Edit August 2014: As an alternative you should definitely the AmazonBasics tripod, aluminum, ball head, 157.5 cm look, which I bought now. The Hama is unfortunately but after the initial good impression now defective.
Scope of supply:
At the first encounter, it is found already that the case is not as high as in Mantona. The latter consists of slightly padded nylon material, here it is "only" a thin cover with zipper and carrying strap. But still better than none.
Lies with the Scout Mantona a matching Allen for adjusting the preload at, there's nothing like here.
With such a one would also not far, because the adjustment required in addition to the 3mm Allen also a T10 Torx.
Head:
The ball head of the Hama Traveller Compact Pro seems to stable and is the, the Scout Manotna very similar. The quick release plate, also in Manfrotto PL200 version, consists of die-cast and was lined with cork. This is very convenient as it provides a uniform and non-slip contact surface, even on the narrow mirrorless system cameras will find good support. A pity, however, that it is also here, as in Mantona, no slot is to compensate for a tripod thread outside the optical axis can. Something offer then usually. only panoramic heads.
The locking lever for switching mechanism can be secured against accidental opening, just as in the Mantona, so you do not inadvertently expose the camera to gravity.
The tensioner for the ball head can be easily operated and holds her head well and securely. I do not trust the head quite a middle class DSLR with a telephoto lens to. Extreme focal lengths with proper weight should be left to heads but expensive. Unlike Mantona which a threaded 3/8 "uses port, only a quarter will be" used. I admit that my tenacity of 1/4 "is unknown UNC (approximately 6.35mm, American coarse thread) (also because the material used is unknown), I am with a 3/8" (ca. 9 , 52mm) but safer 'feel'. The thin and rather short piece of thread acts on the head and what you still want to install easy to filigree. Probably it's just a mental thing ... but I'm still so my thoughts.
Center Column:
The head is on a divisible in the middle column, which side located on the opposite also has a 1/4 "connector. That is a hook screwed to which a weight, for example, the photo backpack can be attached to the stability to increase. By dividing the central column, a lower ground level can be achieved, and quickly reversed the whole column, be with the camera now connected, used to ground close to make out shots from the center of the stand.
When Mantona Scout only the rod can be pulled out and used the other way around. A lower "standing" working height by division so you do not reach it. Also missing the Mantona the second port along with hook. The Mantona features as opposed to Hama even on a lateral clamping screw per. The traveler waits in addition to having a central clamping, which allows for better handling in the suspended operation.
Legs:
This is where the compromise and weaknesses of Hama Traveller Compact Pro. The plastic clamps the three levels seem not very high. You are not readjusted.
Edit August 2014: as feared, it is exactly these plastic clamps that have now made tripod unusable. They break easily and the hinge-pins slip out. Not convincing and a real problem, which should revise Hama.
This makes the Scout Mantona significantly better, which has only two pull-out stages. This is also lower in the Mantona its maximum height with only 1,42m. The Hama is after all a very pleasant height of 1,63m. Paid for by a third extract with correspondingly thinner legs. Thus, the Hama Traveller Compact Pro is more susceptible to vibrations. A slight bump to the leg can all stand clearly reverberate. Here the Mantona Scout stands better, but lower. Still, I would not want to call the Hama now bad. There is clearly more vulnerable tripods.
The next compromise is found in the angular adjustment of the legs. Are there set four different angles at Mantona Scout, there are only two. Switchable via a rotatable stop leg approach. With some practice, but it also comes with two possibilities on uneven terrain cope because the Hama brings another advantage, which is withheld from the Mantona: Spikes. At the end of the legs are attached to the tips. Using thread can be screwed over rubber feet. A simple but useful solution that provides the ground for maintenance.
Weight:
Why I buy if I but the Rollei C5i call my own this Hama tripod? Because it is much easier and I'm still looking for a lightweight solution that I can attach to my photo backpack. The Rollei is here with 1,7kg just too hard and must be stored separately / worn. It is not always possible to me, or I feel like it. The Mantona weighs 1.6kg and therefore still only slightly less than the Rollei. The working height of only 1.42 m is too low. The Rollei C5i provides 11cm more and that is noticeably better.
With only 1.3kg and 1,63m height the Hama is the optimal choice for me when the Rollei is too impractical. That is, a little less stable than the Mantona and of course as the Rollei C5i I take this into account because it has indeed on the hook, to which I can hang a weight and improve stability. However, it is also called, regardless of whether or Hama Traveller Mantona Scout, to dispense with the panoramic head of the Rollei. Here is an alternative would be the way the Walimex FW-530 Basic Tripod with Ball Head (144 cm), which I have also been tested and used for some time.
What annoyed me:
After unpacking I noticed immediately how loosely the legs. Normally you would expect a little tension to adjust the angle. Here brandishing two completely without resistance-free, making it unnecessarily difficult for handling. This can be done by tightening the two clamping plates (clamping up / down) to adjust, but this one already needs two tools: first, a 3mm Allen. This one will surely find in almost every household. This attracted two of the four screws, which ever real grip one side of the clamp fixed. Secondly, a Torx T10 screwdriver to a uniform stress to reach the other side of the clamp. Here two smaller, adjacent Torx T10 screws must be tightened. Those without such, looks stupid to boot. Either one would have been limited to the 3mm Allen, or to put the right tools in.
Conclusion:
If you have a limited budget would not give up a comfortable working height, looking for a light weight and can live with the fact that the tripod only "reasonably" stable, but not "very" stable is the Hama Traveller Compact comes per a straight right. Spikes in the feet make a few angular positions of the legs up for quite.
Edit August 2014: The very simple Plastikklemmungen are the everyday use but not up!
Here I see the weak point of the stand and can not recommend buying!
Missing tool to the already factory not reasonable set tripod adapt to the needs is annoying, but it is also the best price. That the head only with a 1/4 "UNC screw is held, I think still a little strange.
Those looking for a more stable solution with powerful and customizable terminals, live with the lower height of only 1.42 m, can the Mantona Scout or alternatively watch the AmazonBasics stand still times closer before accessing here should.
Two stars, because it left me after prolonged use of the mentioned points (clamping) down. Whether it is the 45 Euro was worth now? I do not think so. Normally, it is said, who buys cheap, buys twice. That is not so must be, inter alia, shows the Mantona Scout.
