The Vanguard Veo 235AB travel tripod is a great tripod – so great that I have two of them.
Two Tripods
I really like the Vanguard Veo 235AB travel tripod, but I didn’t purposely buy two of them. After doing my research and buying the tripod, I bought a 100-400mm lens that was bundled with other accessories. Honestly, they usually include a bunch of useless stuff (except for microfiber lens cloths). Much to my surprise, this one included the tripod I had just bought a few weeks ago.
Unboxing
When the Vanguard Veo 235AB arrived, I remember that the box wasn’t very big. That was a plus – since a travel tripod shouldn’t be large. It came with the TBH-50 ball head attached. You can replace it, but it’s just the right size. I was impressed with the nice carrying case, even though I knew I wouldn’t use it. The next impressive feature was the center pole that folds down into the legs, which makes it more compact. My first impression was good.
![Vanguard Veo 235AB Tripod](https://i0.wp.com/www.coximagery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vanguard-veo-235ab-tripod.jpg?resize=538%2C358&ssl=1)
Price
Tripods can be pricey, and I wasn’t looking to break the bank buying a tripod. So, I set a budget of $150 or less. Fortunately, the Vanguard Veo 235AB travel tripod was priced around $100, well under the top end of the budget.
Weight
The weight of the Vanguard Veo 235AB tripod had to be light enough to carry on a backpack while hiking. While a carbon fiber model would have been lighter, the Veo wasn’t very heavy – weighing 3.7 pounds. A carbon fiber tripod may have possibly exceeded my budget. When I travel, I usually pack it in my checked luggage. And, to date I still haven’t exceeded the 50 pound limit of the airlines.
Portability
The Vanguard Veo 235AB fits perfectly in the tripod pocket of my backpack. But, when I’m hiking I mostly carry it in my hand. One of the legs has a rubber grip that makes it easy to hold while walking. Surprisingly, even weighing close to four pounds, it’s pretty comfortable to carry. And, when I need to reattach it to the backpack – it’s pretty simple to do.
![Vanguard Veo 235AB](https://i0.wp.com/www.coximagery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vanguard-veo-235ab.jpg?resize=337%2C517&ssl=1)
Stability
My travel tripod had to be able to support the weight of my camera and lenses. Another score for the Vanguard Veo 235AB was that it supports a max weight of 13.2 pounds. The legs have five sections, which would usually lend to some instability. But, it’s very sturdy. The rubber feet also have a spike that helps keep in place. And, with the quick flip leg locks – you can extend the legs quickly. For the occasions when you need to shoot very low, the center pole can be replaced with an included adapter. I have to admit that I’ve never used the adapter.
![Vanguard veo 235AB Aluminum Tripod](https://i0.wp.com/www.coximagery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vanguard-veo-235ab-aluminum-tripod.jpg?resize=505%2C306&ssl=1)
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re traveling by airplane, car, or bicycle, the Vanguard Veo 235AB travel tripod is great when you’re on-the-go. Since I have two, one stays in the trunk of my car. But, it’s also a great everyday tripod. I used either of mine all the time. If your requirements for a travel tripod are similar to mine, I highly recommend the Veo 235AB.