The New Explorer Ascent Tripod
A good tripod can be hard to find and striking a balance between one that is both high-quality and reasonably priced can seem like an impossible endeavor. But, thankfully Explorer is up for the challenge. They have recently launched a line of tripods that competes with the best out there. For the last 6 weeks, I’ve been testing out the new Explorer EX-ACPROKIT Ascent in a trial by fire.
Within my first week having the Ascent, I drug the poor thing through undoubtedly my most demanding shoot yet – rafting the Grand Canyon! For 10 days I was totally unable to clean the tripod all while it was repeatedly inundated in water, blasted with sand, and hauled through slot canyons and up steep cliffs. I was a little afraid to bring an untested tripod on such a big trip, but it turns out my fears were unfounded. The Ascent worked like a champ even while I watched the tripods of others break down in the grueling conditions. Early in the trip, an insane wind storm ensured every crevice of the tripod was filled with sand and, even then, the legs of this tripod never missed a beat. Let’s just say I was pretty sold on the Ascent after this experience!
I don’t take testing a product lightly, so after the Grand Canyon I used the Ascent for 2 weeks in the Tetons and 2 more weeks hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and it was a seamless experience at every turn. So, let’s dive into what exactly I love so much about it.
The Pros
First, the ball head is rock-solid. With a max load of 57lbs, I absolutely love that I can use a telephoto lens without it “dipping” after I lock in my composition. Simply put, this ball head doesn’t budge.
Second, this baby is LIGHT. At 4.9lbs including the ball head, it’s much lighter than the competition (a whole 1.5lbs lighter than a Really Right Stuff 24L + BH-55 ball head). Much of this is due to the cleverly engineered hollow ball head designed to minimize weight while maximizing strength. The Ascent means I don’t have to choose between stability and portability on my adventures.
Third, let’s talk bang for buck. For comparison, I have shot with my Really Right Stuff 24L and BH-40 ball head for over 2 years. I know what a high-end tripod feels like. The Explorer Ascent is absolutely competitive at the top of the tripod market. At a retail price of $699, this tripod competes with the big dogs at a fraction of the price. As a workshop leader, I am constantly asked about tripods, and balancing quality with budget has always been hard. I’ve already started recommending the Ascent – and its little brother the EX-EXPPRO Expedition Pro ($489) – to clients. In fact, it’s now the only tripod that I suggest.
Fourth, it’s a great working height. Extending up to 60”, this tripod is tall enough to get the job done without having to stoop. If you’re extra tall, you can even add in a center column for some extra reach, but for most people it will be an ideal height as is. I’m 5’4” and on flat ground I don’t quite use the max height, but it sure is nice to have it available when needed.
Fifth, this might seem nitpicky, but it solves a really common problem I see on workshops. The tension/friction control for the ball head is built into the main adjustment knob in such a way that you can’t accidentally change the tension setting. This clever design allows you to set the tension of your choice and then forget it which means a more streamlined experience in the field.
My Wish List
Of course, as any new product does, there are a few things I’d like to see in the future as Explorer continues to develop its lineup.
First up on the wish list, a quick-release lever on the ball head to make working in the field even faster. A second wish would be the long legs of the Ascent on a narrow apex like what the Expedition Pro uses making it even more compact and portable.
And finally, the Ascent is already reasonably watertight, but I’d like to see either a fully watertight version or the introduction of vents at the top of the legs to speed up drying.
The Bottom Line
The Ascent (and its little brother the Expedition Pro) strikes the perfect balance between sturdiness, weight, and price. At this time, it is definitely replacing the heavier Really Right Stuff tripod as my go-to setup for the field and I’ll be recommending both the Ascent and the Expedition Pro to others in the future.
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