
Hands-on Canon RF-S 14-30mm f/4-6.4 IS STM PZ review: THE must-have lens for content creators